The 5 Best Healthy Restaurants In Porto

If you’re trying to stay in shape and maintain a healthy diet, Porto has a lot to offer. Like many major European cities, they embrace a wide range of ethnic cuisines and foodways. Including some of the best healthy restaurants you’ll find in Portugal.

From Asian restaurants like Sushi & Co to Mediterranean cafes like Nicolau Porto and even restaurants with a largely gluten-free menu like Tia Tia, there’s a little something for everyone. If you’re looking to keep your diet on point, yet still enjoy some great Portuguese meals, you might want to include some of these healthy restaurants in your next Porto food tour.

Zenith Brunch & Cocktails Bar in Porto

Photo credit: Zenith Brunch & Cocktails Bar in Porto

If you’re fresh off the plane, and you need to dial into Porto’s energy, but you still want to eat something healthy, then Zenith Brunch & Cocktail Bar might just be the perfect spot. It’s located in the heart of Porto’s Cedofeita neighborhood, which makes it trendy with locals and tourists alike.

Just don’t let the name trick you into thinking this is a cocktail bar that offers a little bit of a brunch service on the side. Zenith Brunch & Cocktails Bar is more of a healthy brunch spot that also happens to offer adult beverages, like Bloody Marys and mimosas.

The interior atmosphere and decor are chic and contemporary, with cozy seating. It’s a great spot to catch a healthy bite with an old friend. Yet it’s also a place where you can catch a quick meal on your own and feel comfortable dining by yourself.

The menu is extensive with indulgent meals mixed in with health-conscious dishes and vegetarian options. This includes acai bowls, oatmeal bowls, avocado toast, and smoothie bowls. All are made with impeccably fresh ingredients like quinoa, vibrant greens, and in-season vegetables.

However, I’m a big fan of their vegan pancakes, which I order every time. They have a cloud-like fluffiness, which can be challenging for a vegan pancake that doesn’t use whipped egg whites. I especially love it when strawberries are in season like they were on my last visit.

I also love that they’re served with real maple syrup. This might not sound like a big deal in the US, but maple syrup is a little harder to come by in Europe which I think gives Zenith’s vegan pancakes a little taste of home.

Zenith Brunch & Cocktail Bar (€€) – Praça de Carlos Alberto 86, 4050-158 Porto, Portugal – Open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM.

O Diplomata

Photo credit: O Diplomata

Also located in Porto’s Cedofeita neighborhood, O Diplomata has a vibrant energy and a menu rife with healthy options. It has a little bit of a youthful vibe, and budget-conscious pricing, which I think makes it popular with students who are studying abroad.

The ambiance is warm and welcoming, with natural decor, and a lot of wood accents, interspersed with living greenery. It gives you an authentic sense that they truly do care about sustainability and eco-conscious practices.

While there are some less-than-healthy options available most of O Diplomata’s menu is festooned with nutritious dishes.  Some of their more popular items include smoothie bowls, avocado toast, and some impressively fresh salads.

As a pancake lover, I come to O Diplomata for their build-your-own pancake breakfast. It’s not 100% vegan, but it’s a lighter style of pancake, with so many different toppings I felt spoiled for choice.  

My favorite combination calls for a heavy-handed mix of seasonal strawberries and blueberries that are alive with natural sweetness. Then I gave it a good dose of nuts to boost the protein and give it some much-needed crunch.

O Diplomata (€) – Rua de José Falcão 32, 4050-198 Porto, Portugal – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Open Sunday from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

Nola Kitchen

Photo credit: Nola Kitchen

Nestled in Porto’s Baixa neighborhood, Nola Kitchen offers healthy foods centered around fresh, wholesome ingredients. They also have a well-earned reputation for catering to a wide range of dietary preferences including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.

The atmosphere in Nola Kitchen is warm with tons of organic touches that gives it a laid-back yet chic ambiance. It’s modern, yet minimalist, with warm tones from all the wood accents.

The menu is largely based on locally sourced, organic produce that showcases a range of flavors. This includes Portuguese classics as well as gluten-free and plant-based dishes to suit any taste.

While I appreciate their take on avocado toast, and their vividly colored smoothie bowls, my go-to at Nola Kitchen is their classic açaí bowl. It’s made with a base of açaí berries and then topped with fruit and granola.

The last one I ordered was when strawberries were in season. The berries were sliced and given a bright hit of lemon to really wake them up. It also helped them blend with the tropical flavor of the bananas and coconut flakes. Every bite was as nutritious as it was flavorfully satisfying.

