Plant-Based Date Night Spots in Lisbon

A completely vegan restaurant serving up Portuguese classics, this is the place for you if you've been wanting to try famous Portuguese dishes that fit your plant-based lifestyle. Located right near Parque Eduardo VII, A Minha Avó is the perfect place to go after enjoying a stroll through the park with your lover. The restaurant is popular among tourists and locals alike and can be quite busy, so make a reservation to be safe. **The entrance is on the main thoroughfare but has an inconspicuous sign that makes it hard to find. The portion sizes here are very generous, so you can easily split an entree between two people. Recommended Dishes: To start: - You can't go wrong with the Croquetes de "Carne" to start. They're crispy, super flavorful, and go perfectly with the spicy mayonnaise. - For something lighter, the Salada de "Polvo" is delicious. The flavors and texture of an octopus salad made with mushrooms are spot on. For the main: You can't really go wrong with any of the entrees here, everything we've tried has been delicious. - If you're in the mood for a hearty, sticks-to-your-ribs dish, get the "Bacalhau" com Natas, and consider sharing it with your date. It's a creamy, salty, comforting combo of leeks, mushrooms, and potato smothered in a seaweed-infused bechamel sauce to give you the flavor of the sea. - My husband also really enjoyed his Rolo de "Carne," which is a great choice if you're not an adventurous eater. A house-made sausage on a smoked potato puree, and a wine reduction, it's a classic. - If you're here for lunch, the Bowl da Avó seems like it'd be boring but is actually delicious! Highly recommend for a lighter lunch that is also gluten-free. For dessert: - All of their desserts look amazing, but the Doce da Casa is our go-to. With layers of softened cookies, custard, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings, every mouthful is heaven. **If you are strictly gluten-free, I recommend going here for lunch instead of dinner as they have a different lunch menu with more gluten-free options.

This is a chic Italian restaurant north of Saldanha with a completely vegan menu. It's perfect for a romantic dinner where you want to dress up a bit, have a glass of wine, and linger over a delicious meal. They're often busy even during the week so a reservation is recommended. The portion sizes are very generous here, so I recommend eating slowly and taking your time so you can try more dishes. Recommended dishes: To start: Opt for a lighter dish to start so you have room for your mains and dessert. (We usually skip starters and opt for mains and a dessert to share.) - When we do get an appetizer, we love to split the seasonal soup or the Caprese salad, which features fresh plant-based mozzarella. For the mains: - The pizzas here are amazing. My husband loves the 4 Staggioni and gets it every time. - For a gluten-free option, I love the Carbonara with gluten-free spaghetti. - Although we've yet to try it, the Cotoletta alla Milanese seems to be a fan favorite. We see the majority of diners ordering it every time we're here. **If you're gluten-free and looking for pizza, this isn't the place for you. Giulietta has one gluten-free pizza with a cauliflower crust but it's closer to a socca farinata (Italian chickpea flatbread) and pretty underwhelming. For dessert: - Don't think about it, just order the Panna Cotta to share. The flavor changes seasonally but it's always outstanding. To drink: - This is a great place to enjoy a glass of wine with your meal. The waiters are always happy to recommend a wine to pair with your food.

Traditional Italian trattoria but plant-based! This place is special AND delicious. They make most of their ingredients in-house (including mozzarella, parmesan, and some of the pastas), and everything is freshly prepared. The space is rustic and cozy, perfect for a dinner date.

This adorable corner spot serves up delicious plant-based sushi in Lapa -- one of the hilliest neighborhoods in Lisbon. If you and your date are up for a challenge, opt for the boat for a variety of maki rolls, sashimi, and tempura. It's fun and A LOT of food, with the downside that you don't get to choose which maki rolls go into the boat. The restaurant is situated on a quiet pedestrian street off the main road. So if you're coming by car, plan to park a few blocks away on the main road and then walk to the restaurant. The place is super tiny so reservations are essential.

