Vegan Edinburgh: The Best 100% Vegan Food in the City
Whether you’re new to the city or a seasoned local in Scotland’s capital – Edinburgh is one of the best cities in Europe (if not the world) for vegans. With 100% vegan restaurants a common sight (impressive for a small city), vegan Edinburgh is a heaven for foodies!
As your dedicated local vegan, I’ve compiled a list of the best vegan food in Edinburgh. And, as a plus, all establishments are local and independent so you can be assured you’re getting the most of the city’s food scene.
Contents
Is Edinburgh good for vegans?
The best vegan restaurants, Edinburgh
The best vegan cafes and lunch spots, Edinburgh
The best vegan bakeries, Edinburgh
Top vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh that have excellent vegan options
Is Edinburgh good for vegans?
As someone who has lived in Edinburgh for three years (and who has travelled quite a bit), I can safely say that Edinburgh is one of the best cities I’ve come across for vegan living. Not only are there some fabulous fully vegan and vegetarian restaurants dotted around the city, but most eateries have some vegan options – so if you’re vegan but your friends aren’t, you don’t need to put up with a plain salad from the menu.
The best vegan restaurants, Edinburgh
Looking for the top vegan restaurants, Edinburgh? Well I couldn’t possibly have a favourite – they’re all too good!
Edinburgh is definitely not short on vegan restaurants. Below you’ll find the best vegan restaurants, Edinburgh, for a sit down lunch or dinner. These restaurants are all 100% vegan and are ones I go back to again and again!
Novapizza
An independent restaurant owned by an Italian couple, this has to be one of my favourite spots in Edinburgh for vegan food. A tucked away gem in Edinburgh’s New Town, Novapizza, Edinburgh offers a delicious range of Italian staples in an intimate setting. On the hunt for the best vegan pizza, Edinburgh? This is definitely the place. Plus, the pistachio cheesecake is especially to die for and my non-vegan friend couldn’t believe it was vegan.
Make sure to book, as you won’t be the only one craving Edinburgh vegan pizza!
New Town: 42 Howe St, Edinburgh, EH3 6TH
Soul Vegan
Soul Vegan, Edinburgh, is a warm and inviting vegan Malaysian restaurant. It offers mouth watering dishes to satisfy your comfort-food cravings.
Newington: 46 W Richmond St, Edinburgh, EH8 9DZ
Sen Viet
This fully vegan Vietnamese Edinburgh restaurant serves up sizzling dishes of yumminess. Sen Viet Vegan, Edinburgh has an impressive range of dishes, so nothing stops you from coming back again and again. Plus you literally can’t miss it – the whole exterior is painted an iconic yellow.
Toll Cross: 23a Brougham Pl, Edinburgh, EH3 9JU
Seeds for the Soul
Perfect for lunch, dinner or cake, Seeds for the Soul, Edinburgh is a 100% vegan restaurant, offering a fab range of healthy and delicious dishes.
Bruntsfield: 167 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh, EH10 4DG
PULSE
PULSE is one of my favourite vegan restaurants in Edinburgh city centre. Hidden away in a quiet spot behind St John’s church, this independently owned restaurant delivers cozy vibes, healthy vegan homemade food, and local ingredients. Their modest menu offers flavour sensations and, on a sunny day, you can even enjoy their outdoor patio.
Princes Street: St John's, 1 Lothian Rd, Church terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB
The Seitanic Vegan Ch*kn Shop - Paradise Palms
No chickens harmed here! This queer-friendly bar and music powerhouse also do great food. They’ve partnered with The Seitanic Vegan Ch*kn Shop so you can enjoy some delish grub before you watch the latest drag show or dance the night away. As an FYI, some of Paradise Palm’s drinks are not vegan but they have vegan options like the vegan Piña colada – so just make sure to specify.
The Seitanic Vegan Ch*kn Shop Instagram
Newington: 41 Lothian St, Edinburgh, EH1 1HB
Holy Cow
In the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, right next to St James Quarter, this long standing vegan eatery hosts a yummy selection of vegan burgers, sandwiches, soups and cakes. If you’re looking for a homemade lunch or a cozy dinner, Holy Cow, Edinburgh is the perfect spot.
