11 Unforgettable Vegetarian Restaurants in New Orleans

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Residents and visitors in New Orleans have access to a vibrant and exciting selection of vegetarian restaurants around the city. Whether you are trying out the vegetarian lifestyle on a trial run or you are a dedicated vegan, there are numerous dining options to choose from. 

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1. Killer Poboys

Popular poboy shop known for its delicious vegetarian sandwiches

Located in the French Quarter of New Orleans, Killer Poboys offers a number of vegetarian-friendly sandwiches. From the Whiskey Grilled Cheese poboy filled with aged cheddar to the Roasted Sweet Potato, you are sure to find a savory vegetarian option that satisfies your appetite. The Roasted Cauliflower Sandwich, which is filled with pickled radish, avocado, and dried kale, is a popular vegetarian option. 

You can also select a local craft beer, cider, or wine to enjoy alongside your poboy. A wide assortment of sides such as smothered greens and cookies are also available for you to complement your poboy. 

Image Credit: Killer Poboys.

2. Breads on Oak Cafe & Bakery

Organic cafe in New Orleans that serves vegan breakfast and lunch plates.

Named the Best Bakery in Louisiana by both Buzzfeed and Yelp, the Breads on Oak Cafe & Bakery serves organic, plant-based breads, pastries, breakfast plates, and lunch selections everyday from 8 AM to 3 PM. Coffee, espresso, beer, and wine are also offered. Everything in the bakery is vegan, making it the perfect destination for a quick vegan breakfast or a filling vegetarian lunch. 

Oak Cafe & Bakery features a fine selection of organic breads. The Seeded Multigrain, for instance, is made with organic flour that has been packed with oats, sunflower seeds, and flax. The Pecan Raisin bread is filled with organic raisins and pecans. Sandwiches, soups, quiche, and salads are also available at this cozy cafe. 

Image Credit: breadsonoak.

3. Meals From the Heart Cafe

Classic NOLA cuisine made for vegan and health-conscious diets 

Just as the name suggests, each dish crafted at Meals From the Heart Cafe is infused with care along with holistic goodness. The French Quarter has many amazing restaurants and eateries lining its bustling cobblestone streets, but spots that cater to vegan crowds and push a health-conscious menu still only happen to be few. That gives you even more reason to check out Meals From the Heart the next time you’re in New Orleans. 

This back-alley cafe is the perfect spot to grab a bite to eat if you want food that is gluten-free, vegan-friendly, and beneficial for your body. Meals From the Heart Cafe serves an array of classic New Orleans dishes alongside options with a healthy flair. Grab some classic shrimp and grits, traditional okra gumbo, signature vegan crab cakes, vegan and gluten-free pancakes, and house-made vegan beignets that are simply divine. 

Image Credit: Meals From the Heart Cafe.

4. The Daily Beet

Nutritious cafe known for its cold-pressed juices, smoothies, and more

This health-conscious, vegetarian restaurant offers delicious dishes that will leave you feeling filled and satisfied. Stopping by for breakfast? Try the Morning Bowl. This nutritious dish is packed with quinoa, black beans, corn, tomatoes, and avocado chipotle sauce. The classic Avocado Toast is also a fine selection. 

For lunch, you can select a hearty bowl or a light salad. All bowls are served on a bed of greens. You can also add a pasteurized egg to your bowl! The Summer Kale salad is filled with zante currant, toasted sunflower seed, and pecorino. Don’t forget to order a smoothie or cold-pressed juice to go along with your dish. Their coffee and tea is also great for giving you that midday energy boost you need to finish your work day. 

Image Credit: The Daily Beet.

5. Cafe Amelie

An elegant little spot tucked away for the dining romantics 

Pick up a Cafe Amelie gift card in time for your trip to New Orleans!

With a prime location in the French Quarter and a beautiful courtyard that makes this spot the talk of the town, Cafe Amelie is well-known throughout New Orleans as a romantic destination for dining couples. Cafe Amelie specializes in contemporary Louisiana fare and has everything the standard NOLA tourist must try while in the city, from renowned shrimp and grits to country-style poutine. 

Cafe Amelie is not exclusive to vegetarians, but there are many veggie-based dishes on the menu to try out if meat is out of the question. Hearty vegetable pasta with spinach and mushrooms, creamy baked spinach artichoke dip, arugula and kale salad with dried cherries and goat cheese, and of course desserts like cherry almond bread pudding and mixed berry crumble are some of the vegetarian-friendly menu items featured at Cafe Amelie. Don’t forget to pair your brunch or dinner plate with a refreshing cocktail!

Image Credit: Cafe Amelie.

6. Sweet Soulfood

No sweeter spot for vegan fare in NOLA than this one here.

This unassuming hole-in-the-wall would be considered a hidden gem of the neighborhood if it weren’t already so beloved by locals and out-of-town guests alike. If your stomach craves soul food but you don’t partake in meat or other animal-based products, then Sweet Soulfood is the vegan-friendly spot for you that packs some seriously authentic Cajun flavors and cuisine favorites like jambalaya, collard greens, and macaroni and cheese. 

