Vegetarian Journal's Guide to Natural Foods Restaurants in the U.S. and Canada

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• Vegetarian restaurant
•• Vegan restaurant
§ Reviewer's choice

Louisiana

Covington

The English Tea Room

734 E. Rutland St., Covington, LA 70433

(985) 898-3988

Tea Room. The English Tea Room offers the elegance and charm of England in historic downtown Covington. Their menu of organic salads and sandwiches includes vegan items. Of course, tea is the star of the show here. Enjoy tea with your meal or come for High Tea. Don't forget to reserve your special event in the courtyard garden. Open Monday through Saturday. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, catering, VISA/MC, $$.

Metairie

Café Equator

2920 Severn Ave., Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 888-4772

Thai. Café Equator includes a vegetarian section on its menu. Try Veggie Cashew, Tofu Ginger, Veggie Three Seasons, or Tofu Basil Eggplant. Please note that credit cards are only accepted for bills of $20 or more; if less, cash is the only accepted payment. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Taj Mahal Indian Cuisine

923 Metairie Rd., Ste. C, Metairie, LA 70005

(504) 836-6859

Indian. Between the airport and New Orleans' city limits, Taj Mahal offers several vegetarian dishes that are prepared in oil, not butter. Try curry, dahl, fresh breads, and other items. The owner says that half the orders they serve are vegetarian. Open Tuesday through Sunday for lunch and dinner. Closed Monday. Full service, take-out, wine/beer, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC/DC, $$.

Tandoori Chicken

2916 Cleary Ave., Metairie, LA 70002

(504) 889-7880

Indian. Serving authentic Indian cuisine, Tandoori Chicken offers many vegetarian menu items. Don't miss their daily lunch buffet! Tandoori is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. The restaurant is located between Veterans Blvd. & the I-10 Overpass. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$-$$$.

·The PeaceBaker

6601 Veterans Memorial Blvd., Metairie, LA 70003

(504) 888-9094

Vegetarian/bakery. Located in the Lafreniere Plaza Shopping Center, the PeaceBaker is a gluten-free bakery with a full menu that is customizable for those with dietary restrictions. Offering egg-free, dairy-free, and vegan options, it's a one-stop shop for sweets baked from scratch. With over 22 different cupcake flavors alone, all featuring vegan buttercream, this bakery has enough options to satisfy even the pickiest eater. Try the pink lemonade flavor! Open Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sunday and Monday. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, VISA/MC, $-$$.

New Orleans

Angeli on Decatur

1141 Decatur St., New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 566-0077

International. Angeli's menu includes veggie burgers; hummus; spicy tomato spreads; green and pasta salads; portobello, roasted eggplant, and artichoke and spinach sandwiches; veggie pita rolls; and specialty pizzas. Open daily for lunch and dinner through late night service. Full service, vegan options, take-out, espresso/cappuccino, beer, special beverages, VISA/MC, $-$$.

August Moon

3635 Prytania St., New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 899-5129

Vietnamese/Chinese. August Moon serves Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine with many vegetarian dishes. Veggie items include Lemon Grass Tofu, Vegetarian Soup For 2, Szechuan Eggplant, Vegetables Curry, and Kung Pao Tofu. Located uptown, August Moon is a short drive from Lee Circle, Touro Hospital, St. Charles General Hospital, and Tulane & Loyola Universities. Open Monday through Friday for lunch and dinner. Open Saturday for dinner. Closed Sunday. Full service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, special beverages, beer/wine, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Back to the Garden

833 Howard Ave., New Orleans, LA 70113

(504) 299-8792

Natural foods. Back to the Garden is a veg-friendly eatery. Lunch items include red bean chili, veggie stir-fry over brown rice, hearty salads, and vegetarian tacos. They also feature all-natural fruit juices and smoothies. Back to the Garden is located in the Central Business District, near Lee Circle. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch. Closed Sunday. Counter service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

Bennachin Restaurant

1212 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 522-1230

African. Bennachin Restaurant offers 'A Taste of Africa.' While this is clearly not a vegetarian restaurant, they have several vegetable dishes and other meals that can be served without meat (these are noted on the menu). They offer daily lunch specials that are a terrific value. Cash only. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, BYOB, $$.

Carmo

527 Julia St., New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 875-4132

Latin American. Carmo, a tropical café, is a wonderful place for a refreshing meal. They use local, organic produce as well as exotic fruits in making their dishes. The Caju and Graviola juices are very popular. The Carmo salad with vegan ham and mango is a crowd favorite. There are quite a few vegan options on the menu including the Black Bean Fritter Dish and the Broken Noodle Salad. The Esmeralda salad with quinoa, beans, and pumpkin seeds is another very popular item. Outdoor seating is available. Carmo is located between Camp and Magazine. The restaurant is closed between lunch and dinner, so please call ahead for hours. Open Monday for lunch. Open Tuesday through Saturday for lunch and dinner. Closed Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, delivery, catering, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Fatoush Restaurant & Coffee House

2372 St. Claude Ave., Ste. 130, New Orleans, LA 70117

(504) 371-5074

Mediterranean/coffeehouse/juice bar. Fatoush Restaurant & Coffee House is a Mediterranean grill, juice bar, and coffeehouse -- all in one. They offer vegetarian and vegan items including Falafel with Vegetables, Eggplant, Veggie Burger, and Veggie Stew. Fatoush is located on the corner of the New Orleans Healing Center. Open daily for three meals. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, smoothies, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Gumbo Shop

630 Saint Peter St., New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 525-1486

Creole/Cajun. Located in the French Quarter, the Gumbo Shop offers vegan gumbo and vegan red beans & rice. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, fresh juices, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $$.

