Portugal is one of the most vegan-friendly countries in the world.
Now you may not think that this would be true for São Miguel, the largest island of the Azores – but it is!
As a vegan myself, I was blown away by the incredible plant-based food I got to try during my time in the Azores.
I want to help you have the exact same experience which is why I’ve rounded up all the best places to eat vegan in São Miguel, the Azores.
(Save this post and thank me later!)
So from casual restaurants to gastronomical experiences, here are the 5 best vegan restaurants in São Miguel, the Azores.
1. Rota da Ilha Verde
Address: R. de Pedro Homem 49, 9500-099 Ponta Delgada
Phone number: +351 296 628 560
Situated in the heart of Ponta Delgada, Rota da Ilha Verde is my favourite vegan restaurant in São Miguel.
This all-veggie-vegan restaurant has a heavily plant-based menu and most options can be made vegan on request too.
While there, I had the stuffed mushrooms with veggies and vegan cheese for starters, followed by the breaded tofu with carrots and white bean puree for mains.
Both were phenomenal and so full of flavour!
Other fan favourites on the menu are the zucchini canelloni, seitan steak, peanut noodles, and sweet potato burger.
Dessert doesn’t disappoint either so be sure to save room for pudding.
Expect apple crumble, banoffee pie, and other delicious baked goods!
The staff here are super friendly and passionate about the plant-based diet so be sure to ask any questions you might have.
Rota da Ilha Verde is always busy (for good reason!) so I’d recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. Santo Seitan
Address: R. Machado dos Santos 75, 9500-083 Ponta Delgada
Phone number: +351 925 348 233
Santo Seitan, a casual veggie-vegan restaurant in Ponta Delgada, comes in at a very close second for my favourite place to eat vegan in the Azores.
The only reason it missed out on the top spot is that it has fewer options for vegans.
Because otherwise, the food here is truly spectacular!
With a name like that, it’s unsurprising that seitan is the restaurant’s speciality.
I had the seitan bao bun for starters and it blew my mind – the dipping sauce was to die for!
I also ordered some battered mushrooms with a sweet and spicy sauce, and they were equally phenomenal.
As for mains, the options are more limited but you can order a seitan steak, and tofu and veggie ramen, both of which are super delicious.
Although I didn’t ask, I’m sure they could also make veggie options vegan on request, though be warned: their menu is quite cheese-heavy.
Their vegan desserts aren’t anything to write home about so I’d recommend sticking to starters here.
(However, if you do fancy a dessert, order the vegan mousse!)
The service here is pretty slow (in typical Portuguese style) so prepare to enjoy a leisurely long lunch or dinner here.
Order a vegan wine from their menu, then sit back, relax, and nurse it!
3. Restaurante Poço Azul
Address: Caminho Fundo 14, 9630-042 Achadinha
Phone number: +351 296 452 151
I’m super excited to tell you about Restaurante Poço Azul!
We discovered this hidden gem in Achandinha while driving along the north coast of the island and it blew my mind.
Expect inventive vegan dishes, incredible portion sizes, and ridiculously tasty food!
You’ll leave feeling satisfied and satiated, that’s for sure.
They have an ever-growing vegan menu here that the owner was super excited to tell me about.
Here I had the best three-bean stew I’ve ever tried, as well as a phenomenal tofu tile with garlic and olive oil, potatoes, and roasted veggies.
They really prioritise plant-based protein in their dishes so expect lots of tofu, seitan, and beans here.
Think seitan steak with red pepper and garlic, and you’re on the right lines.
They even do a vegan chocolate mousse for dessert which was incredible!
Restaurante Poço Azul takes great pride in making its vegan options as exciting and imaginative as possible, and it really shows.
Visit here and thank me later – you won’t regret it.
4. Solar Branco Eco Estate
Address: Solar Branco Eco Estate, 9500-604 Ponta Delgada
Phone number: +351 919 076 779
Next up, we have Solar Branco Eco Estate which I sadly didn’t get a chance to visit during my time in São Miguel.
However, friends have told me it’s the best vegan gastronomic experience you can have in the Azores.
Here, you can indulge in a bespoke vegan volcanic dinner which will help you reconnect with nature in the best way possible – through your tastebuds!
If you’re not familiar with it, there’s an Azorean tradition of cooking ‘cozido’ in a volcano.
This famous rustic dish is traditionally made with meat and vegetables but Solar Branco put a fresh, modern twist on it with their flavourful vegan alternative.
It’s made using fresh, seasonal, and local ingredients, prioritising sustainability at every step of the process.
The thoughtful, passionate team behind Solar Branco walk you through the cooking process, showing you the volcanic vents and dinner pot up close before you retreat to their beautiful dining area.
Here, they’ll serve their tasty cozido alongside a G&T, local wines, beer, and even a delicious vegan dessert.
This unique gastronomic experience will set you back €65 per person but it’s worth every cent and more.
Your ticket price includes a two-course meal and lots of alcohol and soft drinks so it’s pretty good value for money.
Be sure to book at least 48 hours in advance for this one – you won’t regret it!
5. À Terra Furnas
Address: Octant Hotels Furnas, Avenida Dr. Manuel de Arriaga, 9675-022 Furnas
Phone number: +351 296 249 200
À Terra Furnas is another restaurant that I sadly didn’t get a chance to visit.
However, I have good word that it’s one of the best vegan restaurants in São Miguel, the Azores.
It’s situated in the gorgeous Octant Hotel in Furnas and it offers a gastronomical experience that you won’t soon forget.
Their menu has a dedicated vegan section with seven incredible dishes for you to choose from.
From a unique yam, mushroom, and herb burger to a chickpea, carrot, and seitan stew, they’ve got something to suit every tastebud.
Other fan favourites are the roasted vegetable and rocket wood-fired pizza and the tofu with marinated seaweed and roasted sesame seeds.
And the best part is that the portion sizes are generous too!
À Terra Furnas is a beautiful setting to enjoy an equally beautiful vegan meal so be sure to add this one to your list when visiting the island.
So that concludes my short but sweet round-up of all the best vegan restaurants in São Miguel, the Azores.
You may be thinking that there aren’t many good places to eat vegan in São Miguel but for a small island, there’s actually a lot.
You won’t find it difficult to eat plant-based here thanks to all the amazing cafes and restaurants serving up delicious vegan grub.
Try to visit all these restaurants while you’re on the island – you won’t regret it!