New Town: 34 Elder St, Edinburgh, EH1 3DX
The Happy Fish - The Dog House
Partnered with the iconic Dog House, you can easily order vegan fish and chips to this student hub pub. Simply grab a table and a drink, scan the QR code and WhatsApp The Happy Fish with your order. Someone from their team will come and bring your food to you while you enjoy the quirky and vibrant atmosphere.
Newington: 18-24 Clerk St, Edinburgh, EH8 9HX
The best vegan cafes and lunch spots, Edinburgh
While some of the options above are also great lunch spots, here are some top places if you’re in search of a vegan cafe in Edinburgh or want a relaxed brunch or lunch:
Chapter One Coffee Shop
This Edinburgh vegan cafe is “Scotland’s first woman owned vegan coffee shop and micro roaster” and does not disappoint. Looking for a chilled back atmosphere and homemade food? Their selection of sandwiches, cakes, brunch and hot drinks makes it well worth the small trip to the West End.
Dalry: 107 Dalry Rd, Edinburgh, EH11 2DR
FacePlant Foods
Doesn’t everyone crave a toastie from time to time? Vegan, in Edinburgh and having the toastie itch – FacePlant Foods will not disappoint. This laidback vegan eatery offers takeaway and indoor seating as well as mouth weathering eats such as grilled sandwiches, wraps, salads and hot drinks.
Leith: 37 Duke St, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 8HH
Planet Kuku
Lunch time and searching for a vegan take away, Edinburgh? Planet Kuku should be on your list! Selling a range of month-watering vegan frittas and salads, it’s the perfect food to grab and sit down in the local park with (if you’re in Stockbridge, I recommend Inverlieth Park). While they don’t have a permanent shop, you can find them at the Stockbridge Market on most Sundays, and at other food pop-up events around the city.
Stockbridge: Stockbridge Market, Saunders St, Edinburgh, EH3 6TQ
The best vegan bakeries, Edinburgh
If you’re in the mood for something sweet, here are two of my favourite fully vegan places to get that sugar fix to-go.
Black Rabbit
This deli and coffee shop takeaway is fully vegan. It’s the one of the best places to scuttle away with all sorts of vegan goodies, from vegan cheese or chocolate bars, to cake or sandwiches. They also do a hearty vegan cooked breakfast and have a few seats if you want to sit in.
Toll Cross: 33 Brougham St, Edinburgh, EH3 9JT
Considerit
Vegan donuts, chocolate and ice-cream – heaven! Located near the vibrant meadows, pop in for some tasty treats to takeaway.
Marchmont: 3-5a Sciennes, Edinburgh, EH9 1NH
Top vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh that have excellent vegan options
There are a few vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh that have such good vegan options it would be silly to not include them on this list. Start here to find some top Edinburgh restaurants with vegan options:
Hendersons
This gourmet, family owned vegetarian restaurant offers such a great selection of vegan options that it made it to this list. While this restaurant is fairly new, the original Hendersons was owned by the owner’s grandmother and was the longest running vegetarian restaurant in the UK, opened in 1962. It sadly closed down due to the COVID pandemic so I was happy to hear that a new version has opened up serving quality Scottish inspired dishes.
Bruntsfield: 7-13 Barclay Pl, Edinburgh EH10 4HW
David Bann
This vegetarian restaurant offers seasonal dishes inspired by both Scottish and global cuisine. This sit-down establishment is a real treat for vegans, vegetarians and general food lovers.
Old Town: 56-58 St Mary's St, Edinburgh EH1 1SX
Foodstory
A cozy cafe on Easter Road selling yummy focaccia, sandwiches and cakes. This relaxed hub was my favourite place to visit in Aberdeen so I’m so happy they’ve opened a branch in Edinburgh. Pro tip: Foodstory is quite popular so make sure to have a local back-up plan as it’s quite a small space.
Easter Road: 127 Easter Rd, Edinburgh EH7 5PP
I hope you, like me, fall in love with vegan Edinburgh.
Perhaps some of the best vegan places in Edinburgh are still to be discovered, so please contact me if I’ve missed anything!
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