All following images were taken by Grace Wood.
Café Malou
A streetcar ride and a ten-minute walk away, Café Malou brings a French-inspired café to Magazine Street. For anyone who appreciates a thoughtfully styled restaurant like myself, the space immediately stands out. The décor is simple but intentional, and the overall atmosphere feels light and welcoming. On a recent Friday afternoon visit, my sister and I visited for a late lunch. To drink, my sister ordered the Maple Vanilla Café au Lait, which was warm and subtly sweet, while I ordered the Ginger Matcha Lemonade which offered something slightly different from a standard coffee order. Though both were good, the extensive menu of coffees, teas, and other refreshments makes it easy to justify returning to try something new. Despite arriving at 2 p.m., we both opted for breakfast. My sister ordered “Mani’s Granola and Yogurt,” served with maple olive oil granola and blueberry jam, while I ordered the ricotta and satsuma toast with olive oil and sea salt. We shared both and deemed both excellent. The yogurt in combination with the jam and granola had lots of flavor while the toast balanced sweet and savory notes perfectly. Beyond breakfast, Café Malou offers sandwiches (including crab and mushroom options), salads, a full section of “Malou’s Baked Eggs,” and sweets. As an added bonus, Café Malou is connected to Octavia Books, making it possible to pair coffee with a visit to one of New Orlean’s most beloved independent bookstores. It works well as a stop for a quick drink and pastry or a longer, more relaxed lunch along Magazine.
Junk Drawer Coffee
Located on Broadway Street about a twenty-minute walk from campus, Junk Drawer Coffee opened in the fall of 2025. From the outside it appears modest, but inside the space is surprisingly large, with plenty of seating and students already using it as a study spot. The drink menu leans creative. I ordered The Revival Coffee, an iced espresso with cardamom and orange blossom. While I enjoyed it, next time I want to try The Jefe—made with butter, honey, sea salt, espresso, and steamed milk—it is another one of their featured specialty drinks. In addition to coffee, the menu includes salads, sandwiches, and baked goods. I ordered a chicken sandwich; the sandwich was delicious and very adequately sized as I had heapings of arugula left on my plate (in my opinion the correct sandwich ratio). If you are looking to switch up your usual study location without venturing too far, Junk Drawer offers both space and variety.
Café Conmigo
At the end of Freret Street, Café Conmigo opened in early January as a Cuban quick-service restaurant. The interior is small, yet has a wonderful atmosphere with counter seating and Spanish music playing in the background. While indoor seating is limited, picnic tables outside provide more space and contribute to the relaxed atmosphere. The menu focuses on traditional Cuban offerings. Small espresso drinks begin at $4, with larger iced options around $6. Interestingly, the café also serves cocktails—including mojitos, daiquiris, Cuba libres, and carajillos—for $11. Food options include pasteles filled with guava, cheese, or meat ($4–$5) and Cuban sandwiches priced between $12 and $14. Desserts such as flan or tres leches are available for $7. I—being an improper journalist—only had time for a quick treat and coffee. I ordered a pastel de guayaba and a cafecito—a two-ounce sweetened espresso. While the sweetness of the cafecito was not entirely to my taste, the quality of the coffee was clear. The guava pastry, however, stood out, with a flaky crust and balanced filling. Café Conmigo is currently open Thursday through Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Whether for a quick coffee, a pastry with a friend, or a full Cuban-style lunch, it offers something slightly different from the typical Freret options. I will be back soon to try more of their menu.
