Vegan Restaurants Edinburgh: Best Plant-Based Stays (2026)

Vegan restaurants Edinburgh visitors can choose from now span the full range — from David Bann’s vegetarian fine dining (Michelin Guide-listed) to Soul Vegan’s loaded-fries street food, with everything in between. Edinburgh has been one of the UK’s most vegetarian-friendly cities for decades — Henderson’s opened on Hanover Street in 1962 and held the UK’s longest-running vegetarian-restaurant title until 2020. Today the city has at least 30 dedicated vegetarian or vegan restaurants and dozens more with strong plant-based menus.

This guide covers the best vegan restaurants Edinburgh has, with detail on each restaurant’s style, location, pricing, and which best suits which dietary preference. Information is current as of 2026 with notes on Scottish plant-based ingredients and the city’s vegan-haggis tradition.

Why Edinburgh for Vegan Food?

Edinburgh’s vegetarian-restaurant tradition dates to 1962, when Janet Henderson opened Henderson’s on Hanover Street. Henderson’s became the UK’s longest-running vegetarian restaurant before closing during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. The brand was reopened by Janet’s grandson Barry Henderson in 2023 with a fully vegan menu.

Beyond Henderson’s, Edinburgh’s plant-based scene benefits from:

A large student population (60,000+ at the University of Edinburgh and other institutions) maintaining demand for affordable plant-based options.

Strong Scottish-grown vegetables, oats, barley, and pulses — the foundation of traditional Scottish vegan cooking.

A long-established vegetarian haggis tradition. Most Scottish restaurants serve vegetarian haggis alongside meat versions, often as good as the originals.

An active independent café scene that has consistently embraced plant-based food faster than the UK average.

For broader Edinburgh dining context see our pillar guide on the Edinburgh food guide.

The Best Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh

1. David Bann

The flagship Edinburgh vegetarian restaurant. Open since 2002, David Bann’s all-day menu combines Scottish ingredients with global influences. Most dishes are vegetarian; many are vegan. All beers are vegan and Scottish. Multiple vegan and organic wines. Won the 2023 Experts’ Choice Award for one of Edinburgh’s highest-rated restaurants.

Style: Vegetarian fine dining (most dishes vegan-adaptable).
Pricing: £25-£40 per person.
Address: 56-58 St Mary’s Street, just off the Royal Mile.

2. Henderson’s

The reborn Edinburgh institution. Now fully vegan from the Hanover Street venue. Vegan haggis (a Henderson’s signature), lentil lasagne, wild mushroom risotto, chocolate mousse. Michelin Guide-listed since 2023.

Style: Fully vegan, Michelin Guide listed.
Pricing: £15-£30 per person.
Address: 94 Hanover Street, New Town.

3. Holy Cow Café

Fully vegan café-restaurant. Bowls, burgers, brunch, baked goods. Particularly good for breakfast.

Style: Fully vegan café.
Pricing: £10-£18 per person.
Address: 34 Elder Street, New Town.

4. Soul Vegan

Vegan street-food kitchen. Loaded fries, plant-based burgers, wraps, creative sides. Casual takeaway vibe with sit-in option.

Style: Vegan street food / casual.
Pricing: £8-£15 per person.
Address: Various Edinburgh locations.

5. Black Rabbit

Edinburgh’s first vegan-only restaurant focused on innovative plant-based cooking. Tasting menus, small plates, full vegan wine list. Michelin-Bib-Gourmand-adjacent quality.

Style: Vegan fine dining.
Pricing: £30-£50 per person.
Address: Stockbridge.

6. Hendersons Vegan

The Henderson’s family’s secondary brand, vegan-only. Smaller menu than the main Henderson’s; located in a different area.

Style: Vegan-only.
Pricing: £14-£25 per person.
Address: Multiple Edinburgh locations.

7. Kalpna

A long-running Indian vegetarian restaurant on St Patrick Square. Authentic Indian vegetarian cooking — thalis, curries, breads. Strong vegan-adaptable menu.

Style: Indian vegetarian.
Pricing: £15-£25 per person.
Address: 2-3 St Patrick Square, South Side.

