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On the morning of July 3 we left Memphis, TN and drove south to New Orleans—my spirit city. The drive through Mississippi was peaceful and scenic. We stopped in Jackson for lunch at The High Noon Cafe, one of the few vegan spots in the city. A few hours later we crossed LA 55 over the bayou and arrived in New Orleans.
New Orleans has long been one of my favorite cities, and this was Maxx’s first visit. We were excited to explore together, though we initially wondered how many vegan options we’d find. While vegan New Orleans might sound unlikely at first, a closer look reveals an encouraging variety. We were pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to eat well in NOLA.
Watch the video below, then read on for highlights and vegan-friendly recommendations in New Orleans.
MAISON DUPUY
We stayed three nights in the French Quarter at the historic Maison Dupuy. The hotel has character and a lovely courtyard. The on-site restaurant didn’t offer many vegan choices, so we shopped at Whole Foods and stocked our room with salad ingredients. Our room had a furnished balcony, which made dining in feel special. We always make sure our hotels have a refrigerator so we can store food and keep a cooler in the car for longer trips.
FRENCHMEN ST.
If you love live music, spend an evening on Frenchmen Street. Head there around 9–10pm to catch lively brass bands and open clubs with minimal or no cover charges. In New Orleans you can drink outdoors, so grab a cocktail and hop between venues to enjoy as much live music as possible.
BACCHANAL the Bywater
Bacchanal began as a neighborhood wine shop and has become a beloved outdoor spot in the Bywater. Think of it as a wine garden with live jazz. Buy a bottle, grab glasses and ice, find a seat, and enjoy the music and the people-watching. It’s the kind of relaxed, lively place I’d love to have near home.
SHAYA in Uptown
Our favorite meal was at Shaya, an Israeli restaurant by Chef Alon Shaya. While not exclusively vegan, it offers many compassionate choices. Highlights included chanterelle mushroom hummus and freshly baked pita—watching the bread rise was a joy. Shaya is located in uptown New Orleans, a pleasant area for walking, biking, and shopping.
Across the street from Shaya is a thrift shop run by the Louisiana SPCA called No Fleas Market, which supports animal rescue. Nearby are Peaches Record Shop and Superfood Bar, the area’s vegan restaurant. We didn’t make it to Superfood Bar this trip, but I’ve enjoyed it before.
Seed Restaurant
Seed is one of New Orleans’ best-known vegan restaurants, specializing in plant-based takes on local dishes: po’ boys, gumbo, crab cakes, and beignets. The presentations are beautiful, and some dishes—like the hearts-of-palm cakes—stand out as particularly delicious.
Meals From the Heart
Don’t miss the vegan pancakes with vegan sausage at Meals From the Heart, a food counter in the French Market. I first visited them years ago and included them in a past New Orleans post. Note that the establishment isn’t fully vegan, so be sure to request vegan options specifically.
Camellia Bean Factory
We visited Camellia Bean Company while in town. Their canned beans are a staple in our kitchen, and the staff gave us a tour of the packing facilities and packed us up with bags of beans for the road. I later used their red beans in a recipe for Curried Red Bean Tacos with Peach Salsa.
Whitney Plantation
A memorable excursion was our visit to the Whitney Plantation, about an hour northwest of New Orleans. Opened to the public in 2015, it is the first U.S. museum focused on telling the story of slavery from the perspective of the enslaved. Founder John Cummings III transformed the property into a museum to elevate the history and voices of those who lived and labored there.
For more photos and video from our trip, check my Instagram #JennéAcrosstheUSA