New Orleans, a city celebrated for its rich culinary heritage, might not be the first place that springs to mind when you’re searching for “Food Near Me Vegan Friendly.” However, times are changing, and this vibrant city is blossoming into a haven for plant-based eaters. For years, vegan options were scarce, but today, New Orleans boasts a surprisingly diverse and delicious vegan food scene. Whether you’re a local vegan or a visitor exploring the Big Easy, discovering incredible plant-based meals is now easier than ever.
This guide is your personal roadmap to some of the best vegan-friendly restaurants and eateries New Orleans has to offer. It’s based on personal experiences and recommendations, highlighting spots that are truly loved for their vegan options. Think of this as a curated list of favorites, constantly evolving as new gems emerge and menus change.
Before diving in, a friendly reminder: always double-check with your server about vegan options. Menus can change, and it’s best to confirm that your chosen dish is free from animal products. With that said, get ready to explore the magical and flavorful world of vegan food in New Orleans!
Nice Dinner Spots for Vegan Cuisine
When you’re looking for a more upscale vegan dining experience in New Orleans, these restaurants offer both ambiance and exceptional plant-based dishes. If you’re searching for “food near me vegan friendly” for a special occasion, consider these top picks.
Bar Brine & Sneaky Pickle: This restaurant is a local favorite for good reason! With a charming atmosphere and a menu brimming with vegan choices, it’s a top spot for a memorable vegan dinner. Reservations are recommended, especially for evening dining.
Saba: Immerse yourself in the flavors of Israel and the Middle East at Saba. This restaurant features a wealth of vegan options within its delicious menu. Located in a walkable area, it’s perfect for exploring after your meal. Reservations are advisable.
True Food Kitchen: For a focus on wholesome and nourishing food, True Food Kitchen is an excellent choice. They provide numerous clearly marked vegan options in a clean and spacious setting. Reservations are recommended to secure your table.
Shaya: Similar to Saba, Shaya also specializes in Israeli and Middle Eastern cuisine with a strong emphasis on vegan-friendly dishes. While offering a similar culinary style to Saba, Shaya provides a distinct menu and dining experience. Reservations are recommended.
NOBU: For a truly special and high-end experience, NOBU New Orleans delivers pioneering Japanese cuisine. While known for its luxury, NOBU impressively caters to vegans with a wide array of options. Don’t hesitate to ask your server for vegan recommendations in this fancy and expensive, yet worthwhile, restaurant.
Vegan-Friendly Breakfast and Brunch Locations
Starting your day with delicious vegan food in New Orleans is easy with these breakfast and brunch spots. If you’re up early and searching “food near me vegan friendly” for breakfast, check out these cafes and bakeries.
Satsuma: This cute, neighborhood cafe offers a relaxed atmosphere with several vegan options on their menu. Located in a great area for a stroll, Satsuma is perfect for a casual vegan breakfast or brunch.
Bearcat Cafe: Bearcat Cafe is known for clearly marking its vegan items, making it easy to find plant-based choices. Popular and sometimes busy, it’s worth the potential wait for their tasty vegan offerings. They have two locations, increasing your chances of finding “vegan food near me”.
Bearcat Baked: The bakery cousin to Bearcat Cafe, Bearcat Baked expands on the vegan offerings with a wide selection of baked goods and breakfast items. Ideal for a sweet vegan treat or a light breakfast.
Molly’s Rise and Shine: This spot consistently includes at least one standout vegan option on their menu. Known for creative and flavorful dishes, it’s always worth checking out Molly’s Rise and Shine for a unique vegan brunch.
Fast Casual Vegan Dining Options
For quick, convenient, and delicious vegan meals, these fast-casual spots are perfect when you are on the go and searching “food near me vegan friendly”.
1000 Figs: An intimate Mediterranean spot located next to a wine bar, 1000 Figs offers a delightful vegan platter. It’s a great choice for a relaxed and flavorful vegan lunch or casual dinner.
Dian Xin: With two locations in the French Quarter, Dian Xin is easily accessible for tourists and locals alike. Both locations offer slightly different menus but feature several excellent vegan options for a quick and tasty meal in the heart of New Orleans.
Trilly’s Cheesesteaks: When you crave comfort food, Trilly’s Cheesesteaks has you covered with an impressively extensive vegan menu. Perfect for satisfying those cravings with plant-based versions of classic favorites.
Turkey and the Wolf: Open for lunch only, Turkey and the Wolf offers one standout vegan option: their vegan fried “chicky” sandwich. It’s a must-try for a flavorful and satisfying vegan lunch.
