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Vegetarian Restaurant Guide

- Compiled by Jennifer Creevy, Serials/Acquisitions Librarian and Katherine Nachod, Reference/Electronic Resources Librarian, Law Library of Louisiana  
     
     

We asked our local food critic Tom Fitzmorris to give us some advice on finding vegetarian fare in the city, and this is what he had to say:

First of all, may I ask that you refer your readers to the list of open restaurants around town? I update it daily, it lists every restaurant currently open, has addresses and phone numbers, and gives my ratings for all those I've been able to check since the storm. This version of it is arranged by cuisine: http://www.nomenu.com/RestaurantsOpenCuisine.html.
     

He also has this to say about vegetarianism:

My answer to this is the same as to anyone else looking to satisfy a dietary need--low-fat, vegetarian, whatever. First pick a good restaurant, using the usual criteria (reviews, ratings, guidebooks, or buzz--as you like). Then look over the menu to see what kind of food the restaurant serves, to discover what they're likely to have in the kitchen. Based on that knowledge, tell the waiter what your special diet is, followed by VERY SPECIFIC IDEAS for dishes that will satisfy your needs.

Along these lines: I'm thinking of something like a risotto with asparagus and mushrooms and maybe a little crushed red pepper, with no cream or cheese. The good restaurants will be able to prepare a fine dish along the lines you dictate--either by adapting a regular dish, or just coming up with one from scratch. That's what makes good restaurants good--they know how to cook. Then he can go to the chef and get it done.

If you can't do that, then you need to study up some more on your diet. You can't expect the restaurant to understand your special needs; they have to cook for the mainstream. The special orders have to come from you. The biggest mistake (in New Orleans, anyway) is to look for a restaurant that specializes in your diet. You may assume that it will be much less interesting that the mainstream places, and probably even terrible.

Tastefully yours,
Tom Fitzmorris
   
     
And now, the vegetarian restaurants around town with neighborhoods in parentheses. You can also print out this guide in .pdf.
     
   
     

 

 
13 Restaurant

 
517 Frenchmen St. (Marigny)  
504-942-1345  
Hours: 7 days a week from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Offers vegetarian and some vegan dishes, including tofu
 
   
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The Apple Seed Shoppe

 
201 St. Charles Ave.(CBD area)  
504-529-3442  
Hours: 10:30-3pm Mon-Fri  
Salads, smoothies, and other veggie dishes
   
 
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Back to the Garden

 
833 Howard Ave. (CBD)  
504-299-8792  
Hours are 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11-3 on Saturday.
   
Standard healthy vegetarian fare, including salads, sandwiches, hummus, vegetarian chili, and smoothies.
   
   
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The Gumbo Shop

 
630 St. Peter (FQ)  
504-525-1486  
Hours:7 days a week, lunch and dinner  
   
Offers a daily vegetarian special, usually some kinds of meatless but very well seasoned beans and rice, and they make a gumbo z'herbes, with greens and no meat.
 



 
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Mona's Café  
2 locations:  
504 Frenchmen St. (FQ) (504) 949-4115
4126 Magazine St. (504) 894-9800  
Price: $  
   
Middle Eastern, very casual atmosphere. Try the sauteed veggies on rice with feta cheese.
   
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Nirvana
4308 Magazine St. (Uptown)  
(504) 894-9797  
Price: $$  
Hours: Lunch buffet 11:30-2:30.  
Open for dinner 5:30-10:30.  
   

Indian; good place for vegetarians. One of the few spots in New Orleans for Indian cuisine. Good food and a pleasant atmosphere on Magazine Street near Napoleon Avenue.



 
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Praline Connection  
542 Frenchmen St. (FQ)  
(504) 943-3934  
Price Range: $$  
Lunch, dinner daily  
   

Good place if you have vegetarians because they prepare a lot of beans and such without meat; the area has a lot of bars, places to just hang out and listen to music.



 
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Ralph's on the Park  
900 City Park Ave. Atmosphere: Smart Casual
(504) 488-1000 Free Valet Parking at All Meal Periods
Price Range: $$$  
Dinner seven days a week, 5:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Reservations recommended, but not required
 
Ralph's on the Park had a separate vegetarian menu whose entrees actually tasted better than some of the regular items. Credit cards accepted.
   
   
Surrey's Juice Bar  
1418 Magazine St. (Uptown)  
(504) 524-3828  
Breakfast and lunch daily (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.)
Note: They only accept CASH.  
   
Good breakfast/brunch place; possibly a spot to get the elusive veggie muffaletta.
 



 
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  Updated June 20, 2007