A Padoca — Restaurant in Porto

Truly Exceptional Vegan Culinary Experience in Porto

This was, without question, one of the most memorable meals of our trip to Portugal. The fully plant-based Portuguese tasting menu was a masterclass in culinary creativity—each dish thoughtfully crafted with passion, authenticity, and an incredible attention to detail.

From the welcome sip of Ferreira port (one of Portugal’s few Portuguese-owned port houses) to the final bite of their award-winning nata, the entire experience was unforgettable. The four starters—vegan codfish cake, fish açorda, Algarve-style carrots, and mushrooms in coriander and lemon—were beautifully balanced and full of flavor. Fresh bread accompanied these vibrant small plates perfectly.

The main dishes truly impressed: a comforting, balanced seafood rice and a rich, plant-based take on the iconic Francesinha that was nothing short of perfection. For dessert, the layered biscuit cake had lovely hints of coffee, and the airy, whipped “Heavenly Cream” was exactly that—divine. We were also lucky enough to try their vegan nata, and it absolutely lived up to the praise: silky, smooth, and utterly delicious.

Beyond the food, the service was warm and genuinely enthusiastic. The staff took time to explain each dish and share their deep love for Portuguese cuisine, which made the experience feel even more personal and special.

Every course reflected not just technical skill, but deep care and love for both the craft and the culture. I only wish I lived in Porto so I could return again and again. A must-visit for anyone who values food...

Sooo impressed by A Padoca. We were told by our server that the place kinda recently switched to being all vegan, which we were super psyched about (: Their eggs benedict is //insane//, I've never had better vegan eggs in my life. I don't understand how they do it, and the pancakes I got were perfect. Lightly sweet (despite how they look) and the coconut whipped cream was also the best I've ever had. All the produce was high-quality.

While we were waiting for our orders, our server brought us some of their house baked bread as a gift (she was incredibly kind all-around), with a berry jam and a house-made butter/cream spread that I don't think I would ever have enough of. It was light, creamy, and cool with a perfect blend of sweet-savory, and the bread was incredibly soft.

On our beach day in Porto, we came back to A Padoca in the morning to get some of their stuffed breads, to pack as lunch for later that day, and some of their vegan natas to have for breakfast while we were heading out. I highly recommend this plan. We got the calzone and the spinach-ricotta (the vegan ricotta is incredible, and made in-house), they packed perfectly and were the perfect beach lunch, and the vegan natas... they really are the best.

We stayed in Porto for five days, eating out for every meal, and this is the only restaurant we went to more than once. A favorite for sure, and we will go here again any time we...

While visiting Porto, I went on a mission to find a vegan spot that could satisfy my sweet tooth - and A Padoca was an absolute gem of a find.

The plant-based treats were full of flavor and beautifully crafted, but one standout stole the show: the vegan version of the iconic Portuguese pastel de nata. Smooth, creamy, subtly spiced, with a perfectly crisp shell - it was truly divine. Honestly, it's worth visiting A Padoca just to savor that one treat.

Catia, our gracious host, welcomed us with genuine warmth and gave us a wonderful glimpse into the history and traditions behind many of the pastries. Her passion added such a personal touch to the experience.

What made it even more special? Every member of my family - vegan and non-vegan alike - absolutely loved it. We all found something to delight in, and left feeling happy and satisfied.

If you're in Porto and want to experience food that brings people together, A...