8. Mother India’s Café

Excellent Indian vegetarian-friendly café on Infirmary Street. Many naturally vegan options.

Style: Indian café (most dishes vegan-adaptable).
Pricing: £10-£18 per person.
Address: 3-5 Infirmary Street, South Side.

9. Hanam’s

Middle Eastern restaurant with extensive vegetarian and vegan menu — falafel, hummus, mezze plates, baklava. Affordable.

Style: Middle Eastern (extensive vegan menu).
Pricing: £10-£20 per person.
Address: Johnston Terrace, just below Edinburgh Castle.

10. Hula Juice Bar

Smoothie bowls, juices, raw food, and vegan baked goods. Excellent for breakfast and healthy lunch.

Style: Vegan/raw café.
Pricing: £8-£15 per person.
Address: Various Edinburgh locations.

Vegan-Friendly (Not Vegan-Only) Edinburgh Restaurants

11. Whiski Bar & Restaurant

Strong vegetarian haggis and vegan whisky-paired menu. The vegan haggis is often as good as the meat version.

12. Howies Old Town

Modern Scottish with strong vegetarian and vegan options.

13. Aizle

Surprise tasting menu, available in vegetarian/vegan formats with advance request. Bib Gourmand recognised.

14. Fhior

Modern Scottish-Nordic with extensive vegetarian and vegan tasting options.

15. Timberyard

Foraged-ingredient modern Scottish. Vegetable-led tasting menus available.

16. Paradise Palms

Vegetarian-friendly café-restaurant with extensive vegan options. Quirky atmosphere.

17. The Dogs

Modern British in the New Town. Strong vegan menu options.

Vegan Cafés and Bakeries

Project Coffee: Vegan-friendly specialty coffee with strong food menu.

Vegan-Style Edinburgh shops: Several Edinburgh bakeries (Söderberg has vegan options; Twelve Triangles has vegan pastries; Project Coffee has vegan baked goods).

Pretty Decent Stoop: Edinburgh’s first dedicated vegan ice-cream parlour.

Hula Juice Bar: Cold-pressed juices, smoothie bowls, vegan brunch.

Vegan Edinburgh by Cuisine

Vegan Scottish

Henderson’s, David Bann, Whiski (vegetarian haggis). All offer plant-based versions of traditional Scottish dishes.

Vegan Indian

Kalpna, Mother India’s Café, Punjabi Junction.

Vegan Italian

Civerinos (vegan pizzas), Franco Manca (sourdough vegan options), various Italian places with vegan pasta.

Vegan Asian

Ting Thai Caravan (vegan adaptable), most Chinese and Thai restaurants in Edinburgh have vegan options.

Vegan Mexican / Latin American

Paz Tacos (vegan adaptable), various Mexican places with bean-based options.

Vegan Middle Eastern

Hanam’s, various Lebanese and Turkish restaurants.

Vegan Junk Food / Comfort Food

Soul Vegan (loaded fries, burgers), Holy Cow Café (vegan brunch).

Vegan Haggis: The Edinburgh Specialty

One of Edinburgh’s distinctive vegan offerings is vegan haggis — a Scottish institution that almost universally appears alongside meat haggis on traditional Scottish menus. Made from beans, lentils, oats, mushrooms, and the traditional spice profile (mace, nutmeg, allspice, black pepper), vegan haggis is often as flavourful and satisfying as the meat version.

Best vegan haggis in Edinburgh:

Henderson’s (signature dish, available throughout the week).
Whiski Bar & Restaurant (a particularly well-regarded version).
The Witchery (vegan haggis on the menu, reasonably-priced as a starter).
Pakora Bar (vegan haggis pakora wrap — Scottish-Indian fusion).

For more on traditional Scottish food including vegetarian versions see our Scottish food Edinburgh guide.

Tips for Vegan Eating in Edinburgh

Vegetarian default; ask for vegan. Most Edinburgh restaurants now indicate vegan options on menus. Where unclear, ask — most kitchens accommodate vegan substitutions.

Watch for traditional Scottish ingredients. Beef dripping in fish-and-chips frying. Whisky cake (sometimes butter, sometimes not). Cranachan (whipped cream — vegan versions use coconut). Confirm at order.

