The Best Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh, Scotland

Map of Edinburgh Vegan Restaurants

This map of restaurants in Edinburgh shows the best vegan, vegetarian and vegan-friendly spots. You can save it to your own Google maps account to reference at a later date, too. Click the little star next to the title of the map to do so.

Soul Vegan

Soul Vegan is a plant-based Malaysian restaurant in Edinburgh, not far from Old Town and the University of Edinburgh. Their website tagline is "perfect place for vegan souls" and describes themselves as a "heaven for vegan and plant-based food lovers".

The establishment itself is warm and inviting, a very cozy space with a greenery wall illuminated with the words, "welcome to vegan paradise".

The menu has noodle dishes, rice dishes, and a wide array of main courses. There are also starters (great for sharing), soups and more.

I visited on the afternoon that I arrived in Edinburgh, so I was feeling a bit jetlagged and in need of some nourishment.

I settled on a hearty and comforting bowl of wonton noodle soup. With crispy wontons on top of a savory broth, noodles and veggies, I wouldn't hesitate to order this one again.

NovaPizza

NovaPizza is the very first vegan Italian restaurant in Edinburgh, opening their doors in 2015. They serve authentic plant-based versions of traditional Italian recipes.

Some of the highlights on the menu include their bruschetta & burrata (vegan burrata cheese!), their signature spaghetti dish, and Pizza Serena with mozzarella, walnuts, Stracciatella, tomato confit, olives and fresh basil.

I had to order something that I've never tried before, so I went for a traditional Roman pasta dish, Rigatoni Cacio Pepe Lime.

The rigatoni noodles are served with melted cheese, pepper, and topped with lime zest. It came served in its own little pan, which was quite innovative and practical!

We've also since returned to Novapizza and ordered the burrata cheese, something I've never seen on a vegan menu before. Loved it! And of course, we had to try more pasta.

If you've saved room for dessert, you're in for a treat. Try their vegan tiramisu, panna cotta, or affogato al caffee (boozy versions available). NovaPizza has after dinner digestives and drinks, like Irish coffee, espresso martini or a white Russian.

Sora Diana

Sora Diana is a vegan Italian restaurant in Edinburgh. This establishment is owned by the same folks that owned Sora Lella. They also operate as "The Vegan Sora".

Recently, Sora Lella closed and "moved in" with Sora Diana, bringing over some of their vegan Roman dishes. Now, you can find all the best plant-based Italian cuisine at Sora Diana.

While we haven't had a chance to check out Sora Diana just yet, we loved dining at Sora Lella. The photo I've used was from my meal at Sora Lella - I can't wait to try Sora Diana, too. My meal was so delicious!

Sen Viet Vegan

Sen Viet Vegan is a 100% vegan Vietnamese restaurant in Edinburgh with rave reviews. With one restaurant already open in London, they've opened their second restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh.

Many have stated that it's the "best Vietnamese food outside of Vietnam".

Take a look at the menu for so many delicious options. I suggest trying the Pho noodle soup, Presidential Bun Cha, Hai Phong Caramel & Kohlrabi or other tasty offerings. Save room for some fried ice cream for dessert.

The Happy Fish

Oh, how we love this place! The Happy Fish is a vegan fish and chip shop, operating inside The Dog House pub.

In fact, they're Scotland's first vegan chippy and you can even get their food delivered using VG Delivered, Edinburgh's vegan food delivery service.

I can't wait to go back here and try even more of their awesome eats. There are "tofish" suppers, burgers, chippy singles and suppers, loaded fries, sides and more. We're obsessed!

Holy Cow

Holy Cow is one of the very first vegan cafes in Edinburgh, dating back to 2016. It's so interesting to think that when we first dined here in 2019, there were only a handful of vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh. Now, there are so many!

Holy Cow serves a full vegan Scottish breakfast (gluten-free version available, too). We ordered the Vietnamese tofu burger and the BCLT sandwich when we dined here, both packed with flavor and nourishment.

This restaurant specializes in vegan cakes. Try a slice of cake or pie when you dine here or you can order a whole cake for a special occasion. Many are gluten-free, too.

Holy Cow Lounge also offers a vegan afternoon tea with savory items, sandwiches and sweets (must order two days in advance).

