Calas Café at The Cabildo
A living New Orleans food tradition takes its place inside Louisiana’s historic record!
Opening January 1 at the The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum
On January 1, Calas Café launches a historic residency inside The Cabildo, a flagship site of the Louisiana State Museum on Jackson Square — a building where Louisiana’s story has been shaped, recorded, and preserved for more than two centuries.
This isn’t just a residency. It’s New Orleans food history entering the place where history lives.
Built between 1795 and 1799, The Cabildo served as the seat of Spanish colonial government, the site of the Louisiana Purchase transfer ceremonies in 1803, and later the Louisiana Supreme Court. Today, it stands as one of the most significant historic museums in the state.
Into this space, Calas Café brings a living preservation project centered on calas — a traditional New Orleans rice fritter rooted in West African foodways and the lives of African-descended women who sold calas in the city’s streets to support their families and, in some cases, purchase freedom.
This residency invites visitors not only to taste calas, but to understand its role in the city’s history — how African American men and women sold calas throughout New Orleans’ streets, markets, and public spaces, and how this tradition became embedded in the cultural and culinary identity of the city.
Why This Matters Now
New Orleans is celebrated worldwide for its food, but not always for the full history behind it. At a time when visitors are seeking experiences that are authentic, educational, and rooted in place, this residency offers something rare: the opportunity to encounter history through a tradition that sustained lives and carried memory forward.
“The Cabildo has witnessed some of the most important moments in Louisiana and American history,”Pellerin says. “To bring the calas story into this building connects those defining moments to the everyday lives of people whose food traditions helped sustain this city. I want visitors to leave with more than a taste — I want them to leave with understanding.”
The Calas Café Experience at The Cabildo
Visitors can expect:
• Freshly prepared calas paired with Calas Café Rose Nicole Café au Lait coffee
• Intimate storytelling moments exploring calas’ West African roots and their place in the lives of African American men and women in New Orleans
• Cultural context connecting food to entrepreneurship, resilience, and survival
• An experience designed to complement and deepen the museum’s historical interpretation
The residency adds a meaningful layer to The Cabildo’s story — connecting legal and political history to everyday foodways that helped shape Louisiana’s culture.
Plan Your Visit
The Cabildo, Louisiana State Museum
Opening January 1
Service days and hours will be announced
Follow @CalasCafe for opening-week details and special programming.
Everybody welcome. The Calas are gluten free!
Historical and Cultural Significance
Calas Café is more than a place to enjoy delicious food—it’s a living testament to the resilience and ingenuity of African American women who, throughout history, sold Calas to achieve economic independence. Under Spanish rule in New Orleans, many used their earnings to purchase freedom for themselves and others. Through this collaboration, we will spotlight this inspiring narrative and deepen visitors’ connections to the cultural and historical legacy of our region.
Community Impact
Located in the historic French Quarter neighborhood, Calas Café has become a cultural hub, drawing locals and tourists alike while contributing to the area’s economic vitality. Expanding into the New Orleans Jazz Market offers museum visitors an immersive experience that blends history, culture, and cuisine.
By joining forces, Calas Café and the New Orleans Jazz Market will create a vibrant space that celebrates the past right in the heart of New Orleans’ vibrant music scene!
What to Expect
Authentic Cuisine: Savor our signature Calas and other culturally inspired dishes that honor African American culinary traditions.
Cultural Programming: Participate in events and workshops that highlight African American history, art, and storytelling.
Community Engagement: Experience a welcoming space that fosters connection, creativity, and cultural appreciation.