NOLA’s Dining Scene Earns City a Top Spot on PETA’s Most Vegan-Friendly List

For Immediate Release:
June 9, 2025

Contact:
Hannah Nelson 202-483-7382

The taste of victory! PETA has just named its Most Vegan-Friendly Cities in the U.S., and the Big Easy has bested the competition, nabbing a spot on the list with its plethora of plant-powered options.

Setting a high standard for spicy Cajun fare is Meals From the Heart Cafe, which dishes up a variety of flavorful animal-free dishes, including its popular Vegan Okra Gumbo with Rice as well as a true local favorite, the Vegan Red Beans and Rice. Other eateries offering creative vegan twists on classic NOLA cuisine are Sweet Soulfood, beloved for its jambalaya and bread pudding; I-tal Garden, whose signature I-Tal Plate comes brimming with coconut curry black-eyed peas with greens, cornbread, and cauliflower; and E’Co Vegan Cuisine, which offers a standout “shrimp” and grits.

New Orleans’ vibrant animal-friendly dining scene includes delectable vegan king cake, buttermilk biscuits, and doughnuts from Breads On Oak, pastries from Homegrown Vegan Café, and fresh juices from Sprouts Organic Café. And it doesn’t stop there. The city also hosts vibrant festivals celebrating kindness to animals, such as the Vegan 2 The Soul Food Festival.

“From hearty animal-free gumbo and jambalaya to cornbread and king cakes, New Orleans is a paradise for vegan eating with an abundance of animal-friendly options,” says PETA President Ingrid Newkirk. “All the cities on PETA’s list have cemented their status as vegan dining destinations, proving that delicious animal-friendly cuisine is available from coast to coast.”

Other vegan-friendly cities recognized by PETA include Atlanta; Charlotte, North Carolina; Chicago; Denver; Detroit; Los Angeles; New York City; Philadelphia; and Washington.

Every person who goes vegan spares nearly 200 animals each year from daily suffering and a terrifying death, and reduces their own risk of developing heart disease and cancer. PETA offers vegan starter kits to help everyone opt for animal-friendly foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—because when it comes to saving animals, every meal counts.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to eat”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.