The foodie scene in this city is bursting with creativity, so we wanted to suss out the top seven vegan restaurants in Edinburgh.
There is little doubt that 2019 has been very much the year that veganism has spread into the mainstream. The shift in eating habits has come to Scotland with some incredibly inventive plant-based cooking. Who needs anything else when vegan dishes taste *this* amazing? These are our top picks of both dedicated vegan restaurants and places doing their bit to promote plant-based choices on their menus.
You really will be spoilt for choice as a vegan in Edinburgh…
Best Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh
How do these rankings work?
1. Harmonium
Harmonium is a stylish spot for tasty vegan grub, with a menu that’s totally free of any animal products or derivatives. Feast on juicy quarter pounders, stone baked pizzas or a ‘Surf n Turf’ seitan steak with oyster mushroom scallops. There’s seasonal cocktails and a 100% organic wine list, and it’s super dog friendly. Heaven.
2. Beetroot Sauvage
This is a cute little vegan eatery and wellness center, where you can enjoy breakfasts, lunches, drinks and cakes made entirely from plants. There’s all sorts of comforting and healthy dishes here, from power porridge to buddha bowls and mac n cheese. Pop out to their sunflower-filled garden in the warmer months, or try a yoga class upstairs.
3. Novapizza
Novapizza can lay claim to being the first meat-free Italian restaurant and pizzeria in Edinburgh. Choose from for dairy-free Parmesan, Blue Cheese or Mozzarella, with signature dough that’s just as authentic as anywhere in Italy itself. Toppings include vegan ham, smoked seitan and fresh veggies.
Be sure to save some room for the droolworthy vegan Orea cheesecake!
4. David Bann
David Bann has been a go-to spot for vegetarian and vegan food in the city since 2002, and is still mega popular.
The menu takes inspiration from across the world, so your tastebuds can travel to Thailand and India via the Mediterranean. Think: olive polenta with grilled red pepper, butternut squash and courgette or roast cauliflower, potato and chickpea curry.
5. Henderson’s Vegan Restaurant
A pioneer when it comes to the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh, Henderson’s has been in business since 1968, and made the decision to go 100% Vegan in 2015. Even before then, 90% of their menu was vegan for over 40 years! Nowadays you can expect vibrant and wholesome plates such as jackfruit and coconut stew or a vegan Haggis and mash.
6. Holy Cow
Holy Cow indeed – this all-vegan restaurant cooks up food so delicious you could never tell it’s free of cream, butter or other traditional flavour boosters. The menu is simple but superb, with a range of burgers, sandwiches and soups. What’s on offer changes depending on what’s in season and available locally. Their homemade vegan cakes are reason alone to visit.
7. Paradise Palms
For great vibes, imaginative decor and an ever-changing vegan and veggie menu, Paradise Palms is always a hit. This popular bar has some amazingly creative cocktail combos and you can browse through the record shop, dance the night away, or just pig out on their plant-based menu. Highlights include loaded nachos and classic comfort foods such as burgers.
