New Orleans. Oh, New Orleans. I do love you. You stole my heart from the first moment I was there and this second trip just solidified that feeling much more. New Orleans is unique and eery and creepy and pretty much the theme song for the Addams Family. And, that’s so me. Being vegan in New Orleans is also easy peasy. You won’t have less of a New Orleans experience if you don’t eat oysters or visit Cafe du Monde or have jambalaya or gumbo.

And, quite frankly – you can do all of those things – except maybe the oysters – just vegan. So, if you’re headed to New Orleans and you’re worried about finding vegan food New Orleans – don’t be! You’ll leave feeling full, satisfied, and completely smitten with the city. Or, I hope.

Vegan in New Orleans Map

Where to Stay in New Orleans

I was lucky and ecstatic to stay in the brand new HI New Orleans hostel located conveniently on Canal Ave. I’m in love with this company (that’s actually a nonprofit) focused on sustainability. I stayed at the one in New York City earlier this year as you’ll remember and was happy to visit this spot in New Orleans. I’m on a mission to stay at them all now!

***This trip was possible in collaboration with HI USA. All of my accommodation was covered by HI USA. Despite who may have footed the bill, all the opinions here are my own and I would never recommend something I didn’t fully believe in and try myself.***

I would highly suggest staying here as it is centrally located – right off a streetcar stop and walking distance to the French Quarter. The common spaces are extremely large, colorful and have a welcoming vibe.

Vegan Restaurants New Orleans

Sweet Soulfood

TYPE OF CUISINE: SOUL FOOD, COMFORT FOOD
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: BAYOU-ST JOHN
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

Unassuming spot for soul food & vegan fare with Cajun flavors such as jambalaya plus sweets.

Good Karma Cafe

TYPE OF CUISINE: HEALTHY
COST: $$
NEIGHBORHOOD: MID-CITY
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

A health-conscious counter within Swan City Yoga serving vegan snacks, smoothies & coffee. This is a beet and rose latte which was a very unique drink that tasted both floral and earthy at the same time.

Piscobar Kitchen

TYPE OF CUISINE: SMALL BITES, ASIAN
COST: $$
NEIGHBORHOOD: DOWNTOWN
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

Nestled inside the Catahoula Hotel in downtown New Orleans, Piscobar Kitchen serves up an inventive array of pisco based cocktails and New Orleans inspired concoctions and vivid southeast Asian plant-based food. The menu is small but is fantastic.

Max Well

TYPE OF CUISINE: HEALTHY, POWER BOWLS
COST: $$
NEIGHBORHOOD: AUDUBON
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

A plant-based, vegan restaurant serving both lunch and dinner in New Orleans. The menu features nutrient-rich bowls, salads, and fresh-pressed juices.

Breads on Oak

TYPE OF CUISINE: BAKED GOODS, BREAD, SANDWICHES
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: UPTOWN/CARROLLTON
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

Possibly my favorite meal in New Orleans occurred here on my last morning, Breads on Oak is the only vegan bakery New Orleans and probably the best option for vegan breakfast New Orleans in my opinion. Their bread is their rise (see what I did there?!) to fame, but everything was exceptional. I got a sausage, egg and cheese biscuit, a cinnamon roll, and a latte. I could have eaten that meal every day I was there and been happy.

NOLA Vegan Cafe

TYPE OF CUISINE: HEALTHY
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: UPTOWN/CARROLLTON
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

Brand new vegan spot (just opened in October 2019!) that looks phenomenal!

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Nola Vegan (@nola.vegan) on Oct 25, 2019 at 9:19am PDT

Vegan Wit’ a Twist

TYPE OF CUISINE: NEW ORLEANS STYLE, FAST FOOD, COMFORT FOOD
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: CITY PARK, FAIRGROUNDS
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

Three barbers opened up Vegan Wit’ a Twist to bring healthy food to the masses and show them how delicious plant-based food can be. Their hours are very limited but their food looks incredible and I love their story.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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A post shared by Vegan Wit A Twist (@vegan_wit_a_twist) on Oct 22, 2019 at 6:20am PDT

Seed

TYPE OF CUISINE: AMERICAN, COMFORT FOOD
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: GARDEN DISTRICT
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

Seed offers vegan spins on comfort-food classics in a contemporary space. The restaurant is temporarily closed while new ownership is transitioned. It’s expected to re-open Fall 2019. Unsure what the new menu will look like but they had vegan beignets and I expect they’ll keep them!

