Café Alice: New All-Day Dining at The Roosevelt New Orleans
Café Alice now open at The Roosevelt with delicious food and beautiful decor
Earlier this week, I had the chance to experience Café Alice, the new all-day dining concept at The Roosevelt New Orleans. The hotel hosted a lovely media preview for guests to try drinks and bites while enjoying the space.
Upon first glance, I was entranced by the beauty of Café Alice and all of the little details creating an elegant yet fun ambiance.
Even walking up to the café from the lobby of The Roosevelt – an already captivating sight – Café Alice catches the eye with its European patio feel at the entrance. Surrounded by the chandeliers and gold walls and trim of the lobby, the “patio” of Café Alice is distinguished by tiny diner-style ceramic tile on the floor underneath large patterned chairs surrounding round tables, perfect for gathering.
And that’s just the exterior. Walking inside, your eyes won’t know where to look first, but for me, they landed on the beautifully lit pastry case full of gorgeous, decadent croissants, chocolates and other creations. While scanning the case, I gradually made my way to the coffee counter, backed by a grand arched mirror with handwritten menu items and fun lighting.
From The Roosevelt New Orleans
Walking past the counter, I reached the bar, which also has a grand arched mirror with handwritten menu items on it and fun lighting. Beyond those details, the bar is decked with marble and tile elements, combined with the fun wallpaper and teal and blue paint accents that line the entire café.
Finally, I sat at one of the marble-top tables with velvet-lined chairs and fun patterned fabric on the booths lining the wall. There I sipped an Espresso Beignet Martini, which came with mini beignets that, of course, paired perfectly with the espresso flavor. I was then able to try several of the food items Café Alice will be offering, and I can confidently say that this is not just a place people will go for the Instagram-worthy photos and elegant vibes. The food was delicious. I could tell everything was thoughtfully crafted with quality ingredients.
From The Roosevelt New Orleans
Two of the standouts for me were the hangar steak and the red velvet croissant. The steak had a fantastic taste, and the croissant was loaded with chocolate and a creamy red velvet filling.
From The Roosevelt New Orleans
Café Alice is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Learn more at therooseveltneworleans.com.
Also explore the Cabana Retreat Package at The Roosevelt’s rooftop pool.
About Café Alice from The Roosevelt
From the Alice Café press release:
Café Alice pays tribute to the legendary Alice Roosevelt, the first daughter of the hotel’s namesake, President Theodore Roosevelt, whose bold personality and unconventional spirit made her one of the most talked-about figures of her time. The café and bar channels that same sense of whimsy and individuality, with expressive design and an imaginative menu that feel unmistakably like The Roosevelt.
“Café Alice honors The Roosevelt’s storied legacy while creating a distinctive experience for today’s guests,” said Sebastian Stutz, general manager of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. “Through thoughtful storytelling, culinary creativity and a playful character all its own, it joins celebrated destinations such as the Sazerac Bar in offering guests and locals another memorable way to experience the hotel.”
From The Roosevelt New Orleans
The Menu
Executive Chef Daniel Mills has crafted a menu featuring inventive signature breakfast dishes and beverages alongside classic staples that celebrate the city’s culinary traditions. Guests will find dishes inspired by Alice Roosevelt and her colorful life, including Alice’s Emily Spinach Benedict, a nod to the first daughter’s pet garter snake, Emily Spinach, and her menagerie of pets at the White House, as well as the Alice Blue Latte, which honors the color she wore so often that it became the unofficial name for the shade. The latte utilizes spirulina to achieve the pale blue shade that became known as “Alice Blue,” along with coconut, vanilla, espresso and coconut milk.
Lunch and dinner menus pair elevated ingredients with quintessential Southern flavors such as The Black Tie Chicken, featuring crispy chicken bites alongside shaved black truffle, caviar and crème fraiche. Guests can also enjoy a selection of cocktails such as The Wild Child with Bombay Sapphire Gin and matcha; the Espresso Beignet with Altamura Vodka, Beignet Liqueur, Caffè Lucano and espresso; and Doctor’s Bellini with Juliette Heirloom Peach Liqueur and Peychaud’s Bitters.
Hand-crafted pastries by The Roosevelt’s Pastry Chef Kareena Dennis will be available day and night, showcasing unexpected ingredients and flavor pairings, including the Matcha-Yuzu Éclair, Sazerac Apple Tatin Entremet and Ube Basque Cheesecake.
“The menu is inspired by Alice’s out-of-the-box personality and the relaxed style of French brasseries while remaining true to our roots and providing guests with authentic Southern cuisine,” said Executive Chef Daniel Mills of The Roosevelt New Orleans, A Waldorf Astoria Hotel. “What our team has delivered captures that vision entirely, elevating the traditional all-day café. We’re excited for guests to step into Alice’s world and discover it for themselves.”
The Design
Inspired by Alice Roosevelt’s spirited personality and unconventional style, the interiors by ForrestPerkins balance refined elegance with a playful sense of discovery. Climbing botanicals paper the walls, framing romantic architectural moldings and arched brass niches, while a green latticed ceiling brings an expressive note to the space. Warm cream and sun-washed terracotta tones soften the design, complemented by marble-topped tables and plush velvet banquettes that invite guests to linger. Together, these thoughtful details create a distinctive setting that captures the convivial spirit of New Orleans café culture while bringing the imaginative world of Café Alice to life.
To celebrate the launch and in recognition of Alice’s love of animals, Café Alice has partnered with the Audubon Nature Institute. For a limited time, guests who purchase the Critter Sable Cookie Sandwich, Café Alice’s twist on the classic animal cracker, will receive a discount on admission to the zoo. A portion of proceeds from the pastry will support the Audubon Nature Institute’s Marine Mammal Rescue program and its turtle release efforts.
Café Alice was developed in collaboration with StiR Creative Collective, Hilton’s in-house global food and beverage consultancy arm, which worked alongside Executive Chef Daniel Mills and The Roosevelt team to shape the concept’s culinary direction, storytelling and guest journey. The collaboration builds on StiR’s work across Hilton’s luxury portfolio throughout the Americas, including Peacock Alley and Lex Yard at Waldorf Astoria New York, Leonessa at Conrad New York Downtown, Brassica at Waldorf Astoria Atlanta Buckhead, the culinary program at Conrad Orlando and more.
