Could you imagine a restaurant in Portugal being crowned the best vegan restaurant in Europe? Neither could we—until we experienced Kong in Lisbon.

Kong is a unique culinary venture located in the heart of Lisbon, specialising in vegan Portuguese cuisine. Established in 2019 by Bruno, Sarah and André, Kong has grown from humble beginnings in Chiado to a thriving restaurant in Cais do Sodré. At its core, Kong is driven by a vision to create a more compassionate world and this ethos underpins its success.

The concept revolves around traditional Portuguese dishes, appealing to locals seeking nostalgic flavours and tourists wanting an authentic taste of Portugal’s culture.

Chef Vitali, who leads Kong’s kitchen, believes it is poised to revolutionise vegan cuisine. Born in Cecina, Italy, Vitali became the youngest chef to win a Golden Spoon in Portugal and earned his first Michelin star in Spain. Inspired by his vegetarian upbringing, he embraced vegan gastronomy in 2024, bringing creativity and innovation to Kong’s menu.

Kong

VegClub (VC): What is Kong’s story and what inspired the name?

Bruno Matoso (BM): The idea for Kong started even before the three of us met. Sarah’s friend, who owned a non-vegan restaurant, wanted to open a second one and invited her to manage it. Sarah agreed—on one condition: the restaurant had to be vegan. He reluctantly agreed, and Sarah named it Kong because she saw the gorilla as the perfect symbol of strength without the need for meat.

André and I met through street activism for animal rights. We shared a passion for veganism and started a YouTube channel to reach more people. One day, we visited Kong and met Sarah. The restaurant wasn’t doing well, and the owner was looking to sell. The three of us saw its potential and decided to take over. The rest is history.

VC: Why is creating vegan versions of traditional Portuguese dishes so important to you?

BM: Food is central to our lives and identities. It brings people together, and we wanted to preserve that sense of connection while aligning it with our values. Portuguese cuisine is one of the richest in the world, so it was a natural choice.

Our chef is also incredible at innovating, so we’re always evolving. As long as a dish is vegan and meets our standards, we’ll serve it.

Gastronomic feng shui

Kong

Chef Vitali’s approach to cooking is as artistic as it is passionate. He emphasises ‘gastronomic feng shui’, balancing three colours, textures and aromas in every dish. His creations leave diners feeling satisfied but not heavy, prioritising both flavour and health. From high-protein options for athletes to healthier alternatives using date sugar, Kong’s menu is as thoughtful as it is delicious.

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Signature dishes include the Bitoque—a seitan steak with mustard sauce, ‘egg’, fries, rice and salad—and the Francesinha, alongside creative takes on  ‘salmon’ and  ‘octopus’ dishes. The desserts, like the Bolo de Nutella and Snickers Tart—are equally indulgent.

VC: How do you see Kong evolving in the future?

BM: We aim to become even more sustainable and to continue offering balanced and fun gastronomic experiences. We’re committed to helping make the world more compassionate and that purpose drives everything we do.

Kong x VegClub: Our experience

Kong

Our visit to Kong was unforgettable. The warm, welcoming atmosphere feels like dining with close friends. The beautiful restaurant and thoughtfully crafted dishes make every bite a delight.

Kong’s generosity extends beyond its menu; it donates a significant portion of profits to animal charities worldwide. Their modesty belies their impact.

For these reasons, VegClub is proud to name Kong the Best Vegan Restaurant in Europe. Be sure to visit their Instagram and add Kong to your list for your next trip to Lisbon—you won’t regret it.

If you enjoy our articles and want to read more of our content, check out clean, green and cruelty-free: Ireland is leading the way with vegan beauty. Perhaps take a look at running on plants: Harvey Lewis on ultra endurance, veganism and inspiring change. Or explore from chaos to CAOS: The sweet revolution of vegan pastries in Portugal.