There are always unique adventures when it comes to dietary restrictions and eating out. Traveling to a country with a particularly meat-based food culture adds an extra challenge to the experience. I vividly remember one night in Bangkok when I couldn’t find a vegetarian option and resorted to an ice cream dinner. I mistakenly thought that because Thailand has a large Buddhist population, plant-based options would be prominent. To my surprise, it was quite the opposite.
In the US, you have a certain level of confidence that you’ll get something, even if it’s fries. However, there are always some exceptions. Known for its rich Cajun and Creole culinary traditions, New Orleans cuisine often includes meat as a key ingredient. One time, I had pre-booked a cooking demonstration class in the French Quarter. When we arrived early, we overheard a staff member joking about the guy who ordered the gumbo. That person was me.
So when you come across a restaurant in New Orleans that warmly embraces vegetarian and vegan options, it feels like a culinary triumph. You can walk around with confidence knowing that your food choices will not be judged. Before you set foot in New Orleans, it’s good to know where to find vegetarian New Orleans food.
1. Oak Bread – Vegan
At first, I thought it was a bakery selling bread, but it turned out that they also had a full cafe menu, from breakfast to brunch to lunch. For a local flavor, he recommends the Creole omelette with scrambled tofu, vegetables, and a signature Creole remoulade.
atmosphere of oak bread Often described as cozy and inviting, it’s the perfect place to enjoy a leisurely breakfast or brunch. Whether you’re a local or visiting New Orleans, Bread on Oak is a fun destination for those seeking artisanal breads and pastries in a charming setting. He has two stores, one at 222 Carondolet Street near the French Quarter and the other on Oak Street.
2. Ital Garden – Vegan
This cafe, located in the Tremé neighborhood north of Louis Armstrong Park, features hearty dishes and traditional New Orleans flavors. In addition to okra gumbo and veggie his burgers, you’ll also find crabless crab cakes, avocado fries, and cajun pasta.
The exterior is rustic, but the interior has a homely atmosphere. If you’re staying in the French Quarter, head up St. Ann Street and walk through the park. It is about a 15 minute walk from Congo Square. Entrees range in price from $12 to $25. I-Tal Gardens is open Thursday through Sunday.
3. Sprout Organic Cafe – Vegan
sprout It is also located at 1200 Henriette Delille Street in the Tremé neighborhood. The main focus is organic pressed juices and smoothies, but they also offer vegan food like avocado toast and beetroot burgers.
This cute cafe is housed in a classic New Orleans-style brick building with French window shutters and indoor and outdoor seating. Business hours are Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
4. Sweet Soul Food – Vegan
This Treme neighborhood restaurant is located on N. Broad Street and receives excellent reviews. The atmosphere is bright and comfortable, and the food is served Bain-Marie style. The price is determined by the amount you want to eat. Prices range from $5.99 for 1 plate to $14.99 for 4 plates.
sweet soul food has daily specials like Sweet Heat Cauliflower, Mac N Cheese, Jambalaya, Okra Gumbo, Collard Greens, and Bread Pudding. Business hours are Monday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Five. Hearty Meals – Vegetarian Options
Located in New Orleans’ historic French Market, this open-air café caters to a variety of tastes. On my first trip to the French Quarter, I stumbled upon this place and was impressed by its extensive vegan menu. I went to eat the whole wheat strawberry pancakes several times during my stay. Since then, some meat dishes have been added to the menu, but his vegan menu is still extensive and caters to a variety of dietary requirements, including gluten-free.
The best part about Meals from the Heart is that you can sample local gumbo and jambalaya without worrying about meat. This place tends to get crowded so you may experience long wait times, but they will let you know in advance. The cafe is open seven days a week from 9:30 a.m. until late afternoon.
6. Kindred—Vegan
The trendy Kindred vegan restaurant is located just steps from Audubon Park in New Orleans’ Uptown neighborhood. Despite choosing January 2020 as their open debut, they have managed to grow and impress veggie food lovers. Brunch includes French toast and waffles. Main menu items include the “shrimp” po’ boy, made with fried mushrooms, and the Maple Street Burger, a soy burger served with coleslaw and buttermilk-crusted onion rings, tossed with house-made barbecue sauce, mayonnaise, and pickles. .
Kindred is open Tuesday through Friday from 5pm to 10pm and Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 10pm.
7. Ramallah Coffee and Kitchen – Vegetarian
Another vegetarian restaurant in the lively Treme neighborhood, Ramara Coffee and Kitchen stands out as a unique vegetarian eatery even in the presence of rival Sweet Soul Food. What makes this restaurant unique is its dynamic menu, which is prepared after receiving your order. This organic vegetarian coffee shop offers a tempting selection of small plates, refreshing smoothies, acai bowls, and mouth-watering baked goods.
You’ll find a tempting vegan menu including tofu sliders, lentil/tempeh burgers, tostadas, hearty salads, and hearty bowls. Oh, they know what they’re doing when it comes to coffee. Lamara Coffee and Kitchen is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
8. Highballs—Vegan
If aliens visited us and they happened to be vegan, this is what their restaurant might look like. The theme here is futuristic with bright greens and purples, and the website features alien creatures drinking drinks. Hi-Ballz is located on Canal Street in the Midtown neighborhood and is open Wednesday through Saturday in the fall from 5 to 10 p.m.
I’ve previously written about Driver’s popularity as a place where people can gather without having to buy alcohol, and this store fits that description perfectly. We offer a variety of mocktails, sandwiches, hand pies, and soft serve ice cream.
9. Killer Po’ Boy – Vegetarian Option
A Louisiana original, po’boys are traditionally served with meat on New Orleans French bread, known for its crispy crust and soft center. killer poboys, which has two locations in New Orleans’ French Quarter, offers a modern take on the classic po’boy sandwich while honoring its traditional roots. In particular, we offer unique vegan po’boy options that go beyond the standard French fry po’boy offering with fillings like roasted sweet potato and vegetable po’boys and roasted vegetable po’boys.
The location is 219 Dauphine Street, Wednesday through Monday, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. It’s also located behind Erin Rose Bar at 811 Conti Street and is open for lunch and dinner at various times. Killer Poboys offers vegans a way to try authentic New Orleans classics without the meat.
10. Gumbo Shop – Vegetarian Options
Once, at a conference, someone told me that this place had authentic Cajun and Creole food and was happy to accommodate vegans, so I decided to give it a try. This venue has a great atmosphere with indoor seating inside the historic French Quarter building or outdoor seating in a quiet courtyard with a fountain. I love great experiences outdoors. However, all other aspects also live up to the hype. The staff is friendly and happy to answer any questions you may have about the menu.
Located in the heart of the French Quarter at 630 St. Peter Street, it has several vegan options, including gumbo zerbes. However, a warning. I had a great experience and read articles like this: Reviews from people who said the wait staff laughed when they asked if the bread was vegan.
- Specialties: Travel, History, Food
- Education: Monash University, Australia
- Over 400 articles published in newspapers, magazines and on the web
Lee Winter is a multi-talented journalist from Australia, currently based in New Orleans. Her passion for solo travel is evident as she expertly tracks down amazing flights and accommodations and shares her wide range of travel experiences with her readers. With her master’s degree in journalism and her bachelor’s degree featuring a double major in history and literature, she brings her unique blend of skills to her own work. Her historical expertise extends to the world of architectural history, and she has worked as a tour guide at historic building museums. But her journey doesn’t end there. She has delved into the art of coffee as a barista and has become a true connoisseur of coffee preparation, running her coffee van at events and markets. Now, Ree leverages her own insights and her expertise to share these topics with her Wealth of Geeks readers.
