Picture this: You decide this is the year to go vegan. You cut out the meat, dairy and eggs, and you start embracing the plant-based lifestyle. Easy enough, right? But then, all of a sudden, you have a strong craving for something sweet that isn’t just a piece of fruit, and you don’t have a clue where to get a treat that meets your new dietary needs. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Vegans can have a sweet tooth, too. So whether you’re a life-long omnivore or someone who’s looking to cut down on animal byproducts in your diet, here are some places to find vegan desserts that everyone can enjoy.
Kindred
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Maple Street is home to a dozen restaurants, cafes and canteens, but one sticks out above the rest as the premier place for vegan cuisine. Kindred has been serving plant-based comfort food since January 2020. Once you get a taste of its vegan po’boy, spicy chicken sandwiches and yuca fries, you have to stick around for the sweets. Kindred’s dessert selection changes often, so we recommend calling ahead to see what they have for the day. Make sure to ask about the cupcakes, muffins and mini-cakes.
Sweet Soulfood
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Located in the 7th Ward, Sweet Soulfood is the go-to spot for meat-free home cooking, but “sweet” is in its name for a reason. While Sweet Soulfood is known for its vegan versions of New Orleans dishes like jambalaya, okra gumbo and red beans, its desserts are not something to look over. The bread pudding is a fan favorite. The portion is enough to share, but you won’t want to after your first bite. Sweet Soulfood also offers more than 10 flavors of vegan ice cream from praline and cream to strawberry shortcake. The pints are made with coconut, cashew, pecan or almond milk.
Breads on Oak
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Breads on Oak is a 100% vegan cafe and bakery. The Uptown eatery serves all-day breakfast, sandwiches and a full selection of plant-based pastries. Customer favorites include the brioche puffs and the peanut butter blondie. They also make limited-time specialty cakes like the Girl Scout cookie-inspired chocolate samoa cake, a gingerbread cake for Christmas and a king cake for Carnival. You can order a whole cake or pick up a slice in person. The fresh-baked goods are served daily, but you have to get there before it’s gone.
Coalesce Goods
The motto is “food is love.” There is so much to love about the food at Coalesce Goods. The St. Roch Market restaurant says it specializes in vegan indulgence. The menu encompasses breakfast items, savory lunch dishes and an ever-changing assortment of vegan pastries. If you can get your hands on them, the homemade pop-tarts are a must-try. Some of the other treats include doughnuts, doughnut sandwiches and cookies.
Check out our profile on Coalesce Goods to learn more about this spot!
I-tal Garden
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If there aren’t enough reasons to look forward to the weekend, add I-tal Garden to the list. The family-owned restaurant strives to prove that vegan and gluten-free food can be delicious, and it has succeeded. From Friday to Sunday, you can pick from I-tal Garden’s array of pastries.
I-tal Garden makes treats to meet several dietary needs including its vegan bundt cakes, nut-free pies and gluten-free cookies.
Falaya Bakehouse
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This Mandeville-based bakery delivers sweet treats all over southeast Louisiana, along with offerings of savory dishes. Cookies, cakes, brownies — you name it, they have it. Plus, they are always dropping new menu items. The most recent addition is a vegan sugar cookie cake with white chocolate chips, topped with vanilla buttercream. On the weekends, Falaya Bakehouse’s treats can be found at the Mandeville Trailhead Market or the Northshore Maker’s Market in Madisonville. On the south shore, the pastries are available at the New Orleans Food Co-op.
Looking for more vegan eats in New Orleans?
We’ve got some suggestions!
- Vegan brunch at Bearcat Cafe
- A neighborhood guide to some of the best vegan eats in New Orleans
- Guide to the best vegan and vegetarian takeout in town
If you are interested in making some of your own vegan desserts at home, check out the “Vegan Orleans: Traditional New Orleans Cookbook” for some local recipes.
