COFFEE & DESSERT

ANGELO BROCATO'S
214 N. Carrollton Ave., 486-1465; www.angelobrocatoicecream.com
New Orleans' most famous purveyor of ice cream is a Mid-City sweet shop that also provides ice creams and pastries to restaurants all over town. Brocato offers 24 flavors made fresh with milk, cream, fruit, nuts and nut pastes, as well as Italian ice specialties like spumoni or cassata. With spring comes blood-orange ice, and in March, Brocato's will make Louisiana strawberry ice. Pastries and baked goods include several types of Sicilian cannoli, which are crispy ricotta cheese-filled pastry shells with semi-sweet chocolate chips or dipped in pistachio nuts. No reservations. Lunch and dinner Tue.-Sun. Credit cards. $


BELLA BREW
2701 Airline Drive, Suite L, Metairie, 846-9930
This coffeehouse and lunch spot offers a mix of coffee drinks, juices, pastries, quiches and salads as well as daily lunch specials. The frozen coffee punch is an espresso drink of ice cream blended with chocolate and topped with chocolate syrup and whipped cream. The lightly spiced shrimp salad rests in half an avocado surrounded by greens, tomato and egg. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Mon.-Sat. Credit cards. $


BEN & JERRY'S ICE CREAM
3500 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 887-5656; www.benjerry.com
The famous New England brand Ben & Jerry's is every ice-cream lover's dream come true. In addition to ice cream in basic flavor varieties, there are specials like the waffle cone sundae filled with any flavor and topped with hot fudge or caramel, whipped cream and a choice of toppings. For something a little lighter, there's the strawberry kiwi smoothie made with non-fat sorbet and fresh fruit. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


CC'S COFFEEHOUSE
Citywide; www.communitycoffee.com
CC's brews a full range of specialty coffee drinks and has all the extras to wake up in the morning or settle in for an afternoon of studying. A locally founded chain, Community Coffee serves its own special blends. Sweet options include pastries, muffins and cookies. Many locations also have wireless Internet. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $


CAFÉ DU MONDE
Citywide; www.cafédumonde.com
Café du Monde is a landmark built on coffee and donuts. Café au lait with chicory and airy beignets loaded with powdered sugar have made the original location world famous and spawned new coffee stands throughout the area. Even with the relatively recent addition of orange juice and a soda fountain, the brief menu might as well be written in stone. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Cash only. $


CAFÉ LUNA
802 Nashville Ave., 269-2444
A cozy coffeehouse with a grand porch overlooking Magazine Street, Café Luna is the perfect place to relax with a book, a cup of joe or a few friends. Pastries and panini sandwiches are served from the small coffee bar inside, where you'll also find a variety of drinks and loose-leaf and herbal teas. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $


CAMPBELL'S COFFEE & TEA
516 S. Tyler St., Covington, (985) 246-6992
This Covington café specializes in home-baked items like blueberry, carrot and banana-nut muffins, scones and cinnamon rolls with plenty of butter cream icing. Changing soup specials include broccoli and cheese, chicken enchilada or shrimp and corn bisque. Paninis are another house specialty, with toppings like roast turkey, ham, artichoke and various cheeses. The Muffulini presses olive salad, salami, ham, Swiss, provolone, pesto and sun-dried tomatoes on ciabatta bread. No reservations. Breakfast Mon.-Sat., lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $


CHERRYONTOP
7712 Maple St., 861-4490; www.cherryontop.mobi
Dietary guilt need not be included with a visit to Cherryontop, which serves low-calorie frozen yogurt with a variety of toppings. The stacké layers yogurt with a nectar snowball and big bulging blueberries on top. The blendé blends blueberries, strawberries and bananas with frozen yogurt, shaved ice and juice. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


COFFEA COFFEEHOUSE GALLERY
3218 Dauphine St., 342-2484; www.coffeacoffeehouse.com
It's no wonder regulars tend to linger long at this coffee shop and café. The walls are adorned with a combination of paintings by local artists and found object constructions. Even the café's funky mismatched furniture is interesting. Some folks run in for just a cup of coffee, and others stay for light meals of crepes, homemade biscuits, New York bagels and daily specials. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Wed.-Mon. Credit cards. $


COLD STONE CREAMERY
624 S. Carrollton Ave., 218-8900; www.coldstonecreamery.com
Order your favorite ice cream flavor and watch the counter attendants blend it before your eyes on a cool granite slab. One local hit is the Cheesecake Named Desire, a graham cracker-crusted cheesecake layered with ice cream and topped with raspberry sauce and whipped raspberry frosting. Mixing items include a wide variety of nuts, fruit and candy. Shakes and smoothies are also available. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