Mac & Moon

TYPE OF CUISINE: DESSERTS, SWEETS, ICE CREAM
COST: $$
NEIGHBORHOOD: GARDEN DISTRICT
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

Mac & Moon is the retail concept of Karmacarons, a woman-owned wholesale macaron company based in Lafayette, LA. Proudly selling teas made by Magnola Moon Collective, Mac & Moon owner Kristina Ostrom takes pride in meticulous local sourcing of ingredients and products. Everything is gluten-free and vegan including french macarons, cream tarts, rolled ice cream, milkshakes, and wild-harvested herbal teas.

Essential Information about Mac & Moon

Address | 801 Magazine St, New Orleans LA
Hours | 7am-10pm Sun-Thu; 7am-11pm Fri-Sat
Website | auctionhousemarket.com/mac-moon

Vegetarian New Orleans

Small Mart

TYPE OF CUISINE: STREET FOOD
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: FRENCH QUARTER
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

A small deli and grocery specializing in outstanding vegan and vegetarian street food.

Lamara Coffee and Kitchen

TYPE OF CUISINE: HEALTHY
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: BAYOU-ST JOHN
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

Featuring a West Coast inspired menu made up of healthy vegetarian small plates, a full superfood smoothie bar, and gluten-free house-made baked goods all made from scratch in the kitchen, while the coffee bar serves up espresso drinks, loose-leaf teas and tonics served in hand made ceramics from CA.

Vegan-Friendly Restaurants New Orleans

Meals from the Heart Cafe

TYPE OF CUISINE: COMFORT FOOD, NEW ORLEANS STYLE
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: FRENCH MARKET
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: YES, CLEARLY MARKED

The menu includes a wide variety of traditional New Orleans cuisine as well as vegan and gluten-free options for our gumbos, pancakes, burgers, tacos and of course crab cakes.  Combine that with a selection of house squeezed juices, kombuchas and mostly organic ingredients, Meals From the Heart Cafe is one of New Orleans’ truly unique eateries.

Sneaky Pickle

TYPE OF CUISINE: COMFORT FOOD
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: BYWATER
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

The upbeat and relaxed atmosphere combined with the ever-changing specials menu and rotating local ingredients aims to encourage vegans and meat-eaters to enjoy their meals together. Their main location is temporarily closed due to a fire but they announce pop-ups on their Instagram.

Trilly Cheesesteaks

TYPE OF CUISINE: AMERICAN, FAST FOOD, COMFORT FOOD
COST: $
NEIGHBORHOOD: MID-CITY
GLUTEN-FREE OPTIONS: UNSURE

Holy vegan cow. I was really impressed with this place. I almost overlooked it, but somehow it came across my radar while I was already in town and it ended up being one of my favorite vegan in New Orleans options. EVERYTHING on their menu is offered in a vegan option which I think is very cool and amazing and typically unheard of for an omni restaurant.

Groceries, Health Stores, & Markets

There are plenty of grocery stores, health stores, farmers’ markets, and more to find vegan options in New Orleans! There are several Whole Foods as well.

Crescent City Farmers’ Market

Crescent City Farmers’ Market is an umbrella and is operating seven weekly markets in the New Orleans area, most of which are year-round, and all of which are rain or shine. Join us Tuesdays Uptown at Uptown Square, Wednesdays in the Bywater at the Rusty Rainbow Bridge and also the Ochsner Rehabilitation Center in Jefferson, Thursdays in Mid-City on Orleans Avenue at the American Can Company, Fridays in Bucktown at the Harbor, and Saturdays Downtown and Kenner’s historic Rivertown.

New Orleans Animal Activism

Interested in taking part in animal activism while you’re in Boston? Here are a few great options!

• Local Anonymous for the Voiceless Chapter
• New Orleans Animal Save

Local Vegan Resources

My favorite way to get vegan options in a new place is by joining the local Facebook group. The locals will you give the best advice on where to eat, what not to miss and the hidden gems of their city!

• Vegan New Orleans

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Ashley Hubbard

Hi! I'm the Founder and Editor-in-Chief at Wild Hearted. I'm a Nashville unicorn (born, raised, and based), queer, vegan, and dedicated to leaving a positive impact through her life, work, and this website.

I'm also a freelance writer and creator. You can see my published work here. I've been featured by Impact Travel Alliance as a creative who is transforming travel, and by Matador Network as a vegan travel blogger you should be following on Instagram.

When I'm not writing, I'm traveling, reading a book, trying not to kill my houseplants, worshiping my dog, or having an existential crisis.

You can also reach out to me on Instagram and TikTok.

Want to know more? Here's my full bio.

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