Vegetarian in New Orleans?
 

Hi all,

Friends of mine are getting married next weekend in New Orleans and the husband to be is vegetarian inc. dairy & eggs. They are getting to the frazzlement point with the wedding preparations so I thought I'd look around for vegetarian-friendly places for them.

So far I've found The Gumbo Shop, which has a daily vegetarian selection & veggie po-boy. Any other recommendations?

Thanks a bunch!

Unless I'm mistaken, what you're really describing (no meat, no dairy, no eggs) is actually vegan, not vegetarian. That could be a little more difficult to find.

I'm not familiar with any of these places, but you might start here:

http://www.happycow.net/north_americ...a/new_orleans/

Can you clarify if he eats dairy & eggs? If so, there's beignets & coffee!

I'm a vegetarian, and I had trouble in New Orleans, although I do eat eggs & dairy. No wonder I wasn't as enraptured with the food as I was with the music and culture.

I usually found a pasta dish, and had omelets for breakfast. Even the ubiquitous red beans & rice were usually made with bits of meat or meat stock.

I agree from what I understand. If one doesn't eat any dairy or eggs they are a vegan which is a much stricter diet than a vegetarian. Even most breads have a dairy product in their ingredients.

Sorry, I meant to say his diet *includes* dairy & eggs.

Oh, well, then I think it'll be much easier. Nearly all restaurants include at least one vegetarian option, and as Kailani mentions, there's always breakfast fare to fall back on. I doubt he'll have much trouble, and New Orleans has lots of good fish and shellfish.

The vegetarians I know do not eat fish or shellfish but being able to have dairy and eggs makes it easier, DeborahA.

You should take him to Cochon.....only kidding....

There's a vegetarian restaurant called "Cafe Bamboo". Pretty sure they have a website you could look at. "Green Goddess" is also a pretty decent one (in the quarter). I'm a veg. living in New Orleans and we get by. There are good Japanese and Middle Eastern restaurants with lots of veg friendly food here! Good luck.

Here's what I found out doing research:

The Gumbo Shop (www.gumboshop.com) got good reviews - it has vegetarian options

Royal Street Deli (http://www.yelp.com/biz/royal-street-deli-new-orleans) is more of a lunch place

For a fancy meal: Bayona (http://www.bayona.com/) promises to work with any special dietary needs if given advance notice and always has a vegetarian special.

Online lists of vegetarian restaurants:
http://www.yelp.com/list/vegetarian-...ns-new-orleans
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art31749.asp
http://www.happycow.net/north_americ...a/new_orleans/
http://www.urbanspoon.com/f/57/5656/...an-Restaurants

As for real-life experiences, turns out there were at least two vegetarians in the wedding party, and another who didn't eat red meat (pork or beef). One of my friends was very happy with the gumbo shop. It was one of the few chances he had to taste anything that came close to local cuisine and he loved his bean dish with rice. Plus, they made him a virgin bloody mary!

The groom went to Tujague's for a family dinner and found they were also considerate of his dietary needs. It appears to me that many of the more upscale restaurants are happy to create something for non-meat eaters as long as you let them know beforehand. If you aren't sure, don't be afraid to call and ask!