This neighborhood coffee shop with a mission (it raises money for Bethel Family House, a faith-based addiction recovery center), serves kolaches — nola-ches — pastries, breakfast sandwiches, frappes, and coffee drinks in one of the friendliest atmospheres in town (it’s also wheelchair accessible, not a guarantee in New Orleans). As a major bonus, it’s open late, until 9 p.m. daily.

Park Island Brew is a newer favorite, opened in 2020 on Gentilly Boulevard by Kevin Davis and business partner Chachera Brantley. The lovely corner building has become a neighborhood gathering place for its intricate espresso drinks — like the new rosemary lavender shakerato — and sweet treats.

The Bean Gallery is a longtime Mid City favorite serving Turkish coffee and specialty teas, outlasting many of the shops that have come and gone and over the years. It’s open early and closes late, and there’s lots of seating indoor and out to enjoy drinks and the relatively large food menu of paninis, bagel sandwiches, avocado toast, and sweets.

Church Alley is a charming community-driven cafe in Mid City, one that consistently shows up in a big way for its neighborhood. It’s also vastly expanded its food offerings, which include beet and apple salad, tahini avocado toast, and smoked ham and cheddar scones, as well as monthly drink specials.

Treme’s Old Road Coffee always has something new to offer, from kombucha tastings to Honduran breakfasts to art markets showcasing some extremely talented local vendors. Serving coffee from Congregation Roasters and Mojo, Old Road also serves fresh pastries and breakfast sandwiches made by a local mother-daughter team daily.

This corner shop is a longtime local favorite in the Marigny; fondly heralded for its friendly and funky atmosphere and for serving an excellent hot breakfast in addition to quality coffee and espresso drinks. Sit in one of three cozy rooms inside or on the raised sidewalk seating — all offer a pleasant setting. Love that this shop also serves mimosas and other drinks, if you’re done with coffee for the day.

Formerly called Solo Espresso, Lowpoint on Poland Avenue might just be the Upper Ninth Ward’s favorite coffee shop. A bit of a hidden gem, some would be surprised to learn the grab-and-go spot tucked away on a jungly corner lot is serving some of the city’s best coffee and espresso drinks.

Treme Coffeehouse is a gem; bright, cheery, full of local art, free wifi, tasty savories and sweets, excellent java (yes, including cold brew) small and community minded — all reasons to visit again and again.

Pond Coffee is for the real coffee heads —an if-you-know-you-know kind of place. The sweet stand was opened by two baristas in 2020, connected to Small Mart’s beloved corner shop located on the border of the Marigny and Bywater. It’s popular for chai, matcha, lavender lattes, and cappuccinos, made exclusively with oat milk. Small Mart is a must-try for food, even if just a cookie or pastry, but the vegetarian Indian-inspired menu and bagel sandwiches are worth a separate visit.

This quaint new coffee shop and cafe on a quaint corner in Bywater has quickly become a popular destination for its excellent coffee, fresh pastries, and great European-style sandwiches. Open until 6 p.m., Petite Clouet’s sidewalk tables are usually occupied with friends chatting or people working.

New Orleans coffee vet Tom Oliver opened Coffee Science on S. Broad near the courthouse at the beginning of 2018, joining a growing number of new businesses in the area. While primarily about world-class coffee, the shop also serves pastries, sandwiches, and salads, as well as a revival of a few of Kaldi’s most popular iced coffee drinks. Coffee Science consistently hosts the best pop-ups in the city on Sundays.

Congregation Coffee is the brainchild of a New Orleans native and a Seattle transplant who met while working at Cochon Butcher. As one of the newest roasteries in town it’s quickly gained a following, with a cafe and retail shop in Algiers Point serving espresso drinks daily and sometimes hosting weekend brunch pop ups. These beans are the ones to use if you have a fancy espresso machine.

This sunny Warehouse District shop from Jonathan Riethmaier, co-founder of the New Orleans Barista Social Club, boasts a Seraphim in-counter brewing system with automated pour overs and specialty drinks. Mammoth is now a roaster as well, with plans for an upcoming roasting facility and expanded cafe. The tea program is one of the best in town.

With a few locations around town plus a successful foray into roasting, this LGD shop is still innovating in the New Orleans coffee world. Check out the coffee cocktails like the espresso gimlet, a double shot of espresso layered on top of a combination of lemon, lime, and simple syrup. Visit any of Mojo’s locations for a wide variety of locally-roasted signature beans, a four pack of 32-ounce cold brews, and even milked oats. Bonus: the location on Magazine is open late.

This LGD coffee shop is a great spot to do work fueled by an array of breakfast/lunch items (including vegan and gluten-free). Everything — drinks and a substantial food menu — is made fresh to order. Plus, it may be the most stylish coffee shop around with its art deco design and mid-century decor.

Coast Roast Coffee, first started in St. Roch Market, has a lovely outpost Uptown on Magazine Street with a particularly pleasant patio out front. Find exceptionally creative drinks, fun breakfast pop-ups on the weekend, and a vast menu of grab-and-go food items at all times.

After gaining a following with her pop-up run inside of Stein’s Deli, local barista Lauren Fink opened the Cherry Coffee shop on Laurel in 2016, now an Uptown favorite, and a second shop two years later. She’s also since launched her own local roasting operation, but still sometimes features guest roasters.