Hi friends! The time has come for me to share my long-awaited Vegan Guide to New Orleans! And you might be wondering…you can be vegan in New Orleans? Well… if you know where to go! As someone who has been visiting this city long before I moved here, it used to be slim pickins for us vegans but nowadays- it’s pretty fantastic! It’s come a long way and I’m quite proud.
Disclaimer before we begin, this is not a list of every place that has vegan options here in the Big Easy. This is a list of my personal recommendations that I love. I also reserve the right to change this list up as I see fit. There are definitely some businesses that I have not had a chance to try and they may be added to the list eventually, in addition to new places that may pop up in the future. But for now, this list should keep you BUSY!
Lastly, I ALWAYS recommend to double check with your server if something is vegan. Menus change and something that I mention here now may no longer be vegan when you dine there. Always politely confirm that something is free from animal products when ordering. Here’s to enjoying some delicious vegan food in a magical city. Cheers!
NICE DINNER SPOTS
Favorite restaurant in town! Loads of vegan options and too cute to boot! Rezzy needed for nighttime. (They are currently offering brunch on the weekends with some vegan options!)
Delicious Israeli and Middle Eastern food with tons of vegan options. Great location to walk around. Rezzy needed.
Wholesome food with many vegan options, clean and spacious. Rezzy needed.
Israeli and Middle Eastern food with tons of vegan options. (Similar to Saba but with different offerings!) Rezzy needed.
Pioneering a new style of Japanese cuisine, this restaurant is fancy and very expensive. Perfect for special occasions while offering dozens of vegan options (just ask you server!).
BREAKFAST / BRUNCH
Cute neighborhoody spot with a few vegan options, great area to walk around.
Clearly marked vegan items worth trying but getting a table can be difficult as the wait can be long. There are two locations.
Always at least one great vegan option!
FAST CASUAL
Intimate little spot next to a lovely wine bar (to check out if there is a wait!). Mediterranean fair with a nice vegan platter.
Two separate locations, bonus points for both being in the Quarter! The menus are slightly different, but both have several great vegan options!
One solid vegan option (vegan fried chicky sandwich) worth trying! Only open for lunch.
Cutest little spot with a great lineup of vegan bagel sandwiches and sweet treats. Get the chai!
Quick and easy taco spot with a few vegan options and nice outdoor seating.
Wholesome and healthy food with a gorgeous pollinator garden in the back! Only for brekkie and lunch.
Super delicious Trinbagonian island soul food with many vegan options!
PO’ BOYS
If you are going to get a po’ boy while visiting- this is it. Awesome vegan option and they have vegan fried pickles but they’re not on the menu!
More inventive, non-traditional vegan po’ boy options. Fun to try!
SOUL FOOD
This is one of my favorite spots. The hours are a little tough (check the website) but the food is BOMB. Quick dine-in (no table service) and great for pickup and to-go.
This place offers a fully vegan menu. I don’t love everything from here (buffet style set up) but it is worth going for their fried cauliflower and red beans & rice!
PIZZA
Hip spot next to a great record store. They do offer vegan cheese, which you have to add on separately to the vegan slice…heads up!
One of my favorite spots because they offer sourdough crust. Not many vegan offerings but a good crust is all you need sometimes. Great wine selection.
VIETNAMESE
This is my favorite spot for pho. I go once a week! (The veterans location.)
Delicious and great location to walk around (Uptown!)
Good pho and I quite like their ‘Tofu Fresh Roll’ which I add cilantro and Thai basil to.
THAI
They have a secret vegan menu by the register so just ask. I like this place because you don’t need a rezzy and you can go with a group. Close to the quarter, too!
They have an extensive vegan menu! I like their eggplant offerings and papaya salad.
This place is in the quarter and they have a separate vegan menu that pops! Get the fried okra! You do need a rezzy, tho.
SUSHI & RAMEN
One of my favorite spots in town! Delicious and interesting Japanese cuisine. They offer 2 vegan hand rolls and a few vegan appetizers. (This place is smaller and is ideal for a party of 2. They do have one larger table that you can reserve!)
This spot has one clearly marked vegan ramen option and it is stellar (just be clear to not add the egg option)! A must-try if visiting!