This is a casual counter-service spot near the Amoreiras shopping mall serving up lots of healthy food. I love eating here following an afternoon of shopping. It's also perfect when you're in the mood for tasty healthy food. The restaurant has tons of seating so no need to make a reservation. Snag one of the cozy two-seater tables on the lower level; it's ideal for you and your date to make googly eyes at each other over your plate of loaded sweet potato fries. Honest Greens offers tons of plant-based options, all clearly marked. Recommended dishes: To start: - For a healthier option, get the Hummus to Share. (Pair it with the crudites to make it gluten-free). - If you're in the mood for a hearty option, go for Ben's Sweet Potato Fries. They're loaded with a delicious plant-based aioli and lip-smackin' good. For the mains: - My favorite is the Veggie Market plate, which lets you choose two Side Dishes, plus salad and bread (or double salad for a gluten-free option). Choose your Side Dishes strategically so you end up with a balanced plate that all tastes good together. - My husband's go-to is the Latin Lover bowl, with added Herbed Tofu. It's perfect if you want something easy and don't fancy putting together your meal (as in the first option.) To drink: - Get one of their juices and ask for two glasses to share.

Despite being on the main thoroughfare in Principe Real, Sumaya feels like a hidden gem for Lebanese fare. With its white-washed walls, you instantly feel transported to the Mediterranean Sea. This is the perfect place for when you want a delicious dinner in a quieter environment to converse with your date. Although generally not too crowded during the week, they get busy on the weekend so a reservation is recommended. There are many plant-based dishes on the menu, so ordering several things and sharing everything is the way to go here. Recommended Dishes: For the starters: - Our absolute favorite starter here is their lentil soup. Not much to look at, but don't be fooled. Each bite of this soup explodes with a heavenly lemon flavor. - You also can't go wrong with their hummus, although we like to eat this with our main course. - Their Batata Harra -- fried cubed potatoes with spices also looks amazing, but I have yet to try it. For the main: - Don't think about it, just get the Moussaka. It's their standout dish and worth every penny. It's a large portion and comes with rice making it perfect for sharing. - Make a full meal out of it with sides of hummus and Batata Harra if you didn't already have them for your starters. For dessert: - While there are no vegan dessert options at Sumaya, if you eat honey, the baklava is delicious! It comes in 6 small pieces loaded with pistachios and isn't too sweet. To drink: - Get one of their lovely infusions with your dessert and ask for two mugs. The mint is a particular favorite. **If you are strictly gluten-free, Sumaya may not be the best place for you. You can certainly find things to eat (such as the lentil soup, hummus, and Batata Harra, but many of the other things I've recommended here have gluten in them, including the rice in the Moussaka as it contains vermicelli.

In Bocca al Lupo is the place to go for delicious Italian food! A rustic tavern-style restaurant with warm wood decor, you'll be instantly transported to Italy. This restaurant uses all organic ingredients and makes everything in-house, and the quality and flavor of their dishes are top-notch. Although not a fully plant-based restaurant, there are many plant-based options on the menu, from starters to desserts. Located in the popular Principe Real neighborhood, this place can get busy quickly, so a reservation is recommended. Recommended Dishes: To start: - The peppers and artichokes salad is delicious yet light; the perfect starter to save room for pizza later on. For the main: - The 4 Stagioni Vegetariana is a firm favorite. You essentially get 4 different pizzas in one, so it's perfect if you can't make up your mind. Make sure to request the vegan cheese substitute if you want it entirely plant-based. For some extra protein, add the tofu sausage on top as well. **In Bocca al Lupo make delicious gluten-free pizza crust, but it has to be pre-ordered by 6:30 pm the day you visit. So if you're gluten-free, I recommend making a reservation ahead of time and calling them to let them know you'll be ordering the gluten-free pizza option. For dessert: - The vegan chocolate mousse is the obvious choice, and sinfully delicious. You won't find it on their online menu, but it's on the chalkboard in the restaurant.

An off-the-beaten-path spot serving amazing Indian food, A Tabanca is a casual low-lit small plates restaurant, that makes it great for sharing. Omnivorous and plant-based dishes available, with plenty of veggie options. This is a great spot for a casual date night, or to take a small group of Indian-food-loving friends. Recommended Dishes: Order several dishes to share between the two of you. - I can't recommend their plant-based Butter Chicken enough. It's one of the best things I've eaten recently. Impossibly flavorful, smoky, and creamy, and the mock chicken is one of the best I've tried, texture-wise and taste. - Their Palak Paneer can be ordered with tofu instead of paneer to make it plant-based. It's velvety, rich, and delicious. - The plant-based chili chicken is a stir-fried dish of mock chicken, bell peppers, and onions, and it's spot on with the Indo-Chinese flavors. **Note that their mock chicken is by a company called Heura, based in Spain, and is gluten-free**