Best Vegan Restaurants in Lower Garden District

"The flavors of Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Caribbean, and South America come together at Carmo, a tropical café and bar serving innovative, vegan-friendly fare with tropical flavors. This NOLA-based open-kitchen eatery, founded in 2010, prides itself on its “commitment to providing vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike with healthy and affordable” dining options in a laid-back atmosphere. Menu favorites include the Carmo Salad, the Rico Sandwich and any of the appetizers featuring avocado, of course."

"This worldly café serves cuisine from Southeast Asia, West Africa, the Caribbean, and South America. Vegan delights include the Broken Noodle Salad and the Caribbean Banana Cake."

"For delicious, healthy food with a Brazilian twist, head to Carmo. Their menu is packed with yummy salads, appetizer, entrees, and desserts. I love their namesake Carmo Salad."

"Like its sister Bearcat uptown, Bearcat CBD offers a menu of wholesome goodness for “Good Cat” (e.g., the savory Ranchero with vegan black beans, cashew crema, ranchero sauce, pico and avocado) and “Bad Cat” (country fried steak on Texas toast) cravings. There is more on offer downtown, however, including a contemporary rear patio fit for the pages of Dwell magazine. According to general manager Michael Matthews, Bearcat’s outdoor space has been a work in progress since the restaurant opened in December 2019."

"Uptown/CBDBoth locations of this breakfast/lunch/coffee shop/restaurant divide their menus into “Good Cat” and “Bad Cat.” Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free items are on the “Good Cat” menu, but definitely keep reading down the page for impossibly delicious vegan queso and Buffalo cauliflower in the small plates menu. Breakfast is served all day and if you’re in the mood for a classic lunch, try the vegan grilled cheese with gazpacho."

"This sleek and minimalist daytime cafe is a light and airy space for delicious, plant-based comfort foods. They make favourites ranging from pancakes and biscuits to fruit bowls and eggs with sweet potato hash. The artisan coffees are a must too."

"Located at the corner of St. Claude and St. Roch avenues, across from the bright orange Healing Center that includes the New Orleans Food Co-Op, the St. Roch Market first opened in 1875 as just one of the city's many public markets. Restored in 2012 with $3.7 million in public funds, the market now includes 13 vendors including two that offer gluten free baked goods. The Market is an easy walk or bike ride from the French Quarter, and it's just across the street from the Marigny."

"This southern food hall boasts an endless variety of food, drinks, and entertainment for its more local location. With more than a dozen vendors, people are sure to find their ideal meal whether it’s Mexican dishes, oyster bars, or aptly name s “streetfood.” Opened daily, St. Roch Market is a great place to grow your food brand with more customer exposure. or simply enjoy a good meal with friends."

"This food hall brings together a medley of culinary experiences in a restored structure originally built in 1875. The light-filled interior space provides the perfect foil for the street-food-esque dining concept. You may want to visit twice if you want to try all of what the vendors are selling."

"Located in the French Market, Meals from the Heart Café is a quaint back-alley French Quarter café that serves a healthy variety of gluten-free and vegan dishes. Focused on serving delicious and tasty cuisine prepared from only the freshest, locally sourced ingredients and produce from artisanal farms, Meals from the Heart Café is a popular breakfast spot with food-lovers, vegetarians, vegans, and health-nuts. The menu features dishes such as crab cake passion, egg white omelets with a variety of sumptuous vegetarian and meat fillings, egg scrambles, breakfast sandwiches and wraps, freshly prepared salads and quinoa bowls, and homemade granola, yogurt, and fresh fruit bowls."

"This French Quarter hole-in-the-wall is a vegan and gluten-free delight. The health-conscious menu packs tons of flavour into New Orleans dishes like po-boys, gumbo and more. Order the vegan crab cake po-boy with a side of red beans and rice."

"LemonShark Poke, a sushi bar and Hawaiian spot that offers poke and more in the Garden District, is another much-loved go-to, with 4.5 stars out of 83 Yelp reviews. Head over to 2901 Magazine St. to see for yourself. This story was created automatically using local business data, then reviewed and augmented by an editor."

"Max Well serves lunch and dinner and sticks to vegetarian fare such as salads, soups and bowls. There are protein sides ranging from hummus to lentils, and they have expanded entree offerings at dinner. Try the NOLA Bowl which features red beans, brown rice, cajun coleslaw and a jalapeño millet muffin."

"If you’re looking for a quick, easy vegan lunch option in NOLA then Max Well is your best bet. From healthy, fresh juices to power bowls and super salads, there’s a lot on the menu here that will fuel your body in the right way."

"6101 Magazine St., (504) 301-0510; www.maxwellneworleans.com. A La Bonita bowl includes avocado, cherry tomatoes, spiced black beans, refried beans, brown rice, romaine lettuce, green onion and cilantro cream sauce."

"Just minutes from the St. Charles Streetcar is La Macarena Pupuseria and Latin Cafe - a colorful, eatery specializing in pupusas and other El Salvadoran cuisine. While it is known for its delicious pork-stuffed pupusas, flautas and specialty chicharron, La Macarena’s menu also includes a number of delicious plant-based Salvadoran specialties. Their Vegan Bliss Brunch comes complete with a vegan pupusa, tamale, black bean tostada and Mayan seasoned veggies."