Hendersons

Hendersons is an institution in Edinburgh. While this long standing vegetarian restaurant closed down after 58 years in 2020, the owners' grandson, Barrie Henderson, took over with new ideas and a modern flair.

The restaurant reopened in 2021 in a new location. We've since returned to Hendersons to try their vegan Sunday roast, which was nothing short of incredible. We're also still dreaming about their Biscoff cheesecake, oh my goodness, it was so good.

There are many Scottish and British dishes gone plant-based. And as of 2023, it's a Michelin-listed restaurant.

Love, Peace and Coffee

Love, Peace and Coffee is a vegetarian cafe with yummy vegan treats and coffee in a welcoming environment. Justin and I went there for breakfast one day and I couldn't resist ordering a waffle.

You can choose the toppings for the waffle, so I got the decadent Biscoff sauce. There's also a vegan cheese toastie, falafel hummus toastie, porridge bowl, soup of the day, and many vegan cakes and pastries.

Paradise Palms

Voted "best vegetarian in Scotland 2023", Paradise Palms has so much going for it: it's a bar, diner, record shop and stage.

Try fabulous drinks while listening to great music, sample some veggie eats and even pick up a couple of records while you're there. It's pretty much a one stop shop. Plus, the decor is tropical and fun.

Paradise Palms' Lucky Pig serves up tantalizing soul food with the kitchen staying open fairly late, 7 days a week.

Mostly everything is vegan with just a few vegetarian options that contain dairy. Our nachos and burger took a while to arrive since the place was packed, but it was worth the wait.

Curran Geal

Curran Geal is a cute and cozy vegan deli cafe. The cafe used to offer dairy products, but went fully vegan in June 2023. There are several homemade sandwiches, wraps, soup and salads to order, plus a grocery selection with some unique plant-based finds.

There's always a great selection of pastries and desserts, too. There's limited seating here with just a few tables and some bar stools near the window, so I'm glad I was able to snag a spot to sit.

The lady working here was super lovely and my sandwich was so yummy. I also loved being surrounded by plants and greenery as I munched on my lunch.

Antijitos

Antijitos is an establishment serving vegan Mexican street food, and you'll find them quite literally popping up all over Edinburgh and beyond. When Justin and I tried Antijitos, they were operating out of The Dog House bar in Edinburgh.

Since then, they've moved on. You'll find them at Edinburgh Street Food at the Omni Center and at The 78 Bar in Glasgow. Their food truck makes regular appearances at local events and markets throughout the UK.

Celebrate Taco Tuesday a huge variety of vegan tacos: southern fried pineapple, beer battered banana blossom, chipotle jackfruit tinga, al pastor, Oaxacan chik'n, or blackened tofu asada. We tried tacos, nachos and quesadillas and everything was absolute perfection.

Rabbit Food at Meadows Tap

Meadows Tap pub is home to Rabbit Food, the vegan junk food kitchen. Their motto is, "if it bleeds, we won't grill it!".

What you will find on the menu are highly craveable eats that pair perfectly with a pint. The menu features burgers, dirty fries, "macaro-nae cheese" where you choose the toppings, sides and ice cream shakes.

My friend Shannon and I split some drool-worthy dishes, including mac n cheese dirty fries, chicken tenders, and mac n cheese balls.

It's definitely guilty pleasure fare and I wouldn't hesitate to dine here again and again, especially on a night out where drinking is involved.

Update: I did return with Justin and we both loved it! I'll include pics from both visits because we ordered new things from the menu.

Pulse

Pulse Plant-Based Home Cooking is a vegan eatery in a unique location, St. John's Church. They seek out the freshest local ingredients possible and create delicious meals for everyone to enjoy, focusing on pulses, grains, seeds, nuts, vegetables, herbs, plants, fruits and mushrooms.

Pulse is also an eco-friendly restaurant that strives to create the least amount of waste possible. There are small plates and big plates on the menu with rotating dishes, depending on what's in season.

For example, sample the "jazzed-up" avocado toast or cream of tomato soup as a small dish or go big with the Thai-inspired coconut curry.

Union of Genius

Union of Genius is a popular soup cafe in Edinburgh. While there is limited seating inside, there's a good amount of turnover so a seat should open up soon for you.

Not only does this soup cafe have fair prices (we saw plenty of university students on a budget here), but they offer vegan soups daily. And they're super tasty and hearty, perfect for a rainy day.

