The best vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon

When Belcanto’s dish of carrots cooked in a variety of ways with cashew milk became one of the star dishes – even with meat, fish, and seafood dishes on the menu – José Avillez realised there was a whole array of opportunities to be explored in the world of vegetables. While this was hardly a brand-new realisation, at a restaurant like Belcanto, he wasn’t able to dedicate himself fully to this new project. So, after many trials, the chef opened Encanto. João Diogo Formiga heads the kitchen, and just nine months after opening, the restaurant earned its star, becoming the first vegetarian restaurant on the Iberian Peninsula to achieve this feat. There are no à la carte dishes, only a 12-course tasting menu.

Arkhe is a Greek word meaning ‘beginning’ or ‘origin’, but this restaurant has come a long way from where it began. Now in a new location, the vegetarian restaurant by João Ricardo Alves and Alejandro Chávarro has all the space it needs to reach its potential. It’s larger, more comfortable, and offers better conditions for customers and staff, all while staying true to its founding principle: proving that fine dining doesn’t need to serve meat or fish to shine. Three menus are available: with the Carta Branca menu (€100 for seven courses, plus €90 for wine pairing), you leave the choices to the chef, while with the Descoberta menu (€80 for five courses, plus €70 for wine pairing), you select the dishes yourself. There is also a Lunch Menu (€58 for three courses, plus €48 with wines).

The Hindu temple’s canteen promises good food for less, serving lunches for €9.90 and dinners for €11.90. The dishes change daily, so there’s no time wasted pondering the menu. There’s also no alcohol, knife, or fork, but this doesn’t matter, as the roti serves as your utensil. The food is served buffet style with no meat, fish or eggs in any dishes. The main dishes are usually a dhal and two stews, with soup, white rice and legumes served alongside. Plus, the samosas are a must-try.

Walk along a certain stretch of Rua do Salitre and you’re sure to smell the delicious aromas wafting from the kitchen at Os Tibetanos, a restaurant which is known for its lovely interior courtyard and which takes inspiration from various Asian cuisines. On the menu, you’ll find seitan curry, tofu steak with goat cheese, spinach and cheese momos, delicious Indian papadoms, excellent Nepalese momos (dumplings filled with spinach and cheese), and a tasty mango curry with tofu. These specialities aim to show that a satisfying meal need not include meat and fish. Moreover, the restaurant is a deeply relaxing space.

On the roof of this shop/café/gallery, you'll find one of Cascais's best terraces, which serves vegetarian, vegan, and even raw meals in the summer. Visit House of Wonder to buy ceramics, enjoy a drink on the terrace while taking in the views, or try one of the salads, juices, cakes, or teas. 

Established in 2005, this is one of Lisbon’s must-visit vegetarian restaurants, serving up a winning formula of delicious dishes (try the vegetable lasagne), generous portions, and friendly service. Plates vary in size and price but are always budget-friendly – ten euros usually covers it. Regular customers are full of praise for the desserts and natural juices.

PSI opened 15 years ago, making it one of the city’s oldest and most special vegetarian restaurants. The garden, featuring a waterfall and a pond with ducks, turtles, and koi fish, was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama and also includes a children’s playground and a garden with aromatic plants and herbs. Chef Yasser Saiyad prepares daily dishes with Indian, Thai, and Italian influences, some of which are vegan and gluten-free. The menu includes mango ceviche, vegetable samosas, roti with ricotta, honey, and walnuts, feta or chickpea falafel salads, sweet and sour aubergine dishes, seitan meatballs, and pistachio praline pannacotta to finish everything on a sweet note.

Neither Fátima Guerra nor Frank Legrand are vegan or even vegetarian, but they follow a balanced diet, are mindful of sustainability, and believe that everyone should eat consciously. This lifestyle and approach to food is what this Portuguese and French duo – who spent 25 years in the UK and worked at both Michelin-starred establishments and coffee shops – brought to Tiffin Café, a plant-based café near Janelas Verdes. There is no freezer; ingredients are mainly sourced from local producers, and everything is fresh. The lunch menu is posted on Facebook and Instagram, while the breakfast menu remains consistent, though the fruits vary according to season.