Louisiana knows how to end a meal on a sweet note, and some places make dessert the main event. From flaky pies in small towns to sizzling tableside treats in the French Quarter, these stops are worth the drive for the sweets alone.
Grab a fork and a napkin, because this list is all about the best last bites in the state.
1. Lea’s Lunchroom, Lecompte, LA
Little Lecompte earned the nickname Pie Capital of the World, and this spot along US-71 is the reason why. Folks really do drive hours out of their way just to get a slice here.
The menu balances hearty plate lunches with a lineup of fruit-filled pies that steal the show. Baked ham sandwiches and smothered cabbage keep the savory crowd happy, but the coconut cream, bumbleberry, cherry, blueberry, and lemon pies are what people remember.
The pecan pie, in particular, has a devoted following, often served with a cool scoop of ice cream.
The setting feels wonderfully old-fashioned, casual and cozy with a downhome kind of charm. It works well for groups, solo diners, and families with kids, and there are high chairs on hand.
Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 3 PM, it’s a lunch-focused stop with table service and no reservations needed. Parking is plentiful and free, so the biggest decision you’ll face is which pie to try first.
Bring your appetite and maybe an extra slice to go.
2. Strawn’s Eat Shop, Shreveport, LA
Icebox pie is practically a religion at this brightly muraled Shreveport diner, and the strawberry version is the headliner. Picture a fluffy pile of homemade whipped topping, sometimes a full three inches high, over a crust that melts in your mouth.
The flagship of a local chain, it serves breakfast, classic diner plates, and those famous pies in a fun, nostalgic space. Beyond the strawberry, the coconut cream and chocolate pies have plenty of fans who make repeat trips just to compare.
Savory options hold their own too, from chicken fried steak to a bacon cheeseburger and a hearty ham steak breakfast. The vibe is casual and historic, welcoming college students, families, and travelers alike, with a kids’ menu and high chairs available.
Doors are open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 AM to 3 PM, with counter and table service and no reservations. Dogs are even allowed inside, and parking is easy to find.
People have been known to stop here on back-to-back days, which tells you everything about how good that pie really is.
3. Cane River Pecan Company Pie Bar, New Iberia, LA
Real butter makes all the difference, and you can taste it in every crumbly bite here. Tucked into historic downtown New Iberia on Main Street, this cozy storefront pairs handcrafted pies with a laid-back coffee shop feel.
Pecan pie is the star, and more than a few people call it the best they’ve ever tasted. Apple pie and cheesecake round out the sweet lineup, and everything comes across as fresh, like something grandma used to make.
Slices are available by the slice, half, or whole, so you can treat yourself now and stock up for later.
Beyond dessert, the kitchen turns out Southern standards and comfort dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. There’s good coffee, a relaxed atmosphere, and live music that makes lingering easy.
Hours run Monday through Thursday 8 AM to 6 PM, Friday until 8 PM, and Saturday 8 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. The space is welcoming to families, groups, and solo visitors alike, and it’s a friendly, inclusive spot.
Free parking keeps the pie run simple.
4. Elsie’s Plate & Pie, Baton Rouge, LA
Sweet and savory pies share the marquee at this airy, industrial spot on Government Street. The crusts are the thing everyone talks about, flaky and buttery whether they’re wrapped around crawfish or lemon filling.
Creative sweet pies are the showstoppers. Think s’mores pie, king cake pie, turtle pie, coconut cream, and a playful lemon icebox topped with blueberry whipped cream.
One local favorite even travels well, staying delicious after a long car ride home.
The savory side deserves attention too, with seafood pot pie, poulet pot pie, crawfish hand pies, boudin cakes, and red beans and rice with fried chicken. It’s elevated comfort food in a trendy, welcoming room.
Open Monday 11 AM to 9 PM, Tuesday through Friday until 10 PM, and weekends from 10 AM to 10 PM, it keeps later hours than most pie stops. The crowd skews toward college students and groups, and there’s a kids’ menu plus high chairs.
Parking can be a little tricky, so plan ahead, but the flaky crust waiting inside makes the hunt for a space well worth it.
5. Not Just Pie, Monroe, LA
The name says it all, and yet the pie is exactly why you come. Found at the Murray Place Shopping Center in Monroe, this cozy family restaurant has quietly become the town’s go-to sweet stop.
Banana caramel cream pie is the runaway favorite, the kind that lingers in your dreams long after the last bite. The chocolate meringue and fresh strawberry pies earn their own loyal followers, and there’s a rotating variety of flavors plus cheesecakes and cakes to explore.
Lunch here is genuinely good too, with sandwiches, po’boys, and homemade chicken pot pies to fill you up before the dessert course. Coffee and tea are done well, making it an easy afternoon pause.
The atmosphere is quiet, casual, and trendy, with friendly, courteous service that keeps regulars coming back. It’s good for kids, with high chairs available, and works nicely for a solo lunch.
Open Monday through Friday 11 AM to 4 PM and Saturday until 3 PM, closed Sunday, it’s a midday destination. Free parking is plentiful, so pull in and save room for that banana caramel slice.
6. Brennan’s, New Orleans, LA
Bananas Foster was born right here, and watching it come together tableside is half the reason to book a table. Bananas get caramelized in a rich, buttery sauce, then finished with a dramatic flambe that turns dessert into dinner theater.
A fine-dining landmark on Royal Street in the French Quarter, Brennan’s has carried its reputation on rich history and polished service for generations. Beyond the famous namesake dessert, the kitchen turns out classic Creole dishes, posh breakfasts, and a gorgeous courtyard setting that feels timeless.
