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Tal's Hummus
Tal's Hummus
Stephanie Carter

New Orleans’s Essential Spots for Vegetarians

Going meatless never tasted so good

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Tal's Hummus
| Stephanie Carter

New Orleans' reputation as a city of excess extends to its consumption of meat and fried/boiled seafood, which would leave vegetarians (not to mention vegans) out in the cold — if it were true.

The days of sad side salads and plain cheese po-boys are over, folks. Not only are there several restaurants that cater to the meat-averse these days, but many "regular" restaurants have finally embraced vegetarian and, sometimes, vegan dishes. Here now are 12 restaurants where vegetarians can find a great meal.

Don't see a great vegetarian restaurant? Leave a comment or send Eater Nola a tip and we'll update the map as necessary.

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1000 Figs

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A falafel sandwich that comes dressed in a carrot and beet slaw, and French fries served with garlicky toum are on the menu at this charming, wood-adorned restaurant in Mid City. The wine and beer list changes frequently, but be sure to look out for some outstanding Lebanese whites that pair perfectly with everything on the menu. House cocktails are available too.

Good Karma Prasad Cafe

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The totally vegan and Indian-cuisine influenced menu at Good Karma fits right in at its location inside Swan River Yoga, but the quality of the food elevates it to much more. The cozy, cheerful cafe serves breakfast as well as an afternoon/evening menu, along with coffee, smoothies, and fresh squeezed juices. The food menu is constantly rotating, but some recent items include peanut-beet curried veggies, coconut kale mung soup, and Malaysian style coconut and vegetable curry. Also: baked goods that are both vegan and gluten-free.

13 Bar & Restaurant

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This is late night vegetarian food at its finest, with a kitchen open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Get some vegetarian "tachos" (tater tots with nacho toppings) while out on Frenchman Street and thank us later. Hearty sandwiches like the mushroom Philly and tofu Reuben are great as well. Delivery available until 10 p.m.

Killer Poboys

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Hit up this sandwich place for breakfast or lunch for such meat-free goodness like cheddar omelette po-boy, roasted cauliflower sandwich, or pecan butter and jelly. The menu at the original outpost at the Erin Rose around the corner is a bit more limited, but there's always a Jameson whiskey grilled cheese and a roasted sweet potato po-boy with blackeyed pea and pecan spread, pickled shallots, and wilted greens. In a town where vegetarian po-boys are few and far between, Killer Po-boys fills the void.

Green Goddess

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Green Goddess serves up globally inspired, vegetable-focused, vegetarian food with fresh ingredients in one of the most famous and historically significant pedestrian walkways in New Orleans. Located on Exchange Alley in the French Quarter, this spot also serves plenty of meat and seafood options, and more importantly, cocktails. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

ENOLA

Cleo Mediterranean Cuisine (Multiple locations)

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Open 24 hours a day for all vegetarian needs, Cleo is known for exceptionally creamy hummus, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves. Don't overlook the more interesting options like the fried eggplant platter made with chili oil and cumin, or the "Egyptian breakfast" - sesame falafel, fava beans, fried eggplant, and fresh tomato and cucumber.

Breads on Oak

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Breads on Oak specializes in freshly baked breads and vegetarian food. Located near the Riverbed, it's a great place for a "muffanada", a vegan version of the beloved muffaletta, or vegan French Napoleons with black currant filling, vegan pastry cream, and vegan whole wheat puff pastry. The daily soup is always vegan, and the quiche and sandwich menus are almost entirely meat free.

The Daily Beet (Multiple Locations)

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The Daily Beet grew out of JuiceNOLA's St. Roch Market food stall. Good-for-you and meat-free eats include toasts — avocado with tomato and chili flakes, roasted beets with eggs and harissa — and bowls served on beds of greens, along with salads. A large part of the menu is smoothies, too, with bases of almond or rice milk. Although eggs and cheese are used on several menu items, it's very easy to eat vegan here.

This tropical/Latin-tinged cafe in the Warehouse District serves many of its dishes in meat or veggie versions. The vibrant decor matches the bold flavors of Carmo's dishes, including the signature acarajé, which is a black-eyed pea fritter stuffed with vatapá (a cashew peanut coconut paste) and salsa fresca. The salads are beautiful, and it's a great place for the gluten-free, with the variety of vegan/gf raw preparations on the dinner menu as well as the sinfully delicious pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread). Omnivores can also eat in good conscious here: the owners are big players in the sustainable seafood movement.

Bearcat Cafe

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The menu at this Freret Street spot is split into Good Cat and Bad Cat sections, depending on how much you want to indulge your inner beast, and most of the vegetarian items appear on the Good Cat side. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch with vegan rancheros, vegetarian portobello Philly, and vegan queso, to name a few. No liquor license, but the restaurant has great juice and coffee.

Max Well New Orleans

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Plant-based cafe Max Well opened near Audubon Park at the end of 2017 with a health-focused menu of salads, soups, power bowls, and cold-pressed juices. The proprietor, Maxwell Eaton, studied nutrition at Tulane and the entire menu is built around clean eating. Try the banh mi bowl. Prices are generally $11 and under.