Don't sleep on trying their vegan chili. I had it two days in a row for lunch when I was last in Edinburgh. They can put vegan cheese on top for you, too!

The Hanging Bat

The Hanging Bat is a beer cafe in Edinburgh with more than 20 beers on tap and over 100 bottled beers (local and international selections). While they are well-known for their beer, The Hanging Bat also features a vegan-friendly dining menu with delicious pub grub.

While it's not fully vegan, it's a great place to enjoy a pint and some fare with your omnivore friends (or your vegan friends!).

The vegan food has a green V next to it on the menu. I ordered the vegan hotdog and the vegan wings. There's also a vegan burger, tacos and more.

Chapter One Coffee

Chapter One Coffee Shop is proudly 100% vegan for the animals, people and the planet. They make their best efforts to source ingredients ethically and create as little waste as possible.

I popped by Chapter One upon the morning of my arrival to Edinburgh on a recent trip after an overnight flight, and their food and drink hit the spot.

The coffee here is rich and flavorful, and of course there are all types of plant-based milks with no upcharge. The beans are supplied by Dear Green roastery in Glasgow. As I visited for breakfast, I ordered the tofu scramble on sourdough as well.

Surrounded by greenery in a relaxing environment, I could easily see myself sipping coffee and cozying up with a book at this charming cafe. At the same time, it's a delightful place to meet with friends over tea and desserts.

Bellfield Brewery

Bellfield Brewery is a 100% vegan and gluten-free brewery in Edinburgh. All of their beer is made without animal products or gluten, which is quite amazing. You wouldn't even know the beer was gluten-free (and most people don't realize that).

While their food menu isn't completely vegan, there are always vegan options. The food menu changes and rotates regularly.

When we visited in October, there was an Oktoberfest-themed food menu. They had a vegan sausage and pretzels with mustard on the menu. They paired perfectly with the beer!

Hula Grassmarket

When Justin and I had a quick trip to Edinburgh to sort out a few things leading up to our wedding, we arrived feeling the full effects of jetlag. Naturally, our hotel room wasn't quite ready, so we found ourselves stumbling around Old Town in search of some coffee and a light lunch to simply wake up.

We came across Hula Grassmarket as we walked down Victoria Street. The outdoor patio was quite bustling and we managed to find a table indoors, though it was quite popular.

Hula is a vegan-friendly eatery and everything marked "VE" is vegan. Justin and I both ordered avocado toast, though there are quite a few options on the menu (the avo toast is really good, highly recommend!).

FacePlant Foods

FacePlant Foods is a 100% vegan establishment in Leith that started as a pop-up plant-based kitchen. They specialize in creating vegan meat alternatives like bacon, pastrami, chicken and turkey, as well as some of the finest vegan cheese around.

For this reason, you'll discover some of the finest cold sandwiches and grilled cheese sandwiches in Scotland here.

Don't feel like a sandwich? Try their mac and cheese (which also comes on a sandwich), chicken Caesar salad or crunch wrap. I can verify that the crunch wrap is incredible.

Black Rabbit

Black Rabbit is a beloved vegan deli and bakery in Edinburgh. When I visited, I had already eaten lunch at Curran Geal, but I saved room for dessert.

Their Biscoff cruffin was calling my name so I had to try it (sooo good!). They also have a wall of goodies where I grabbed some of the Love Raw treats that are difficult to find at home.

As you can see from their menu board, Black Rabbit might be known for their desserts, but they have savory items, too. They have vegan bagels, sandwiches, toasties and more.

There is limited seating inside this casual cafe, though it would be great to enjoy their food as a picnic lunch in the park.

Considerit

Considerit believes in a plant-based future, which is one reason why they create doughnuts, chocolate and ice cream free of all animal products. We indulged in some of their donuts, which come in a variety of flavors.

The flavors are always changing with classic favorites and seasonal varieties. Sometimes they'll have meals for special events and seasonal offerings for Easter, Christmas and more.

I suggest staying in touch on their Instagram page because there's always something new and exciting happening!

Cafe on the Mound

Cafe on the Mound is a vegetarian and vegan-friendly cafe with more than half of their menu being vegetarian/vegan. They've expanded their vegan offerings as of August 1st, 2024.

You can order a full vegan breakfast (including vegan haggis), dairy-free overnight oats, vegan yoghurt granola, vegan pancakes, and homemade vegan mac n cheese.

