Since 1862, Café du Monde has been selling café au lait and beignets (and nothing but) on the edge of Jackson Square. And boy, was its reopening one of those moments when the city knew it would be coming back. It's a must-stop on any trip to New Orleans. What's a beignet anyway? (Say ben-yay.) It's a square French doughnut-type object, hot and covered in powdered sugar. You might be tempted to shake off some of the sugar. Don't. Pour more on, even. At three for about $1, they're a hell of a deal. Wash them down with chicory coffee, and listen to the nearby buskers.

The Scene
It's no wonder this venerable New Orleans classic is a must-see in every city guidebook. Its sidewalk location in the French Quarter, where it's been since 1862, is a perfect spot to watch the world go by at any time of day or night. White-jacketed servers gingerly navigate between crowded tables both inside and on the patio, and street musicians often set up nearby.

The Food
Really short and really sweet: beignets (fried, rectangle-shaped doughnuts covered in confectioner's sugar) and delicious, exceptionally strong cafe au lait (dark-roasted coffee cut with chicory to take out the bitterness, and blended with 100-percent whole milk). Black coffee and iced coffee are also available, as are fresh-squeezed orange juice, regular and chocolate milk, and soft drinks