Lisbon is a city that has recently made waves in the global culinary scene. More and more people are discovering the tasty offerings of the Portuguese capital. However, until a couple of years ago, Lisbon’s dishes were focused on meat, seafood, and dairy; there were only a handful of options for those adhering to a plant-based lifestyle.
Luckily, in recent years, Lisbon has caught up with the veganism movement. Not only are the current restaurants in the city offering vegan options, but there are also new exclusively-vegan cafés and eateries popping up all over the city. What once was a problem of finding a place to eat at has now turned into how to choose from the different options available. The following are some of the best vegan restaurants in Lisbon.
(Pro tip: Dine without any hassle by storing your bags, backpacks, and other items at a Lisbon luggage storage spot.)
- Legumi Sushi
Headed by owner-chef Leonardo Lattari, this delivery-only restaurant takes your favorite Japanese dishes and turns them into vegan versions. As its name suggests, their vegan sushi selection is the highlight. Bestsellers include the Orange Maki and Lombardo roll. You can check out their full delivery menu here.
- Ao 26 – Vegan Food Project
There’s a reason why Ao 26 is beloved by both vegan and non-vegan diners; found in the city’s Chiado district, this all-vegan restaurant serves up some of the best plant-based soul food in Lisbon. Some of the restaurant’s most popular dishes are the bifanas made with thyme and lemon seitan, crispy tofu burgers with sweet potato fries, roasted beetroot and pumpkin salad with hummus and quinoa, and toasties featuring bolo de caco. They also serve sugar-free vegan desserts, including their beloved raw dried fruit tart.
- Miss Saigon
Established in 2009 (and converted to 100% vegan in 2016), Miss Saigon is one of Lisbon’s earliest and most beloved vegan restaurants. Created by Paulo Almeida and Claudia Salu and inspired by Giacomo Puccini’s “Madame Butterfly”, the dining spot is known for its tasty and healthy menu (which changes weekly) that highlights the use of spices and herbs.
- daTerra Bairro Alto
This vegan restaurant has been around for a while in the Portuguese city of Porto before it finally made its way to the capital and is one of the most famous vegan buffets in Lisbon. Located in the buzzing Bairro Alto district, daTerra has a varied menu that consists mainly of traditional Portuguese dishes but with a vegan twist. Arguably the most famous item on their menu is their vegan pastel de nata, which is the most popular dessert in Portugal.
- My Mother’s Daughters
As the restaurant’s name suggests, this vegan café is the brainchild of Maria Jose Vasconcelos and her three daughters, namely Magdalena, Cristina, and Ines. It is also a reference to Mother Nature, which is the overall theme of this organic and eco-friendly eatery. The menu here changes every three months, in accordance with the cycle of the seasons. As a sign of their commitment to helping the environment, the restaurant also serves a “zero-waste bowl”, which makes use of leftover ingredients from the day before. In keeping with the theme, everything from the décor to the tables and chairs are either recycled or upcycled.
- The Food Temple
Located in the historic neighborhood of Mouraria, this small vegan tapas restaurant is a pioneer for vegan cuisine in Lisbon as the city’s first ever exclusively-vegan dining spot. Throughout the years, The Food Temple remains to be a crowd favorite with its constantly changing menu that reflects the seasons. Aside from the unique dinner menu, the restaurant also has an impressive selection of beverages, including artisanal beers, craft sodas, wines, and even kombucha.
- Eight – The Health Lounge
Eight – The Health Lounge is a chill vegan spot located in the heart of downtown Lisbon; the name refers to the eight principles that the restaurant lives by. While the restaurant may seem simple and minimalistic, their menu is anything but. They serve nutrient-packed plant-based food items such as smoothie bowls, tempeh burgers, panini sandwiches and salads. They also offer energy balls and wellness shots for that added boost.
- O Botanista
Although this restaurant is considered a newcomer in the Lisbon vegan scene, it is the project of the same people behind Ao 26, which is why it’s already gained a loyal following among vegan locals and tourists. O Botanista’s dishes have the same level of quality as its sister restaurant, albeit completely different menus. The vegan menu serves items for all times of the day – from oatmeal to dumplings and everything in between.
For plant-based customers who are looking for something different, this all-you-can-eat vegan restaurant might be the perfect choice for you. Initially opening as a vegetarian eatery, Jardim das Cerejas has now turned into a fully-vegan dining spot with a menu that’s largely Indian-inspired with a Western touch. The menu, which changes regularly, contains about four to five hot dishes, a soup of the day, and a salad bar. The best part is that it’s extremely cheap. The restaurant has two locations – the original branch at Chiado neighborhood and a bigger branch at Rua Andrade Corvo.
- Jardim das Cerejas
(Insider tip: Whatever you do, do not miss the chance to try their vegan version of the bolo de bolacha, a Portuguese cake made of Marie biscuits and cream.)
- Kong – Vegan Modern Food
Opened in early 2019, Kong– Vegan Modern Food has quickly become one of the top vegan restaurants in Lisbon. When it first opened, it was run by a non-vegan owner and didn’t exactly take off as much due to lack of effort. However, when two vegan owners decided to take over the place, there was a huge turnaround in the restaurant’s popularity.
The menu consists of vegan comfort food with hints of Portuguese and Latin American cuisine. Their most popular menu items include the local dish feijoada (black bean stew), a meatless bacon and cheddar burger, and vegan fish and chips.
