Best Vegetarian Restaurants in New Orleans for an Unforgettable Meal

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. 

Need to find a gift for the avid vegetarian in your life? Consider purchasing them a GiftYa virtual gift card. GiftYa cards are perfect for any occasion, including birthdays, graduations, or just because! They can be used at almost all of the below restaurants. This gives your loved one the perfect opportunity to try out different vegetarian restaurants in New Orleans before finding their go-to place. 

1. Killer Poboys

Popular poboy shop known for its delicious vegetarian sandwiches

219 Dauphine St | French Quarter | killerpoboys.com

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. 

“Wow. Amazing sandwich. I've been just once and will return. I got the shrimp and everything about it was good. Flavors, texture, size, consistency, bread...not positive but it may have even whispered the secret in my ear to make me a better man.” – Yelp Review

2. Breads on Oak Cafe & Bakery

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

8640 Oak St | Leonidas | breadsonoak.com

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. 

“In total, we bought two Pumpkin Cheddar Biscuit, a Veggie Quiche, and two brioche buns (Boston Cream and Tiramisu). My parents are I had the "savory" treats as brunch on our drive back home. My mom who is usually picky really liked the quiche. My dad and I both enjoyed the biscuits as well!” – Yelp Review 

3. Meals From the Heart Cafe

Classic NOLA cuisine made for vegan and health-conscious diets 

1100 N Peters St | French Quarter | mealsfromtheheartcafe.com

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. 

“Went to New Orleans and this was one of the few vegan places I could find. It's in the midst of a bunch of other restaurants. I almost missed it but when I saw vegan beignets I had to stop. The beignets were tiny but really good. And I was super excited for the vegan crab Benedict. Which was also pretty good. If you're vegan in New Orleans this is a good place to stop.” – Yelp Review

4. The Daily Beet

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

1000 Girod St | Warehouse District | thedailybeetnola.com

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. 

“The first meal I tried was their avo toast with egg ($2 extra) which came on a thick piece of bread and a perfectly cooked egg. It was not too salty and had great flavors. They also have different kinds in case you want to mix it up. I had it with the cold brew which was refreshing.” – Yelp Review

5. Cafe Amelie

An elegant little spot tucked away for the dining romantics 

Buy a Cafe Amelie gift card

900 Royal St | French Quarter | cafeamelie.com

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!

“Even without the evening romance, this place delivered a special, relaxed vibe, with friendly, attentive service. If you're in the area and looking for a meal infused with local charm, this spot's a must-try. Brunch was great, and I can only imagine what dinner must be like under those twinkling lights.” – Yelp Review

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

6. Sweet Soulfood

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

1025 N Broad St | Bayou St. John | sweetvegansoulfood.com

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!

“Came here before heading to the airport and it was wonderful. The food tasted amazing! My favorites were the barbecue cauliflower and the fried cauliflower with sweet heat sauce. The macaroni and cheese was excellent, as was the cornbread. I haven't liked collard greens or okra much in the past, but I enjoyed both here. Bread pudding was also great.” – Yelp Review

7. Bearcat Cafe

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

2521 Jena St | Uptown | bearcatcafe.com 

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. 

“Oh Bearcat, my love for you is real and I'm not a breakfast, brunch nor lunch person. Everyone once in a while, though, enjoying a meal with friends during the daytime is a good thing and an even better thing if it's enjoyed at Bearcat.” – Yelp Review

8. Carmo

Tropical-inspired vegan-friendly restaurant in New Orleans

527 Julia St | Warehouse District | cafecarmo.com

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. 

“The Peruvian ceviche was fresh and you got a boatload of large soft pieces of tasty fish! The pao de queijo were absolute crack-I could eat buckets of these dense cheesy bread roll puffs!” – Yelp Review

9. Bennachin Restaurant

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

1212 Royal St | French Quarter | bennachinrestaurant.com

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. 

“This place is so delicious! It's a blink-and-you'll-miss-it spot in the quarter, but worth keeping an eye out for. I absolutely love jollof rice, so as soon as I saw it on the menu I knew that's what I was trying and I can't even tell you how much I loved it. I ate every last bit on my plate, and wanted to take my plate to the back and ask for more.” – Yelp Review

10. True Food Kitchen

Popular restaurant in New Orleans that serves vegetarian dishes

801 Saint Charles Ave | Warehouse District | truefoodkitchen.com

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. 

“For my main dish I got the Asian noodle bowl. This packed a HUGE flavor punch and the noodles were made from sweet potatoes. You can add your choice of protein, but I kept it plant-based with crispy tofu. Finally, we rounded out this meal with a gooey brownie sundae. Again, TFK mixes creativity and wellness because this brown was made with ... quinoa. Don't ask me how they did it, but it was fantastic.” – Yelp Review

11. LUVI

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

5236 Tchoupitoulas St | Garden District/Uptown | luvirestaurant.com 

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!

“A new favorite for flavorful casual dining! Menu selections are not complicated, but well prepared and fresh Asian-fusion. Customer can control the heat as the fiery peppers come on the side. Light and flavored well! Relaxed, happy atmosphere with informed, patient servers.” – Yelp Review

In a place like New Orleans, there is no shortage of delicious and savory vegetarian options to choose from. What are your favorite vegetarian dishes? Let us know in the comments!