Sweet Soulfood is all about taking the classic NOLA fare you know and love and adapting it to a vegan-based clientele. With a focus on healthy food and a commitment to reducing the negative impacts of traditionally high calorie dishes, Sweet Soulfood delivers contemporary soul cuisine that is both delicious and nutritious while being entirely vegan-friendly. Whether you’re in the mood for okra gumbo, sweet heat cauliflower, sweet potatoes, or some drool-worthy collard greens, you can find your fill and then some more at Sweet Soulfood. And for dessert? Vegan ice cream, of course!

Image Credit: sweetvegansoulfood.

7. Bearcat Cafe

Eclectic comfort food, handmade beverages, and a breezy space to connect with the community.

Comfort food in a daytime cafe that serves plenty of vegan dishes alongside artisanal coffee blends? Sign us up! In all seriousness though, the Bearcat Cafe is just the spot in New Orleans to stop, catch your breath, and soak in the local culture. Even if you aren’t vegan or vegetarian, this breezy little cafe is packing so much flavor in their food that you would be crazy to skip out on trying a bite. 

If you are visiting New Orleans currently or planning a trip for the future, you will be excited to know that Bearcat operates two locations for your convenience – the Central Business District and Uptown NOLA locations. No matter where you end up, you won’t be too far away from tremendous vegan and vegetarian dishes as Bearcat. In addition to great breakfast and brunch picks like a vegan biscuit sandwich and a roasted cauliflower wrap, Bearcat also bakes daily bread loaves in-house and has plenty of gluten-free and vegan-friendly pastries. Try out daily gluten-free muffin flavors like chocolate zucchini, daily vegan muffin flavors like peach cobbler, and many croissant and danish options that are regularly rotated out, too. 

Image Credit: bearcatnola.

8. Carmo

Tropical-inspired vegan-friendly restaurant in New Orleans

Carmo infuses their food with recipes from around the world including Southeast Asia, West Africa, and the Caribbean. This tropical restaurant is sure to leave you feeling inspired and satisfied. Vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores can all enjoy the unique dishes presented at this popular New Orleans restaurant. 

Some of their most popular vegetarian dishes include the Creole-Seared Avocado, Carmo Salad, and Armenian breads. Coming with a group? Share a plate of Kottu Roti or Pao de Queijo with them. At this restaurant, you are definitely going to be tempted to try out your friends’ dishes after seeing them being brought to the table. 

Image Credit: https://cafecarmo.com/.

9. Bennachin Restaurant

Low key restaurant in New Orleans that serves vegetarian West African cuisine

Since 1992, Bennachin Restaurant has brought a taste of Africa to the hungry residents of New Orleans. All of the restaurant’s dishes are filled with freshest ingredients. While Bennachin does offer some meals with meat, a number of them either do not contain meat or can be modified without meat. For instance, the Domoda is a peanut stew that is filled with beef and served with rice. However, you can request this dish without meat if you prefer. Other selections like the Kone Ni Makondo and the Jama Jama Ni Makondo do not contain any meat. 

Image Credit: Bennachin Restaurant.

10. True Food Kitchen

Popular restaurant in New Orleans that serves vegetarian dishes

True Food Kitchen serves delicious vegetarian dishes in a laidback and vibrant atmosphere. Guests can either dine in or order a family meal to-go. You can choose the Pizza & Salad combo, which lets you choose two different pizzas and two salads, or any one of the Family Meal for Two, Family Meal for Four, or Family Meal for Six combos. 

True Food Kitchen also offers a fine selection of tea, wine, craft cocktails, beer, and seltzer. Whether you are in the mood for a healthy salad or a savory pizza, True Food Kitchen has everything you could want in a vegetarian restaurant. 

Image Credit: True Food Kitchen.

11. LUVI

A fusion of authentic Asian flavors with a New Orleans twist and vegan options

This restaurant is not exclusively for vegan and vegetarian dishes, but LUVI does a phenomenal job making their menu vegetarian- and vegan-friendly with a tantalizing selection of Chinese and Japanese fare. Homestyle Shanghai cooking combines effortlessly with modern Japanese cuisine in order to create the perfect fusion of staple East Asian flavors, all of which is enjoyed in an intimate space. 

To start off your meal, try one of their many veggie-based appetizers such as the cold five scented edamame, smashed cucumbers in garlic soy, or fermented cayenne chili spread that tastes good on anything. For a hearty meal that will fill you up, LUVI offers vegan dumplings filled with pan fried bok choy, mushrooms, and green bean noodle dumplings, along with stir fried napa cabbage over rice. Don’t forget to order a bottle of soda, iced green tea, sake, or even wine as the perfect complement to your meal!

This article originally appeared on Giftya.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.

Image Credit: LUVI.

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Trae Bodge

Trae Bodge is an accomplished lifestyle journalist and TV commentator who specializes in smart shopping, personal finance, parenting, and retail. Trae has been named a Top Voice in Retail by LinkedIn and a top personal finance expert by GoBankingRates and Flexjobs. She is a contributor at Millie Magazine and CNN Underscored, and her writing and expert commentary have appeared in Newsweek, Woman's Day, Forbes, USNews.com, Kiplinger, Marketwatch, MSN.com, Yahoo Finance and numerous others. She has also appeared on TV hundreds of times; including Good Morning America's GMA3: What You Need to Know, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, Inside Edition, CNBC and local network affiliates nationwide.