More Vegan Dishes on the Menus in the Algarve

If you’ve been eating out in the Algarve the past few years, you’ve probably noticed: more and more restaurants are adding vegan options to their menus. What started as a small trend has now become a solid part of the food scene. And that’s no surprise when you look at the numbers.

From Niche to Normal

Back in 2017, only about 5% of the Portuguese population identified as vegetarian, vegan or flexitarian. Fast forward to 2024 and that number has almost doubled. Around 10% of people eat mainly plant-based, and an impressive 28.6% describe themselves as flexitarian – meaning they sometimes eat meat or fish, but also choose plant-based dishes on a regular basis. This shift in eating habits is pushing restaurants to adapt, and the Algarve is leading the way.

Why Restaurants Are Changing

Tourism plays a big role. Visitors from Northern Europe and the US are used to seeing vegan choices on menus at home and expect the same when they travel. Add to that the growing number of locals choosing a lighter, healthier way of eating, and it’s clear why chefs are putting creativity into plant-based cooking. It’s no longer enough to just have a token “vegan pasta” on the menu – diners want variety, quality and flavour.

A Perfect Example: Bistro Ysconderijo

A great showcase of this trend is Bistro Ysconderijo. Unlike many places that only offer a single vegan main dish, here you can actually enjoy a full vegan dining experience: from couvert, to starter, to main course, and even dessert.

Here’s what the current vegan selection looks like:

• Couvert – Homemade vegan paté of tofu, carrot and spices – €2,50
• Starter – Beetroot carpaccio with salad, mango, nuts, vinaigrette and vegan yoghurt – €10
• Main Course 1 – Crispy cauliflower with red lentils, grilled vegetables, Asian flavours and vegan yoghurt sauce – €21
• Main Course 2 – Vegan Pad Thai with rice noodles, smoked tofu, vegetables, soy sprouts, edamame, coriander, peanuts, chili, cayenne, soy sauce and ponzu – €21
• Dessert – Apple crumble with cinnamon, oat and almond crunch, served with vegan ice cream – €7

It’s rare to find a menu in the Algarve where you can go fully vegan without compromise, and Ysconderijo really nails it. The variety, presentation and balance between flavours show that plant-based cooking can be just as exciting and satisfying as traditional meat or fish dishes.

The Bigger Picture

Today, almost every restaurant in the Algarve has at least one vegan dish on the menu. That’s a huge change compared to just a few years ago, and it reflects the broader lifestyle shift happening all over Europe. For restaurants, it’s not just about following a trend – it’s smart business. Offering vegan dishes means welcoming a wider audience: vegans, flexitarians, and (large) groups where one or two people prefer plant-based options.

Conclusion

The rise of vegan dining in the Algarve is here to stay. With nearly a third of people calling themselves flexitarian and 10% leaning mostly plant-based, the demand will only grow stronger. And with places like Bistro Ysconderijo showing how it’s done, we can expect even more exciting vegan dishes to appear on menus across the region.

So next time you’re in São Brás de Alportel, try the full vegan experience at Ysconderijo – from paté to crumble. You won’t miss the meat.

10x Q&A: Vegan Dining in the Algarve 🌱

Q1. Are there enough vegan options in Algarve restaurants nowadays?
A1. Yes! Almost every restaurant now offers at least one vegan dish, and some – like Bistro Ysconderijo in Almancil – go all the way with a full vegan menu.

Q2. Is vegan food in the Algarve only for tourists?
A2. Not at all. More and more locals are choosing plant-based meals too. About 10% of Portuguese people eat mainly vegan or vegetarian, and 28.6% are flexitarian.

Q3. What’s the difference between vegan and vegetarian?
A3. Vegetarians avoid meat and fish, but vegans skip all animal products, including dairy, eggs and honey.

Q4. Is vegan food in Algarve restaurants tasty or just “healthy”?
A4. Definitely tasty! Chefs now focus on creativity and flavour – think crispy cauliflower with Asian spices or a rich apple crumble with vegan ice cream.

Q5. Do traditional Portuguese restaurants also offer vegan dishes?
A5. Yes, even classic seafood and meat restaurants often have at least one vegan option nowadays.

Q6. Are vegan dishes more expensive than regular dishes?
A6. Not really. Prices are usually the same range as fish or meat dishes. At Bistro Ysconderijo, for example, vegan mains are €21.

Q7. Can you enjoy a full vegan dinner in the Algarve?
A7. Absolutely! At some places you can go from couvert to dessert fully plant-based without compromise.

Q8. Do chefs in the Algarve experiment with local ingredients for vegan dishes?
A8. Yes, seasonal vegetables, fresh herbs, olive oil and citrus fruits are often the base of innovative vegan plates.

Q9. Is it difficult to find vegan options outside tourist hotspots?
A9. In smaller villages it can be more limited, but you’ll still usually find at least one vegan or veggie dish.

Q10. What’s the future of vegan dining in the Algarve?
A10. The trend is only growing. With more flexitarians and health-conscious visitors, expect even more exciting plant-based dishes in the coming years.