Welcome to vegan paradise! Portugal’s vegan scene has flourished in recent years and we’re excited to present you some of our favourite restaurants and bakeries across the country. In this guide to vegan Portugal and its best plant-based spots, we will take you all the way from Algarve over Lisbon to Porto, before heading to the islands of Madeira and Azores.
The country of Portugal
Portugal is a country known for its fascinating contrasts, from the golden beaches of the Algarve, through the historic charm of Lisbon and Porto, all the way to the peaceful mountains of the North. Beyond the mainland, the volcanic landscapes of the Azores and the lush, subtropical beauty of Madeira offer unique island escapes. As you can see, it’s an incredible diverse place and we truly can’t get enough of it.
Veganism in Portugal
Although traditional Portuguese cuisine is heavy on seafood and meat, we found it to be one of the most exciting countries in terms of development of plant-based cuisine! In recent years, more and more vegan restaurants have emerged, with often very yummy adaptations of traditional Portuguese dishes. Even as a vegan, you can now try for example the famous Pastel de Nata or a hearty Francesinha! Read on to discover the best vegan places in mainland Portugal, Madeira and the Azores.
Vegan Portugal
Mainland Portugal
The vegan food scene in mainland Portugal has grown considerably in recent years. Especially big cities like Lisbon and Porto are home to true plant-based culinary gems, and in many places, you’ll find vegan twists on local favourites such as Francesinha or Pastéis de Nata. While smaller villages offer fewer fully vegan options, we found that it’s always possible to create a satisfying meal with side dishes.
Lisbon
Lisbon has so many wonderful vegan restaurants, that it is impossible to pick a favourite. Here are some that we tried out and absolutely loved:
- Kong – Food Made With Compassion: Restaurant serving mostly traditional Portuguese food. We tried the Francesinha and Bacalhau, both of which were incredible! Our only regret was that we were almost too full to fully enjoy the dessert…;-) Next time we’re in Lisbon, we’ll definitely return to try more items from the menu (they now added a salmon dish) and we whole-heartedly recommend this place to anyone!
- 26 Vegan Food Project: Restaurant serving vegan twists on local specialities, such as Francesinha, seafood, seitan steak, cheese plates, … and looots of delicious cakes!!
- Jardim das Cerejas: Vegan buffet with simple, but veryyy tasty dishes, and for an affordable price.
- Legumi Sushi Vegan: Vegan sushi restaurant offering a variety of rolls, as well as starters and side dishes (gyozas, edamame and smoked tofu).
- Plant Base: Bar & restaurant serving pizza, burgers, nachos, momos and fish & chips.
- A Minha Avó: Restaurant serving vegan traditional Portuguese food, such as Francesinha, bacalhau, croquetas, bitoque, …
- Vegan Nata: Bakery selling vegan pastel de nata. An absolute must-try of this vegan twist of the iconic Portuguese speciality!
- GAL Cafe: Coffee shop serving breakfast, lunch, brunch, pancakes, croissants, cakes, sandwiches, bagels, …
- Green Beans: Vegan café offering sandwiches, pizza, pies and puff pastries. There’s also a grocery store selling a variety of vegan food products, household and hygiene items.
Porto
Porto is another excellent place for indulging in vegan food an it offers sooo many good restaurants and bakeries. Here they are:
- A Padoca: Vegan bakery offering breakfast and lunch, with a changing menu and a large selection of sweet and savoury baked goods. We took the ricotta and spinach toast and the egg benedict toast, followed by two delicious croissants (almond and pistachio). The pasteis de nata were a mandatory take away 🙂
- Apuro Vegan Bar: Vegan bar with a focus on local and seasonal food. Dishes include burritos, burgers, tapas and a selection of desserts.
- Baomerang: Vegan Asian-fusion street food restaurant with a variety of bao buns and starters.
- Jardineiro – Vegan Kitchen: Vegan restaurant offering a fine dining experience in a laid-back atmosphere. We had the mushrooms and “meat” tortillas as a starter, followed by the roasted loin and plantain moqueca. Everything was delicious and full of flavours! We ended with the heavenly “chocolate garden” as dessert. It was definitely a great discovery, especially if you’re looking for a unique, high-quality vegan place.
- Casa da Horta: Small café that is part of a non-profit association. They offer a daily changing vegan menu and organize various social events, all in a cosy, authentic atmosphere.