Small Mart: This charming spot features a range of vegan bagel sandwiches and sweet treats. Don’t miss their chai! Small Mart is ideal for a quick and delicious vegan breakfast or lunch. They also offer incredible vegan Indian food, making it a versatile choice when searching for “food near me vegan friendly” for different cuisines.
Barracuda Taco Stand: For fast and easy tacos, Barracuda Taco Stand offers a few vegan options and pleasant outdoor seating. Perfect for a casual vegan taco fix.
Lamara: Focusing on wholesome and healthy food, Lamara also boasts a beautiful pollinator garden. Open for breakfast and lunch, it’s a great spot for a nutritious and refreshing vegan meal.
Queen Trini Lisa: Experience the vibrant flavors of Trinbagonian island soul food at Queen Trini Lisa. With many vegan options, it’s a delicious and unique fast-casual choice.
Capulet: Offering delicious vegan options and great happy hour deals, Capulet is a solid choice for a relaxed and affordable vegan meal or drinks.
Vegan Po’ Boys in New Orleans
No trip to New Orleans is complete without trying a Po’ Boy, and thankfully, vegan versions are available! For a taste of local flavor, search “food near me vegan friendly” and look for these Po’ Boy spots.
Parkway Tavern: If you want the quintessential New Orleans Po’ Boy experience, Parkway Tavern is the place to go. They have an amazing vegan option, and even vegan fried pickles (though not listed on the menu, so be sure to ask!).
Killer Po’ Boys: For more inventive and non-traditional vegan Po’ Boy options, Killer Po’ Boys is a fun choice. Explore unique flavor combinations in their plant-based Po’ Boys.
Soul Food with a Vegan Twist
Experience the heart and soul of New Orleans cuisine with these vegan soul food spots. If you’re craving comforting and flavorful plant-based dishes and searching “food near me vegan friendly”, these are must-tries.
I-Tal Garden: A local favorite with incredible food, I-Tal Garden is worth checking their hours for (as they can be a bit specific). Offering quick dine-in and great for pickup, their vegan soul food is truly exceptional.
Sweet Soul Food: This entirely vegan restaurant offers a buffet-style setup. While not every dish might be a personal favorite, their fried cauliflower and red beans & rice are highly recommended and worth the visit.
Vegan Pizza in New Orleans
Pizza lovers searching for “food near me vegan friendly” will be happy to find these New Orleans pizza spots offering plant-based options.
Pizza Delicious (Pizza D): A hip spot next to a record store, Pizza D offers vegan cheese as an add-on to their vegan slices. A great place for a casual vegan pizza experience.
Margot’s: Known for its sourdough crust, Margot’s is a favorite for pizza purists. While vegan options are limited, the excellent crust, paired with vegan toppings, is often all you need. They also have a great wine selection to complement your vegan pizza.
Vietnamese Vegan Cuisine in New Orleans
For flavorful and aromatic vegan Vietnamese food, these restaurants are top choices when searching “food near me vegan friendly”.
Pho Bang: A personal favorite for Pho, Pho Bang (specifically the Veterans location) is a weekly go-to for delicious vegan Vietnamese soup.
Lilly’s Cafe: Located in the Uptown area, Lilly’s Cafe offers delicious Vietnamese food and is situated in a great neighborhood for walking and exploring.
MoPho: MoPho features many vegan options on its menu and is particularly praised for its outstanding vegan broth. A must-try for vegan Pho and Vietnamese dishes.
Pho Tau Bay: Pho Tau Bay is another solid choice for Pho, and their ‘Tofu Fresh Roll’ (enhanced with cilantro and Thai basil) is a recommended vegan appetizer.
Thai Vegan Restaurants
Explore the vibrant flavors of Thailand with these vegan-friendly Thai restaurants in New Orleans. When you search “food near me vegan friendly” and crave Thai, consider these options.
Budsi’s: Budsi’s has a secret vegan menu available upon request. It’s a great option for groups and doesn’t require reservations, conveniently located near the French Quarter.
SukhoThai: SukhoThai boasts an extensive vegan menu, with eggplant dishes and papaya salad being particularly popular choices.
Thaihey: Located in the French Quarter, Thaihey offers a separate and exciting vegan menu. Their fried okra is a must-try vegan dish. Reservations are recommended for this popular spot.
Vegan Sushi and Ramen Options
Even sushi and ramen can be vegan-friendly! If you’re searching “food near me vegan friendly” for Japanese cuisine, these spots offer plant-based choices.
Sukeban: Sukeban offers inventive Japanese cuisine, including two vegan hand rolls and several vegan appetizers.
Union Ramen: Union Ramen clearly marks one stellar vegan ramen option on their menu (just be sure to specify no egg). A must-visit for vegan ramen lovers.
