When it came to eating out, vegetarian and vegan eaters tended to receive the short end of the stick. Thankfully, things have changed, and Edinburgh today offers a diverse choice of fascinating vegetarian and vegan alternatives. There are several fantastic vegetarian eateries in the city that compete for the title of Edinburgh’s top vegetarian restaurants. It’s always helpful to have personal suggestions, whether you’re a vegetarian, vegan, or just looking for plant-based eating alternatives. From breakfast to brunch, dinner to late-night snacking, and every meat-free meal in between, we’re convinced that our top 10 list of the Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Edinburgh will help you find the best vegan dining experiences.
Best Vegetarian Restaurants Edinburgh – Top 10 Vegan Places
1. Himalaya Shop
The Himalaya Shop mainly offers arts and crafts, jewellery, and clothes, but tucked behind the building is a delightful little café that serves afternoon teas, cakes, and a range of Tibetan goodies. The café offers a beautiful, laid-back vibe, a relaxation area and a lovely garden.
It is administered entirely by volunteers and provides funds for several charities, including Free Tibet. It also serves as a gathering place for persons interested in Tibetan culture and the surrounding region, and you can even attend yoga sessions there! You’ll be pleased to discover this little treasure.
2. Harmonium
Harmonium, the sister restaurant to Stereo & Co in Glasgow, is a vegan gastropub on Henderson Street in Leith. Since its inception in 2017, it has established itself as one of the most outstanding venues in Edinburgh to taste plant-based cuisine.
The restaurant includes vegan versions of burgers, and chips, mac & cheese, and a beverage menu that is almost hard to pick from. Harmonium is one of the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh.
3. Henderson’s
It was Edinburgh’s first vegetarian restaurant, and it is still widely regarded as the finest. Candlelight, a fine wine selection, and live piano or guitar lend polite touches to the basement room’s long, communal tables.
Meals are self-service, with eight hot meals (vegetarian haggis, anyone?), at least 10 salads, and a range of baked goodies and fresh organic veggies. For such a feast, the costs are relatively reasonable.
4. Novapizza
Novapizza, a vegetarian and vegan-friendly Italian restaurant, offers everything you’d expect from an Italian restaurant.
Novapizza offers locally produced and beautifully presented vegetarian pizza and pasta meals and an extensive range of white pizzas for those who choose to avoid cheese.
5. David Bann
David Bann’s restaurant is a hidden treasure, with some calling it the most fantastic vegetarian restaurant in Scotland. The food is broad and inventive, with global influences.
Thai cakes are served with delectable pastry items and wonderfully flavored smoked tofu, while the whiskey panna cotta is luxurious and delicious. Fine eating at a low price may enjoy casual yet attractive settings just off the Royal Mile. Bann’s is exclusively vegetarian, yet the dish is so tasty and stylish that even meat-eaters rave over it. Carnivores should try it as well.
6. Paradise Palms
This quirky, tropical-themed bar and restaurant offers vegetarian American diner-style soul cuisine.
That includes burgers, loaded fries, southern-fried seitan (a meat substitute), buffalo cauliflower, and other dishes. Paradise Palms also features a comprehensive beverages menu, ranging from traditional cocktails to shared teapots, now available from 2-10 pm in their outdoor dining area.
7. Kalpna
Kalpna received the Gourmet British Vegetarian Restaurant award in 2011 and is generally one of Scotland’s top Indian restaurants. The menu is vibrant and appealing, showcasing innovations in modern Indian food.
While also drawing inspiration from traditional Punjabi, Gujurati, and South Indian food. Dam Aloo Kashmeri (potato barrels stuffed with veggies, paneer, and nuts with tomato, honey, and ginger sauce. And a creamy almond and saffron sauce) is Kalpna’s trademark dish.
Also, the thali is a terrific option if you can’t decide between the delightful choices on the menu. They have an excellent all-you-can-eat set meal package for evening services, and their lunch buffet is both affordable and widespread. Although they would gladly accommodate vegans and offer Indian cooking classes, the food is vegetarian.
8. Beetroot Sauvage
Beetroot Sauvage, an animal-free café, health centre, and yoga studio, is the ideal location to feed both your body and spirit.
There is an all-day breakfast menu, brunch menu, and lunch menu, with options ranging from cooked meals to nutritious smoothies. In addition, the café claims to serve the most incredible vegan cheeses in Edinburgh.
9. Pumpkin Brown
Pumpkin Brown is a lovely café in the Old Town’s Grassmarket district specializing in raw food, healthy living, and vegan cuisine. They begin by promising that none of their cuisines includes refined sugar, dairy products, or gluten and then create some surprisingly delicious meals.
Salads are vibrant and fresh, and they serve with moreish sweet potato fries, aromatic bean stews, and creamy and spicy dhal and chili. Their morning chai pots are so wholesome and well-behaved that you may need to balance them with a more indulgent dessert. Never worry.
They have raw raspberry ruffle bars (a sentimental must for any vegan who has staved off a chocolate yearning with one of the original ruffle bars), a vegan carrot cake to die for, and many more delicious options.
10. Holy Cow
This tiny, independent café in the city centre specialises in locally sourced seasonal cuisine, and the whole menu is vegan. It serves famous vegan burgers and sandwiches with tasty chunky chips.
There’s also a terrific selection of vegan beverages and pastries, including cheesecakes, banoffee pie, and lemon drizzle.
Conclusion
Just because you’ve opted to assist the earth (and yourself) by avoiding the temptations of meat and dairy doesn’t mean your evenings out have to be any less fun. Thankfully, in today’s more conscientious and responsible society, the vegetarian option no longer consists of a haphazardly slapped-together salad or a boilerplate burger with the cow patty replaced by a sad portobello mushroom. Look through our top 10 Best Vegetarian Restaurants in Edinburgh guide above.