Juan's Flying Burrito

2018 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 569-0000

4724 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 486-9950

Mexican. A Creole-Mex Taqueria, Juan's offers an "Eat Your Veggies" menu, including veggie quesadillas, tacos, and fajitas. You might also consider the Veggie Punk (pinto bean burrito with potatoes, jalapenos, cheese, salsa, rice, and lettuce), the Supergreen (a burrito with spinach, onions, peppers, broccoli, mushrooms, and sliced avocado in a spinach tortilla), Spinach Garlic Mushroom Enchiladas, and much more. Open daily for lunch through late dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

Lebanon's Café

1506 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70130

(504) 862-6200

Middle Eastern. The menu at Lebanon's Café includes hummus, baba ghanouj, vegetarian grape leaves, and several other Middle Eastern favorites, along with vegetarian entrées like the Falafel Plate, Vegetarian Plate, Vegetarian Cabbage Rolls, and more. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, catering, $-$$.

Mardi Gras Zone

2706 Royal St., New Orleans, LA 70117

(504) 947-8787

Natural foods store. Mardi Gras Zone is a hipster natural foods store with hot food bar and grab-n-go items. With the exception of Yom Kippur, they are open every day 24/7. The Zone is located not far down the river from the French Quarter across Elysian Fields Avenue; look for the sign that says "Market." Open 24 hours. Take-out, vegan options, delivery, VISA/MC, $$.

Mona's Café

4126 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 894-9800

1120 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 861-8175

Middle Eastern. Mona's Café is a combination general store and restaurant. They offer many vegetarian and vegan options. Try the Vegetarian Plate. Mona's on Magazine Street is located downtown on the outskirts of the French Quarter. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

New Orleans Food Co-op

2372 St. Claude Ave., Ste. 110, New Orleans, LA 70117

(504) 264-5579

Natural foods store. The New Orleans Food Co-op offers organic and natural foods and products at affordable prices. They have a small soup and salad bar as well as fresh produce and bulk foods. Many vegan grab-n-go items are available. Everyone is welcome to shop at the Co-op; you don't have to be a member. They are located in the New Orleans Healing Center, on the corner of St. Claude and St. Roch. Open daily. Take-out, vegan options, VISA/MC, $-$$.

Nirvana Indian Cuisine

4308 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70116

(504) 894-9797

Indian. Nirvana offers a daily lunch buffet with plenty of vegetarian options. Open daily for lunch and dinner. Full service, vegan options, smoothies, espresso/cappuccino, beer/wine/alcohol, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $-$$.

··Superfood Bar

4113 Magazine St., New Orleans, LA 70115

(504) 891-7733

Vegan/raw foods/juice bar. Superfood Bar offers a vegan menu using "superfoods," which includes avocados, cashews, and coconuts. Enjoy daily seasonal local salads, an extended special order raw foods menu, fresh coconut water, raw snacks, granola, and smoothies. Although there is no seating, you can order at the counter or call ahead for carry-out. Superfood Bar is located between Milan and Marengo. Open Monday through Saturday for lunch and early dinner. Open Sunday for lunch. Counter service, take-out, smoothies, VISA/MC/AMEX/DISC, $.

Shreveport

Earthereal Restaurant & Bakery

3309 Line Ave., Shreveport, LA 71104

(318) 865-8947

Natural foods/macrobiotic. Salads, many unique sandwiches, tacos with soymeat or avocado, and daily specials are offered on the Earthereal menu. Open Monday through Friday for lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Limited service, macrobiotic/vegan options, fresh juices, take-out, VISA/MC, $.

Healthy Planet

678 Egan St., Shreveport, LA 71101

(318) 425-0706

Natural foods/juice bar. This earthy natural foods store and juice bar is located at Louisiana Avenue in the old historic district of Shreveport. In addition to vegetable drinks, smoothies, and non-dairy shakes, they feature organic salads and a soup of the day. Try one of their sandwiches or burgers, such as the guacamole burger or the Mediterranean (whole wheat flatbread with marinated artichokes, black olives & other veggies). Or have a Mexican dish, such as the Too Hip Burrito (with hummus, refried beans, salsa & veggies) or the Navajo Nachos (organic blue chips, beans, peppers, purple onions & non-dairy cheese). Outdoor dining available is available. Also, check out their organic gardening supplies and non-toxic household cleaning products. Cash only. Open Monday through Thursday for breakfast through early dinner. Open Friday for breakfast and lunch. Closed Saturday and Sunday. Limited service, vegan options, take-out, fresh juices, smoothies, soymilk, $.