The Health-Conscious New Orleans Guide
Most people don’t think of the words “healthy” or “nutritious” when they think of New Orleans, but the city of daiquiris and beignets has come a long way in recent years, and there are plenty of health-conscious spots on the New Orleans restaurant scene. As someone who has called this city my on again / off again home since 2001, I feel confident guiding you around some of top healthy menus of the Big Easy.
And because I’m extra, I threw in a few favorite yoga studios, a few places to pick up clean beauty products, and even a place to pick up an organic bottle of wine. So sit back, dive in, and start planning your next trip to Nola. (Just avoid visiting in August if you know what’s good for you.)
Matcha from Bearcat Cafe
COFFEE+
This category is called “coffee+” because you can find matchas, dairy-free alternative lattes, and healthy food options at these locations in addition to a really good cup of joe. If you’re trying to grab a latte + breakfast or lunch at the same time, consider these great one-stop shops:
photo courtesy of Cherry Coffee Roasters
4877 Laurel and 1581 Magazine Street
Cherry started as a pop-up in a local deli with a clear focus on the quality of the beans. When the Laurel Street location opened it became a spot I frequented because I just loved the vibes, and the coffee was stellar. The Laurel Street location resides in an old fire station that was renovated, so it has high ceilings and walls that feel like they could speak. They serve a yummy quinoa bowl filled with veggies in addition to a handful of other goodies, and as a milk alternative they offer oat milk, which happens to be a personal favorite. The second, newer, location on Magazine has dreamy interior vibes and serves the same menu.
photo courtesy of Mojo
1500 Magazine Street and 4700 Freret Street
Mojo on Magazine is a regular meeting spot / work spot for locals, and you can sometimes spot celebrities coming and going from this Lower Garden District coffee shop. They serve a great matcha, so they clearly make my list! They recently renovated and expanded the Magazine Street location, and now the menu boasts an assortment of Instagram-worthy smoothie bowls including a mermaid bowl and an acai bowl.
1829 Sophie Wright Place
A hip and strange-looking little corner cafe that all of the locals have been addicted to since it came on the scene a few years ago. It was ahead of its time by New Orleans standards, and it continues to grow and adapt, keeping up nicely with the wellness trends. Now you can add CBD to any latte or drink, and they have a version of a bulletproof latte on the menu with butter and MCT oil. They serve matcha and turmeric lattes, the fridge is always stocked with kombucha, and HiVolt has more dairy-free options than honestly seems necessary, but I’m not complaining. Last I checked they were offering macadamia milk, almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk … and a few others that I can’t remember because, let’s be honest, that was plenty of alternatives to decide between.
This is also a great spot for a quick protein-filled bite. My personal favorite is the Ozzy Bowl. Their smoothies are top notch as well.
As a bonus, they are always playing great music. As for the scene, expect a mixture of locals taking meetings or working and tourists popping in and out for a drink to go.
Healthy Breakfast in New Orleans
photo courtesy of Bearcat Cafe
I just adore this place! Half of the menu is “Good Cat” so think vegan and gluten-free alterations of classic New Orleans fare. The Vegan Bearcat or Mushroom Soft Scramble are highlights for me, and they make one of the best matcha lattes in town. I also love ordering their pre-made coconut cold brew or fresh juices, which come in cute reusable glass bottles. I use them whenever I make my DIY Rebbl drinks, which you can see here. You can’t go wrong with much on this menu, though the yogurt bowl is a little on the small side in my opinion. Split some crisp potatoes with the table - you won’t regret it.
7901 Maple Street and 3218 Dauphine Street
Whether you find yourself way uptown or way down in the Bywater, there is a Satsuma to feed your soul. I love the tofu scrambles, and they sell in-house made cold-pressed juices to wash it all down. Both locations offer outdoor seating, so if you time your visit right, you can dine with the birds and watch the day go by.
Healthy Smoothies + Juice in New Orleans
Photo courtesy of Raw Republic
4528 Magazine Street
Fresh juices, smoothies, kelp and kale salads, and bulletproof coffees are all on the menu at this bright, shiny space on Magazine Street. This is my other favorite matcha latte in town - it features the adaptogens He Shou Wu and Astragalus along with pine pollen and mint. Swoon! Grab something made with their house-sprouted almond milk, then head upstairs to shop a curated selection of natural skincare products. Scope their Instagram ahead of time to see if there is a mediation, reiki, or some other magical experience taking place while you are there!
Healthy Lunch in New Orleans
My absolute favorite two things to get from Bearcat during lunch hours are the Farro Bowl, (add a poached egg on top) and the Vegan Queso. Not necessarily “healthy,” but the fried pickle okra is a divine experience. If you’re staying away from fried foods, split a side of the corn with grilled lime and cashew sour cream as an appetizer.
photo courtesy of The Daily Beet
1000 Girod Street and 2381 St. Claude Ave in St. Roch Market
This little downtown establishment serves up fresh salads, grain-bowls, cold-pressed juices, and smoothies with the option to add protein, which is a huge deal in my book.
