6 of the Best Vegan-Friendly Places in Edinburgh Right Now

Emma who runs the local guide to vegan food in Edinburgh, Vegan Edinburgh, has kindly written a blog for Dickins where she’s letting us in on where you can enjoy some of the best vegan food in Edinburgh at the moment. Emma has lived in Edinburgh for over a decade and loves nothing more than discovering a new favourite place to eat – so keep reading for some brilliant vegan eatery tips!

Best Vegan Food in Edinburgh Now

As the local guide to vegan food in Edinburgh, I am always on the lookout for new places offering delicious eats to try every single day. Thankfully for vegans like me, Scotland’s capital is one of the best cities in the county for cruelty-free food, and the vegan scene in the city is getting better all the time. From exotic curries to nutritious salads or glorious comfort food – Edinburgh has you covered. Here are just a handful of my favourites:

1. Hendersons

• Where: 7-13 Barclay Terrace
• Website: https://www.hendersonsrestaurant.com

After closing down during the pandemic, Edinburgh locals feared the vegetarian restaurant, which was practically an institution, would not come back. We collectively cheered when Barrie Henderson shared his plans to reopen. Relaunching the restaurant in Bruntsfield next to the links. Offering a fully vegetarian menu with loads of vegan options, bringing back some old favourite dishes along with inspiring new items.

Make sure you order: Hendersons haggis with root mash. 

2. The Herbivore Kitchen

• Where: online and watch their socials to find out their location each week
• Website: www.theherbivorekitchen.co.uk

Before it opened, The Herbivore Kitchen had already established its reputation as a legendary maker of vegan and vegetarian treats at the monthly Herbivore Supper Club and the Herbivore Box in the Meadows. Nowadays, keep an eye on their socials to see where you can pick up a stash of brownies in person or head to their online shop to indulge any time of day.

Make sure you order: a beautiful vegan brownie.

3. Seeds For the Soul

• Where: 167 Bruntsfield Place
• Website: https://www.seedsforthesoul.co.uk

Seeds for the Soul is a charming little café in Bruntsfield which serves breakfast, brunch, lunch and sweet treats – all of which are completely vegan. The owners are very passionate about good food, using organic ingredients where possible and making everything from scratch right on the premises. They also clearly label the gluten-free options too, both those that are naturally gluten-free and those that can be made gluten-free on request.

Make sure you order: Any of their Beyond burgers.

4. Holy Cow

• Where: 34 Elder Street
• Website: www.facebook.com/Holy-Cow

Holy Cow ] has achieved a legendary status among Edinburgh vegans thanks to their belly-busting vegan burgers and sandwiches. Located two minute’s walk from the main bus station, this vegan café should be on your “must-visit” list, even if you’re only in town for a day or two.

Their famous vegan burger range include varieties like falafel, pulled jackfruit, portobello mushroom and tofu, and are served with Holy Cow’s delicious chunky chips. If you can, try and save some room for a slice of one of their tempting homemade cakes.

Make sure you order: the portobello mushroom burger, with a generous helping of homemade chips.

5. Harmonium

Photo: @harmoniumbar

• Where: 7-11 East London Street
• Website: https://www.harmoniumbar.co.uk

Of course, no list on new vegan openings in Edinburgh would be complete without giving a mention to Harmonium – perhaps the most eagerly anticipated veggie restaurant in Edinburgh ever. From the same folk who run Mono, Stereo and the Flying Duck in Glasgow, there was a lot of excitement when this place set up shop in the East New Town. Thankfully, unlike a lot of overly-hyped places these days, Harmonium’s menu does not disappoint.

With vegan versions of all your favourite comfort food like macaroni cheese, greasy pizza, tasty burgers and more, Harmonium is definitely worth the trip. Also, don’t forget to pair your meal with a glass of wine from their completely vegan selection. Chin chin!

Make sure you order: The creamy vegan macaroni cheese.

6. Illegal Jacks

• Where: 44-45 St Patrick Square
• Website: www.illegaljacks.co.uk

Unlike all the other places on this list, Illegal Jacks has been feeding Edinburgh for quite a few years now (not counting a brief hiatus when he had to move and reopen in a new property after the roof caved in and the pandemic), but this place is definitely still worth noting thanks to their new and recently improved veggie offering.

You may already know Illegal Jacks for their incredible burritos and tex-mex food, but recently Jack has added a whole range of vegan options into the mix, including pulled jackfruit and irresistible vegan cheese. Add that to the existing offering of veggie haggis, veg chilli and sauteed veggies and there’s absolutely no way that you will leave this place hungry!

Make sure you order: The pulled jackfruit quesadillas with beautiful melty vegan cheese.

These are just a small selection of my favourite vegan haunts in Edinburgh right now. If you want to check out even more tempting vegan eats, make sure you pay me a visit on my website www.veganedinburgh.com or say hello to me on Facebook (www.facebook.com/veganedinburgh), Twitter (www.twitter.com/vegan_edi) or Instagram (www.instagram.com/vegan_edi). See you around!

Cook your own food in your temporary Edinburgh home

Like to prepare your own food when travelling? Then our self catering homes are ideal as they all have fully equipped kitchens where you can prepare a nice vegan or non-vegan meal. For example, our three bedroom flat on Royal Crescent in Central New Town has a fantastic spacious kitchen perfect for cooking and entertaining.

See more of our lovely homes with fabulous kitchens here.