Best Bakery and Cake Shops in New Orleans

"Parkway has been a master of pivots throughout the pandemic, from quickly establishing an efficient curbside service model to adding tenting to let seating spill outside. This patio isn’t the most open-air of the bunch — it’s more of an extension of the restaurant — but it is one of the most protected from the elements; no need to fear a storm spoiling your po’ boys and gumbo here."

"Parkway Bakery & Tavern has been open since 1911 and serving up po’ boys since 1929. After more than 100 years, it remains a family-run business to this day. Founder Jay Nix and Head Chef Justin Kennedy have won several awards and have been featured on television for their exceptionally delicious po’ boy sandwiches, such as the Golden Fried Catfish and Parkway Surf and Turf."

"Heralded as serving the best po’ boy in America, Parkway Tavern has been a New Orleans cheap eats institution for over 100 years. Must-try po’ boys include wild caught Louisiana shrimp, fried to crispy perfection; and surf and turf, layering shrimp, slow-cooked roast beef and gravy. For between $12 and $15, you have a feast for two."

"If you’re in the South Market District then look no further than Willa Jean for your holiday grab and go’s. Assorted pastries and holiday pies like chocolate bourbon pecan plus a menu of savory items round out this year’s offerings. Take the baking stress away and order online today."

"Willa Jean is one of the most talked about restaurants in New Orleans. With fresh ingredients, a Southern-rustic feel, and all around great food, it is a go-to for many. Their twist on the classic milk and cookies is delicious."

"Gracious bakes all the breads for its delicious sandwiches, along with killer breakfast pastries, traditional French confections, and original creations like the hazelnut “Kermit” cruffin (we like a good pun almost as much as sweets) and the pretzel croissant. Swing by for brunch and try the biscuit breakfast sandwiches, bagels, and twice-baked French toast. And for lunch, the meatloaf sandwich is dangerously habit-forming."

"With three locations (Uptown, Garden District and Mid-City), there are several opportunities to try delightful breakfast treats like breakfast sandwiches, house-cured salmon bagels, house-made granola, morning buns and other baked goods. The Uptown location on Prytania has more seating. Pick up a baguette for later on your way out."

"What you're getting: A Pretzel Croissant Pastries, pastries, and more pastries are what you’ll find at Gracious, as well as a load of sandwiches and elegant desserts. Bonus points for its creative approach to baking, which brings with it the Hazelnut “Kermit” Cruffin, as well as Pretzel Croissants."

"Soul food and tasty king cakes are just two of the mouthwatering options you can indulge in at The Buttermilk Drop. While their breakfast and lunch food is truly superb, they serve some of the best donuts in New Orleans, too. Their speciality is, of course, the buttermilk drop."

"Donuts, quick breads, and the eponymous buttermilk drop can be found at this local favorite. What is a buttermilk drop?. Well, it’s kind of like a donut hole, but more substantial, made with buttermilk, coated in cinnamon sugar, and (proudly) invented in New Orleans."

"I've been going to the buttermilk drop since my son was in kindergarten, now he has graduated from high school. Every Friday I'll stop in at hi..."

"Those who seek chewy cookies and all-natural ingredients can try Shake Sugary on St. Claude Avenue. Vegan cookies in flavors like chunky peanut butter chocolate chip and lemon poppyseed almost feel healthy, while traditional cookies like cran-orange white chocolate oatmeal and mocha chocolate pecan are simply decadent. You’ll also find buttery shortbreads with herbs and spices baked right in."

"Founded in 2010 by Lead Pastry Chef Dawn Snead, Shake Sugary is a family-run bakeshop located in New Orleans’ Bywater District. Offering handmade, homemade, and all natural baked goods, this bakery is known for items like the maple bacon sweet potato biscuit and baked samosa, as well as for its vegan treats and creative custom cakes. View this post on Instagram"

"At this Uptown neighborhood bakery, you can get a taste of king cake year-round. Their light, fluffy, and sweet cake is offered with a variety of fillings and doused with purple, green, and gold sugar."

"833 Howard Ave., (504) 299-8792; G’s Kitchen Spot, Balcony Bar, 3201 Magazine St., (504) 894-8888; 4840 Bienville St., (504) 483-6464; www.gspizzas.com. A Bienville Supreme pie includes pepperoni, Italian sausage, ground beef, mushrooms, onion, bell pepper, black olives, mozzarella and tomato sauce."

"After exploring the Mid-City cemeteries, stop by G's Pizza to refuel. This funky little spot is tucked away on Bienville (there are two other NOLA locations, too), and they serve delicious pizza, pasta, salads, and sandwiches. I love their NOLA Green Roots Pizza!"

"First raised in 1875, this old market hall on St. Claude Avenue came through a post-Katrina renovation between 2012-15, reopening as a modern, chef-centric food hall. In this bright and airy space are 11 dining options around an acclaimed craft cocktail bar, The Mayhaw. T2 Streetfood does Vietnamese classics like banh mi, pho and bao buns, while Torshi is all about eastern Mediterranean flavours, from falafel to gyros, tabouli and baklava."

"This food hall brings together a medley of culinary experiences in a restored structure originally built in 1875. The light-filled interior space provides the perfect foil for the street-food-esque dining concept. You may want to visit twice if you want to try all of what the vendors are selling."

"This late-19th-century city-owned seafood market, which was by and large abandoned after Hurricane Katrina, was reborn as an upscale food hall several years ago. The dilapidated structure was spruced up and the navelike interior painted an..."

"The place, in a former K & B drug store, is pretty in a 1990s sort of way with design wows like bright, multi-colored, Chihuly-esque blown glass chandeliers and bi-level white tablecloth dining (the top level is reserved for private parties). The sushi menu melds traditional Japanese dishes and New Orleans ingredients (see jazz roll, Uptown roll, and New Orleans roll on the menu) along with bento box lunch specials and a full bar including an extensive sake list and specialty cocktails. Happy hour happens daily from 3 p.m."

"Even though they call themselves a café, this is certainly an upscale spot. Make your reservations because it’ll book fast. They, too, incorporate New Orleans cuisine throughout their menu– some highlights include the Crawfish Corn Soup and PoBoy Roll."

"A good meal was ruined by four obnoxious children running and stomping across the upper level and around the entire restaurant while two mothers sat drin..."

"Though it only opened in 2010, High Hat Cafe has already woven itself into the fabric of the neighborhood, with its menu of Louisiana staples that give it the feel of a longtime fixture. On Burgers, Brew & ’Que, Michael described the Fried Oyster Remoulade Po’ Boy as the “most crispy, savory and preeminent po’ boy in the entire city.” Gulf oysters are coated in a cornmeal dredge, deep-fried, then tossed in a housemade remoulade that forgoes the traditional mayonnaise base in favor of vinaigrette for a tangier taste. The oysters come nestled on a classic po’ boy loaf (airy on the inside and crunchy on the outside) that’s slicked with mayonnaise and topped with lettuce and tomato."

"Located on “Pimento Cheese Row” the bar is set high for this dish adapted from the owner's family recipe. Allison Richard, chef of High Hat Café says, “The real game changer is grating your own cheese.” She adds, "Fresh garlic and Hellmann's mayonnaise—the only kind I use—round it out."

"A High Hat burger is topped with pimiento cheese and served with fries. Reservations accepted for large parties. Lunch and dinner daily."