The pancakes are a solid choice for a hearty breakfast. Their coffee is really rich and flavourful, too. This is a great option for a vegan breakfast in Edinburgh.

Cairngorm Coffee Roasters

Cairngorm Coffee is a sweet little coffee shop in Edinburgh's New Town. While they are mostly known for their coffee and espresso beverages, you can order some light lunch items here, too. There is a vegan grilled cheese and an avocado toast.

One thing that I love about this coffee shop is that the plant-based milks (oat or coconut milk) are available at no extra charge.

I hate having to pay a premium to order a vegan coffee, but this is not the case at Cairngorm Coffee. Their coffee is also freshly roasted in Edinburgh.

Archipelago Bakery

Archipelago Bakery in Edinburgh's New Town was right down the street when we stayed at Righ Residences. It was a convenient choice when grabbing some light breakfast foods and pastries.

They bake all their breads, cakes and savoury goods fresh daily. Archipelago proudly uses organic flour and local ingredients where possible.

There are always a variety of vegan cake slices, pastries and treats. If I lived in Edinburgh or stayed for a longer period of time, I'd love to stop by for their fresh sourdough bread, too. It looks so good!

Cowan and Sons

Cowan and Sons is a cafe where coffee, food and art collide. It's a lovely community spot in Stockbridge with limited edition prints hanging on the wall that are available for purchase.

While their menu isn't exclusively vegan, there are a few options on their small breakfast and lunch menu. Their "big brunch bun" called The Vegan is a solid choice (grilled herbie mushroom, avo & pea smash with harissa beans in a white bun).

There are also vegan sweet treats. Definitely try the cinnamon buns!

Laila Restaurant & Bar

I wouldn't say that Laila Restaurant & Bar is the best place for vegan food in Edinburgh, but it's certainly a beautiful brunch spot.

From the pale pink exterior to the neon pink illuminated sign stating, "brunch is always a good idea", Laila is a pretty place to enjoy brunch in Old Town right on Cockburn Street (they have a second location in New Town, too!).

For vegan options, try the mighty meatless pita, vegan shakshouka, or what I got, the pink avocado toast. There's avocado, beetroot hummus (hence, the pink), rocket (arugula) and pomegranate seeds. It does leave off the feta and the egg when you order it vegan.

I also ordered one of their signature hot drinks made vegan, the Unicorn (sans the marshmallows and made with oat milk). I wish that they had some vegan marshmallows on hand to make it just the same as the non-vegan version, that's my only suggestion.

Loudons

Loudons is a popular breakfast, brunch and lunch spot in Edinburgh. They take pride in creating dishes for all dietary restrictions and appetites, including vegan and gluten-free. They have two restaurants: one in Waverley and one in Fountainbridge.

If I was feeling a little more hungry, I would have ordered the vegan breakfast (veggie haggis, veggie black pudding, potato scone, baked beans, mushroom and tofu scramble).

There are also pancakes and toasts, including an option to make the avocado toast vegan by topping it with a mushroom.

Fudge Kitchen / The Fudge House

There are two fudge shops on the Royal Mile, Fudge Kitchen and The Fudge House. Both fudge shops have vegan options.

The Fudge Shop has at least one flavour of vegan fudge (chocolate coconut was the one when I visited). Fudge Kitchen has several flavours listed on their website. Yum!

BrewDog

BrewDog has four restaurants in Edinburgh and one location at the airport, and we've dined at two of them. I've also been to a BrewDog in London, and I know I'll keep going back again and again.

BrewDog is a vegan-friendly chain that offers over 20 varieties of their refreshing beer on tap. From burgers to plant-based wings, you'll surely find something tasty at BrewDog.

They have Vegan Mondays where all vegan mains are 2-4-1. Even Wing Wednesday (bottomless hot wings) includes the vegan wings.

We hosted our pre-wedding dinner at BrewDog on Lothian Road and reserved an entire room upstairs for our 30 guests. The staff at BrewDog Lothian made the experience so seamless, even as we emailed from overseas.

Our guests pre-ordered their meals in advance, and the food came out from the kitchen so quickly and nearly all at the same time.

David Bann Restaurant

David Bann is an upscale vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh. If you're looking for a fancier place to dine, vegan style, David Bann is often the first choice that comes to mind.

