Veganlisbon's profile

My name is Lidya, and I’ve been passionate about plant-based living since 2015. Over the years, my journey has included different stages — from vegan and raw vegan to where I am today: mostly vegetarian, egg-free, gluten-free and as sugar-free as possible, with only occasional dairy. This experience has taught me how different dietary needs can completely change the way we explore a city — and how valuable it is to find places where you can enjoy great food without having to compromise. Food discovery is an essential part of travelling for me. Wherever I go, I research plant-based places, visit them personally and leave detailed reviews on Google Maps. My reviews have reached more than 4.5 million views, and over time I’ve also started creating my own collections and travel guides combining food, culture and interesting places to discover. For the past year, Lisbon has been our home. During this time, my family and I have explored practically all of the city’s fully vegan restaurants and cafés. Now I’m expanding my search beyond exclusively vegan places and discovering restaurants, cafés and hidden local spots that offer genuinely good vegan options — especially those suitable for people looking for gluten-free and no-added-sugar choices as well. I’m currently creating routes that connect Lisbon’s historical sights, beautiful neighbourhoods, viewpoints and lesser-known places with vegan and vegan-friendly restaurants along the way. The idea is simple: instead of travelling across the city just to find somewhere suitable to eat, visitors can discover Lisbon naturally while knowing where their next great plant-based stop will be. I also travel and explore restaurants with my family. I’m a mom to a 9-year-old daughter, who has been travelling with us since she was one, and my husband is vegan as well. This gives me another perspective that I find important when reviewing places: whether they are child-friendly, comfortable for families, welcoming to different dietary needs and enjoyable for vegans. My academic background is in Business Administration and Accounting, with a major in Finance and a minor in Tourism and Hospitality. It has also shaped the way I look at restaurants — not only at the food itself, but at the concept, service, atmosphere and overall guest experience. I would be very happy to contribute my local knowledge, detailed reviews and curated Lisbon routes to HappyCow — and hopefully become a Lisbon Ambassador, helping both visitors and locals discover just how diverse and exciting the plant-based side of the city can be.