The menu reads like a New Orleans greatest-hits list, with turtle soup, signature baked oysters, Eggs Sardou, and a baked apple dessert among the standouts. Presentation and preparation are treated with real care.
Open daily from 9 AM, with later hours on weekends, it leans upscale and romantic, ideal for groups and special occasions. Reservations are strongly recommended, and there’s often a wait, so plan ahead.
Parking in the Quarter can be difficult, but for the authentic Bananas Foster experience, it never disappoints. This is one dessert with a genuine origin story worth tasting in person.
7. Neesie’s Sweet Dough Pies, Crowley, LA
Some pies vanish before the day is out, and that’s the story at this little Crowley bakery. Beautiful, made-from-scratch pies are the heart of the operation, rooted in the Cajun sweet dough tradition of Louisiana’s rice country.
People genuinely drive in from Eunice and Lake Charles just for these, and the strawberries and cream pie has a way of selling out fast. Tea cakes are another treasure, tender and melt-in-your-mouth, and the chicken salad has earned its own quiet fame.
Alongside the sweets, the kitchen puts out home-cooked breakfast and lunch plates in a warm, Southern-comfort setting. The service is famously kind, the kind that makes you feel like a regular on your first visit.
Located at 116 E 9th St, it’s open Tuesday through Friday 7 AM to 2 PM and Saturday 8 AM to 2 PM, closed Sunday and Monday. Expect a quick, friendly visit with dine-in or takeout and no delivery.
Free parking makes the pie run easy, and picking up one of those famous pies to carry home is practically a local rite of passage.
8. Borden’s Ice Cream Shoppe, Lafayette, LA
Step through the door and you’ve stepped back in time. Believed to be the last remaining historic Borden’s ice cream parlor in the country, this restored Lafayette landmark keeps the retro magic alive on Jefferson Street.
Ice cream is the whole point, and the flavor selection runs wide enough to please any craving. Build-your-own banana splits, thick malts, the Gold Brick sundae, rich chocolate scoops, and a simple cone all come with that nostalgic charm.
The parlor was lovingly saved from disrepair and restored to its beautiful present state, and the affection shows in every detail. Beyond the frozen treats, you can grab nostalgic bites like hot dogs and chili pie.
The atmosphere is cozy and friendly, with fast, efficient service that makes it easy to swing by for a quick treat. There’s free Wi-Fi and it’s welcoming to groups and kids.
Open daily with late hours, plus a drive-through for treats on the go, it fits any part of the day. Whether you sit at the counter or roll through the window, this is old-fashioned ice cream done with love.
9. Angelo Brocato, New Orleans, LA
Generations of New Orleanians have grown up on these Italian sweets, some remembering visits that go back to the 1930s. Serving gelato and Italian desserts since 1905, this pastel-pink parlor on N Carrollton Avenue is a true institution.
The pistachio gelato has near-legendary status, and the fresh-filled cannoli are worth crossing town for. Almond biscotti, Italian fig cookies, pecan meltaways, lemon and strawberry ices, and rum custard gelato round out a case full of authentic treats.
Vintage tables and chairs give the room a quaint, old-world feel that hasn’t lost its charm over more than a century. It’s a warm, family-friendly spot where the person behind the counter feels like part of the tradition.
Open Tuesday through Saturday 10 AM to 10 PM and Sunday until 9 PM, closed Monday, it’s set up for a quick, sweet visit with takeout available. Good espresso makes it an easy afternoon pause.
Free parking helps, and in a city overflowing with great food, this parlor still stands out as an absolute favorite. Fresh cannoli and a scoop of gelato make the trip more than worth it.
10. Cafe Du Monde, New Orleans, LA
Few things say New Orleans quite like a plate of beignets buried under a snowstorm of powdered sugar. Serving these fried dough squares since 1862, this open-air cafe on Decatur Street is a French Quarter icon.
The menu is famously short, and that’s the whole appeal. Hot beignets paired with chicory coffee, cafe au lait, or an iced coffee is the classic order, and they do those few things exceptionally well.
Part of the experience is sitting beneath the green-and-white awning along the French Market, watching street performers and the rhythm of the Quarter pass by. It’s history and culture served on a plate.
Prices are gentle, in the one-to-ten-dollar range, and the cafe stays open late, until 11 PM most nights and midnight on weekends. Expect a wait and tricky parking, since this is one of the busiest food stops in the city.
Dogs are welcome, it’s great for groups, and there’s outdoor seating that keeps you in the middle of the action. For a first-timer, this powdered-sugar ritual is simply a must.
11. The Camellia Grill, New Orleans, LA
Ordering pie here comes with a little show: they grill your slice right on the flat top until it’s warm and toasty. That griddled chocolate-pecan pie is a signature move you won’t find at your average diner.
A storied institution on S Carrollton Avenue, the grill serves classic diner fare from behind a curved counter, with waiters in bow ties adding to the theater. It’s been described as part diner, part time capsule, and stepping inside really does feel like traveling back a few decades.
Breakfast is a whole experience, from pecan waffles and pancakes to a lineup of omelettes and the famous grits. Roast beef po’boys, red beans and rice, and fried catfish keep the savory side strong, but dessert is the reason regulars keep returning.
Open daily from 8 AM to 11 PM, it offers counter and table service, late-night bites, and fast, lively service. The crowd mixes college students and travelers, and there’s a kids’ menu.
Parking can be a little tough and there’s often a wait, but a warm slice of pie off the griddle makes it pure New Orleans.