Seven Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Faro, Portugal

Read on to find list of great vegetarian restaurants in Faro.

Even though I’m not the biggest foodie, one of my favourite things to do while travelling is trying the local cuisine. You can bet I spent hours stuffing my face with patatas bravas and sipping sangria in Barcelona and treating myself to colourful collections of Turkish delight in Istanbul. However, I am a vegetarian and not every culture’s cuisine is vegetarian-friendly. Portugal is one of those places. 

The beautiful southern European nation is known for its seafood and meat-heavy gastronomy, so besides the delicious port wine, there isn’t much in the local cuisine for a vegetarian to taste. Still, it remains one of the most inclusive destinations I’ve visited when it comes to catering to all sorts of diets. In fact, Lisbon is where I fell in love with vegan food. Faro is no exception. Although a lot smaller than the capital, there is a wide range of restaurants and cafes, so here is a list of the seven best vegetarian restaurants in Faro featuring a mix of Portuguese and non-Portuguese delicacies.

Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Faro

Outro Lado (for Vegan Portuguese)

Outro Lado was where I had my first meal in Faro, and it offered the perfect start to my holiday. The quaint restaurant focuses on all things rustic and holistic and is 100% vegan and 100% delicious. The main menu’s cuisine style ranges from Asian to European, however what you’ll want to try is their special menu which contains authentic Portuguese dishes made completely out of planted-based ingredients. So, if you are a vegetarian hoping to indulge in local treats, this is the place for you! 

Dishes ordered: Francesinha with sauvignon blance and ‘fish’ fried + tomato rice with rosé
Opening times: Wednesday to Saturday from 12:30-2:30pm and 7-11pm

Vila Adentro (for Vegetarian Portuguese)

I stumbled upon this place while wandering through the old town, and it is one of my favourite vegetarian restaurants in Faro, purely for its magical setting. Vila Adentro sits inside an 18th-century building that used to be an azulejos factory, and the walls are covered with blue and white tiles depicting scenes from Portuguese history. While vegetarian options are limited, the vegetarian cataplana, a traditional Algarve dish cooked in a clamshell copper pot, is worth ordering. Usually made from vegetables and fish, the vegetarian version of this cultural meal replaces the fish with chickpeas and tofu.

Dishes ordered: vegetarian cataplana
Opening times: every day from 9am-12am

Papaya

A short walk from the marina, Papaya is a juice bar specialising in mouth-watering sandwiches, salads, soups, and smoothies. It is the perfect place to grab a light lunch made from fresh ingredients grown across Algarve. You’ll never want to go back to your daily Subway or M&S sandwich after this. Papaya received the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2022.    

Dishes ordered: hummus + avocado + cucumber + tomato sandwich with orange juice
Opening times: every day from 9am-7:30pm

Restaurante B&B Faro 

Not sure what I was expecting, but the moment I opened the door to Restaurante B&B Faro, I felt like I was walking into a cave and weirdly reminded me a lot of Cappadocia. The homey atmosphere and beautiful décor are enough of a reason to visit, but the incredible food (that comes in LARGE portions) will only elevate your experience. The menu contains a mix of Asian cuisine and burgers and serves a wonderful selection of vegetarian options.  

Dishes ordered: tokara (Yakisoba noodles with vegetables, soya and sesame sauce) with sauvignon blance 
Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday from 12:30-3pm and 7-10pm

Il Lamparo

Whenever I visit a place where the vegetarian selection is limited, I will find myself at an Italian restaurant as least once because I can guarantee my hands on a Margherita pizza or bowl of Penne Arabiata. Located by the atmospheric marina, with beautiful waterfront views, Il Lamparo is the ideal place to go if you don’t want to think too much about what will be on the menu and have a simple but tasty dinner. 

Dishes ordered: pizza primavera, French fries and hot chocolate brownies 
Opening times: every day from 10am-12am

Chelsea (for Brunch)

Brunching is one of my favourite things to do and Chelsea is one of the best places to indulge in a variety of lovely hot chocolates, cheesecakes, avocado toasts, açai bowls, gelato and more. Honestly, the list is endless! If you don’t have time to sit, then why not grab and go? The croissants make for a wonderful travelling breakfast!

Alongside the cafes, the Chelsea brand also has decent Italian restaurants in Faro – however this was my least favourite place to eat and would give it a miss if I were you.

Dishes ordered: pistachio croissant, hot chocolate, and berry cheesecake
Opening times: every day from 8am-8pm

O Castelo (for Sunset Drinks)

Alright, this is a bit of a cheat because it isn’t technically a vegetarian restaurant in Faro. However, O Castelo is one of the most romantic settings in the city as the terrace overlooks the water and delivers picturesque views of the sunset. As soft music plays in the background, help yourself to a fantastic wine list, let the breeze tussle your hair and soak in the last rays of the day. It is here where I discovered (and fell in love with) Vingo Verde, which is a Portuguese wine that originated in the historic Minho province in the far north of the country. The term translates to ‘young wine’ because it is released three to six months after the grapes have been harvested – and yes, it’s actually green! 

Drinks ordered: vingo verde and rosé
Opening times: every day from 8am-8pm