It's no problem to order vegan dishes here; mostly everything is already vegan or can be made vegan on request.

While David Bann isn't Michelin listed, I could see it happening in the near future as the food is innovative, tasty, and presented beautifully. It's also conveniently located just off the Royal Mile, so it's easy to incorporate a trip here to your Edinburgh vacation.

Frites

Frites is a takeaway for hand cut fries with a variety of toppings, inspired by the kind you'd find in Belgium. They take the humble potato that's typically a side dish and puts it center stage.

We were hungry one night after playing arcade games at NQ64 and most restaurant kitchens had closed. Frites totally saved the day! They're open late and they're the perfect late night snack.

You don't have to settle for plain chips either. The vegan toppings are marked with VG and you can build your own frites. We added vegan mayo to ours.

The Sly Fox

The Sly Fox is veganizing your favorite dishes from around the world. Located in Leith, The Sly Fox features comfort food and street food made 100% plant-based. Try their "faux gras", hummus platter, spicy goulash, potato pancakes or veggie haggis.

They also specialize in creating raw, vegan, gluten free and refined sugar free cakes, chocolates, energy balls, truffles and other sweet treats. Stop by for a coffee or espresso drink, too.

The Huxley

The Huxley was a pleasant surprise! We dined here with Justin's parents as it was located next to their hotel, otherwise it wouldn't have been on my radar.

The main food menu has quite a few vegan options, like the vegan burger (pictured above), the cauliflower steak, buffalo cauliflower wings and sweet corn chowder.

Foodstory Edinburgh

Foodstory Cafe started in Aberdeen and they've since expanded to Edinburgh. While this is a vegetarian cafe, I'm delighted to see that their menu is even more vegan-friendly than I recall back when I visited a few years back in Aberdeen.

For this reason, it's one of the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh for breakfast or brunch. Almost everything on the menu is completely vegan with just a small vegetarian section.

It's amazing because a few years ago, you had to request for the items to be made vegan. Now, they are mostly all vegan and you would need to seek out the vegetarian options. I love seeing this kind of progress.

Chaophraya Thai Restaurant

Chaophraya is an authentic Thai restaurant in New Town Edinburgh. Located up on the fourth floor, there are stunning views of the castle from this rooftop patio.

This Thai restaurant has a separate vegan menu with so many options. There's a sharing plater, several starters, many mains and sides. Try tofu or vegan chicken as your protein. They also have eggless egg noodles!

Zizzi Edinburgh

Zizzi is a chain of Italian restaurants in Scotland, and I've always loved how they are so vegan-friendly. I first frequented Zizzi in Inverness and I'm happy to have returned again in Edinburgh.

It was a convenient option: I was walking down the street with a couple of friends, in search of a dinner spot, and I knew that Zizzi would be a great choice for all of us.

Look for the VE to order something that's vegan. Their Rustica pizzas are a solid choice made with MozzaRisella vegan cheese. I've also tried the lentil ragu pasta previously, which is a yummy option. There are even vegan desserts, if you save enough room.

The City Cafe

The City Cafe is a beloved Edinburgh restaurant since the 1980s. It's all decked out to look like an American 1950s diner.

There are many vegan options on their menu. We stopped by one evening for a snack, so we ordered some vegan nachos. They also offer pancakes for breakfast among other tasty options.

Las Iguanas Edinburgh

Las Iguanas is a chain of Latin American-inspired restaurants in the UK. I met some friends here later on in the evening, and while I wasn't hungry enough to have a second dinner, I ordered a small plate of vegan nachos.

I love how they place a little flag that says "I'm vegan" just so you can be sure. The menu has quite a few vegan dishes, like fajitas, burritos and more.

Mayvn Cafe

Mayvn Cafe is a lovely little spot in New Town that stays open later than other cafes in town. It's a coffee shop and cocktail bar, a great place to meet over either beverage depending on your mood.

While I ordered an oat latte, they always have at least one slice of vegan cake or sweet bread in their case at the front of the shop.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the amount of gluten-free items, too. While I'm not a gluten-free girl myself, my best friend is - so I'm always looking out for her!

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme has vegan donuts in Scotland! While there are Krispy Kreme shops in Edinburgh, I was pleasantly surprised to see a kiosk at the Edinburgh airport. It was great to enjoy a vegan donut while waiting for my flight!