Lisbon's Best Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants

Are you vegetarian and planning a vacation to Portugal, a country whose gastronomy is characterized by sizzling meats and fresh fish? No need to worry because you do have vegetarian options. I know, since I have a vegetarian boyfriend who does not go near any meat, fish or eggs so we've become very familiar with vegetarian dining in Lisbon.

Truthfully, as a vegetarian, you won’t find much options in the homey mom-and-pop restaurants that are nearly at every Lisbon corner where the waiter will most certainly be confused by your vegetarian request and suggest that you should perhaps have chicken instead or if not chicken, then undoubtedly you can eat a plate of beloved “bacalhau” (salted and dried cod fish). No, most people won’t understand your request because even the garden salad will have eggs in it and after much explaining, your options will be narrowed down to a basket of bread, a bottle of olive oil and some cheese.

Needless to say, as a vegetarian, you are limited in your restaurant options in Lisbon but no sweat because there are a handful of great vegetarian restaurants in Lisbon, that even I, as a non-vegetarian adore and enjoy going to with my vegetarian boyfriend. The list below are my personal favorite restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal that are either 100% vegetarian, vegan, or macrobiotic.

Hare Krishna is my favorite vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon. The restaurant doubles as a Hare Krishna Hindu temple and you don't actually choose what you'll eat but everyone is served the same meal, which varies daily. Upon your arrival, you will choose whether you want to sit in the outside garden or inside one of the three cozy room. Once you sit down, a waitress/monk will bring you a warm cup of tea, soup, and dessert. As soon as you finish your soup, the waitress/monk will promptly take it away and bring you a meal comprised of at least five dishes, full of protein and veggies and served on a metal plate. I've never been served a meal I didn't like. You can ask for extras and you won't be charged extra.

The restaurant can be a bit tricky to find since there are no signs for it outside but as you enter the building, it's just up the stairs, to the right. And remember, the restaurant is only open weekdays for lunch.

• Address: Rua Estefânia, 91, R/C
• Tel. #: (+351) 213 140 314
• Hours: Weekdays only, from 12am to 3pm
• Price: 7€

Read "Top 10 Restaurants in Lisbon, Portugal that Every Foodie Must Try"

Want to try traditional Portuguese food but feel limited in your options? Terra is the place for you because the buffet-style restaurant serves vegetarian versions of traditional Portuguese dishes, as well as Indian and Mediterranean cuisine, made from organic ingredients. The restaurant is 80% vegan. The restaurant is located in the picturesque medieval part of town - Bairro Alto and you have the option to sit inside on traditional Portuguese furniture, among hand-painted tiles or outside at the terrace. While there, try the organic, vegan and kosher Portuguese wines and the vegan desserts such as home-made ice cream!

• Address: Rua da Palmeira, 15
• Tel. #: (+351) 213 421 407
• Hours: Noon - 3:00pm; 7:30pm - 10:30pm; Closed on weekends and holidays
• Website: http://www.restauranteterra.pt/English/Welcome.html

Are you thinking of vising the Gulbenkian Museum and its Gardens? Then definitely stop by this small and cozy vegetarian restaurant, located just opposite of Gulbenkian Gardens. The restaurant serves a choice of 4 delicious dishes daily, which always come with a side of rice and salad and there's typically at least one vegan option. The portions are huge and and very reasonable priced, ranging from just €4.50 - €7. Try a freshly squeezed juice while there. There's even outdoor seating.

• Address: Rua Marques de Sa da Bandeira, 68 B

• Tel. #: (+351) 218 095 457

• Hours: Mon - Sat Noon - 4:00pm; 6.30pm-11.30pm

• Prices: €4.50 - €7

• Metro: Sao Sebastiao

Green Pepper is another awesome buffet-style "vegetariano" restaurant in Lisboa. The buffet offers a wide variety of hot and cold ovo-lacto dishes, which change daily. You can check out the website to find out what's on the menu today. You should try the fresh juice of the day to drink.

Address: Avenida José Malhoa, 14 - Loja 2. Campolide.

Tel. #: (+351) 217 260 001

Hours: Noon - 3:00pm; 7:30pm - 11:00pm; closed on Sundays

Metro: Praça de Espanha

WebSite: http://www.greenpepper.com.pt

Bem-Me-Quer (which translates to "Forget-Me-Not", like the flower) is another great vegetarian restaurant and what makes it special is that they do "Dinner in the Dark" ("Jantares As Escuras" in Portuguese). Want to be adventurous and eat your dinner completely in the dark? Then you will love this place. Just make a reservation ahead of time.

• Address: Av. Almirante Reis, 152
• Tel. #: (+351) 218 476 678
• Hours: 9.00am - 7.00pm Monday to Saturday; Closed on Sundays
• Metro: Arroios
• "Dinner in the Dark" price: €40
• Website: http://www.bem-me-quer.pt/index.html

PSI is a lovely vegetarian restaurant located in a small public garden, near the center of the city. You can choose to either eat inside or outside in the garden area. Interesting fact: the Dalai Lama once ate here.

• Address: Alameda St. António dos Capuchos, Jardim dos Sabores
• Tel. #: (+351) 213 590 573
• Hours: Noon - 11:00pm; Closed on Sundays and on holidays
• Website: http://www.restaurante-psi.com
• Average 3 course meal price: €20

Celeiro Dieta is a popular health food chain but the store's Restauradores location (in the town center) doubles as a restaurant specializing in macrobiotic foods, although not all vegetarian. Prices are very reasonable, at around €8 a meal.

• Address: Rua 1º de Dezembro, 65
• Tel. #: (+351) 210 306 030
• Hours: Mon - Fri 9:00am to 8:30pm; Sat. 9:00am - 7:00pm; Closed on Sundays
• Metro: Restauradores (Blue Line)
• Website: http://www.celeiro-dieta.pt/

If you're going on a day trip to Sintra, you have to stop by Soul Food!

• Address: Volta do Duche, 2
• Tel. #: (+351) 913 806 292 or 211 976 517