Giving food tours, I've learned that there are many groups who travel to New Orleans with at least one friend or family member with a dietary restriction who gets teased for "missing out" on all the great food. Maybe they have to watch what they eat for health reasons, have a food allergy will ruin their trip or are vegetarian but still want to be part of the fun. Well, eating good food New Orleans is for everyone! Don't let the naysayers tell you otherwise- there are great options on menus for vegetarians at almost every high-end restaurant in the city, and even a few casual spots will have something beyond salad. But below I've focused specifically on vegetarian-friendly spots that will excite everyone, including the meat-eaters, so your entire group can have a great time.
Bar Brine/Sneaky Pickle - Bywater:
For whatever reason, this one restaurant hidden in the Bywater neighborhood uses two names- maybe because the lunch and dinner menus differ, but this place is one of the most innovative menus in the city! Besides GREAT cocktails and mocktails, lunch can be vegan mac n cheese alongside a Wagyu beef burger and dinner is a also a rotating menu of both meat/seafood and vegetarian-friendly dishes that are so exciting that everyone will enjoy. Menus are farm-focused and based on local produce and seafood/meat that ensures the freshest ingredients and a rotating menu so be sure to peek at their website before making a reservation!
Meals From the Heart - French Quarter:
If you're in the French Quarter, there aren't many veg-friendly or healthy options, but Meals From the Heart has your back! Located in the French Market & black-owned, they have both traditional versions (their traditional dishes are also a healthier version, with sautee and grilled seafood taking precedent over fried, heavy dishes) and vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free versions of traditional New Orleans food: gumbo, grits, red beans and rice and po-boys, even veggie versions of their crab cakes! Everyone can sit at this table and enjoy our classic Creole dishes at breakfast or lunch- the menu is easy to read, since it is divided into these dietary needs/desires.
Bearcat - CBD & Uptown:
Bearcat splits its menu into Good Cat & Bad Cat so everyone can enjoy their great food! Good cat has not only vegetarian, but also keto and healthier meaty options. Bad Cat is all the rich, indulgent options that ensure everyone gets what their heart desires at brunch! Known for their breakfast, they also do lunch & have both a CBD locaton near the French Quarter and an location further Uptown near all the fun.
Killer PoBoys in the French Quarter:
With a brick & mortar location AND a pop-up inside Erin Rose (famous for their frozen Irish coffee), Killer PoBoys offers something fresh & exciting for everyone on a day out in the French Quarter. The famous New Orleans sandwich is revamped for vegetarians, meat-lovers and po-boy aficianados looking for something new- interesting takes on the traditional and veggie alike, such as the sweet potato with a southern veg spread, beer-braised roast beef, ham & pimento cheese, housemade chorizo, pork belly & Thai tofu.
Other favorites:
Small Mart in the Marigny is a reasonably-priced grab-n-go option for great bagels & vegetarian Indian: samosas, pakora and curry. Not too far from the Quarter, it's a great spot to hit up before visitng Dr Bob's Folk Art, touring JAM NOLA and walking the riverfront in Crescent Park.
Daily Beet is definitely what you think of when you want a "healthy" eatery, but sometimes, after all the delicious, rich food of New Orleans, you need at least ONE meal that's a palette-cleanser. Serving bowls, smoothies, salads & juices, Daily Beet would be my choice to fuel the day with something that leaves you feeling light & energized. You can hit them up at their Uptown location before a shopping day on Magazine St. or running around Audubon Park & Zoo. Try the Central Business District (near the French Quarter) location when hitting the galleries in the neighborhood or WW2 museum.
Breads on Oak is in the river bend area, but a great day is had by hopping on the St Charles street car for a leisurely ride past all the beautiful houses of uptown, exiting at Oak St in the Carrollton neighborhood and strolling all the great local vibes of Oak St., picking up a few things to picnic on and heading to the scenic natural levee to watch the Mississippi roll by. New Orleans is not a big city- venture outside the small area for tourists and enjoy a lazy day like the locals! Breads on Oak has been satisfying vegan cravings since 2012 with a pastries, breads, sandwiches and quiches that non-vegans will be still impressed by.
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