- daTerra: All-you-can-eat vegan buffet with different dishes every day. They are located in different parts across Porto, such as Baixa, Campus São João, Foz do Douro and Via Rápida.
- Em Carne Viva: Fine dining experience. You can choose between a 5-course tasting menu or a 10-course tasting menu.
- roots: Vegan fine dining restaurant and cocktail bar. The menu includes starters, mains and desserts.
- Kind Kitchen: Vegan restaurant serving burgers, Francesinha, buddha bowls, snacks and cakes.
- My Green Pastry: Vegan pastry shop and lunch café. They are focused on organic ingredients and are plastic-free. Also many gluten-free options.
- Odete Bakery: Vegan café/bakery serving sandwiches, cakes, croissant, pain au chocolat and other baked goods.
Albufeira
Albufeira, a popular coastal destination in southern Portugal, is a tourist favourite and has adapted well to the growing demand for modern, health-conscious dining options. Some of these places may operate seasonally, so be sure to check their website for up-to-date opening hours.
- Alfarobba Café: Vegan restaurant using local and organic ingredients. They even host art exhibitions and workshops on vegan and macrobiotic cooking!
- Veggie Momi: A charming little café run by a mother and son, offering pizza, a dish of the day, coffee, and cake. They also sell vegan groceries and cosmetic products. The owners are dedicated animal rights activists that run the place with a great passion.
- Sugar Rabbit Kaffé: Fully vegan eatery offering sweet and savoury dishes for breakfast and lunch. Has gluten-free options too.
Aveiro
Aveiro, often called the “Venice of Portugal,” is a charming coastal city known for its colourful moliceiro boats (similar to a Venetian gondola) and picturesque canals.
- Musgo: Vegan Restaurant serving starters, mains and desserts from Portuguese and international cuisines.
- Raiz: Vegan restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Braga
Braga, one of Portugal’s oldest cities, blends rich history with a vibrant modern atmosphere. Known for its stunning churches and lively cultural scene, it also offers some great options for vegan travellers.
- Divino Grão: Vegan restaurant offering a variety of Portuguese and European-inspired dishes, including tofu à brás, vegan quiche, and indulgent desserts like brownies and tarts.
- Hibiscus: Restaurant offering a vegan buffet with hot and cold options.
- Semente: Vegan café/restaurant space serving mostly organic and locally produced food.
- Paladares Vegan: Vegan and gluten-free restaurant with a changing daily menu.
Cascais
Cascais is a stylish coastal town near Lisbon, which has become a popular getaway for both locals and tourists. While there are no fully vegan restaurants, many cafés and eateries have embraced plant-based options.
- House of Wonders: Vegetarian restaurant with a beautiful outside area serving lots of vegan options and with the possibility to veganize some veggie dishes.
- Souldough Pizza: Vegetarian Neapolitan-style pizzeria serving vegan pizzas, starters and desserts.
Coimbra
Coimbra, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, is a city full of history and academic charm. While traditional Portuguese cuisine is prominent, the city has been expanding its plant-based offer, catering to students and visitors alike.
- O Burrito: Vegan place serving burritos, quesadillas and nachos.
- Cozinha Consciente: Simple vegan food options. Located inside the centre Galarias Topazio, you’ll have to take the stairs to the 2nd floor.
- Green Side: Vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options.
Ericeira
Ericeira, a charming seaside town just north of Lisbon, is well known for its surf culture and picturesque beaches.
- BE U: Organic health food store that doubles as a cosy eatery, offering vegan lunch options on weekdays. The menu changes daily, featuring a soup, main plate and dessert. The store also retails fresh fruits and vegetables, tea and coffee, bulk staples like cereals and nuts, and other eco-friendly products such as cosmetics and house cleaning supplies. In addition, the store provides natural therapies and health advice, making it a holistic destination for health-conscious visitors.
Lagos
The small town of Lagos is nestled along Portugal’s Algarve coast and is famous for its wild, rugged cliffs and golden beaches. Here are some vegan options you can find in this lovely place:
- All Things Dough: Vegan bakery that sells bread, pizza, focaccia and pastries.
- Goldig: Vegan café that serves breakfast food and a daily vegan dish for lunch.
Madeira
Madeira is an idyllic paradise in the Atlantic Ocean. During our two weeks there, we not only enjoyed the beauty of the island, but also lots of delicious vegan food. While vegan places are not always obvious at first glance, we were pleasantly surprised by the variety of restaurants offering plant-based options, and even found a few true gems!
