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Does the idea of lying on a couch for therapy intimidate you? What if it came with a table full of healthy food in front of you? That’s the premise of this new restaurant in Monte Estoril… well, more or less. After opening in Alvalade and at LX Factory, The Therapist has now set up on Avenida Sabóia and, while staying true to the foundations established over eight years ago, it’s embracing a fresh slogan: Eat With Purpose.
The project grew out of a personal journey by founder Joana Teixeira, who was searching for a balance between body, mind and life. That path led her to explore functional nutrition, integrative therapies and a deeper understanding of the body. The intersection of these principles gave rise to The Therapist brand.
Now, the founder wants the concept to reach people in a simpler, more direct way. “What we want to communicate is that food should always have a purpose — whether that’s living better, feeling happier or lighter,” she tells Time Out.
The Monte Estoril space reflects this shift. More colourful, lighter and more relaxed, it moves away from the almost clinical aesthetic of the early days and aims to deliver its message without moralising or guilt. “At the beginning we even wore lab coats,” she recalls. “At this point, we don’t want to be anyone’s doctor,” the founder admits. Instead, the focus is on a more accessible experience, where wellbeing isn’t imposed but integrated into everyday life.
The menu is the clearest reflection of this evolution. While it once focused mainly on vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, it is now broader. “We’ve started including meat and offering paleo diet options, which we didn’t have before,” explains Joana, noting that this change stemmed from a personal experience: “My mother had an oncological condition and was advised to follow a low-carb, paleo diet.”
The need to cater to different profiles has led to a more inclusive menu, where each dish is labelled according to its function — detox, power, immunity, mind or beauty. According to the founder, this functional and literal dimension is what sets The Therapist apart from other healthy restaurants. “It’s not just about being healthy. We want to show the function of each meal. If you want to sleep better, or if you’re dealing with allergies and need something to boost your immunity, the answer is on the menu.”
The combinations are carefully thought through. Among the dishes Time Out tried, the Pad Thai with Golden Miso (€13.50) stands out, with rice noodles, vegetables, tofu and a sauce that balances flavour with nutritional benefits. Among the lighter options, the Gravlax Salmon (€11.90) — served on dark bread with pesto, cream cheese and pickles — showcases the kitchen’s attention to detail: “We buy the salmon and make our own marinade,” Joana explains.
For dessert, the roasted pear French toast (€10.90) is one of the Estoril additions and a good example of the house approach: comfort and functionality on the same plate, with miso caramel and ingredients designed to benefit the body.
The drinks follow the same logic — an approach that should soon be rolled out across the other locations. The Free Your Mind smoothie (€3.90), with banana, pineapple, basil and spirulina, leans into lightness and energy, while the Beauty Booster (€4.90) combines berries with a pro-ageing blend. For a quick pick-me-up, there’s also the hangover shot (€2.90), with lemon, spirulina and ginger, and the Electro Glow (€1.90), based on natural electrolytes.
Alongside the restaurant, the project extends into other areas, including an online shop and detox and debloat programmes, as well as The Therapist Lab in Alvalade, where workshops, talks and events are held. The idea is to expand this side of the business to Estoril as well, with initiatives such as “brunch and learn”, combining food and learning.
But one thing at a time. “Right now, the plan is to consolidate our restaurant as a functional space where people eat with purpose,” says Joana Teixeira.