CREOLE CREAMERY
4924 Prytania St., 894-8680; www.creolecreamery.com
This popular Uptown ice cream parlor offers nostalgic décor but very modern tastes in the freezer cases. Beyond the large selection of chocolate variations, the menu boasts exotic flavors such as mascarpone with lemon zest and hibiscus with sweet cranberry. The black and gold crunch — French vanilla accented with chicory, Oreos and chocolate chips — is a favorite. Then there are extra toppings to consider. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $


ESPRESSO EXPRESS
One Shell Square, 701 Poydras St., Suite 116, 524-5115
Located inside One Shell Square, this bustling café draws folks from offices all over the CBD for hot breakfasts and fresh lunch choices. Breakfast tacos, muffins and cinnamon rolls start out the day. At lunch panini-style sandwiches and daily specials take center stage. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch Mon.-Fri. Credit cards. $


FAIR GRINDS COFFEEHOUSE
3133 Ponce de Leon St., 913-9073; www.fairgrinds.com
Fair Grinds makes its café au lait with high-quality dark roasted coffee and scalded milk. Light fare includes locally prepared pastries, desserts, breads and ice cream. There's plenty of outdoor seating to take advantage of during pleasant weather. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash and checks. $


FUEL COFFEE HOUSE
4807 Magazine St., 895-5757
Fuel up for the day with coffee and a breakfast sandwich of scrambled eggs and cheddar cheese on a toasted English muffin. The coffeehouse also serves fresh vegetarian soups like split pea or black bean. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards. $


HAAGEN-DAZS
Riverwalk Marketplace, 1 Poydras St., 861-2500
The name Haagen-Dazs is, of course, synonymous with luscious ice creams, but this Riverwalk franchise also offers a variety of coffee drinks, including rich lattes and frothy cappuccinos. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


HENRY'S BAKERY & DELI
2313 St. Claude Ave., 944-2622; 3400 S. Claiborne Ave., 894-8894
Proprietor Dwight Henry has made a name for himself at his old-school bake shops, offering some classic renditions of nearly lost New Orleans pastries. The buttermilk drops sell out very early, but regulars duck in for donuts throughout the day. The deli serves righteous portions of soul food classics at lunch and breakfast every morning. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash only. $


HERSHEY'S ICE CREAM PARLOR
70456 Hwy. 21, Suite 400, Covington, (985) 809-7445
Did someone say Hershey? It practically guarantees a chocolaty experience at this Covington ice-cream parlor, even if it isn't related to the famous chocolate magnate. The local Hersheys boast more than a century of experience, producing contemporary flavors such as and Moose Tracks and Cappuccino Crunch as well as good old-fashioned vanilla. And it doesn't have to be your birthday to snag a scoop of the birthday cake flavor. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


MARBLE SLAB CREAMERY
4201 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, 887-2167; www.marbleslabcreamery.com
Marble Slab is named for the cool marble slab used to blend ingredients. The ice cream parlor offers a very large selection of flavors and mix-ins like bits of cookies, candy, nuts, fruit, marshmallows and more. One popular flavor is the cheesecake ice cream with fresh strawberries. Or try the sweet cream ice cream with crushed Oreos. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


MARIGNY PERKS
2401 Burgundy St., 948-7401; www.marignyperks.com
This neighborhood coffeehouse offers many perks to its Marigny regulars. With free Wi-Fi and a dog-friendly atmosphere, patrons feel right at home as they sip coffee, surf the Web and enjoy one of the shop's signature desserts like red velvet or Cookies & Cream cupcakes, or the banana nut bread. The menu includes spinach quiche, sandwiches, salads and soup. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $


MAURICE FRENCH PASTRIES
3501 Hessmer Ave., Metairie, 885-1526; 4951 W. Napoleon Ave., Metairie, 455-0830; www.mauricefrenchpastries.com
Under the direction of owner/chef Jean-Luc Albin, Maurice's conjures up confectionery delights for any occasion. The profiterole—a glazed pastry puff with chocolate ice cream and whipped cream on top—is a popular choice. Also try fresh tarts and traditional English trifles, which feature layers of mixed fruit, fresh cream, custard and cake. Classic desserts include red velvet cake, tiramisu and carrot cake. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner Tue.-Sat. Credit cards and checks. $


MOCHACCINO'S
1005 Lee Road, Covington, (985) 809-1111; www.mochaccinos.com
Mochaccino's offers regular and flavored coffees, pastries and a menu of sandwiches and light entrées. For those who don't consider dessert a food group, there are wraps and panini sandwiches like the Philly cheese. Italian pasta salad is piled high with rotini and strips of salami and provolone. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards and checks. $


MOJO COFFEE HOUSE
1500 Magazine St., 525-2244
Brewing good mojo daily at the erstwhile original Rue de La Course in the Lower Garden District, this corner spot is keeping the neighborhood coffeeshop scene alive and well. Besides coffee and the assortment of fresh baked goods, Mojo offers bubble teas and a variety of limeades and lemonades. Sidewalk tables make for fine social sipping. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $


