Merchant in New Orleans is the CBD cafe on Common Street at Carondelet, in the 1899 historic Hibernia building, with sweet and savory crepes, espresso and a long workday crowd.
Tip: The Nutella banana crepe is the cult order; the front-window counter has the best laptop seat.
Address: 800 Common St, New Orleans, LA 70112
Cafe du Monde in New Orleans is the 1862 French Market coffee stand on Decatur opposite Jackson Square, with beignets and chicory cafe au lait served around the clock.
Signature drink: Cafe au lait with chicory
Tip: The original stand is open 24 hours; visit 04:00 to 07:00 to skip the queue entirely.
Cafe Beignet on Royal Street in New Orleans is the 1990 French Quarter beignet cafe at 334 Royal, with sit-down service, a small courtyard and a Cafe du Monde counterpoint.
Signature drink: Cafe au lait
Tip: The Royal Street courtyard is the most-pleasant of the chain's locations; live jazz on weekends.
HiVolt in New Orleans is the Lower Garden District coffee shop on Sophie Wright Place, with locally-roasted drip, gluten-free breakfast dishes and a quiet upstairs workspace.
Signature drink: Drip filter coffee
Tip: Upstairs has wifi and tables that work for laptops; the front patio runs cooler in the morning.
Mammoth Espresso in New Orleans is the Warehouse District coffee bar on Baronne Street with a long pour-over menu, an espresso flight and laptops welcome through the workday.
Signature drink: Espresso flight
Tip: The pour-over bar takes its time; order at the counter and grab a window seat to wait.
District Donuts on Magazine in New Orleans is the Lower Garden District scratch-doughnut and breakfast counter on Magazine, with rotating flavours and post-11am sliders.
Signature drink: Locally-roasted drip
Tip: Doughnut flavours rotate daily; check Instagram for the day's drop before you go.
Willa Jean in New Orleans is the CBD bakery cafe and bar on O'Keefe Avenue, James Beard pastry chef Kelly Fields's room with cornbread, biscuits and a long brunch service.
Signature drink: Iced coffee with chicory
Tip: The cornbread arrives with cane syrup butter as a starter; order it even at breakfast.
