Plant-based cuisine in Madrid goes far beyond just a good salad. The city is experiencing a boom in healthy restaurants, offering creative and flavorful dishes that are as satisfying as they are nutritious.
For those planning a Eurotrip and looking to explore the Spanish capital without indulging in greasy food, this guide will be a game changer. We’ll highlight some of the best healthy dining spots in Madrid, where the focus is on fresh, green ingredients that cater to both vegetarians and vegans.
While many establishments serve great salads and top-notch fish dishes, not all are fully committed to plant-based cuisine. In this list, you’ll find restaurants that have embraced vegetables, legumes, and plant-based creativity with open arms. Let’s dive in!
El Invernadero: Fine Dining Goes Green
El Invernadero, located on Calle Ponzano and boasting a Michelin star, is a must-visit for those looking to experience high-end plant-based dining. The chef, Rodrigo de la Calle, puts plant ingredients at the heart of every dish, focusing on their seasonality and natural flavors.
From roots, stems, and leaves to flowers, fruits, seeds, and mushrooms, each dish is a celebration of nature’s bounty. Superfoods and natural seasonings are used to enhance the flavors, creating a healthy, flavorful, and emotional dining experience.
El Invernadero is a popular stop on every veggie madrid food tour. With its Michelin star recognition, it has become a magnet for veggie foodies from around the world who are seeking a sophisticated, plant-based dining experience.
While a Madrid food tour is the best option to ensure you don’t miss any key spots and allows you to control portion sizes (as they usually offer samples of the best dishes from each establishment, making it possible to visit multiple places in one day), it’s essential not to leave El Invernadero off your list. It’s definitely a must-try.
Honest Greens: Real Food, Real Flavor
Honest Greens has taken Madrid by storm with its fast, healthy, and eco-friendly approach to dining. With multiple locations around the city, it has become a favorite for those seeking fresh, seasonal, and unprocessed food. Their garden bowls are packed with flavor and nutrition, featuring ingredients like roasted vegetables, grains, and plant-based proteins.
For sharing, dishes like the “ugly tomato” with stracciatella and pistachio, beet carpaccio, and hummus are crowd-pleasers. Honest Greens are all about real, honest food, free from additives, preservatives, or added sugars. It’s the perfect spot for a quick and healthy bite that doesn’t compromise on taste.
Viva Burger: Vegan Burgers Done Right
Viva Burger, located in the heart of La Latina, is a haven for vegan burger lovers. This 100% animal-free restaurant offers a variety of globally inspired burgers, from the Japanese burger with seaweed to the Arab burger with falafel. There’s also the Italian burger, loaded with grilled vegetables, and the spicy “Chingona” burger with jalapeños.
Aside from burgers, Viva Burger’s creative dishes, and desserts, like their signature Super Carrot Cake, will leave you feeling full and satisfied. Their motto is clear: “Eating is a daily act of love.” Whether you’re vegan or just curious, Viva Burger’s inventive menu is worth checking out.
Superchulo: Colorful and Wholesome
Located on Calle de Manuela Malasaña, Superchulo is one of the most popular spots in the area for healthy eating. The motto here is simple: “Count colors, not calories”. Their philosophy is rooted in offering healthy, sustainable, and flavorful food that makes you feel good while also being mindful of the planet.
Superchulo is all about positive vibes, using natural ingredients to create dishes that not only taste good but also nourish the body. One standout item is their “Patatas Chulapas,” oven-baked with herb oil and served with three flavorful sauces: vegan aioli, homemade ketchup, and spicy chili sauce. They’re the perfect healthy comfort food!
Avocado Love: A Tribute to the Mighty Avocado
If you’re an avocado lover, Avocado Love is the restaurant for you. Every dish here features avocado in some form, from appetizers to main courses. Chef Edu Troya, who has honed his skills in cities like London, Tokyo, and Lima, creates an exciting fusion of global flavors that elevate the humble avocado into something extraordinary.
This isn’t your typical vegetarian restaurant. Avocado Love offers a modern, cosmopolitan take on plant-based dining, with surprising and exotic textures that make each dish a delight to discover. It’s no wonder it’s considered one of the top 20 healthiest restaurants in Madrid.
Sanissimo: Vegan Innovation
Sanissimo, with locations near Opera, Gran Vía, and Príncipe Pío, offers plant-based food for food lovers who care about innovation and sustainability. Their mission is to create a new kind of vegan cuisine that respects the environment without sacrificing flavor.
If you’re planning a hike in the Spanish mountains or a climb in the Andes, Sanissimo’s “Quechua Veggie Burger” is the perfect pre-adventure meal. Made with quinoa, potatoes, and roasted peppers, and served with baked pumpkin, cucumber, and sweet mustard sauce on gluten-free bread, this burger is packed with energy and flavor.