Top Vegetarian Restaurants in New Orleans

New Orleans is known for its rich, decadent, borderline-sinful dishes and cuisine. But amidst all the fried seafood platters and sugar-sweet beignets, there are more than a handful of restaurants offering health-conscious vegetarian meals. From the humble grain bowl and ubiquitous avocado toast to New Orleans classics-made-vegan, here are the top vegetarian restaurants in New Orleans (p.s. the following restaurants are all vegan-friendly as well).

Sweet Soulfood

Sweet Soulfood takes classic New Orleans food and makes it vegan, offering a unique and healthy spin on traditionally high calorie dishes. Red beans, okra gumbo, jambalaya and bread pudding are just a few of the menu options. Vegan ice cream is also available here.  

The Green Fork

Just as the name suggests, The Green Fork is a plant-eater’s dream. Start your meal with a juice or smoothie made with fresh fruit and vegetables. Grab a soup, salad or other takeaway for the road.

I-Tal Garden

I-tal Garden, beloved by locals, boasts a breakfast selection that will impress any appetite. Their menu features everything from artisanal avocado toast and vibrant fruit parfaits to hearty steel-cut oatmeal. Don't miss their signature double-stack pancake special, accompanied by a savory chickpea scramble and homemade seitan sausage. The culinary journey continues through lunch and dinner, where you'll find innovative dishes like their plant-based crabless cakes, rich okra gumbo filé, and the crowd-pleasing I-tal plate—a delicious combination of coconut-infused curry black-eyed peas, perfectly seasoned Creole greens, crispy cauliflower wings, and freshly baked cornbread.

Bearcat Café

With a menu separated into sections for good cats or bad cats, this vegan and vegetarian-friendly restaurant has something for you. Buffalo cauliflower, vegan queso and a selection of vegan burgers will satisfy any craving. Visit Bearcat at two locations–the Central Business District and Uptown New Orleans. 

The Daily Beet

Partnering with local farmers for the freshest of ingredients, Daily Beet is known for their salad bowls brimming with flavor. The Rainbow (with quinoa, avocado, carrot, bell pepper, a zesty ginger-garlic dressing and more) and the Sweet Potato Chipotle Chile (with organic wild rice, kale, avocado, green onions, pepitas and a chipotle-cashew crema) top our list of must-try dishes. Throw in a cold-pressed juice or an iced matcha latte for a bright complement to your meal. 

Saba

Alon Shaya's Uptown Mediterranean restaurant shines with an array of vegetarian delights that will satisfy even the most discerning palate. Their cloud-like house-made pita paired with creamy hummus is reason enough to visit, but don't stop there. Begin your vegetarian feast with flavorful starters such as the tangy lutenitsa, earthy roasted beets, or fresh tabouleh. Both the crisp broccoli salad and vibrant green salad stand out as exceptional vegetarian offerings. For something more substantial, the egg-topped shakshuka delivers a perfect balance of spice and comfort—ideal for scooping up with any remaining pita bread (though it tends to disappear quickly from the table).

LUVI

Though not exclusively a vegetarian restaurant, LUVI caters to vegans and vegetarians with a lovely selection of Chinese and Japanese dishes. Start with an appetizer, like the smashed cucumbers or five scented edamame, before diving into the vegan lover dumplings with pan fried bok choy, mushrooms and green bean noodles, or the spicy stir-fried bean curd with jalapeño, red onion and black bean chili.

Meals from the Heart Café

Who says you can’t eat healthy in the French Quarter? Amidst all the fried fish and oysters you’ll find Meals from the Heart Café, a French Market bistro offering vegan alternatives to New Orleans classics, such as red beans and rice, gumbo and crab cakes. Fuel up during your visit to the historic district.   

1000 Figs

1000 Figs is Mediterranean food at its best and happens to include plenty of vegetarian options on their menu. Make a meal out of house-made falafel, roasted sweet potatoes, kale salad, hummus and fresh bread. Add a glass of wine or non-alcoholic beverage and take your order to nearby Bayou St. John for a picnic on the water.

Good Eden: Plantmade

Good Eden offers humble meals in the heart of Mid-City. Veggie burgers, Malaysian curry bowl and dhal, a traditional Indian stew of legumes, top their menu. Also available are a selection of jarred goods, coffee, tea and smoothies, kombucha and dried bulk goods like cacao nibs and sunflower seeds.

Sneaky Pickle/Bar Brine

Sneaky Pickle by day, Bar Brine by night, this beloved restaurant tucked away in the Bywater features a vegan-and-vegetarian-friendy menu that gets rave reviews. Craving mac n’ cheese? Sneaky Pickle has a vegan version that’s all kinds of creamy and delicious. Hand-cut French fries, Brussels sprouts, tacos salads, and sandwiches are all made vegan. The menu changes frequently—even more of an excuse to visit again. If you're looking for nighttime fare (and excellent cocktails), then drop in to try Bar Brine's menu.

Trilly Cheesesteaks

Don’t let the name fool you—Trilly Cheesesteaks has plenty of options for vegan and non-vegans alike. Check out the vegan BBQ chicken Philly or vegan Philly cheesesteak, both made with seitan, vegan cheddar sauce and sauteed peppers and onions on an Amoroso roll. Vegan poutine, cauliflower wings and vegan fish n’ chips are specialties on the menu. 

Saffron NOLA

Saffron delivers authentic Indian cuisine at its finest. Vegetarian specialties take center stage with rich paneer dishes, hearty daals, and aromatic vegetable masalas showcasing traditional flavors and techniques. While they offer seafood and meat options for non-vegetarians, their vegetable-forward preparations truly shine.