In a 24-hour town, you better bet there's a lot of coffee consumed here. Forget Starbucks! Most haven't reopened since Katrina anyway. If you are a true coffee lover, skip the chain and visit the local coffee houses found throughout the city.

Rue de la Course: 3121 Magazine Street, Garden District; 1140 S. Carrollton Avenue, Riverbend. Great beatnik atmosphere. Free Wi-Fi. The original Rue on the corner of Race and Magazine is no longer, though another good coffee shop has opened in it's place.

CC's Community Coffee House, 650 Poydras Street, CBD; 941 Royal Street, French Quarter; 2917 Magazine Street, Garden District; 900 Jefferson Ave. at Magazine Street, Uptown. Starbucksesque décor. Free Wi-Fi. Owned by Community Coffee and Louisiana coffee company.

PJ's Coffee and Tea Café, 644 Camp Street, 634 Frenchmen Street, 5432 Magazine Street, 5300 Tchoupitoulas, 7624 Maple St, 945 Magazine St. Try their iced coffee - so refreshing in summer.

Café du Monde, 800 Decatur Street and in the Riverwalk. I would go here primarily for the beignets, but when you need that caffeine and sugar jolt, this is the place. I recommend the cafe au lait.

Royal Blend, 623 Royal Street, French Quarter, and 222 Carondelet Street, CBD. Good lunches too.

Still Perkin', 2727 Prytania Street in The Rink, Garden District. Good place to start or end your walk through the Garden District

Christy's Guide to New Orleans

Overview, weather, getting around, etc. | City regions defined | Fun stuff | Art and culture | The dark side | Kids and kids at heart | Dine like a local | Bars and clubs | Live music | For java heads