Shaya - New Orleans

I have visited many tapas restaurants, but this one is by far the best. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and was able to clearly identify the vegan options for me. He wasn't sure about the beet dish, but he checked for me. I was dining with some non-vegans and he made sure to place the vegan dishes next to me rather than at the other end of the table. I tried the Baba Ganoush, Moussaka, cauliflower hummus, tahini hummus, beets, pickles, pita bread with olive oil zatar, and had a falafel sandwich all to myself. The "unlimited" homemade pita bread was absolutely amazing- soft and slightly crispy from the wood oven. The only downside was the fries, which could have been great if served hot, but ours were only lukewarm with a nice seasoning. The falafel was not the best I've ever had, but everything else was perfect. They also had a unique cocktail and soft drink menu (we tried the Tahitian and hibiscus iced teas, and a few cocktails in our group). We were too full to finish our meal and took leftovers home. There were no vegan dessert options listed. The service was excellent and the decor was beautiful. We sat inside, but the back courtyard was lovely. I would definitely return on my next trip to NOLA.

The food at this restaurant was expertly prepared with flavors that rival those of a professional chef. The Moussaka dip was similar to a rich tomato salsa, and was so delicious that we ordered another serving. The cauliflower hummus was a standout dish that was unlike anything we had tried before. The falafel had subtle hints of herbs, and the salad was decent.

Lots of vegan options that the server will quickly point out to you! I recommend the moussaka dipping dish. The chocolate sorbet was also incredible.

The vegan options weren’t marked, but the server knew what all of them were right off the bat and was able to point them out to me. The food was quite good, but there was really only one option if you wanted an actual meal, which was the falafel. The hummus and pita were both fantastic, though!

Very accommodating to vegans. The waiter pointed out the vegan options. Some of the best food I have ever eaten anywhere.