Where to find great vegetarian food in New Orleans
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New Orleans is known for its excellent dining and hospitality, but its most famous food typically carries a reputation for meat-studded dishes, like jambalaya, poboys and gumbo.
Why it matters: There's a ton of fantastic vegetarian eating to be had here, too.
Between the lines: Although not an exclusive veggie eater, I've made a point in recent years to focus more on plant-based meals.
- Not only has this made my doctor happier, but it's made me feel better overall, too. (And it's pretty good for the environment.)
- It's also a reminder that going vegetarian doesn't have to be a life choice; it can just be a meal-by-meal goal.
Zoom in: Though vegetarian dining options have improved greatly in recent years, plenty of chefs still throw a veggie burger on the menu or slap together a caprese sandwich and call it a day.
- No thanks. That won't cut it anymore.
Although not an exhaustive list by any means, here are my favorite go-to places for vegetarian meals in New Orleans. Most are not exclusively veggie, which makes gathering with friends even easier.
- Share your favorites by sending a note to [email protected].
🥙 1000 Figs: You could make a meal out of the dips and bread alone, but you'd be missing out if you skipped the bright green falafel in either sandwich or platter form. Website.
- I also hope they one day bottle and sell their fig and ginger vinaigrette, which comes atop the kale salad.
🍜 Budsi's Authentic Thai: The menu has tons of veggie options, but my favorite is the drunken noodles with tofu. Here's why.
🥒 Sneaky Pickle & Bar Brine: The restaurant focuses, although not exclusively, on vegetarian cooking from scratch. The cashew-based mac and cheese is not to be missed. Website.
🥖 Killer Poboys: Poboys typically come stuffed with shrimp, roast beef or oysters, but Killer Poboys' Dauphine location gives a nod to the veg lovers in the crowd with roasted cauliflower and barbecue tofu options, too. Website.
- My favorite is the sweet potato option you find inside the Erin Rose spot.
🥘 Plume Algiers: As a West Banker, this is an easy drop-in for me, which is great because Plume has a lunchtime Thali bowl special with a vegetarian option. The meal often feeds me twice and comes with a veggie stir fry, dal, cabbage salad, naan and pickles. Website.
🧀 Sweet Soulfood: This Broad Street cafeteria takes its inspiration from the Southern meat-and-three but holds the meat. Instead, Chetwan Smith reimagines classic soul food and south Louisiana dishes as plant-based. Why I love it.