- Mundo Vegan (Funchal) : Mundo Vegan is probably the first address you will come across when looking for plant-based options in Madeira, and rightfully so. Being the only fully vegan restaurant on the island, it offers a menu of hot and cold dishes: Burger, pasta, bowls, salads, Madeiran specialties, cakes, smoothies and fresh juices. We couldn’t resist visiting Mundo Vegan three or four times during our stay!
- Gavino Restaurante Bar (Funchal) : Bolo de Caco (the Portuguese answer to garlic bread) with vegan butter!!! Do we need to say more? If this hasn’t convinced you yet, maybe this will: Vegan ravioli, Seitan steak, huge vegan deserts. Although the restaurant is not entirely plant-based, the waiters have a lots of knowledge about vegan food and can make a suggestion. Charming place to sit in the old town of Funchal.
- Indian restaurants (Funchal) : Indian restaurants have always come to the rescue to vegans all around the world and Funchal is no exception. Luckily, the old town offers multiple choices. One example is Basmati Indian & Nepali Restaurant which offers a large variety of vegan dishes at an affordable price.
- TERRA – Food concept (Funchal) : If you are looking for a special dining experience, this place is for you! They offer creative and tasty dishes inspired by different countries, as well as delicious deserts (the vegan brownie was a dream!). Our personal favorite was the hummus with caramelized onions and mushrooms, but every dish we tried was interesting and full of flavors. Although a bit more on the expensive side, the restaurant is definitely worth a visit to celebrate your time in Funchal. It’s recommended to make a reservation.
- Restaurante O Forno (Ponta do Pargo) : This restaurant was a delightful little surprise on the west coast of Madeira. It offered multiple vegan dishes, such as grilled corn, vegan chili, Moroccan tagine, baked potato, spaghetti aaand the always recommended Bolo de caco. There’s even a vegan crumble on the dessert menu, which was sadly not available on the day we visited.
- Sea View (Porto Moniz) : This place is a good choice if you get hungry in Porto Moniz, and, true to its name, it offers amazing views from the terrace. We had the Beyond Burger which came on a plate surrounded by vegetables. It’s important to note that there is there is a rooftop bar and a restaurant which come with different menus. While we stayed only in the restaurant, the rooftop bar also had some clearly labelled vegan options.
- Bolo Do Caco Bar & Grill (Sao Jorge) This restaurant on the northern side of the island turned out to be a true little gem! During the time of our visit, they offered vegan Bolo de caco, a vegan burger and a Buddha Bowl. We tried all three and left full (huge portions!) and satisfied. The owners were super friendly and seemed interested to expand their menu with even more vegan options.
The Azores
Historically, Azorean cuisine has been heavily reliant on meat, dairy, and seafood, a reflection of both the island’s agricultural traditions and its isolation. However, recent years have seen a growing demand for plant-based alternatives. While veganism is still relatively new to the Azores, the movement is growing. During our visit on the main island São Miguel in 2024, the vegan options weren’t huuuge, but we never had trouble to find something satisfying to eat. And while you’re there, make sure to try some of the local grown pineapples!
- Rotas da Ilha Verde (Ponta Delgada): Vegetarian restaurant with many vegan options, such as risottos, stuffed vegetables, burgers and hearty salads.
- Jardim Natural Food & Coffee (Ponta Delgada): Lunch café with vegetarian dishes that can easily be made vegan upon request. We had a Sushi rice bowl with falafel and a vegan bagel with hummus and salad.
- À Terra Furnas (Furnas): Restaurant serving multiple vegan options, such as chili, burger and pizza.
- Caldeiras&Vulcões (Furnas): Restaurant offering a vegan version of the famous traditional cozido. Needs to be ordered at least 24 hours in advance.
- Terra Nostra Hotel Restaurant (Furnas): Restaurant offering a vegan version of the famous traditional cozido. Needs to be ordered at least 24 hours in advance. A visit to the restaurant includes a free entrance to the garden and hot spring.
- Tuká Tulá (Ribeira Grande): Bar restaurant offering vegan options, such as wraps (ask for no mayo), pasta and salads.
- O Sole Mio (São Vicente): Pizza restaurant with mini golf. All vegetarian pizzas can be veganized with vegan cheese at a surcharge.
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