What's Included
A bit of background: Portugal’s coastline is too rich in fish, and the interior is rich in beef. But in cosmopolitan Lisbon, there’s a growing trend toward meat-free, plant-based, and flexatarian restaurants for locals and visitors alike. Here’s a guide to our favorite spots for the best vegetarian food in Lisbon.
Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Lisbon
Jardim das Cerejas
The buffet at this informal spot includes four or five hot dishes, brown rice and basmati rice, couscous, soup, sliced pizza and vegetable bread. They also have a cold table with salads and raw veggies.
Ao 26
Another spot for veggie takes on Portuguese cuisine, Ao 26 was one of the pioneering restaurants for vegetarian food in Lisbon. The toasted sandwiches are consistently great.
O Botanista
Well-prepared vegetables, not faux meat, are the star of the show at this new restaurant by the proprietors of Ao 26. The vegan desserts as especially delicious.
Graça 77
The vegetarian and vegan dishes at this cozy spot are well-prepared, prettily plated, and always inventive. The menu includes a number of meat-free versions of Portuguese classics, like pica-pau with mushrooms.
My Mother’s Daughters
Maria Jose Vasconcelos opened this organic-leaning hipster café with her daughters, Cristina, Ines and Magdalena, last year. The “mother” in the name also refers to Mother Nature, as the menu changes every three months to use whatever is most in season. Trendy, healthful foods are always on offer, such as a pre-meal elixir of ginger, tumeric, and lemon, chia pudding with activated charcoal, and all sorts of bowls.
Os Tibetanos
Obviously there is excellent Tibetan food at this long-running establishment, but it’s not the only thing on the menu. There are also some inventive dishes like mango curry with tofu. The garden is a particularly pleasing place to dine.
PSI
Fifteen years ago, this was among the first vegetarian restaurants. The garden that surrounds it was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama, and that’s just part of its history and lore. Chef Yasser Saiyad graduated from the Le Cordon Bleu Cooking School in Lima, Peru. Here he incorporates influences from India, Thailand, North Africa and Italy. There are vegan and gluten-free options as well at this favorite spot for vegetarian food in Lisbon.
House of Wonders
It’s worth a train ride out to Cascais to feast on the vegetarian fare here. Downstairs, there’s an ever-changing buffet. Upstairs, there’s a counter where you can order mezze plates with various dishes. And on the rooftop there’s a tranquil, sunny garden.
The Food Temple
Tucked away in a corner of Mouraria, the Food Temple is not easy to find. But it’s worth the effort for the tapas-style vegetarian and vegan food. Sometimes the chefs get creative, offering dishes like vegan “fish” and chips. Bonus points for the outdoor seating and extra-friendly service.
Arkhe
If you are looking for a higher-end vegetarian restaurant Arkhe is it. Arkhe is a delightful vegetarian restaurant nestled in the heart of Lisbon, offering a unique and memorable dining experience. A cozy and welcoming spot, Arkhe has a modern yet rustic interior design that creates a soothing ambiance. One standout aspect of Arkhe is their commitment to using fresh, locally sourced ingredients, so while the items in the menu may change, the quality never does.
Vegetarian-Friendly Restaurants in Lisbon
Café Janis
Surprisingly for a French-style restaurant, Café Janis serves a number of satisfying vegetarian and vegan dishes. These include avocado tartare (as well as the expected toast), a raw zucchini goat cheese salad, and a vegan bowl that’s brimming with crispy roasted chickpeas, artichokes, mushrooms and other goodness.
Jacaré
Vegetarian food in Lisbon had clearly gone mainstream when Portugal’s biggest celebrity chef opened a partly vegetarian restaurant. José Avillez’s new Jacaré, in the fine-dining food court atop El Corte Inglês, takes its name from the alligator. That animal has an omnivorous diet, and Avillez made a menu that’s partly carnivorous and significantly vegetarian. The veggie dishes aren’t afterthoughts.
The Food for Real
Although chicken and tuna make (very rare) appearances on the menu, the food at this cheerful café is largely vegetarian. There are many vegan and gluten-free options, with everything clearly marked on the menu of toasted sandwiches, salads and açai and smoothie bowls.
Natural Crave
The Sweetgreen of Lisbon, this counter-service spot lets you build your own salad or grain bowl, or just from some suggested combinations. There are plenty of veggie proteins on offer.
Lisbon’s first organic pizzeria still remains one of the few places to find a vegan or gluten-free pie. The chef makes his Roman style pizzas with ingredients directly sourced from producers in Portugal and Italy. Everything is fresh, and the crusts are impossibly light.
Chutnify
Of course you can find vegetarian options at almost any restaurant in the world. But Lisbon’s Chutnify stands out for the groovy design of its dining room and its health-ified takes on Indian street food. The papdi chaat (crispy wafer, chickpeas, tamarind, mint, yoghurt and pomegranate) is addictive, and the vegetarian dosas are lighter than air.
Yes, a hamburger restaurant. Lisbon is made for gourmet burgers at the moment, and most of the better burger shops have a token vegetarian option. But Hamburgueria do Bairro outdoes them all, with five vegan burgers on the menu. They’re made with ingredients like portobello mushrooms, falafel, black beans and tofu and dressed just as lovingly as the meaty versions.
Organi Chiado
Organi Chiado is worth a visit for the gorgeous dining space alone! There’s a bit of sustainable seafood on the menu at this pretty spot. But it’s mostly known for its vegan patés and lentil curries
Santa Clara dos Cogumelos
Every dish on the menu—even desserts—at this quirky spot is made with mushrooms. In some cases, the mushrooms are an accompaniment to meat or fish, but in many others they’re the star. Expect mushroom ceviche, mushroom soup, mushroom risotto, plurotus pica-pau and shiitake bulhão pato.
Update notice: This post was updated on July 13, 2023.
As we have seen, if you scratch beyond the surface Lisbon has more than enough to keep vegetarian and vegan food enthusiasts satisfied!
We at Devour pride ourselves in being able to adapt our experiences to individual preferences, ensuring that vegetarian and vegan guests can savor the local flavors while adhering to their dietary choices. You can even tap into the local scene by taking advantage of our expert guides. So why not truly immerse yourself in the city’s culinary delights and check out our outstanding food tours today?