Royal Sushi: Conveniently located in the French Quarter and open daily, Royal Sushi offers a few vegan options, including a veggie roll, ginger-carrot salad, veggie ramen, and spicy edamame. Ask your server for vegan recommendations.
Indian Vegan Cuisine in New Orleans
Spice up your vegan dining with Indian cuisine! When searching “food near me vegan friendly” for Indian food, these restaurants offer flavorful plant-based choices.
Mantra: Mantra offers delicious Indian cuisine with a wide range of vegan options. Simply ask your server for guidance. Great for delivery if you prefer to enjoy your vegan Indian meal at home. Note that it’s a bit outside the main tourist areas.
Small Mart: Beyond bagels and sandwiches, Small Mart also serves fabulous vegan Indian food. A versatile spot for diverse vegan cravings.
Good Karma Cafe: An entirely vegan cafe specializing in Indian and Malaysian fusion cuisine. Open for breakfast and lunch, it’s a unique vegan dining experience.
Vegan Bakeries in New Orleans
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these fantastic vegan bakeries. For vegan treats and baked goods, search “food near me vegan friendly” and head to these spots.
Flour Moon Bagels: Home to the best bagels in town, Flour Moon Bagels offers fantastic cashew-based cream cheese and butter. Customize any bagel sandwich or simply enjoy their bagels plain – they are that good!
Levee Baking Co.: A fantastic sourdough bakery with many vegan-friendly breads and a must-try vegan chocolate cookie. A lovely location to walk around and enjoy your vegan baked goods.
Leo’s Bread: Leo’s Bread offers one excellent veggie-heavy vegan sandwich option and various vegan baked goods.
Breads on Oak: A fully vegan bakery, Breads on Oak excels in sweet vegan treats. A perfect place to indulge your vegan sweet cravings.
Vegan Coffee and Juice Spots
For your caffeine fix and healthy juices, these spots offer vegan-friendly options when you search “food near me vegan friendly” for beverages.
French Truck Coffee: A cute coffee shop with multiple locations throughout New Orleans. French Truck Coffee offers great coffee and some vegan options.
Coffee Science: A charming local shop known for occasionally having vegan offerings. Worth checking for vegan pastries or snacks to accompany your coffee.
Raw Republic: Raw Republic specializes in organic juices and raw vegan food. Try their ‘Truffle Mac Noodles’ and ‘Bossy Balls’ for unique raw vegan dishes.
Daily Beet: With two locations, Daily Beet is perfect for juices, smoothies, and bowls with a good selection of vegan options. Ideal for a healthy and refreshing vegan drink or light meal.
Vegan Sweets in New Orleans
Indulge your sweet cravings with these vegan-friendly sweet spots in New Orleans. For vegan ice cream and snoballs, search “food near me vegan friendly” for dessert.
Chance in Hell SnoBalls: A super cute snoball shop that always has a few vegan snoball options. A refreshing and classic New Orleans treat with vegan choices.
Lucy Boone Ice Cream: This nice little ice cream shop typically offers one or two vegan ice cream options. A great place for a vegan ice cream cone.
Wine and Bars with Vegan Options
Even when you’re looking for a night out, you can find “food near me vegan friendly” in New Orleans bars and wine bars.
Bacchanal: A lovely wine bar featuring a vegan cheese board and live music. A must-visit for a relaxing evening with vegan snacks and entertainment.
Tell Me Bar: A super cute natural wine bar with cozy seating areas, perfect for a date night. They also offer kava for non-drinkers, and likely have some vegan-friendly snacks.
Hotel Saint Vincent: A gorgeous hotel worth visiting for its ambiance and gift shop. The bar serves fantastic truffle fries (just ask for them without cheese) – a great vegan bar snack.
Anna’s: A hip bar loved by locals and very queer-friendly. While specific vegan options may vary, it’s a great spot for drinks and a vibrant atmosphere.
Bud Rips: A classic New Orleans bar in a fantastic area (near Bar Brine!), Bud Rips is a great spot to experience the local bar scene, and you might find some simple vegan snacks available.
Good Friends: A fun gay bar in the French Quarter that comes alive on weekends. Enjoy the lively atmosphere and inquire about vegan drink options.
Latitude 29: A Tiki bar in the French Quarter with inventive cocktails (many of which can be vegan, just ask!). The menu also has a few clearly marked vegan items for a fun and tropical vegan bar experience.
This Vegan Guide to New Orleans is just the beginning of your plant-based culinary exploration in this amazing city. From upscale dining to casual bites, New Orleans is proving itself to be increasingly vegan-friendly. So next time you search for “food near me vegan friendly,” remember that New Orleans has far more to offer than you might expect! Enjoy discovering the delicious vegan side of the Big Easy!
