Lisbon is one of southern Europe’s most vegan-friendly cities — surprising given Portuguese cuisine’s reputation for bacalhau and sardines. According to HappyCow, the city has nearly 40 entirely plant-based restaurants plus dozens more vegetarian-friendly eateries. From fine-dining vegan tasting menus at Ao 26 to vegan francesinhas at Kong to Lisbon’s first vegan Italian trattoria, the vegan restaurants Lisbon scene punches well above its size.
This guide covers the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon — neighbourhood by neighbourhood, budget tier by tier — plus how to navigate traditional Portuguese restaurants when you don’t eat meat. Updated for 2026.
Quick Answer: Is Lisbon Vegan-Friendly?
| Category | Situation in Lisbon |
|---|---|
| Fully vegan restaurants | ~40 across the city |
| Vegetarian-friendly traditional restaurants | Most, with some adaptation needed |
| Vegan pastéis de nata | Yes — at Mauz Vegan and some specialty cafes |
| Supermarket vegan options | Excellent — Pingo Doce, Continente, Aldi all stock Beyond Meat, vegan cheese |
| Typical cost (vegan lunch) | €10–15 casual; €18–30 mid-range dinner |
| Best app for finding spots | HappyCow (most accurate database) |
| Vegan options at Time Out Market | Yes — several stalls offer vegan dishes |
Why Vegan Lisbon Works
- 40+ fully vegan restaurants in the city, with more opening every year
- Mediterranean-vegetable tradition — Portuguese cuisine has always had a strong vegetable culture alongside the fish and meat; adapting it isn’t a stretch
- Affordable — vegan meals typically €12–25, well below Paris or Amsterdam equivalents
- International scene — vegan Italian, Japanese, Middle Eastern, and fusion all available in a small city footprint
- Vegan pastéis de nata — the custard tart now has proper plant-based versions
- Growing local consciousness — young Lisboetas are among the most vegan-aware in southern Europe
Top 10 Vegan Restaurants in Lisbon
1. Ao 26 — Best Overall (Fine Dining Quality)
The benchmark for vegan fine dining in Lisbon. Daily specials menu, sophisticated atmosphere, and prices that remain reasonable relative to the quality. Internationally recognised by vegan travellers who know their food. The kitchen takes vegetables seriously in a way that most meat-focused Lisbon restaurants don’t manage even with fish.
- Where: Rua Vítor Cordon, Chiado
- Style: Modern vegan with Portuguese influence
- Price: €15–30 per person
- Reservations: Recommended, especially evenings
2. Kong — Most Creative (Vegan Portuguese Comfort Food)
The most interesting concept on this list. Kong does plant-based versions of Portuguese comfort food — vegan cod with cream sauce, vegan francesinha (Porto’s famous sandwich), oven-baked seitan ribs, Portuguese croquettes made without animal products. Over 1,000 positive HappyCow reviews. If you want to understand what Portuguese food would taste like built from plants up rather than adapted, this is the place.
- Where: Avenida Almirante Reis
- Style: Vegan Portuguese comfort food
- Price: €15–25
- Note: Popular evenings — arrive early or reserve
3. Legumi Sushi Vegan
Japanese vegan sushi done properly. Sharing combinations of 12, 20, 30, or 40 pieces — creative plant-based rolls that hold their own against the city’s non-vegan sushi spots. A good option for groups where not everyone eats vegan, since the food stands alone regardless of dietary motivation.
- Where: Príncipe Real area
- Style: Japanese vegan
- Price: €15–30
4. Al Sanpietrino Trattoria
Lisbon’s first fully vegan Italian restaurant. Classic Italian dishes reimagined without animal products — eggplant parmigiana, lasagna, spaghetti carbonara. The success rate varies by dish but the concept is sound and the location in Alfama is atmospheric. Better for dinner than lunch.
- Where: Alfama area
- Style: Vegan Italian
- Price: €15–28
5. Jardim das Cerejas
One of Lisbon’s oldest vegetarian restaurants — open long before the current wave of vegan interest. Beautiful garden terrace in Chiado, eclectic international menu, solid vegan options throughout. It trades more on atmosphere than on cutting-edge plant-based cooking, but the setting on Calçada do Sacramento is genuinely lovely.
- Where: Calçada do Sacramento, Chiado
- Style: International vegetarian/vegan
- Price: €12–22
6. The Food Temple
Mouraria institution — neighbourhood veganism before it became a brand. Different daily menu, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences, cosy basement atmosphere. The kind of place locals eat rather than visit once for Instagram content. Cash usually preferred.
- Where: Beco do Jasmim, Mouraria
- Style: Mediterranean vegan
- Price: €15–25
7. PSI
Pioneer vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon, open since 1992. Garden setting near the Jardim das Amoreiras, atmospheric interior, modern vegetarian menu with many vegan options. Slower, more relaxed pace than the newer spots — good for a long lunch.
- Where: Alameda Santo António dos Capuchos
- Style: Modern vegetarian
- Price: €15–25
8. Vegana Burgers
Plant-based burger spot, multiple Lisbon locations. Beyond Meat patties, creative toppings, quick service. Not the most interesting meal on this list, but reliable when you want something fast and filling that won’t make you feel virtuous and hungry simultaneously.
