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.
Tip: The cornbread arrives with cane syrup butter as a starter; order it even at breakfast.
Address: 611 O'Keefe Ave, New Orleans, LA 70113
Bywater Bakery in New Orleans is the Dauphine Street corner bakery cafe in Bywater, with king cakes, breakfast plates and the Chantilly cream cake from baker Maggie Scales.
Signature drink: Cortado
Tip: King cakes are seasonal between Twelfth Night and Mardi Gras; the chantilly cream slice runs year-round.
Croissant D'Or in New Orleans is the French Quarter patisserie on Ursulines Avenue, in a 1913 Brocato's ice cream shop space, with classic French pastry and an Old World courtyard.
Signature drink: Cafe au lait
Tip: The almond croissant is the cult order; the back courtyard is the Quarter's most-pleasant hidden cafe seat.
Spitfire Coffee in New Orleans is the small French Quarter pour-over counter on St Peter near Bourbon, a tiny standing-room cafe with single-origin filter and espresso.
Signature drink: Pour-over single origin
Tip: Standing room only; grab a coffee to take along on a Royal Street walk.
Congregation Coffee in New Orleans is the Algiers Point cafe and roaster on Pelican Avenue, ten minutes from Jackson Square via ferry, with single-origin filter and a quiet patio.
Signature drink: House espresso
Tip: Take the Algiers Ferry across the river for the morning; it costs around $2 and runs every 30 minutes.
Stumptown at the Ace Hotel in New Orleans is the Portland-roaster cafe inside the 1928 lobby on Carondelet Street, with a long pour-over bar and a CBD work crowd at the counter.
Signature drink: Cold brew
Tip: The Ace lobby itself is a workspace; order Stumptown and use the long communal table.
French Truck Coffee in New Orleans is the local roaster's Magazine Street flagship in the Lower Garden District, with single-origin pour-overs and a sunny window seat row.
Signature drink: House blend espresso
Tip: The roastery on Dryades Street offers cupping sessions on weekends; book ahead.