MORNING CALL
3325 Severn Ave., Metairie, 885-4068; www.morningcallcoffeestand.com
Morning Call flourished for more than a century at its original spot on Decatur Street in the French Quarter before it moved to Metairie in 1974. But it's still serving the same rich chicory coffee and light, airy beignets it always has. The doughnuts arrive fresh and hot with a liberal dose of powdered sugar. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Cash only. $


PJ'S COFFEE & WINEBAR
5359 Mounes St., Harahan, 731-2905; www.gourmet-ideas.com
PJ's to the max, this enhanced coffeeshop has all of the specialty coffees of the chain, plus a selection of beers and wines from around the world. Bagels, muffins or other baked goods coupled with a fresh cup of hot coffee are a pleasant way to start your morning. Panini sandwiches, soups, salads and small tapas-style dishes pair nicely with a drink in the evening. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


PJ'S COFFEE OF NEW ORLEANS
Citywide; www.pjscoffee.com
Grab a cup of coffee and a fresh pastry or one of the other baked goods at any area PJ's to start the day with some local flavor. Some of the choices include blueberry muffins, cranberry muffins and croissants in the morning. Popular sweet options include carrot cake, bourbon pecan pie and lemon squares. Many locations offer wireless Internet connections. No reservations. Hours vary by location. Credit cards. $


RUE DE LA COURSE
1140 S. Carrollton Ave., 861-4343; 3121 Magazine St., 899-0242
Fresh cupcakes are the newest addition to the pastry selections at this comfortable coffee shop, popular with students, as well as longtime Uptown denizens. Caffeine cravers will find a full range of house-roasted coffee and espresso drinks, flavored iced coffees and specialty teas. The layered caffe latte is the house specialty. Sandwich options include a choice of bread, like dark black forest or seven-grain bread, meats like roast beef, turkey or chicken salad and a range of toppings like peppers, tomatoes, lettuce and sprouts and choice of cheese. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Cash only. $


ST. JOHN'S COFFEEHOUSE
535 E. Boston St., Covington, (985) 893-5553; www.stjohnscoffeehouse.com
If you care where your coffee came from, you may be pleased to know that St. John's offers organic, fair-trade coffee selections. There's a full selection of tea, smoothies and shakes. Gourmet sandwiches and wraps, including plenty of vegetarian options, are served daily at lunch. Try the signature Sedona sandwich, perked up by a Southwest cream-cheese spread. Ice cream, pastries and desserts also are available. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Cash and checks. $


SOUND CAFÉ
2700 Chartres St., 947-4477
Well-crafted coffee drinks and a sense of community are the main draws at this modern classic of a coffeehouse, located on a quiet Marigny corner. Brownies, cookies and cakes may beckon to your sweet tooth but there also are bagels and sandwiches made on fresh French bread. No reservations. Breakfast and lunch daily. Credit cards and checks. $


STILL PERKIN'
2727 Prytania St., 899-0335
Known for its refreshing iced coffees and decadent granitas, Still Perkin' also offers a wide array of salads, sandwiches, pastries and bagels, complete with homemade cream cheeses like tomato basil and chive. Located across the street from historic Lafayette Cemetery No. 1, this java house offers free Wi-Fi and sunny corner windows perfect for studying. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and early dinner daily. Credit cards. $


SUCRE
3025 Magazine St., 520-8311; www.shopsucre.com
This is more than just a pastry and gelato shop, but after a savory portabello mushroom sandwich on foccacia bread, there's no reason not to reward yourself with a little dessert. French macaroons, sandwiched with luscious creams and ganaches, come in a variety of flavors like orange marmalade and pistachio. Xocolat Sucre is a dense chocolate cake layered with chocolate cream and finished with chocolate mousse. Only sweets and coffee offered in the evening. No reservations. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


YOU-GURT
7638 Maple St., 304-8432; www.yougurt.net
At this new self-serve yogurt parlor, customers mix their own yogurt from a selection of 14 nonfat soft-serve flavors, toss in any of the dozens of fresh fruit and dry toppings and pay by the ounce. Hummus, edamame and chicken quesadillas add savory choices to the menu as well. No reservations. Lunch and dinner daily. Credit cards. $


Z'OTZ COFFEEHOUSE
8210 Oak St., 861-2224
Students and bohemians flock to Z'otz at all hours for organic, fair-trade coffee, hubcap-sized cookies, vegan baked goods and exotic drinkables like bubble tea and yerba mate. A changing lunch menu includes items like miso soup, stuffed grape leaves and grilled cheese sandwiches. No reservations. Open 24 hours. Cash only. $

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