- Where: Multiple locations
- Style: Vegan burger fast-casual
- Price: €10–15
9. Tease Café
Third-wave specialty café in Anjos with an extensive vegetarian and vegan menu. Avocado toast, vegan curries, good coffee. Works well as a daytime workspace as well as a lunch spot — the Anjos neighbourhood is worth exploring independently of the food.
- Where: Anjos
- Style: Vegan café and brunch
- Price: €10–20
10. Lupita Pizza
Vegan-friendly Italian pizza in Príncipe Real, with multiple vegan cheese options and a wine list that takes itself seriously. A good option for a relaxed evening that isn’t specifically a vegan restaurant experience but accommodates it without making you feel like an afterthought.
- Where: Príncipe Real
- Style: Italian pizza, strong vegan options
- Price: €12–18
Vegan Cafés Worth Knowing
Beyond the dedicated restaurants, Lisbon has a solid café culture with growing plant-based options. These work well for working mornings, slow brunches, or a break between attractions.
- Heim Café — Príncipe Real, large vegan menu, good for long afternoons
- Dear Breakfast — consistently good vegan brunch options
- Comoba — Australian-style brunch with several vegan dishes
- Hello, Kristof — vegan-friendly with a good magazine selection if you want to sit and read
Vegan Pastéis de Nata
The Portuguese custard tart (pastel de nata) is made with eggs, cream, and butter. The original recipe from Pastéis de Belém, in production since 1837, is not vegan and won’t be. But the format now has proper plant-based versions:
- Mauz Vegan — specialty vegan pastry shop with pastéis de nata made without animal products. The version has improved significantly since they opened.
- Various coffeshops and specialist vegan bakeries — increasingly stocking vegan pastéis. Check HappyCow for current spots near your hotel.
For context on the original: see our pastéis de nata guide.
Navigating Traditional Portuguese Restaurants as a Vegan
Most traditional tascas and cervejarias in Lisbon were not built with vegans in mind. That said, Portuguese cuisine has a deep vegetable tradition — it’s just usually swimming in pork fat or butter if you don’t ask specifically. A few dishes adapt well, and a few Portuguese waiters will genuinely try to help if you phrase it correctly.
Common Vegan-Adaptable Dishes
- Caldo verde — kale soup; traditionally contains chouriço. Ask for “sem chouriço” (without sausage) and check whether the broth is vegetable or chicken-based
- Açorda alentejana — bread soup with garlic and coriander; can be made vegan if you ask them to omit the egg
- Esparregado — pureed greens with garlic; usually vegan already
- Arroz de feijão — bean rice; often vegan but sometimes cooked with lard — ask
- Grilled vegetables — pimentos, courgettes, aubergines; always available, usually olive-oil only
- Sopa de legumes — vegetable soup; check the broth base
- Salada de tomate — tomato salad; reliably vegan
What to Avoid Assuming
- Migas — bread crumbs with garlic; often contains pork fat — ask
- Salada de polvo — octopus salad, not vegan despite being cold and vegetable-looking
- Açorda de marisco — seafood bread soup, not vegan
- Most soups — assume meat or fish stock unless confirmed otherwise
How to Ask in Portuguese
- “Sou vegano/a” — I am vegan
- “Sem carne, peixe, ovos, leite, ou manteiga” — without meat, fish, eggs, milk, or butter
- “Tem opções veganas?” — Do you have vegan options?
- “Este prato tem caldo de carne?” — Does this dish have meat stock?
Vegan at Time Out Market Lisboa
Time Out Market at Mercado da Ribeira, Cais do Sodré, houses 26 restaurant stalls and 8 bars under one roof. It’s not a vegan destination, but several stalls accommodate plant-based diets, and the communal format means groups with mixed dietary requirements can all eat together without compromise. Open daily 10am–midnight (Sunday–Wednesday) and 10am–2am (Thursday–Saturday).
Useful for families or groups where not everyone eats vegan — one person gets a vegan bowl, another gets seafood, and no one has to negotiate a single restaurant menu.
Vegan Shopping: Markets and Supermarkets
Health Food and Vegan Stores
- Celeiro — multi-location health food chain with strong vegan section; the most convenient option for stocking up on snacks
- Maria Granel — bulk store with vegan staples at good prices
- Loja Bio Saudável — multiple locations, organic and vegan focus
Supermarkets
- Pingo Doce — solid vegan section; Beyond Meat, vegan cheese, plant milks at reasonable prices
- Continente — larger range; their own-brand vegan products (under “Go Vegan” label) are notably affordable
- Aldi — best prices for plant-based basics if you’re self-catering
Vegan Lisbon by Neighbourhood
The concentration of vegan restaurants is higher in some areas than others. If you’re choosing accommodation partly based on food access, here’s how it breaks down.
Chiado and Bairro Alto
Best overall concentration. Ao 26, Jardim das Cerejas, and Vegana Burgers are all within a 10-minute walk of each other. Strong café culture, evening options, and easy metro access.
