Porto is a city in Portugal that has embraced the global rise of veganism and is now offering a lot of vegan options. Even though traditional Portuguese dishes often feature seafood and meat.
Porto is famous for its rich history, charming architecture, and amazing cuisine. It is the second largest city in Portugal. There are many things to experience in Porto, from the lovely old town to the world-famous wine cellars. For us, the city is very unique and worth visiting.
Many vegan restaurants and traditional eateries are offering vegan options. Locals and visitors can find delicious plant-based dining experiences in Porto.
Our travel guide will help you find all the best parts of Porto and its vegan cuisine.
WHERE TO STAY IN PORTO
We stayed at the Chic & Basic Gravity Hotel in Porto, you can check the hotel here. The hotel is new and in the best location possible. It also has a private parking garage, which was a big plus for us. Because of the hotel’s central location, everything in the city is within walking distance, so you do not need to use public transport.
VEGAN FOOD IN PORTO
More and more restaurants are adapting their menus to include vegan options. In our experience, Porto is a vegan-friendly city.
ODETE VEGAN BAKEY
This is probably my favourite place in Porto. It is a small and cute vegan bakery. They have bread, pain au chocolat, cinnamon buns, muffins, croissants, and the famous pastel de nata.
I had a good cup of coffee and the most delicious traditional vegan pastel de nata.
ESPÉCIE IN PORTO
It is a vegetarian restaurant with a variety of creative vegan items on the menu. You can have corn soup, Korean fried cauliflower, artichoke crostini, roasted and caramelized celeriac, eggplant schnitzel, sweet potato curry, and many more.
OUTRA ESPÉCIE
The menu is very similar to the original Especie restaurant. We tried three different dishes: Tofummus and Korean Fried Cauliflower, and Breaded Tofu Curry. Everything tasted great!
ZENITH IN PORTO
We did not have breakfast at our hotel. Zenith was the closest breakfast spot to us, and we loved it. They have a great selection of plant-based options. The food is delicious, and the staff is very friendly.
For breakfast, you can have nachos with beetroot hummus, homemade granola with soy yoghurt, acai bowl, pancakes, tacos, different types of toast, and smoothie bowls.
JARDINEIRO VEGAN IN PORTO
Vegan upscale dining restaurant in Porto. The prices are higher than in other restaurants, but their menu is wide with a big selection of dishes. When visiting, do not skip the dessert!
ALTERNATIVE BURGER
Alternative burger restaurant is famous for its delicious burgers, as a result it is one of the best-reviewed vegetarian/vegan restaurants in the area. The restaurant is located a little bit out of the city centre of Porto.
VEGANA BY TENTÚGAL
A vegan grocery store and restaurant located in Porto. They have the famous Francesinha sandwich, which is the signature dish in this area. Originally, it is made with lots of different types of meat, and it is covered with cheese and beer sauce. Here it is made 100 % vegan! They also have other food on their menu.
MY GREEN PASTRY
It is a vegan pastry shop and lunch café. They have a beautiful selection of homemade desserts.
DATERRA BAIXA
A vegan all-you-can-eat buffet restaurant offering different daily menus every week. You can stop there for brunch, lunch, and dinner.
We visited them in their second location in Mercado Beira-Rio. We were not very hungry, so we just had a very good piece of cake.
KIND KITCHEN
It is a vegan restaurant offering snacks to share, wraps, toasts, burgers, and healthy bowls. They also have vegan francesinha sandwich and yellow curry.
APURO
It is a vegan and organic restaurant. They have tapas, toasts, burritos, burgers, hot dogs, and healthy bowls.
WINE TASTING AND SHOPPING IN PORTO
Wine tasting is a must when visiting Porto because the city is famous for its Port wine. There are many guided tours and wine tastings available in the city. One of the best-rated guided tours is at Cockburn’s Lodge, the largest Port cellar in the historic quarter of Vila Nova de Gaia.
Rua Santa Catarina is one of the main shopping streets where you can explore international and local brands of fashion, accessories, and souvenirs. In the area is also a historic market called Mercado do Bolhão that opened in 1914. On the market, you can find some vegan snacks like freshly cut fruit and smoothies.
WHAT TO DO IN PORTO
The most famous monument in Porto is the Luis I Bridge. It is an iconic double-deck iron bridge. You can cross the bridge at the top or the bottom. We did it both ways, and the top part of the bridge provides stunning views of Porto, especially during sunset.
Our favourite spot for sunset watching was at the public park called Jardim do Morro just across the Luis I Bridge. The sunset was just amazing. This is one of the best things to do when visiting Porto.
Igreja do Carmo and the Chapel of Souls are significant landmarks in Porto that you must visit. And there is also the Chapel of Souls, which is famous for its extraordinary exterior covered in blue-and-white azulejo tiles.
Rua das Flores is one of the most charming streets in Porto. There are many boutiques, restaurants, and cafes. Nearby is also a historical neighbourhood called Ribeira; the main attraction there is Cais da Ribeira, which is the picturesque waterfront promenade. There are many cafes and street performers, and it is a very lively area.
Don’t miss the stunning São Bento Train Station. It is one of the most beautiful train stations in the world. This train station is truly remarkable because of its magnificent interior, particularly the main hall.
DAY TRIPS FROM PORTO
One hour away from Porto, there is a city called Aveiro. This city is often referred to as the Venice of Portugal. It is known for its picturesque canals and colourful Moliceiro boats, which are very similar to Venetian gondolas.
You can explore the city’s historic centre, lined with traditional tiled buildings and charming cafés. There are also a few vegan and vegetarian restaurants like Musgo or Raiz, where you can have lunch.
If you are already in Aveiro, there is also our favourite spot in the area called Praia da Costa Nova. It is a stunning beach known for its iconic colourful houses.
The other daily trip option from Porto is visiting the Douro Valley. It is a stunning region famous for its breathtaking landscapes and world-class vineyards. You can enjoy wine tastings, river cruises, and explore charming wine estates. The site is famous for producing Portugal’s Port wine.
Overall, while Porto may be known for its traditional cuisine, the city has embraced the growing demand for vegan food. With an increasing number of plant-based restaurants, cafes, markets, and specialty shops, Porto offers a great selection of restaurants for vegans and those searching for plant-based dining experiences.
SEE ALSO: Vegan Barcelona: 10 Must-Try Restaurants for Plant-Based Foodies