Vegan beer is widely available. Most Scottish beers are vegan; ask for confirmation if uncertain.

Festival period. Vegan options are particularly easy during August Festival when the city’s restaurant scene goes international.

Use Happy Cow. The Happy Cow vegan-restaurant directory is comprehensive for Edinburgh.

Most cafés have vegan options. Edinburgh’s specialty coffee scene almost universally accommodates oat milk and other vegan alternatives.

Vegan Edinburgh Sample Day

Breakfast (8am): Holy Cow Café — vegan brunch, smoothie bowl, oat-milk flat white. £15.

Lunch (1pm): Hula Juice Bar — Buddha bowl with quinoa, roasted vegetables, tahini dressing. £12.

Dinner (7:30pm): David Bann or Henderson’s — three-course vegetarian/vegan dinner with Scottish wine. £35-£50.

Late drinks (10:30pm): Hanam’s for Middle Eastern mezze and pomegranate cocktails. £20.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best vegan restaurant in Edinburgh?

David Bann (vegetarian with vegan options, Michelin Guide listed) and Henderson’s (now fully vegan, Michelin Guide listed) are the two highest-rated. Black Rabbit (Stockbridge) for fine-dining vegan. Holy Cow Café for casual brunch.

Is Edinburgh vegan-friendly?

Yes. Edinburgh has one of the strongest vegan and vegetarian restaurant scenes in the UK. Most mainstream restaurants now offer plant-based options. Multiple dedicated vegan-only restaurants. Long tradition of vegetarian dining (Henderson’s opened 1962).

Where can I eat vegan haggis in Edinburgh?

Henderson’s (signature dish), Whiski Bar, the Witchery, Pakora Bar (vegan haggis pakora wrap), and most traditional Scottish restaurants. Vegan haggis is genuinely popular in Edinburgh — not a tourist gimmick.

How much do vegan restaurants in Edinburgh cost?

Casual vegan cafés (Hula, Holy Cow, Soul Vegan): £10-£18 per person. Mid-range vegetarian (David Bann, Henderson’s): £25-£40. Fine dining vegan (Black Rabbit): £40-£70.

Is David Bann fully vegan?

No — David Bann is vegetarian (most dishes), with many vegan options. The kitchen is willing to vegan-adapt most dishes on request.

Is Henderson’s still open?

Yes. The original Henderson’s closed in 2020 during the pandemic. The reopened version (operated by Barry Henderson, grandson of founder Janet) has been open on Hanover Street since 2023 as a fully vegan restaurant.

Are there vegan restaurants on the Royal Mile?

David Bann (just off the Royal Mile on St Mary’s Street). Hanam’s (Johnston Terrace). Various general restaurants with strong vegan options on the Royal Mile itself.

What is the best vegan brunch in Edinburgh?

Holy Cow Café (Elder Street), Hula Juice Bar (multiple locations), and the brunch menu at the Edinburgh Larder are all excellent for vegan brunch.

Are Edinburgh cafés vegan-friendly?

Yes. Most independent specialty cafés (the Milkman, Twelve Triangles, Edinburgh Larder, Project Coffee) offer vegan baked goods, oat milk, and vegan-adaptable menus. Larger chains less reliable for vegan-specific items but standard vegan coffee orders are universal.

What Scottish foods are vegan?

Vegan haggis, lentil-and-barley Scotch broth, vegan stovies (mushroom-based), vegan cranachan (coconut cream replaces dairy cream), tablet (some recipes are vegan), porridge, and a wide range of Scottish cheeses now have vegan equivalents.

Final Thoughts

Vegan restaurants Edinburgh visitors can choose from rival many UK cities for variety and quality. David Bann and Henderson’s lead the established tier; Holy Cow Café and Hula Juice Bar deliver the casual end; Black Rabbit takes vegan into fine-dining territory. The vegan-haggis tradition gives Edinburgh a distinctive Scottish-vegan identity that other UK cities don’t quite match.

For more, see our pillar guide on the Edinburgh food guide, our Scottish food Edinburgh piece (covering vegan haggis), our cheap restaurants Edinburgh guide, and our cafes on the Royal Mile piece (most cafés are vegan-friendly).