"The Bearcat Cafe in Uptown lets you decide by indicating healthy or less healthy items on the menu. This modern sit-down cafe offers an array of fresh breakfast and lunch options. There are also selections of coffees from Equator Coffee Co, a wide variety of loose-leaf teas, and house-made bottled beverages."

"Whether you’re in for a shot of beer or some quality food, Gordon Biersch has you covered. This pub-style restaurant creates their own award-winning beer to compliment their delicious bar snacks for a truly original time. Try their GB Beer Mushroom Chicken served with asparagus and a bit of brew in their stunning location, and then you’ll see what makes Gordon Biersch the winner of “Best Bar Patio” by beer-drinkers as well as the 2nd best place to drink beer in New Orleans."

"What is a chain brewpub next to a casino doing on this list?. Brewer Nick Anzalone has been expanding the restaurant’s beer selection with his creative recipes including hazy New England IPAs, Brut IPAs, saisons, and a non GBB-standard Bohemian Keller Pils lager. Anzalone has upped the beer cred at GBB-NO and it’s a great place to stop by downtown."

"When most people think of New Orleans bars, they picture people slamming down sugary Hurricane drinks and mass-produced beers. While there’s certainly plenty of that going on, the city is also home to a burgeoning craft beer scene. One of the best bars in New Orleans to get your hop fix is Courtyard Brewery."

"New Orleans has long been the stronghold of Dixie and Abita beer, but recently several new breweries have moved in on their territory. The two best options are Urban South and NOLA Brewing, both located on Tchoupitoulas Street. Both offer lively bars and delicious craft beer."

"So with that being said, I’ve listed out a complete guide to New Orleans breweries. You might notice some of the breweries are lacking in details. Unfortunately those are the ones that I did not have time to visit."

"Neighborhood breweries are still a relatively new addition to the New Orleans drinking scene, and to place one deep in the residential environs of the Bywater is a bold move. Parleaux Beer Lab provides the rare chance to try beer made onsite—and possibly by the person serving you. The list changes seasonally and at the owners’ whims, but at any time you’re likely to get a great selection of IPAs, saisons, stouts, and pilsners."

"Eric and Leah Jensen have created a community haven on the corner of Lesseps and Royal Streets, with a giant beer garden and a cool, funky vibe. Try hop-forward beers like Green With Envy NEIPA, lagers like the Czuck Pilsner, or something similar to a farmhouse style like the Berry Poppins black and raspberry gose. Parleaux also serves non-alcoholic drinks and hosts food trucks and pop-ups like La Monita and Tacocat."

"Parleaux Beer Lab is a microbrewery and a neighborhood taproom. They craft high-quality and locally-produced beers. Our flavorful beers are inspired by the funky spirit of creativity and craftsmanship of the New Orleans community."

"When I walked into Revelator Coffee and saw all of their unique blends and espresso machines at work, I knew I was in for a treat. Their coffee tastes legit, and you can even buy some coffee grinds to DIY at home. Along with the relaxing music playing, the sounds of their espresso machines were extremely therapeutic while studying."

"A gas station turned late night diner, The Trolley Stop is open 24 hours Thursday-Saturday on St. Charles Avenue, with breakfast all day, sandwiches, burgers, beer and wine, and usually some strange characters dining within. Try the daily specials, or dare we suggest Pigs in a Blanket."

"The Milk Bar is a counter ordering joint featuring great sandwiches, salads and shakes, for which they are most known for. Portion-wise, The Milk Bar gives you crazy bang for your buck, especially in terms of the sandwiches. Depending on if you are in a regular or zany mood, you can sample anything from a Roast Beef Po-Boy to a Caddle Fodder sandwich (a creative vegetable infused sandwich)."

"Carrollton Ave., (504) 309-3310; www.themilkbarneworleans.com. A Psycho chicken sandwich is topped with sun-dried tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives, feta and mozzarella cheeses on ciabatta."

"A quintessential New Orleans neighborhood spot on the corner of Panola Street and Burdette Street, Riccobono's Panola Street Café is located in the heart of Uptown and is well loved by locals and visitors alike. Food-lovers flock to this neighborhood café to tuck into classics like Crab Cakes Benedict, a host of specialty three-egg omelets with various fillings, Belgian waffles, huge stacks of pancakes, and breakfast sandwiches. Signature dishes include liver and onions and hearty breakfast plates of bacon, eggs, country ham, sausage patties, fried green tomatoes, hash browns, grits, English muffins, and toast."

"What you're getting: A three egg omelette If you’re looking to start the day with a hearty, lumberjack-style breakfast, Panola St. is the place you should be headed. Overstuffed triple egg omelettes, huge stacks of pancakes, Belgian waffles, and generous Benedicts are the hallmark here. And hey, if you want liver and onions, you can get that, too."

"Riccobono’s Panola Street Café is known for serving some of the best breakfasts in the city. Guests can enjoy eggs benedict, crab cakes benedict, stacks of pancakes, and omelets in the heart of New Orleans. Because of the great plates, locals and tourists crowd the café."