Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Porto

Porto is a secret gem when it comes to finding some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Portugal. From coffee houses like Noshi Coffee to purely vegetarian restaurants like Vegana by Tentúgal, there are a lot of vegetarian options to fall in love with.

With so many veggie-centric eateries, it helps to have a game plan. So, I decided to peel back some of the layers to help you find some of the best vegetarian restaurants to include in your next Porto food tour.

Noshi Coffee

Photo credit: Noshi Coffee

Noshi Coffee is a world-class coffee shop in Porto’s Baixa neighborhood that caters to a health-conscious clientele. Many of the dishes and beverages on their menu are vegetarian or vegan-friendly, with some gluten-free options. They often serve brunch on weekends, which includes a bounty of vegetarian dishes.

The ambiance inside Noshi is more laid back compared to other coffee shops. The soft lighting, natural wood elements, and abundant greenery invite you to sit back and stay a while. You’d be forgiven for planning a slow lunch here and then lingering for hours to answer your emails and get a little work done.

The menu is creative with a commitment to fresh, wholesome ingredients. They make every effort to infuse their specials with what’s in season and what’s best at the Mercado. Some of their most popular dishes include their avocado toast, topped with creative extras like flaxseeds and microgreens. They also have some colorful smoothie bowls that I really like.

The last one I had was a visual feast like something out of a Van Goh painting. It used a base of mature bananas, which gave it a depth of sweetness and a tropical aroma. Then topped it with a swirl of in-season strawberries and blueberries. A light topping of granola gave it the crunch it needed. Then I added a drizzle of wildflower honey to help bring it all together.

Noshi is a true coffee shop. You could easily stop here in the morning for a light breakfast pastel de nata with one of their flat whites, cappuccinos, or a pour-over brew.

Noshi Coffee (€€) – Rua do Carmo 11 12, 4050-164 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM.

Com Cuore

Tucked away in Porto’s Cedofeita neighborhood, Com Cuore focuses on fresh, healthy cuisine. They’re very popular with locals who are looking for nutritious vegetarian dining options.

Com Cuore’s ambiance is warm and cozy, with minimalist décor. The interior space might feel a little limited, but it gives it an intimate atmosphere that’s perfect for sharing a healthy light meal with an old friend.

Their menu is festooned with flavorful vegetarian and vegan options. Each of which emphasizes fresh ingredients and balanced flavors. Their veggie bowls are very popular with locals and tourists alike. Most feature a mix of quinoa, and fresh vegetables, with creative, flavorful dressings.

I think the secret must-try item at Com Cuore is their vegetarian soup of the day. The chefs always do an impeccable job of teasing out subtle flavors.

My favorite was a sopa de abóbora, pumpkin soup, I had on a fall visit. You could taste the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, which was brought forward with a hint of lemon. There was also a slow-building heat to it, from the seasoning pepper in the mix.

Com Cuore (€€) – Rua Trindade Coelho entrada 10 Loja 11, 4050-618 Porto, Portugal – Open Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 AM to 7:00 PM. Closed on Mondays.

daTerra Baixa

Photo credit: daTerra Baixa

daTerra Baixa is one of the best vegetarian and vegan restaurants in downtown Porto. It has a well-earned reputation for offering a vibrant atmosphere, with creative plant-based cuisine.  

The decor at daTerra Baixa is modern and minimalist, with rich earth tones and abundant natural light, to give it an organic feel. The seating areas are cozy enough to encourage intimate conversation, yet spacious enough to give you a sense of privacy. The staff is attentive and knowledgeable, making it easy to find something to suit your taste.

daTerra Baixa’s menu changes with the seasons or what’s best at the Mercado. While a la carte options like vegan lasagna, stuffed mushroom, and quinoa salad are staples, they sometimes offer buffet-style dining.  

The last time I was there I tried their sweet potato gnocchi. It had the heartiness and starchy body you expect from a typical Italian potato gnocchi, with a slight tinge of sweetness.

However, my favorite thing that night was my vegan chocolate cake for dessert. It was truly decadent and sweet; without the heaviness you sometimes find in vegan cakes.

daTerra Baixa (€€) – Rua de Mouzinho da Silveira 249, 4050-421 Porto, Portugal – Open every day from 9:00 AM to 10:30 PM. 

Vegana By Tentúgal

Vegana by Tentúgal stands out as one of the few places in Porto or even Lisbon that makes a vegetarian Pastel de Nata. It’s also conveniently located within a short walk of São Bento train station. So, you can stop off for a quick snack or a casual meal, even if you’re planning to tour a different part of the city.  

The interior atmosphere is cozy with minimalist décor. The seating is arranged to make it amenable for sharing a vegetarian meal with a close friend.

While Vegana by Tentúgal’s pastel de nata is a must-try item, the menu is rife with other vegetarian offerings. Including plant-based desserts and gluten-free pastries.

Their lunch menu includes some great vegetarian and vegan versions of Portuguese classics. This includes things like tofu dishes, seitan, and a vegetarian francesinha sandwich that uses plant-based ingredients to recreate the sausage, cheese, and sauce.

When I was there last, I had the daily special vegetarian quiche. I appreciated that the chef roasted the vegetables before mixing them into the quiche to make sure they were properly done. It’s something you don’t always get in vegetarian quiche, while also adding depth of flavor.

Vegana by Tentúgal (€€) – Rua de Santo Ildefonso 412, Porto, Portugal – Open from Wednesday to Monday from 11:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.

APURO Vegan Bar

Photo credit: APURO Vegan Bar

If you’re in the mood for a quality cocktail, or craft beer and some vegetarian tapas, then you need to check out APURO Vegan Bar. Located in the trendy Bonfim neighborhood of Porto, it’s a well-known watering hole for the locals that’s also popular with tourists.

This vegan bar’s ambiance has a rustic feel. The wooden furniture and decor look like a modernized version of the old Porto “Tascas” on the Douro River a century ago. They even add some touches of greenery to enhance the organic vibe.

The menu at APURO Vegan Bar is almost primarily vegan with many vegetarian options. Their most popular items include plant-based burgers, vegan francesinha, and specialty bowls.

Even if you’re not vegetarian, but you’re curious to sample the cuisine, Apuro Vegan Bar is a great place to get a taste. The friendly staff can help you navigate their menu, to find what best suits your mood.

The vegan nachos are one of my favorite things to order at APURO. The vegetarian cheese sauce they use has just the right amount of “Nooch” nutritional yeast to give it the odor and richness of real cheese. Yet it’s properly balanced, to not overpower the rest of the vegetarian ingredients.

Apuro Vegan Bar (€€) – Rua do Breiner 236, 4050-124 Porto, Portugal – Open Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 12:30 PM to 11:00 PM. Open Friday and Saturday from 1:00 PM to 12:00 AM. Closed on Wednesday and Sunday.

Conclusion

As a world city, Porto proudly offers some of the best vegetarian restaurants in Western Europe. From vegetarian-friendly coffee shops like Noshi Coffee to the creative cuisine of vegetarian restaurants like Vegana by Tentúgal there’s something for everyone. 

Of course, this is just a sampling of some of my favorite vegetarian restaurants. There are many others on Eating Europe’s menu to consider including in your next Porto food tour.