The Best Restaurants with Vegan Options in New Orleans

Owned and operated by former Food Network star and celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse — who was born, raised, and began his career in New Orleans — the restaurant's namesake is none other than Emeril's daughter, Meril. Lagasse has made much ado about his affection for the Big Easy and is especially true to its cuisine. What might surprise you, however, is that Meril is one of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans! They don't have a proper vegan menu, but they do have a number of vegan options for even the most devout herbivore. For an appetizer, try the Boudin Tamale (which is also available in a gluten-free option). Order the Tuscan Kale salad without the parmesan cheese, and it won't lose any of its flavors. And the market vegetable flatbread and the wide assortment of vegetables will have you feeling full!

This place bills itself as a "true New Orleans classic," and it's no wonder: originally erected in1933, it's now the home base for many local musicians who have contributed to the restaurant's lively scene. But it's made our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans because of its respectable selection of vegan soups, salads, and sandwiches. Have onion rings for an appetizer, and make your choice of grits, vegan po'boys (a type of sandwich), and lemon orzo pasta to fill you up!

One of the definitive restaurants of the famed French Quarter, The Pelican Club prides itself on its "sophisticated Creole menu." The carrot ginger soup, and the vegetarian and/or vegan cioppino (which is a tomato-based stew with Italian/Mediterranean origins), are the perfect additions to the menu and place this restaurant high on our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans. Come for vegan food, but stay for the live piano music that happens every weekend.

While better known for its seafood, GW Fins certainly has no shortage of vegan options for even the most finicky of eaters. Owned and operated by Gary Wollerman, GW Fins makes our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans because of its daily changing appetizer menu, which often features vegan fare. Call ahead of time to make sure that, in fact, they can accommodate your vegan requests (though, usually, there isn't a problem).

Warehoused in a 19th-century building that's steeped in Old New Orleans history, Muriel's is a bit of a landmark in New Orleans. Touting the proud history of the Vieux Carre on its menu, and featuring a Sunday live jazz brunch, Muriel's makes our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans because of its to-die-for wild mushroom gnocchi (a potato dumpling enjoyed by Italians, but given a Creole twist). If you like Indian-style food, dip into the Tikka Masala, a curry-based hot vegetable dip. But whatever you do, beware of the ghost that (allegedly) haunts the building! (Or, you can invite him to dinner, if you so choose...)

Yet another Emeril Lagasse restaurant, NOLA is the place "where it all began." NOLA stands for "New Orleans, Louisiana," and it really doesn't get any more Creole than this. NOLA is conveniently located in the Central Business District and overlooks the Mississippi River, which makes it perfect for a casual affair or a business meeting. But NOLA makes our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans thanks to its unparalleled selection of vegan soups, salads, and entrees. But don't forget to leave room for dessert, which Emeril himself makes fresh every day!

Comfort food, fast service, and healthy options are all on the menu at Emeril's eponymous restaurant, which has become synonymous with the celebrity chef and former Food Network host. Like all of his other restaurants here in New Orleans and elsewhere, Emeril offers a wide selection of vegan and vegetarian options, making his eponymous restaurant one of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans. Order the smoked exotic mushrooms without the ham, or hold off on the blue cheese in the little greens salad. And don't forget to find out if the soup of the day is a vegan soup!

What can we say about Restaurant R'evolution that others have not said? Situated snugly in a hotel lobby, this fusion restaurant perfectly blends the unique styles of chefs John Folse and Rick Tramonto. While Folse prefers the "swamp floor pantry" style of Louisiana cooking, Tramonto takes a "cleaner" approach to the kitchen, and the result is a selection of foods that place this restaurant firmly on our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans.

Even though Desi Vega's is a "steakhouse," it makes our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans because, like every other restaurant on this list, there's no shortage of vegan and vegetarian options for the herbivores in your party. Yes, they serve prime steaks, seafood, and sides — but they also serve some amazing fried green tomatoes (hold the ham, please), pasta aglio e olio (pasta with garlic and oil), and a whole mess of sides including sauteed potatoes, sweet mashed potato souffle (which is absolutely fabulous), and crystal hot sauce onion rings.

Yes, even a seafood restaurant makes the list of best vegan restaurants in New Orleans! Just like the other restaurants on this list, Superior Seafood also offers superior sides and other dishes that are either vegetarian/vegan or made-to-order to accommodate vegetarians/vegans. And all of the offerings on the "accompaniments" menu are vegetarian and/or vegan (try the corn maque choix for a culinary delight). With views of the historic St. Charles Avenue, Superior's desserts are what make the trip truly worthwhile.

The brunch menu alone at Mr. B's make it a must-see for tourists who make the patronage to the Big Easy. If the lemon icebox pie isn't enough to add this restaurant to our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans, nothing ever will be. (Although we'll accept that you'll prefer a hot buttered pecan pie instead!)

Ruth's Chris Steak House originates in New York City, but their Big Easy satellite location is just as awesome — if not more so —than their Big Apple parent location. This steakhouse makes our list of the best vegan restaurants in New Orleans because they offer a full vegetarian/vegan menu option, which features a "selection of hearty vegetarian options that vary by location." Be sure to ask your server what's on the menu when you pay a visit, and order an extra appetizer if you have a hearty appetite.

Another St. Charles Avenue favorite, Mr. John's is in frequent competition with Desi Vega's, but it's all in good fun. And, like other steakhouses on this list, their specialty is, of course, steak. But Mr. John's makes our list of best vegan restaurants in New Orleans because of their impressive selection of sides, salads, appetizers, and even desserts that will leave you feeling full. The sweet potato mashed souffle is second-to-none, to be sure!