I like this spot because it is in the quarter, it’s open every day, and they have a few vegan offerings (veggie roll, ginger-carrot salad, veggie ramen, spicy edamame). Just ask your server about what to order.
INDIAN
Delicious Indian cuisine with lots of vegan offerings! Simply ask your server. Great for delivery. Heads up! This one is a bit of a trek to get to.
Aside from offering bagel sandwiches and such, they also serve fabulous vegan Indian food!
BAKERIES
Best bagels in town! They serve a fantastic cashew-based cream cheese and butter and you can customize any bagel sandwich to your liking. You could honestly just eat their bagels plain and untoasted- they are that good!
Fantastic sourdough bakery! Most of their breads are vegan friendly and they have a killer chocolate cookie. Cute location to walk around, too! Fun fact: I love one of their cookies so much, I asked the owner if I could share the recipe on the blog!
This bakery has one great veggie-heavy vegan option and some vegan baked good offerings.
Fully vegan bakery. I personally think their sweet offerings are the best!
COFFEE & JUICE
Cute spot with a few locations. Great coffee!
Lovely local shop which is known to have some vegan offerings at times.
This place has great organic juices and raw vegan food that I quite love. Try the ‘Truffle Mac Noodles’ and the ‘Bossy Balls’!
Two different locations that are great for juices, smoothies, and bowls offering a good amount of vegan options!
SWEETS
Super cute snoball shop that always has a few vegan options.
Nice little ice cream shop that usually has one to two vegan options.
WINE & BARS
Lovely wine bar that offers a vegan cheese board and live music! Must go if you visit.
Super cute natural wine bar with lots of cozy seating areas. Great date spot and they offer kava for non-drinkers.
Gorgeous hotel worth visiting just to see and check out the gift shop. The bar has fantastic truffle fries, just hold the cheese.
Hip bar that locals love.
Classic New Orleans Bar in a great area (right by Bar Brine!)
Fun gay bar in the quarter.
Tiki bar in the quarter with inventive cocktails (many are vegan, just ask!) and the menu does have a few clearly marked vegan items to eat.
I hope that you have enjoyed this ‘Vegan Guide to New Orleans!’ Before I go, I wanted to mention that I have a fabulous vegan ‘Guide to Austin‘ that you should definitely check out and if you are interested in trying a New Orleans style dish in your own kitchen, try my ‘Dirty Rice’.
Thank you for being here!
–Timothy
47 comments
Thank you so much for this! My husband and I are looking to visit New Orleans in the fall, and this is so, so helpful. So many vegan food options!! Cannot wait!
Oh, fantastic! I am so happy you like it! Enjoy your visit in this lovely city.
Thanks so much for making this!!! Can’t wait to go back to New Orleans.
Of course! Happy to share. Thank you for being here!
These are all great, but (sadly) you must not have found Mais Arepas, or it would have been first on your list.
Hi Lisa, I just looked at the menu and it seems like there might be one or two options if certain items are removed. I try to recommend places that have clearly marked options but I will definitely check it out!
I went to Mais Arepas once and they said there’s cheese in the maize dough so they couldn’t make any of the arepas vegan, but that was a couple years ago so maybe something has changed!
Wow! Thank you so much for sharing. I can’t wait to try some of the places you recommended. I have enjoyed your newsletter as well. Please keep sharing 😃
Oh my, thank you for this! I am so happy to hear you are enjoying the newsletters!!
So many great places! I just took my boys to bearcat for breakfast on our trip to Florida. I always love an actual vegan breakfast! Thanks for some new options to try. I love your content and you being you!
Hi Johnelle, I agree it is so nice to have a FULL breakfast, not just avocado toast lol! Thank you for the kind words and for being here!
Hey Timothy! Thank you for sharing these amazing restaurants! I’ll be visiting New Orleans for Mardi Gras, so I’ll definitely be checking out these places! – Taryn from IG @sowinthecity.
Hi sweetie!! So excited for you to check out this magical city and eat some delicious food!
Great article for a long time NOLA vegan.
Question?
What do you get at PhoBang on Vets. Never thought it was very vegan friendly. Not a big tofu eater.
Hi there! I order the ‘Pho Chay’ – just make sure to order it with the veggie broth and you can ask for no tofu. It comes with loads of carrots, broccoli, rice noodles, fresh herbs, lime, and you can add their chili oil. I also like their unsweetened jasmine tea.
