The 6 Best Vegetarian Restaurants In Lisbon

Despite the abundance of meat-heavy sandwiches and seafood dishes in Lisbon, there’s a wealth of terrific veggie eateries that hide deep within the City of the Seven Hills.

That’s not to say I’m not partial to a beefy prego sandwich (which you’ll know if you’ve joined my Lisbon food tours!), but I’m equally fond of a veggie alternative now and again. The meat-free options go beyond traditional Portuguese food, as plenty of international eateries serve the city, too.

These are the best vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon that are sure to please any plant-based foodie.

Arkhe

Photo credit: Arkhe

Príncipe Real is home to one of the best eateries with vegetarian options in Lisbon, arkhe, which also happens to be a Michelin-starred spot.

If you’re looking for a meat-free fine dining experience or one with gluten-free options, I don’t think it gets much better than this. Despite its highly-regarded food, the restaurant was surprisingly laidback with bright white walls, old wooden panels, and stone features.

I made a reservation for just after midday, which meant I could tuck into the three-course lunch menu. Of the three exquisite dishes, the pumpkin agnolotti impressed me the most.

It’s not often I spot agnolotti on a menu outside of Italy, but this thin, stuffed pasta and its sweet pumpkin filling was as good as any I’ve tried before. The crumbly, sharp gorgonzola and tangy quince sauce were welcome accompaniments.

arkhe (€€€) – Rua de São Filipe Néri 14, 1250-227 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm and every Tuesday to Friday from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm and from 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm

Organi Chiado

Photo credit: Organi Chiado

Organi Chiado is an award-winning vegan restaurant in, you guessed it, the Chiado district. Although the restaurant focuses on vegan food, meat-eaters and vegetarians are sure to love this place, too.

The cute decor is reason enough to visit. As much as I was drawn to the soaring archways and turquoise walls inside, the umbrella-covered outdoor terrace had a lively ambiance I couldn’t resist.

When I glanced over the menu, which my waiter informed me changes almost daily, I was struck by the incredible mix of Portuguese dishes with international influences. I was initially set on the seitan meatballs but made a last-minute switch to chickpea curry.

In no time, a piping hot bowl of creamy curry arrived with a side of fluffy jasmine rice. While the toasted, nutty chickpeas were the stand-out feature of the dish for me, I also couldn’t get enough of the thick, mildly spicy curry sauce and peppery parsley.

Organi Chiado (€€) – Calçada Nova de São Francisco 2, 1200-300 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Ao 26

Photo credit: Ao 26

Ao 26 in Bairro Alto is regularly ranked among the best vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon, and I made it my business to stop by after hearing such stellar reviews.

I instantly fell in love with the vibe here. The textured stone walls stood out against the funky navy and orange furniture, and the smiling staff made me feel at home right away.

Given the length of the menu and the mouthwatering descriptions of each item, I knew I’d struggle to pick just one dish here. In an effort to keep things diverse, I opted for one of their vegan burgers, followed by the peanut chocolate cake.

The tender and mild tofu patty took on the flavors of the crunchy breadcrumbs, refreshing arugula, and rich vegan cheese. As full as I was after the burger, I managed to have just enough room to finish my heavenly dessert.

This cake perfectly balanced sweet and savory flavors and consisted of layers of roasted peanuts and thick chocolate with a moist sponge.

Ao 26 (€€) – R. Horta Seca 5, 1200-213 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 12:30 pm to 6:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Manjerica

Photo credit: Manjerica

Manjerica lies along the edge of the Alfama district and is a mecca for vegetarian fare. Thanks to its tasty vegan options, it’s also an excellent spot for anyone following an entirely plant-based diet.

From the moment I spotted Manjerica, the sleek green and white dining area lured me inside. The team here has held onto some old-school touches with the stone arches and high ceilings, but the wicker seating and marble-style tables give it a contemporary feel.

Brunch is what these guys do best, so I kept it classic and went for eggs benedict. It had all the must-have elements, including buttery poached eggs and zesty hollandaise sauce, but was served on a super-soft slice of light brioche bread.

I couldn’t quite kick my craving for a dessert, so I battled between finishing with a pastel de nata or a helping of ice cream. Unsurprisingly, the pastel de nata won me over, and I devoured the lemony custard and flaky pastry in seconds!

Manjerica (€€) – Rua João das Regras, Praça da Figueira 5-A, 1100-293 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm, Friday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed every Saturday

Shree Ram Restaurant

Photo credit: Shree Ram Restaurant

I came across Shree Ram after spending the morning in the nearby Jardim do Arco do Cego. After almost a week of Portuguese grub, switching things up with some Indian food sounded great.

The interior here is actually quintessentially Portuguese in style, but it’s also filled with Indian-inspired woven lampshades and ornaments.

Shree Ram is a vegan-friendly restaurant, though the menu mostly consists of vegetarian food. After spending several minutes working my way through the extensive menu, I decided to try the vegetable biryani.

What I loved about this dish was how it combined such simple ingredients, yet the flavors were so powerful. Mixed in the floral, saffron-imbued rice was an assortment of subtly sweet cauliflower, earthy green beans, and citrussy cilantro.

Shree Ram Restaurant (€€) – Av. Duque de Ávila 11-13, 1000-138 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Veganapati

Photo credit: Veganapati

Veganapati sits close to Rossio Square, a few meters from D. Maria II national theater and has become one of Lisbon’s most acclaimed and best-loved vegetarian restaurants. Although it specializes in Asian cuisine, hints of Latin American and European influence are evident on the menu, too.

The decor is Instagram-worthy, complete with suede pink and teal seating, plant-clad walls, and chic wooden fixtures. As picture-perfect as it was, the warmth of the staff was what really made the vibe here so inviting.

Whether you’re craving tikka masala, hot dogs, or nourishing soups, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for here. I had a hankering for some Mexican food, so I jumped at the chance to sample the vegetarian al pastor tacos.

Each crispy corn tortilla was overflowing with marinated, meaty seitan, silky-smooth, lightly spiced guacamole, and juicy pico de gallo. On top were thin slices of tart pineapple, which added brightness to each bite. All three tacos were immaculately presented and garnished with edible flowers.

Veganapati (€€) – R. das Portas de Santo Antão 22, 1150-114 Lisboa, Portugal – Open every day from 12:00 pm to 10:00 pm

Conclusion

Since Portugal is becoming quite the culinary hotspot, it’s hardly surprising that its vibrant capital plays host to some delightful veggie eateries. Narrowing down the best vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon is a difficult undertaking, but these spots deserve all the hype they get!