“New Orleans food is as delicious as the less criminal forms of sin.”
Mark Twain
New Orleans and a healthy lifestyle …does it seem like an oxymoron to you? As delicious as our food is, it’s often not associated with good health. Well, get ready to be surprised. It is possible to embrace the traditions of our city and still maintain a balanced life.
In this section of Yoga Lagniappe we’ll bring you local restaurants that offer health conscious cuisine (that tastes good!), as well as menu items from traditional restaurants that can be part of a balanced lifestyle. While the yoga tradition and its sister science Ayurveda promote a vegetarian based diet, not all of us have made that choice for our diet regime. Yoga Lagniappe is not here to make you feel guilty about your food choices, we simply want to offer you information that may open your mind and your “buddhabelly” to try something new. Bon appétit cher!
Bayou St. John
Fair Grinds Coffeehouse
3133 Ponce de Leon
New Orleans, LA 70119
If you love unique coffee shops, you must visit this one. You’ll hear WWOZ playing in the background at this one of a kind spot, which offers vegan and vegetarian options. Don’t forget to check out the yoga classes that are held onsite.
Bywater
Satsuma
3218 Dauphine St.
New Orleans, LA 70117
The word of mouth we heard was spot on – it’s fantastic! Head to Satsuma for fabulously fresh food and people watching.
Central Business District
Back to the Garden
833 Howard Avenue
New Orleans, LA 70113
Recommended by Peter
Café Carmo
527 Julia St.
New Orleans, LA
We’re happy to say that the service was much improved on our last visit. They have daily specials and offer vegetarian and vegan options. With fresh ingredients and creative dishes, you’ll keep coming back to Cafe Carmo.
City Greens
909 Poydras St, Ste. 125
New Orleans, LA
Open for breakfast and lunch, City Greens brings healthy choices to the CBD. Try their daily special or make your own. They offer a “Build Your Own Salad” option and you can also turn any salad into a wrap. The service is geared toward fast food and you may have to ask twice if you have dietary restrictions, but overall City Greens is a welcome addition for those who need a quick and healthy bite in the CBD. (located inside the office building at 909 Poydras on the first floor)
Terrazu
201 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA
Razz recommends the veggie max and the vitablue salad.
Welty’s
336 Camp St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
A tip from our friend, Razz…”Huge salads and they are happy to modify (substitute) items to make some of the non-veggie salads veggie.”
French Quarter
Bennachin
1212 Royal Street
New Orleans, LA 70116
A shout out to Peter for recommending this gem in the Quarter. We’ve also gotten the thumbs up from Valerie. It looks like we had better get over to Bennachin and try some of their delicious African cuisine for ourselves.
Coop’s Place
1109 Decatur St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
We know, we know… this wouldn’t cut the mustard in the other LA for healthy eating establishments, but it’s all about working with what you’ve got in the Big Easy. Razz recommends the garden burger.
The Green Goddess
307 Exchange Pl.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Meltdown Popsicles
508 Dumaine St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
This place has amazing homemade popsicles and strawberry lemonade!
They use all fresh ingredients and are environmentally friendly down to the drink straws.
Verti Marte
1201 Royal St.
New Orleans, LA 70116
According to Razz the mushroom mountain poboy might not fly with the
strictest of vegetarians, but he loves the yummy juice.
Gretna
Pho Tau Bay
113 Westbank Expy.
Gretna, LA 70053
Our man Peter is all over the Vietnamese restaurants. Thank you Peter!
Hoa Hong 9 (Nine Roses)
1100 Stephens St.
Gretna, LA 70053
Vietnamese, courtesy of Peter
Lower Garden District
The Green Fork
1400 Prytania St.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Catering, store pick up, and delivery service offering fresh, local cuisine. When we visited the store the owner was so enthusiastic. She described all of the dishes and worked with us to find selections that she thought we would enjoy. This is a must try for carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. The vegan carrot cake is so delicious you may want a second slice!
Santa Fe Tapas
1327 St. Charles Ave.
New Orleans, LA 70130
Fresh is the key word at Santa Fe Tapas. The award winning chefs can tantalize the taste buds of carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans alike. Making it a great restaurant to visit if you are in mixed company when it comes to dietary restrictions. Everyone in your party will leave satisfied and planning their next trip back to this great addition to healthy dining in New Orleans.
Metairie & Old Metairie
Pho Bang
3 Locations, Metairie is the most popular
8814 Veterans Memorial Blvd.
Metairie, LA 70003
Vietnamese
Zoe’s
701 Metairie Rd., Old Metaire Village Shopping Center
Metairie, LA 70005
It’s a chain, but we have to give it serious kudos for offering fresh, healthy options.
Mid-City
Canal Street Bistro
3903 Canal St.
New Orleans, LA 70119
The inviting and friendly staff make you feel right at home whether you’re dining inside or enjoying the view of the Canal Streetcar outside. They focus on local, healthy ingredients and offer vegan and vegetarian options, including fresh squeezed juice.
Uptown
Beaucoup Juice
4713 Freret St.
New Orleans, LA 70118
Wow! The fun murals and menus painted on the walls make this small space on Freret Street very inviting. The menu is complete with a wide assortment of fresh juices and smoothies, and also includes a few salads and paninis. Many of the ingredients come from the store’s own garden or from local farmers. The emphasis is on fresh, healthy, and friendly.
Cow Bell
8801 Oak Street
New Orleans, LA 70118
Okay, so we wouldn’t call this a vegetarian restaurant, but wow are their veggie burgers good! They call them “House Made Harvest Burgers”…ooh, la, la.
Fresh Bar
6101 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA 70118
A salad and wrap bar that offers their own signature combinations or you can build your own salad or wrap from more than 50 topping options. The menu accommodates vegans, vegetarians, and meat lovers, plus all their dressings are house-made!
La Boulangerie
4600 Magazine Street
New Orleans, LA 70115
While this lovely French bakery might cater more to your decadent side than your healthy side, it tops the list for freshness. They sell an array of fresh baked breads, quiches, pastries, and sandwiches. If you stop in during carnival season be ready to wait in line. You’ll be entertained while you’re waiting with the sight of the owner pulling loaves of delicious bread out of their towering multi-level oven. Bon appétit!
Super Food Bar
4113 Magazine St.
New Orleans, LA
It’s a bit pricey, but you are getting what you pay for in quality. The only drawback is that they only have a couple of stools, so there really isn’t anywhere to sit and relax. This is more of an on-the-go snack place with smoothies, teas, and kombucha.
Multiple Metro New Orleans Locations
Reginelli’s Pizzeria
Multiple locations throughout the metro area
We love the Sun Pie and recommend that you add spinach. Not only do they have great pizza, they have a couple of great veggie sandwiches too.
Naked Pizza
Multiple locations throughout the metro area
If you want pizza without the guilt, give this chain a try for a more natural tasting option.