1400 Prytania Street
I love popping in here to get a salad, soup or entree from their takeaway section and a fresh juice. The paleo brussels sprouts salads is a favorite of mine.
3341 Magazine Street (and 5 other locations)
Your standard poke establishment, but this is a standout for a fresh, light and filling meal in an Uptown area that is swamped with heavier options like burgers, fried fish, nachos and red beans and rice.
Satsuma (again)
7901 Maple Street and 3218 Dauphine Street
Quinoa salad, kale galore, and a black bean burger are just a few standouts on the lunch menu.
4017 St. Claude Street
The focus here is on fresh, local ingredients. The building recently caught on fire so they are under renovations but hosting pop-ups in the meantime, so follow them on Instagram to see the latest whereabouts or news.
Healthy Dinner in New Orleans
4201 Magazine Street
One glance at this Vietnamese menu and you’ll notice the little icons on the right that denote the dish is “EatFit Nola” approved. That means there is little to no refined sugar and the dish meets certain nutrient standards. I love the brown rice with grilled tofu and an egg on top. It’s a small corner shop, but airy and light and perfect for a casual dinner solo or with friends.
Photo courtesy of Saba
5757 Magazine Street
For a premium experience, head to Saba, Chef Alon Shaya’s most recent endeavor, and literally one of my favorite restaurants in the world. Ask for the side of crudité to go with your hummus (not always on the menu but always available). But you’re going to want to ditch any carb rules for the night and indulge in the wood-fire oven baked pita bread. I love to order a smorgasbord of small plates from the “Salatim” section of the menu, along with one of the seasonal Hummus dips and a glass of wine. You won’t be disappointed.
photo courtesy of Seed
1330 Prytania and 2372 St Claude
I’m slightly obsessed with this vegan eatery’s southern fried tofu “nuggets,” which are made with some magical gluten-free chickpea batter. Their nachos and gumbo are also stand-outs on the menu.
Clean Beauty/Skincare in New Orleans
photo courtesy of Earthsavers
5501 Magazine and 3301 Veterans Blvd
I’ve been visiting this spa for their natural beauty product selection and spa services for almost 20 years, and they have yet to disappoint with their knowledge and dedication to skincare. Don’t expect a wide assortment of brands, but the selection is curated and covers all of your bases. Stay for a spa experience or a mani/pedi, and head to the Metairie "Well” location for a larger selection of natural makeup products and a health consultation with a registered dietician.
Photo courtesy of Polite Society
4601 Dryades
If you’re looking for a pure, holistic skincare approach, book a facial at the Polite Society. Small but specialized, this is the cutest little corner shop located in Uptown New Orleans. It also boasts an infrared sauna if you’re looking for a good sweat to clear some toxins. And the shopping is going to be right up your alley. They carry some of my favorite brands including Sun Potion for adaptogens and Mate the Label for organic everyday and leisurewear.
(located above Raw Republic)
They have every clean and green beauty product you could ever want, including my favorite lip mask by Henne, all of the good skincare, and lots of locally made treats. It’s your go-to spot for collagen, matcha, and CBD products as well.
Yoga/Exercise Studios in New Orleans
photo courtesy of Reyn
725 Magazine Street
One of my favorite yoga studios in all the land is Reyn. Talk about dreamy, Insta-worthy aesthetics! There is a wall of windows, beams on the ceiling, exposed brick, wide open spaces, and the classes are always top notch. You’ll have to find street parking at a meter or pay for a lot space, so plan an extra 5 minutes into your schedule before heading to class. Also allow for some time to shop in the wellness shop downstairs (which is also where you’ll check in for class). It’s full of goodies, including some all-natural skin care products like face mists from my girl at Oxalis Apothecary. It’s the perfect post-yoga refresher!
5619 Magazine Street
This is one of my favorite studios in town because they offer a nice assortment of classes. I enjoy the Ride (spin) classes and the Megaformer (Pilates) classes, and next time I plan on trying one of their boxing classes. They were also running a $15 special for new clients, so check the MindBody app before you go.
Other
Prytania Wine Cellar
5000 Prytania
Ben, the owner, can point you in the right direction for a clean wine for under $30. Last time I was in there he had red, white and rosé options. What more could you need?
I hope you enjoyed this round up of places to visit in New Orleans and where to find healthy options for every meal of the day. This city is really a spectacle to behold and should be on everyone’s bucket list, in my humble opinion. I cannot wait to hear all about your travels to Nola!
As always, drop a comment below if you like this content, or shout me out on Instagram at @tiffanynapper. I love connecting with you!
xo
Tiffany
