For my very first cafe experience in New Orleans, it held high expectations for all the rest I would set out to try. The interior design of cafe Bon Ami was one for the books. An unusual sight–the cafe counter sits in the middle of the shop! The sleek, white counter top held the register, tip jar, the menu, pastries, overnight oats, coffee bags, and cards up front. The sides of the shiny, squared counter held the espresso machine, to-go cups and mugs, the grinder (which is used to grind up coffee beans for brewed coffee and cold brews). Behind the counter is a back wall full of goodies. The dimmed lights that hung above the ceiling created a spotlight on the minimalistic wall. Extra coffee bags, vases, and plants make up this aesthetically pleasing wooden back wall. If you are someone who needs quiet and alone time, this cafe is just for you! Cafe Bon Ami is perfect for college students or workers who need peace and quiet to get things done. This cafe has a table against the window–great for people watching and admiring the outside world. In a corner, there are couches and a small table where you can put your coffee down and talk to your coffee buddies. A great thing about the corner couches is how that is the perfect picture spot. From the rustic, antique bricked walls to the large plant that kindly sits next to you, it is a picture worth taking. One of their “hidden” gems is their secret hideaway! If you look to your right, all the way down the hall, you will see a tiny entrance to a single room. This cozy space is only a sitting area. The walls are a rustic gray, surrounding a concrete bench with pillows that borders a table. There is no door, but there are henges which suggests there used to be one. On their website, that space is one of the original monetary vaults, now used mostly as a private meeting nook.

Seasonal drinkers, you’re in luck! They have an abundance of options for you. I went during summer so these drinks will change with the season. For their summer seasonal drinks they have Burnt Sugar latte, Pistachio latte, Strawberry Rose, Italian Soda, Shakerato, and Affogato. For their regular drink options they offer hot drinks, teas, tea lattes, iced drinks, and bottled beverages. They offer dairy alternatives such as coconut milk, almond milk, and oat milk. They have a few flavors as well if you need some sweetness to make the day just as sweet. Bon Ami offers dark chocolate, white chocolate, dulce de leche, caramel, vanilla, and hazelnut. Their pastry options aren’t on their menu but if you decide to go venture inside the cafe, it’s all out on display for you, as well as overnight oats if you’re making a quick run and need breakfast. They have blueberry muffins, croissants, cookies, and more.

Don’t worry about the prices because it won’t harm your wallet in any way! The hot drinks ranges between $2.75-$5.25, the lowest price being regular brewed coffee and the highest being a dirty chai. If you’re unfamiliar with what a dirty chai is–it is a chai latte with added espresso shots in them, because normally chai’s do not contain any shots in them. The seasonal drinks are all $4.75. The iced drinks ranges between $3.25-$4.75. For the bottled beverages, Topo Chico is $2.50. Topo Chico is a Mexican beverage sourced and bottled in Monterrey–a refreshing mineral water. Orange juice is $4.00 and bottled water is $1.50. Remember, anything added is going to be extra! Extra espresso shots will cost you $1.75, dairy alternatives and flavors will cost you $0.50.

New Orleans is widely known for their chicory coffee. As someone who is not from New Orleans, and tried chicory coffee for the first time, I highly recommend trying so. For those who are not from New Orleans and are not aware of what chicory even is (like I was)–Chicory is a root and is said to be a “tonic”. This root is great for liver health and undoubtably makes coffee taste 100% better. If I could, I would add chicory in every coffee I order or make myself, that is how delicious and rich it was. So, if you ever plan a visit to New Orleans, make sure to stop by Cafe Bon Ami and ask for chicory! You won’t regret it, in fact, you may even ask for more! And while you’re there, you can take some picture-perfect photos behind the rustic bricked wall to post online and help support local small businesses and spread the word!