Travelers exploring Portugal’s Silver Coast will most likely find themselves at some ppint in the city of Caldas Da Rainha, wondering is it vegan friendly. The short answer to that question is yes, Caldas Da Rainha is vegan friendly. Like many of Portugal’s growing small cities, Caldas Da Rainha has become much more friendly for those who are vegan or with dietary restrictions in the last few years. New restaurants, market stalls, and grocery stores now cater to those who have different dietary needs and restrictions.
As more and more slow travelers’ digital nomads, and expats discover the wonders of Portugal’s Silver Coast, we fully expect even more restaurants to start catering to dietary restrictions. This change has also been happening as Portuguese food culture becomes more familiar with the vegan friendly ingredients and begans to branch out in unique ways.
Below Slow Travel Guidebook lets you in on some of the vegan friendly options to be found in Caldas Da Rainha. We will also tell you our favorite restaurant to eat at and our favorite vegan friendly café to work from if you are a digital nomad.
Vegan Friendly Restaurants
Botellini
The only all vegan restaurant in Caldas Da Rainha. Botellini has a friendly and refined atmosphere. There are large local art works adorning the walls, and an impressive set of windows offering views onto the back patio where fresh produce is grown.
Offering vegan takes on classic Portuguese dishes such as Sardinhas and Bacalhau Botellini is a must stop for anybody with dietary restrictions on their way through Caldas Da Rainha.
Paneolio Pizza bar
Every restaurant list needs a good pizza place. Thankfully, Paneolio is a great pizza place. This new pizza bar offer fresh made pizza on fluffy sour dour crust and has full vegan options as well.
Though not as centrally located in Caldas Da Rainha as some of the other restaurants on this list, be sure to check out Paneoilo on your visit. As the restaurant is growing in popularity, be sure to make a reservation before your visit to ensure a table.
Flavours of India
Without a doubt our favorite vegan friendly restaurant in Caldas Da Rainha. This small restaurant, located near Parque Dom Carlos I, is a chef’s table type restaurant with no fixed menu. Each day different dishes are cooked in the small kitchen by the family who own and run the establishment.
With only a handful of tables, we highly recommend that you make reservations for relatively early during their open hours. As such a small establishment, they are only open for several hours each day, a few hours for lunch, and then a few more hours for supper.
In fact when we were there, people had to be turned away before the restaurant had closed as there was no more food. Seriously, make a reservation if you want to make sure you get a table. You won’t regret it.
Citrus Coffee
Looking for a delicious vegan smoothie bowl or Acai bowl? Then look no further than Citrus Coffee. This two-story café right on the Praca Da Republica has everything a vegan friendly coffee shop should have, including natural juices, salads, wraps and tostas. One important factor of why we love Citrus coffee is that it also caters to digital nomads and students by providing high speed Wi-Fi and allowing laptops. As long as you are enjoying a coffee or smoothie, you can stay as long as you want.
If you are staying in or near Caldas Da Rainha, why not take an afternoon to escape your Airbnb and watch the city life pass by in Praca Da Republica.
Delhi Darbar
Delhi Darbar is a northern Indian restaurant with several options available to vegans. However, it is worth noting that there are many more vegetarian friendly dishes available here. It has a vibe familiar to many of other Indian restaurants, friendly staff and quick turn around times.
Unlike Flavours of India, Delhi Darbar has more consistent hours, and many more tables. So, if you are ever have a last minute craving for Indian food in Caldas Da Rainha, Delhi Darbar might be your best bet.
Vegan Friendly Market Stalls
Tamaras e Cacau
For those looking to sate their sweet tooth, look no further than Tamaras e Cacau. This market stall is located in the Praca Da Republica, where the main town market is held. If you get there when they are open and before they sell out, you will find many delicious sugar free, gluten free, and plant based options.
Tamaras e Cacau is only open on Saturdays, so if you want vegan cakes you might need to plan ahead.
The owners also take care in trying to be as low waste as possible which is something that Slow Travel Guidebook can get behind.
Vegan Friendly Grocery Stores
Auchan
If you are planning on spending a larger amount of time in Caldas da Rainha or the surrounding area, a good grocery store is a must. The best grocery store we have found in the city, with a large variety of vegan, gluten free, and organic options is actually located in the mall. Supermarket Auchan, which is located on the ground floor of the La Vie Shopping Centre has everything you need to cook your own meals to meet your specific dietary needs. Another plus of the having the grocery store in the shopping centre is the two-hour free parking. Say goodbye to the need to find parking in the city centre and carry your groceries a long distance to your vehicle. If you have on that is.
Vegan Friendly or Not?
Long Story short, we think Caldas Da Rainha is a pretty vegan friendly small Portuguese city. We also firmly believe that as the popularity of Portugal’s Silver Coast continues to grow it will only get more and more vegan friendly. The crew at Slow Travel Guidebook can’t wait to see what fun vegan restaurants will pop up here next.
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