Príncipe Real
Legumi Sushi Vegan, Lupita Pizza, and Heim Café are all here. More boutique, slightly pricier neighbourhood but good density of options.
Alfama and Mouraria
The Food Temple and Al Sanpietrino Trattoria. Less obvious vegan territory but both worth the detour — and Mouraria in particular is one of Lisbon’s more interesting neighbourhoods to explore on foot. See our Alfama guide.
Avenida Almirante Reis
Kong is here, plus various smaller spots that have opened as the neighbourhood gentrifies. Less atmospheric than Chiado but Kong alone justifies the trip.
Anjos and Intendente
Tease Café and a growing number of emerging vegan spots as Intendente continues to develop. This is where Lisbon’s next wave of plant-based restaurants tends to appear first.
Vegan Day Trips from Lisbon
Sintra
Sintra has several vegetarian-friendly restaurants. Café Saudade and a few spots near the palace entrances offer vegan options. Worth packing a picnic if you’re eating lunch mid-hike between palaces — options thin out away from the town centre.
Cascais
Better than it used to be. Modern restaurants on the seafront and in the old town centre accommodate vegan diets with some notice. See our Cascais day trip guide.
Setúbal
Less vegan-developed. Focus on grilled vegetables at traditional restaurants, or bring provisions. Not a destination for plant-based eating specifically.
Vegan Cooking Classes in Lisbon
Cooking Lisbon offers vegan and vegetarian-focused classes on request — a market visit followed by cooking and eating together, roughly 4 hours. See our cooking classes guide for current options and pricing.
Practical Tips for Vegan Travel in Lisbon
- Use HappyCow — the most accurate database of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon. Filter by “fully vegan” vs. “vegan-friendly” depending on how strict your requirements are.
- Save the Portuguese phrase card on your phone — “sem carne, peixe, ovos, leite, ou manteiga” covers the basics in traditional restaurants
- Check menus online before visiting traditional restaurants — most Lisbon restaurants post menus; this saves a table-side negotiation
- International cuisine is the easiest adaptation path — Indian, Italian, and Asian restaurants across Lisbon are all significantly more vegan-experienced than traditional tascas
- Bring snacks for day trips — Sintra, Cascais, and Setúbal all lag behind Lisbon for plant-based options; Celeiro near your hotel stocks well
- Lisbon’s café culture welcomes lingering — ordering one vegan lunch item and staying two hours is normal; no one will rush you
Pricing Summary
| Meal Type | Cost per Person |
|---|---|
| Casual vegan lunch | €10–15 |
| Mid-range vegan dinner | €18–30 |
| Vegan fine dining (Ao 26) | €25–45 |
| Vegan tasting menu | €40–80 |
| Coffee + vegan pastry | €4–7 |
| Supermarket vegan ready meal | €4–8 |
FAQ: Vegan Restaurants in Lisbon
Is Lisbon vegan-friendly?
Yes — one of southern Europe’s most vegan-friendly cities, alongside Barcelona. Around 40 fully vegan restaurants, hundreds more vegetarian-friendly, and supermarkets with solid plant-based sections. The scene has grown substantially since 2020.
What’s the best vegan restaurant in Lisbon?
Ao 26 for fine dining quality in Chiado. Kong for creative vegan Portuguese comfort food. Legumi for vegan sushi. Al Sanpietrino for Italian. The Food Temple for a neighbourhood local experience in Mouraria.
Are pastéis de nata vegan?
The original recipe is not — eggs, butter, and cream are structural to the custard. Vegan versions are available at Mauz Vegan and some specialty bakeries. Worth trying; the version has improved as demand has grown.
Can I eat at traditional Portuguese restaurants as a vegan?
Yes, with communication. Caldo verde without chouriço, grilled vegetables with olive oil, açorda alentejana without the egg, sopa de legumes with vegetable broth — these are all possible with clear asking. Portuguese hospitality generally means people will try to accommodate you if you explain clearly.
What’s the average price for a vegan dinner in Lisbon?
€18–30 per person at mid-range vegan restaurants. €10–15 for casual lunches. Ao 26 runs €25–45 for a more complete meal. These prices are substantially below equivalent quality in Paris, Amsterdam, or London.
Where can I find vegan versions of Portuguese food?
Kong on Avenida Almirante Reis specialises in exactly this — vegan cod, francesinha, croquettes. It’s the most interesting vegan restaurant in Lisbon for understanding what Portuguese cuisine tastes like rebuilt from plant-based ingredients.
Bottom Line
Lisbon’s vegan scene is one of southern Europe’s most developed — Ao 26 for fine dining, Kong for plant-based Portuguese, Legumi for vegan sushi, Al Sanpietrino for vegan Italian. Even traditional tascas can adapt dishes. Use HappyCow to find spots near your accommodation, and don’t overlook the city’s supermarkets and local markets for self-catering. Lisbon proves that Portuguese food culture isn’t just bacalhau.
Continue with our Food Guide pillar, our best restaurants guide, our rundown of what to eat in Lisbon, and our hunt for the best custard tarts.
