Around NOLA :: Finding The Best Vegan Restaurants In The City
I had my moment when I decided to try my hand at the vegetarian lifestyle. At one point in my life, I was doing well, as I was finding fun tasty recipes. However, I had to have my occasional crawfish, chicken, and what is gumbo with all the fixings. So, I transitioned into the pescatarian lifestyle where I still hold strong. If you’re not familiar with pescatarian it is someone that eats only seafood, no red meat at all. I’ve been away from red meat for years, and it has reached the point that my body rejects it. Just to give you an idea of how long, and how your tastes change over time.
But as I would go out with friends and family it would be a challenge to find items on the menu that were truly vegetarian-friendly. Don’t get me wrong, I would find something to eat anywhere I go but I would like to at least have somewhere I could enjoy a really good meal that is plant-based and remind me of some of the things I was missing. And of course, living in New Orleans finding foods that we eat daily in vegetarian form is tough. So, I found a few restaurants that cater to this lifestyle and would love to share them.
One day, last year, I went to the Vegan Festival and the amount of vegan-friendly restaurants we have in our area is amazing. So with that being said, here are a few places I have tried and a few I would like to, just by seeing them at the festival.
Sweet Soul Food
Located on N. Broad St., Sweet Soul Food serves vegan-friendly foods just like Mimi/granny used to make. If you are someone who loves creamy mac and cheese, sweet potatoes, greens, and chicken, but plant-based this is the restaurant for you.
Kindred
This is one of my favs, everything on the menu is amazing, and the buffalo cauliflower and “shrimp” po-boy are the best. You can’t even tell it’s not real meat. And for those who like to drink, they have amazing options to try!
Dat Dog
For the late nights, Dat Dog has veggie hot dogs and if you are as frequent as I am you know that you can dress them however you like. Also (not vegan friendly, but for my pescatarian taste buds) be sure to get the crawfish etouffee tots or fries. AMAZING!
Bearcat
I know plenty of locals have been here so no need to explain why you need to go here. Everything on their menu is absolutely delicious! Whether it is the Vegan Ranchero Omelet or the crawfish Cajun Gravy Biscuit, there are options for everyone here with loads of vegan options.
Places I would like to try:
Tal Garden
I’ve heard so many beautiful things about this restaurant. This Nola twist on soul food is something I can’t wait to dig into. Crab less crabcakes? Cajun Pasta? Vegan Mac & Cheese? My mouth is watering just looking at the menu!
Phat Vegans
I recently heard about this place from it being a vendor at the Vegan Soul Festival (yes, that is correct New Orleans has a Vegan Festival)! I didn’t get a chance to go this year but I heard so many good things about this place and just by looking at the menu, I can definitely tell this is a place I will most likely be a frequent visitor.
Being pescatarian I have more options, like eating sushi or pasta, but I do like that I can also venture into the vegan lifestyle and learn ways to prepare my favorite dishes with a plant-based option. Now, at one point, yes, I was vegetarian and I hope one day, with my schedule I could have the time to research more recipes and alternatives to cooking those types of dishes. But now I don’t mind changing it up, it’s all about finding what I like and don’t.
Would you ever try the vegan lifestyle? Have you been to any of the restaurants? Know any I should add to my list? Let me know in the comments.
