Fish and meat may be heavily featured on most menus in Algarve (and throughout Portugal), but vegetarians have nothing to worry about and definitely won’t leave feeling even the slightest hunger pangs. There are plenty of restaurants that offer vegetarian and vegan options amid all the surf and turf, including Indian and other non-Portuguese cuisines, with a few spots being purely veggie-based. Here’s our pick of the best restaurants to try in Algarve if you’re vegetarian or vegan.
This buffet-style restaurant is considered one of the best lunch spots in Albufeira with a strong focus on vegetarian and vegan meals; they even serve vegan desserts. It’s also a smart choice for diners on a budget as all-you-can-eat meals (without drinks and dessert) cost around €7. As the name Eurasia suggests, the menu offers a mix of European and Asian influences. A few traditional Portuguese dishes (with meat) round out the experience nicely, so there is something for everyone.
This vegan restaurant in Albufeira is a year old and includes a biological and macrobiotic focus. The meals are homemade and reviews attest that diners will leave feeling comfortably full. True to Portugal’s terrace dining culture, the Alfarroba Café also offers outside seating, as well as take-away options. There are also books and art exhibitions to enjoy, providing some good ways to spend a relaxing day.
A name like Mel & Limão (which translates to Honey and Lemon) holds promise when it comes to clean eating and this spot is making a lot of people happy. Mel & Limão is a 100% vegan restaurant in the centre of Faro that offers breakfast, lunch and dinner, as well as coffee and pastries. It’s also relatively inexpensive so it’s wallet-friendly too.
If you like everything about green and holistic living, from vegan food to yoga, visit Outro Lado in Faro. This restaurant loves the planet and aims to educate its patrons about clean, green living practices, from workshops to daily routines (like reducing waste). Their cuisine style ranges from Asian to European and, as an extra plus, they also serve vegan ice cream. Just remember that this spot closes between lunch and dinner (as is usual in Portugal), so plan accordingly.
Also in Faro is Gengibre E Canela, meaning Ginger and Cinnamon, an all-you-can-eat vegetarian restaurant that has been serving green meals for nearly a decade. From vegetarian feijoada (a traditional bean stew normally containing pork) to soup, curry, and tofu, you shouldn’t be disappointed by the options on offer (which change regularly).
Bem Me Quero is another restaurant that has something for everyone, from traditional meals to Mediterranean classics and a wide range of vegetarian-friendly dishes. The chef who began this restaurant, Susana Ferreira, was an engineering student when she decided to pursue a career as a health-focused chef instead – now she engineers culinary masterpieces! In addition to recipes for every palate, Bem Me Quero serves fresh juices and a variety of tasty desserts. It is located in Almancil, 11km east of Vilamoura.
If you’re in or around Lagos and looking for a place to eat, try Estudio Vegetariano. This is a vegetarian restaurant with a Mediterranean flair that serves everything from falafel to lasagna and a range of other dishes which they change on their menu regularly. This is a dinner spot, so don’t try visiting before 6pm and call in advance if looking to head over.
Are you heading to East Algarve and want to know where to go for a vegan dinner? Try Mandala in Tavira, a little café with lots of flavour. It’s purely vegan too, which isn’t something common in the traditional, less touristy areas of Portugal.