Max Well New Orleans Max Well

Tal's Hummus

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Tal Sharon's small and bright hummus shop on Magazine Street has a menu similar that of a casual cafe in Israel, with shawarma, shaksuka, and falafel. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan items, including a vegan beef platter. Make sure to hit up the condiment bar -- it's all house made.

Tal's Hummus Stephanie Carter

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1000 Figs

A falafel sandwich that comes dressed in a carrot and beet slaw, and French fries served with garlicky toum are on the menu at this charming, wood-adorned restaurant in Mid City. The wine and beer list changes frequently, but be sure to look out for some outstanding Lebanese whites that pair perfectly with everything on the menu. House cocktails are available too.

Good Karma Prasad Cafe

The totally vegan and Indian-cuisine influenced menu at Good Karma fits right in at its location inside Swan River Yoga, but the quality of the food elevates it to much more. The cozy, cheerful cafe serves breakfast as well as an afternoon/evening menu, along with coffee, smoothies, and fresh squeezed juices. The food menu is constantly rotating, but some recent items include peanut-beet curried veggies, coconut kale mung soup, and Malaysian style coconut and vegetable curry. Also: baked goods that are both vegan and gluten-free.

13 Bar & Restaurant

This is late night vegetarian food at its finest, with a kitchen open daily from 11 a.m. to 4 a.m. Get some vegetarian "tachos" (tater tots with nacho toppings) while out on Frenchman Street and thank us later. Hearty sandwiches like the mushroom Philly and tofu Reuben are great as well. Delivery available until 10 p.m.

Killer Poboys

Hit up this sandwich place for breakfast or lunch for such meat-free goodness like cheddar omelette po-boy, roasted cauliflower sandwich, or pecan butter and jelly. The menu at the original outpost at the Erin Rose around the corner is a bit more limited, but there's always a Jameson whiskey grilled cheese and a roasted sweet potato po-boy with blackeyed pea and pecan spread, pickled shallots, and wilted greens. In a town where vegetarian po-boys are few and far between, Killer Po-boys fills the void.

Green Goddess

Green Goddess serves up globally inspired, vegetable-focused, vegetarian food with fresh ingredients in one of the most famous and historically significant pedestrian walkways in New Orleans. Located on Exchange Alley in the French Quarter, this spot also serves plenty of meat and seafood options, and more importantly, cocktails. Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

ENOLA

Cleo Mediterranean Cuisine (Multiple locations)

Open 24 hours a day for all vegetarian needs, Cleo is known for exceptionally creamy hummus, falafel, and stuffed grape leaves. Don't overlook the more interesting options like the fried eggplant platter made with chili oil and cumin, or the "Egyptian breakfast" - sesame falafel, fava beans, fried eggplant, and fresh tomato and cucumber.

Breads on Oak

Breads on Oak specializes in freshly baked breads and vegetarian food. Located near the Riverbed, it's a great place for a "muffanada", a vegan version of the beloved muffaletta, or vegan French Napoleons with black currant filling, vegan pastry cream, and vegan whole wheat puff pastry. The daily soup is always vegan, and the quiche and sandwich menus are almost entirely meat free.

The Daily Beet (Multiple Locations)

The Daily Beet grew out of JuiceNOLA's St. Roch Market food stall. Good-for-you and meat-free eats include toasts — avocado with tomato and chili flakes, roasted beets with eggs and harissa — and bowls served on beds of greens, along with salads. A large part of the menu is smoothies, too, with bases of almond or rice milk. Although eggs and cheese are used on several menu items, it's very easy to eat vegan here.

Carmo

This tropical/Latin-tinged cafe in the Warehouse District serves many of its dishes in meat or veggie versions. The vibrant decor matches the bold flavors of Carmo's dishes, including the signature acarajé, which is a black-eyed pea fritter stuffed with vatapá (a cashew peanut coconut paste) and salsa fresca. The salads are beautiful, and it's a great place for the gluten-free, with the variety of vegan/gf raw preparations on the dinner menu as well as the sinfully delicious pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread). Omnivores can also eat in good conscious here: the owners are big players in the sustainable seafood movement.

Bearcat Cafe

The menu at this Freret Street spot is split into Good Cat and Bad Cat sections, depending on how much you want to indulge your inner beast, and most of the vegetarian items appear on the Good Cat side. The cafe is open for breakfast and lunch with vegan rancheros, vegetarian portobello Philly, and vegan queso, to name a few. No liquor license, but the restaurant has great juice and coffee.

Max Well New Orleans

Plant-based cafe Max Well opened near Audubon Park at the end of 2017 with a health-focused menu of salads, soups, power bowls, and cold-pressed juices. The proprietor, Maxwell Eaton, studied nutrition at Tulane and the entire menu is built around clean eating. Try the banh mi bowl. Prices are generally $11 and under.

Max Well New Orleans Max Well

Tal's Hummus

Tal Sharon's small and bright hummus shop on Magazine Street has a menu similar that of a casual cafe in Israel, with shawarma, shaksuka, and falafel. Plenty of vegetarian and vegan items, including a vegan beef platter. Make sure to hit up the condiment bar -- it's all house made.

Tal's Hummus Stephanie Carter

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