Most people want to taste traditional dishes that have stood the test of time, but some want to see what new foods Porto’s food scene has to offer. Plus, in recent years, the explosion of vegan and vegetarian restaurants has brought interesting fusions and remakes of traditional foods. For foodies and vegans, and vegetarians alike, the following list is just a taste of the most popular restaurants in Porto.
Árvore do Mundo
The first place we want to mention is the small Árvore do Mundo. While their chef is not a professional, and they are only open from Wednesdays to Saturdays for lunches and Fridays to Saturdays for dinners, the food has a Porto-wide recognition as one of the best.
The menu changes every day, and there are both vegan versions of traditional local cuisine and new fusions of world cuisine so that everybody will find something that will appeal to them. Just make sure to go there early or reserve a table as the small space fills up quickly.
DeTerra Porto
Next is the small, local chain of restaurants,s which started in Porto and has since founded Lisbon branches. The chain has recently gone fully vegan and offers a varied and changing buffet that invites you to try all kinds of foods.
Whether traditional or new, DeTerra has it all. People are especially appreciative of their desserts, though these are not part of the buffet and need to be bought separately.
Black Mamba Porto Burgers and Records
This restaurant is, as the staff will be quick to point out, not a restaurant. It is a record store with vinyl and cassette tapes that just so happens to sell delicious vegan burgers.
They have been one of the first places in Porto to go vegan, and they have since only improved their burger-making skills. And since they’ve gone vegan, they have become a mainstay of Porto's vegan and vegetarian culture.
Lupin Restaurante Vegetariano
This is a trendy restaurant, especially if you’re looking for gluten-free or raw options. Part of the deliciousness of this restaurant is the fact that all of its ingredients are organic and locally sourced. The restaurant has a bit of a reputation as a great place for dates, though be mindful that the prices are a bit steeper, at about €8 to €11 per the main dish.
O Burrito
This American run Tex-Mex restaurant has popped up near Black Mamba some years after it has gone vegan, but it has since built its name. Focusing mainly on warm and cold burritos and quesadillas, and other vegan mainstays have netted them a dedicated following, especially from the many young students of Porto.
It is good to know, though, that food photographers have been complaining about the low light in the restaurant's interior for a while, and no change is in sight. But if you’re just there to eat, you’ll have no problems.
