For this week I’ve come up with a list of 10 spots that fill the bill according to “vegetarian” plus a bit more. Each restaurant seems to have its own USP (Unique Selling Point). Overall, they struck me as being very mindful of basic “veggy” guidelines. Each seemed to be intent on giving the very best dining experience to their customers. Let’s take a look:   

Vegan Wit A Twist

514 Rampart St. (504) 766-0336

Three New Orleans’ barbers started with a pop-up that turned into a restaurant. “Basically, our approach was to take plant-based dishes and season them “New Orleans-style,” says one. Roy Joseph, Ryan Billew and Ollie Williams are all barbers who worked together. From time-to-time Joseph would bring delicious vegan dishes into their shop. With his culinary skills the three decided to put down their scissors and start slicing veggies. 

Sweet Soul Food

1025 N. Broad St. (504) 821-2669

The weekly menu for this restaurant offers a fascinating selection. Here’s one sample from each day of the week: MONDAY, Sweet Heat Cauliflower; TUESDAY, Eggplant Lasagna; WEDNESDAY, Corn Chowder; THURSDAY, Stuffed Bell Peppers; FRIDAY, Okra Gumbo and SATURDAY, Shepherd’s Pie – one of my all-time favorites.  

The Green Fork

1400 Prytania St. (504) 267-7672

This place was founded 20 years ago by siblings Stephanie Kern and Trey Buerger. This brother-and-sister team aimed to create vegan, gluten-free selections that are prepared daily to ensure quality and freshness. The menu features healthy juices, smoothies, soups, salads and entrees such as Baked Chicken Tenders and the Red Beans Turkey and Brown Rice Bowl.

Seed

1330 Prytania St. (504) 417-7333

You can enjoy a plant-based dining experience at breakfast, lunch and dinner here. Seed also offers a variety of artfully crafted cocktails and mocktails as well as coffee and espresso selections. SPECIALS include Carrot and Avocado Tacos while DESSERTS offer a Banana Sundae with Pineapple, Hot Fudge and Whipped Cream.   

Sneaky Pickle

4017 St. Claude Ave. (504) 218-5651

This is a vegan/vegetarian restaurant that, according to one diner, “makes a really good Mac and Cheese – they add mushrooms which makes it incredibly delicious.” Another says, “They offer a menu that changes daily with vegan staples – plus non-vegan options that are cooked separately.” Their flatbread and sauces are made in-house.  

Bearcat Café

2521 Jena St. (504) 309-9011

A brief description: This is a full-service café that emphasizes high-quality breakfast and lunch options. The menu also offers coffees from the Equator Coffee Company plus a wide variety of loose-leaf teas. Their fabled Crab Scramble includes Louisiana Blue Crab, eggs and potatoes – all done to perfection. 

Carmo

527 Julia St. (504) 875-4132

This place describes itself as “A Tropical Café and Bar” that opened six-plus years ago. It holds cooking classes that focus on locally sourced ingredients and offers an interesting number of options, for example: (1) A Farmer’s Market class, (2) Ceviche, Sushi or Sashimi classes and (3) private or small-group classes on New Orleans Cuisine that last a half- or whole-day. 

Max Well

6101 Magazine St. (504) 301-0510

You’ll find a small plate here of Stuffed Avocado in addition to a large plate of Beet Wellington, a bowl of Tomato Chickpea soup plus a sweet of Chocolate Coco Crème or, as one diner writes, “I had a takeout from Max Well a couple of weeks ago and it was fantastic – as always.” Another recently reported, “Super friendly service, really great food!”   

Meals From the Heart Café

1100 N. Peters St. #13, (504) 525-1953

For over 11 years Chef Doucette has provided high-quality food within the French Market. Or, as they say, “Rest assured that every interaction you have with us will truly be FROM THE HEART – that says it all. This restaurant’s Vegan Pancakes are sublime. This is why Travel & Leisure named this café as “one of the top 25 places in America to eat pancakes.” 

1000 Figs

3141 Ponce De Leon #1, (504) 301-0848

A shorthand way of looking at 1000 FIGS is this: Falafel, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian – described this way by one diner: “Love this restaurant in Bayou St. John! It’s small but we didn’t have to wait long to get a table.” This was one of the best meals we had in New Orleans. I was blown away. I can’t wait to go back when we are in town again.”

WHY RATHBONE MANSIONS? A couple of years ago I was talking to a neighbor in my building and told her that I write about New Orleans. “You should pay a visit,” I said. “Oh no,” she replied, “I’m a vegetarian so I couldn’t dine there.” I thought to myself, “That can’t be right” and it wasn’t – I’ve come up with a list of 10 veggie spots! Do come for a visit and stay at Rathbone: we’ll take care of you no matter where you choose to eat! 

PLEASE PHONE, USE EMAIL OR CHECK THE WEB for the status of whatever vegetarian restaurant you want to visit.

Shaun Nelson-Henrick