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Welcome back to New Orleans everyone! For the next part of my Big Easy series, we will discover the amazing food options available in NOLA! I am on a vegetarian journey so read on for the best vegan/vegetarian options in the city. Each meal will include the price I paid that way you can get a better idea of the average meal cost for your budget. Now, let's start eating our way through New Orleans, Louisiana! 🧞♀️💜🥕
Table of Contents
American Tipping Culture 💸
As a former waitress, I know how important it is to tip when going out for a meal. Waitresses often make the majority of their income through tips, so paying them their fair share is a vital and mandatory part of eating out. Tipping standards are different throughout the world; some countries' customs are to not tip, and in some places, it is expected. In the US, it is definitely expected that you tip after a meal, even if the service was not the best. Waitresses make less than minimum wage, around $2-3 an hour, so the vast majority of their income comes from tips. The average tip range is 15-25% depending on your perceived quality of service.
Personal Note
Before we start, I wanted to address that I follow some of the rules of eating Kosher. None of the meals I order will have pork, shellfish, or seafood besides specifically approved fish like Salmon. I do eat at non-Kosher certified restaurants, but I make sure that none of the ingredients break the rules of Kashrut. I have also been on a vegetarian journey for about a year now, which makes this easier. If you have any questions about this feel free to reach out!
NOLA Food Culture🐟
New Orleans is famous for its seafood, Gumbo, Jambalaya, Beignets; there is an iconic NOLA treat for everyone. New Orleans is known for its food culture, as a center of Cajun and Creole culture, the city comes together to create a unique mix of cuisines. I will explain some of the most popular dishes from NOLA and my restaurant recommendations will almost always have vegetarian options available! 🧞♀️💜🥕
Gumbo is an example of this cultural mix, with both French and African roots, Gumbo is a versatile rice and stew-based meal that can include a wide variety of vegetables and protein bases. You can find shrimp gumbo, chicken gumbo, seafood gumbo, and more! Neyow's Creole Café is a local favorite for NOLA gumbo just outside of the French Quarter! Meals from the Heart Cafe in the French Quarter offers Vegan Gumbo and Po'Boys!
Another rice-based dish that can contain a variety of ingredients is Jambalaya. Based in Creole and Cajun cultures, these dishes are a flavorful New Orleans classic. They can contain a variety of proteins chicken, sausage, shrimp, seafood, or any other local specialty. Jambalayas are made differently from culture to culture so make sure to try multiple versions throughout your visit! Mother's Restaurant is a locally owned restaurant known for its variety of Jambalaya and Po'Boys! New Orleans Creole Cookery also offers amazing vegetarian Jambalaya and other classic NOLA dishes.
Originating locally, the Po'boy sandwich has spread across the world. Based in New Orleans French culture, Po'boys are sandwiches on French bread, containing whichever protein you chose. Often Po'boys come with crab, shrimp, crawfish, roast beef, or fish.
The story goes the name Po'boy was invented during the 1929 New Orleans Streetcar Strike. Martin Brothers Restaurant offered the striking streetcar drivers these large meat-heavy sandwiches on French bread for free in support of their cause. They were known as Po'Boy sandwiches, short for "Poor Boy", because striking meant the workers did not receive their normal wages. This local specialty is the perfect flaky sandwich packed with "fixins" to get you through a long day of exploring NOLA. While the Martin Brothers Restaurant is not open today, Verti Marte and Mother's Restaurant are two popular local spots for classic New Orleans Po'Boys.
The last iconic NOLA menu item we will outline goes into the dessert world, the Beignet. Created by the French-Creole community, Beignets are warm fried dough squares covered in powdered sugar. These are eaten as breakfast pastries or after-dinner desserts, but anytime you are in NOLA is a good time for a Beignet. Cafe du Monde is world-famous for its Beignets, make sure you stop in and experience them for yourself. Cafe du Monde is also kosher certified!
NOLA Restaurant Recommendations🍽️
#3WishesTravel gave you a bunch of great recommendations above to get your taste of New Orleans classics. Now we're going to add a couple more restaurants to the list, all with amazing vegetarian and/or vegan options. We will also give you the average meal price so you can travel within your budget!
Address: 801 Chartres St, New Orleans
Gluten-Free Options: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Avg Check Price: $25-50
Muriel's Restaurant is located directly across from the iconic St. Louis Cathedral on Jackson Square. Enjoy local Creole cuisine during their Sunday jazz brunch for the ultimate NOLA experience. Muriel's is New Orleans fine dining at its best, with everything from Blackened Redfish to their Vegetarian Pesto Linguine. Executive Chef Erik Veney updates the menu often to ensure diners get the latest in Creole dining with fresh, local ingredients. Happy Hour is 3-6 on weekdays!
Address: 1330 Prytania St, New Orleans
Gluten-Free Options: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Vegan Options: Yes
Avg Check Price: $20-35
Located in the Lower Garden District, Seed is a cute vegan spot that offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It can be a brunch spot for the girls or the perfect date night. The waitstaff was extremely friendly and accommodating, willing to explain anything on the menu. We tried the Korean Fried Cauliflower which was tasty and slightly spicy. Pictured to the left is the Tofu "Pork Belly" Bao, which was the first time I have ever ordered something with the word "Pork Belly" in it. This dish was both savory and spicy, with watermelon radish balancing between the tastes. I would highly recommend Seed for any NOLA vegan/vegetarian!
Address: 520 Royal St, New Orleans
Gluten-Free Options: Yes
Vegetarian Options: Yes
Vegan Options: Yes
Avg Check Price: $20-40
Cafe Cour features local New Orleans cooking, with a vegetarian and vegan twist. Regional dishes are the specialty at Cafe Cour, a great spot for breakfast or lunch. Located right outside Preservation Hall in the French Quarter, Cafe Cour is ready to serve all of NOLA's vegetarian and vegan-friendly diners. Their Black-Eyed Pea Calas looks amazing, as well as their Gulf-inspired Charcuterie Board. Check out Cafe Cour before a long day of exploring New Orleans!
Additional Recommendations 🥖
Thaihey NOLA - 308 Decatur St, New Orleans
Amazing Thai spot with an entirely seperate vegan menu!
Bennachin - 1212 Royal St, New Orleans
Delicious vegan and non-vegan options based on Gambian and Cameroonian cuisines.
Cuñada - 833 Conti St, New Orleans
Open late Mexican Margarita spot with options for vegans and vegetarians
Thank you for coming on this food adventure with me! I hope this post helps you discover all the New Orleans food scene has to offer and inspires you to explore even more restaurants than I did. Most pictures are from restaurant websites' and linked accordingly. Check out our Instagram @3WishesTravel for more! If you are thinking about your own New Orleans visit, contact us and we will plan your entire trip for you!
Subscribe below for an alert when our final post in the New Orleans series, Jewish Life in New Orleans, is published. Check out our overview of New Orleans history and the best places to visit and New Orleans Bayou: A Day with the Alligators. If you have any NOLA restaurant recommendations, feel free to comment below! I would love to hear them :)
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