It’s no secret that our VegClub team loves Portugal and last month, in one of our articles about Portugal—‘The 9 Best Unmissable Vegan Eateries in Portugal’—we highlighted a vegan gem located in Carcavelos, Alma Veg. The restaurant has impressed us and for this reason, we decided to delve into their kitchen and have a quick chat with the founders, Ed and Ricardo. Ed Gomes—a former journalist—discovered his true calling in the kitchen after relocating to Portugal, while Ricardo Ferreira—with his extensive experience working on cruise ships—joined him in this new venture. Their move from Brazil to Portugal in 2018 marked the start of a fresh chapter and a new life devoted to their cause.

Mission and vision

Alma Veg was created to align with their personal values of animal welfare and environmental respect. Both Ed and Ricardo were discontented with their previous jobs, which involved animal products. For Ed, preparing meat was distressing and Ricardo felt a lack of pride in serving such food. This shared discontent led them to open their own restaurant, focusing on plant-based cuisine that reflects their commitment to ethical principles. Alma Veg aims to educate the community about animal rights while offering a delightful dining experience that proves plant-based food can be both nutritious and flavoursome.

VegClub (VC): How did your personal experiences in journalism and working on cruise ships influence your approach to running a vegan restaurant and advocating for animal rights?

Alma Veg (AV): Ed’s background in journalism has helped him communicate complex ideas about veganism and animal rights effectively. My cruise ship experience (Ricardo) contributed to my understanding of logistics and customer service, creating a welcoming and efficient restaurant environment for us and our customers.

VC: What were some of the main challenges you faced when starting Alma Veg in Portugal and how did you overcome them?

AV: One major challenge was addressing prejudices and educating the local community about veganism, particularly in an area with strong traditional food preferences. This required significant effort and persistence to encourage people to try plant-based cuisine.

Their menu

Alma Veg

Alma Veg’s menu features a variety of innovative and delicious plant-based dishes, but of course, we picked only a few to entice you to try their food.

Our favourite starter

Pastel de bacalhau: A creative twist on the traditional Portuguese codfish snack, made with mayonnaise and lemon. This dish has become a favourite among locals and visitors alike, with many claiming it surpasses the original fish-based version in taste.

Main

Quinoa salad: A refreshing and hearty option featuring quinoa mixed with mint, lime juice, cashew nuts, seeds, carrot hummus, red onion pickles, cucumber pickles, falafel and a fresh salad. This dish showcases the diverse flavours and textures possible with plant-based ingredients.

We love a dessert

Carrot and dried fruit brownie: For dessert, sweet-lovers can indulge in a rich brownie made with carrot and dried fruit, served with a luscious chocolate sauce. Best dessert we’ve had in ages.

Furry-friendly restaurant

True to their values, Alma Veg welcomes all friendly animals. Whether it’s a dog or cat, you can bring your furry friends along to enjoy a meal in a supportive and compassionate environment.

VC: How do you aim to raise awareness about animal exploitation through Alma Veg and how do you see your role in promoting plant-based diets within the community?

AV: Our restaurant raises awareness by offering delicious plant-based meals that demonstrate the potential of a vegan diet. We also organise educational events, such as workshops and talks and collaborate with animal rights organisations to inspire broader acceptance of veganism.

Read more Hendersons: Elevating Scotland’s plant-based culinary scene

VC: What is the top-selling dish at Alma Veg and what makes it so popular among your customers?

AV: The pastel de bacalhau is our top-selling dish. It’s a creative take on a traditional Portuguese snack that many find even more enjoyable than the original fish-based version.

Operating hours

Alma Veg

Alma Veg is open from Tuesday to Sunday, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for customers to enjoy their meals. On Mondays, the restaurant is closed for a well-deserved break.

Alma Veg stands as a gem of plant-based cuisine and animal welfare in Carcavelos. Through their innovative menu, compassionate values and commitment to education, Ed and Ricardo have created a restaurant that not only serves delicious food but also fosters a community of conscious eaters. As part of the VegClub loyalty program, our members can enjoy a 10% discount when dining at Alma Veg.

If you enjoy our articles and want to read more of our content, check out things to do in Paris while you’re not watching the games—including foodie. Perhaps take a look at ‘Making the Cut’ winner Yannik Zamboni: Redefining fashion with veganism and activism. Or explore 8 European vegan restaurants worth every penny.