Vegetarian Restaurants in Edinburgh: A Guide
In celebration of National Vegetarian Week we asked the three vegetarians in our office to share their favourite places to eat out in Edinburgh.
Vegetarian-only restaurants
We get it. Sometimes vegetarians just want to be with their own kind, munching on beans and singing along to Morrissey. Here are some top picks for doing just that.
David Bann (56-58 St Mary's St)
Something of an Edinburgh institution, David Bann has long been the place to go for your high class vegetarian dining. Is it worth it though? The restaurant proved divisive in our focus group, with some proclaiming it their go-to choice for fine dining and others preferring to try more exotic options for their fancy nights out.
Hendersons
The New Town’s Hendersons proved less divisive, with the team all agreeing that the original Edinburgh veggie mecca is the place to go for veggie, vegan and gluten free options that "ACTUALLY TASTE NICE," which seems to be an ongoing battle even at this stage in the vegetarian revolution. Established in 1962, presumably before vegetarian was even a word, Hendersons now have outposts on Hanover St and Holyrood Road, and a newly opened vegan restaurant on Thistle St.
Paradise Palms (41 Lothian St)
A newcomer to the veggie scene, Paradise Palms has followed up its much-lauded Ninja Buns residency with a vegetarian menu that even carnivores are happy to eat. With dishes including Southern Fried Halloumi and Chipotle Mac n Cheese, it’s one for the believers and the non believers alike.
Edinburgh restaurants with good vegetarian options
Because veggies should be tolerant of their meat-loving pals, right?
BURGER. (93 Shandwick Pl)
Burger joints aren’t normally the most accommodating of vegetarians, being as they are themed around the worship of ground beef. However, BURGER. offers more than “the usual boring Portobello mushroom thing or a dreary beanburger,” with a chickpea, beetroot and tempeh burger and veggie chilli hotdog, “and pretty nice poutine too,” according to our source.
Bodega (62 Elm Row)
Intimate Leith Walk Mexican joint Bodega comes recommended across the board, but their veggie tacos are “the best” according to one of our interviewees. The avocado tempura taco, superb guac, and refried black bean dip with homemade tortilla chips all come highly commended.
Pomegranate (1 Antigua St)
Middle Eastern restaurant Pomegranate at the top of Leith Walk offers a veggie-specific mezze menu including standards like dolma and falafel, and more unusual specialities like Lebanese pastry and Bayengaan – slow roasted baby aubergines served with yoghurt. They’re also BYOB, so you can get hammered too.
Tanjore (6 Clerk St)
Rather than eating a cuisine which was originally designed to contain meat and replacing said meat with some crappy tofu or an enormous mushroom, how about trying something which was specifically designed to be vegetarian? Enter the vast culinary tradition of the Indian subcontinent, whose complex and delicious approach to dealing with pulses dates back millenia. Edinburgh’s Tanjore offers a taste of South India (think coconut milk, dhal, dosas) and even comes recommended by one of the office carnivores.
Vegetarian takeaway in Edinburgh
Because sometimes veggies have busy lives too.
The Wrap Place (4 Chapel St)
This North African wrap shop is an office favourite with carnivores and veggies alike. Their falafel baba ghanoush wrap is a particular stand-out, and you can choose your ingredients from an array of Mediterranean delights, thoughtfully seasoned so that even the meat-eaters forget it’s vegetarian.
Piemaker (38 South Bridge)
“BECAUSE SOMETIMES I JUST WANT A CHUNKY VEGETABLE FAUXRNISH PASTY,” bellowed our Events Editor.
Slumdog (38 Elm Row)
Leith Walk’s Slumdog takes a simplified approach to Indian menus, with a pared-down list of dishes to ensure each really stands out. Their chana chaat and daal have our seal of approval.
The Baked Potato Shop (56 Cockburn St)
Sometimes it's fine to just have some potato and some cheese and be done with it. Although a variety of other vegetarian and even vegan options are available. Also does vegan cakes.
Sgaia Foods (Stockbridge Market)
Not strictly a takeaway, more of a pop-up shop, Sgaia Foods rove the country selling their vegan mheat products to those among you who like a bit of seitan. Catch them at Stockbridge Market every third Sunday of the month, and at vegan food festivals north and south of the border. Check their website for details.