This is excellent! My cousin owns Pho Tau Bay. I recommend “Pho Ap Chao Chay” it’s pan fried pho noodles with stir fruits veggies and tofu.
Oh cool! I love that spot!! They are so friendly there. I will check out that dish! Thank you.
This is SO helpful!! I visit my brother a couple times a year and will definitely be referring back to this! I had lots of luck on Magazine Street—Dat Dog for a vegan banger, EmpaNOLA for an amazing yellow curry empanada, and the Cupcake Collection had frozen vegan cupcakes that I loved on a hot day! Thanks Timothy!
Oh fabulous! I will check out the EmpaNOLA! Dat Dog is great for when you’ve had a few drinks in the quarter! I’ll go to the one on Frenchman sometimes. Enjoy the guide!
What a great article even for a longtime NOLA vegan.
Question:
What are some vegan items you order at Pho Bang?
Thanks
You can order the ‘Pho Chay’ – just confirm that they use the vegetable base! You can also oder the tofu spring rolls. I think there might be some rice dishes but I haven’t tried yet. I usually just go for the pho!
Thank you so much for this! Im always looking for new vegan options in NOLA and this definitely helps!!
Fantastic! I am very happy to share. Thank you for being here!
This is so appreciated! I live on the Northshore (thank you for your condolences) and there’s not much here. I know there’s more in the city but get frustrated trying to find places to try. Definitely saving this list. By the way, your blog photos are always lovely!
Hi Adele! Thank you for the kind words. I am very happy to share and hope you enjoy some of my recommendations! Thank you for being here. Happy summer!
I dream of Lilly’s crispy fried tofu! Such a great place!
Totally! Love going there. I agree, the fried tofu really hits the spot. Happy summer!
You’re right, it would be so helpful if they would mark vegan options on their menu. I’ll ask them about that the next time I’m there. It’s so yummy, you will love it!
I will definitely check it out!!
You should check out Breads on Oak. They converted to a completely vegan bakery several years ago.
Hi there! I have been and go from time to time!
Hi! Arriving via Joy the Baker and WOW thank you for this amazing post and collection of so many new places for me to check out! My daughter is entering her second year at Tulane and I can’t wait for move in next week and a whole new universe of vegan-friendly places to try! Thanks again!
Hi and welcome! Thank you for being here! I hope you love trying out these places. They are truly my faves!
Planning a trip in December – you are our guide!!! Thanks so much for the info.
Lovely!! That’s a beautiful time to come visit! Go to the Roosevelt to see the lights and they have some cute bars in the lobby and Domenica will make you a vegan pizza if you ask.
Best vegan guide for Nola!! And the pictures make everything look so tasty. Thank you this was super helpful
Ayyy, lovely to hear!! Thanks for letting me know, Alexis.
yikes! my first comment says two stars, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see that before hitting send. 100%%%% 5 star!!
Hi! Ok, so Bacchanal Wine will have different types of live music and they have some nice vegan options and it’s lovely. Also, I have not been here, so I cannot say if I would recommend it but I will report back if I try it…it looks awesome and it is a jazz club and they have some vegan options: sweetlorrainesjazzclub.com/menu. Hope this helps!
This is awesome! Thank you so much. I have a trip coming up in January, so this is going to be super helpful.
Perfect! Enjoy your time!
Great list! Love the headers and everything. In your bakery section I would highly recommend adding Breads on Oak! For years I got their shrimp bread and it blew my mind to smithereens when I learned that everything there is vegan. Their breads and pastries are on point and the shop uptown is cute as all get out.
Hey Ethan! Thanks, I’ll check it out!
Sneaky Pickle / Bar Brine was amazing! thanks so much for the list.
Oh, yes! So delicious!!
Just returned from NOLA and loved your suggestions. We also stumbled upon 2 Phat Vegans just off Frenchman st. and really enjoyed the gumbo, po boys and spinach artichoke dip. The owner was the sweetest guy. Just wanted to give this place a shoutout. It’s not gourmet but it’s great comfort food after a day of drinking!
Thank you so much for this! I definitely need to check it out! I appreciate you letting us know.