Nola Kitchen (€€) – Praça D. Filipa de Lencastre 25, 4050-259 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Nicolau Porto

Photo credit: Nicolau Porto

If you’re a fan of the Mediterranean diet, then Nicolau Porto needs to be high on your list of healthy restaurants to try. It’s located deep in the beating heart of downtown Porto, close to other shops and tourist attractions. Making it a great place to catch lunch or dinner while exploring the city.

The ambiance of Nicolau Porto’s interior is cozy with warm wooden accents, green plants, and a relaxed vibe. However, I think the place to be is the outdoor seating area. Especially on pleasant days when you’re in the mood for a casual-paced meal with a side of people-watching.

Nicolau Porto’s menu is carefully curated with several healthy Mediterranean options. The quinoa salad, Mediterranean salad, and the Mediterranean grain bowl are all popular healthy options.

However, my favorite is the house specialty Nicolau Bowl. It’s made with a base of brown rice faro, and roasted vegetables. The last one I ate had earthy, roasted red potatoes and onions included as they were in season. Then you can choose to add a protein like chicken. However, I went with firm tofu, which gave the Nicolau bowl some extra umami.

Nicolau Porto (€€) – Largo de Alberto Pimentel 4, 4050-214 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM.

Tia Tia

If you’re living on a gluten-free diet, but you don’t want to miss out on the authentic flavors of Portugal, then Tia Tia might become your go-to restaurant in Porto. It’s within reasonable walking distance of popular attractions like Soares dos Reis National Museum, and Cordoaria Garden.

Tia Tia’s atmosphere is relaxed with modern décor that uses clean lines, neutral tones, and natural wood accents. They use an open kitchen concept which adds to their charm, while also adding a little bit of entertainment value.

The menu showcases contemporary Portuguese cuisine, and tapas with an emphasis on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Many of their ingredients are sourced fresh that day from the Bolhão Market. The seasonality of the menu and the specials gives you an authentic sense that they truly do care about sustainability and eco-conscious practices. 

While Tia Tia isn’t 100% gluten-free, they do have an extensive array of gluten-free dishes on their menu. This includes vibrant salads, hearty vegetarian dishes, and locally caught fresh fish cooked to perfection.

On my last stop at Tia Tia, I had a house-special roasted vegetables dish, that was sourced from a local farm. It was served with a gluten-free grain and grilled robalo sea bass. The smoky flavors of the fish played nicely with the earthy flavors of the roasted root vegetables. The gluten-free grains even soaked up a little bit of the olive oil and herb sauce it was dressed with.

Tia Tia (€€€) – Rua do Almada 501, 4050-039 Porto, Portugal – Open Tuesday to Saturday from 6:30 PM to 11:00 PM.

Sushi & Co

Photo credit: Sushi & Co

Sushi might not be the first thing you think of when making dinner plans in Porto, but once you get to Sushi and Co, you understand why. Especially when you consider Porto’s long relationship with the sea, and high-end seafood, a healthy Asian restaurant like Sushi & Co starts to make a lot of sense.

From the moment you step through the door, you can’t help but notice the contemporary and stylish décor. It has a touch of Japanese influence with clean lines, and Asian decor without going over the top. They aren’t trying to make you feel like you’ve somehow been transported to downtown Tokyo.

Of course, there’s an open sushi bar, with the almost theatrical display like you get at some Japanese restaurants. It gives you the chance to watch the sushi chefs as they prepare each dish with absolute precision.

The Sushi & Co offers a diverse selection of sashimi and sushi, with many healthy options. However, they also have several specialty salads that are fresh and vibrant. Including their popular seaweed salad and avocado salad. Many of their offerings have cute names like Soy in Love, Wish for Fish, and Hot O’clock.

On my last stop at Sushi & Co., I had some of their tuna rolls, which I believe were made from fresh Atlantic bluefin. Each one was rich and buttery, and the sushi rice was perfectly toothsome.

Sushi & Co (€€) – Rua do Campo Alegre 1578, 4150-176 Porto, Portugal – Open Monday to Friday for Lunch from Noon to 2:00 PM, with dinner service from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Open Saturday and Sunday for lunch from 12:30 to 2:30 PM with dinner service from 7:00 to 10:30.

Conclusion

The wide variety of healthy restaurants in Porto provides a little something for everyone. If you’re a veggie lover or just a foodie looking to try some high-end gluten-free Portuguese cuisine, Tia Tia and Zenith Brunch & Cocktail Bar might be at the top of your list. If you love fresh fish and Japanese cuisine, then Sushi & Co’s take on what can be done with the bounty of the Portuguese waters is sure to impress.

Of course, the healthy restaurants on this list aren’t the only options in Porto. Eating Europe’s Porto food tours also include options in nearby towns like Vila Nova de Gaia, Matosinhos, and some gems in the Douro River Valley.