Every year, millions of visitors are drawn to Edinburgh for its rich history, breathtaking architecture, and stunning landscapes. The Scottish capital, nestled between ancient volcanic hills and the sea, effortlessly blends the old and the new. From the cobbled streets and winding maze-like alleys of the medieval Old Town to the elegant symmetry of New Town with its stately, neoclassical buildings and chic boutiques, Edinburgh’s layered history reveals itself in every corner. As you wander through this enchanting city, you’ll discover not only its historic sites, but also a growing vegan food scene.
While haggis may still hold a place in Scotland’s culinary identity, Edinburgh’s plant-based dining options are quietly stealing the show. Across the city, plant-based eateries are serving up everything from comforting bowls of goulash to indulgent doughnuts. And yes, you’ll even find a few spots offering a vegan spin on the country’s national dish, haggis.
Wanderlust-struck gourmands can even take a walking tour guided by a passionate vegan sharing the many meat-free eateries and sustainable businesses throughout the city. The three-hour Fresh Routes tour gives visitors an opportunity to sample some of the best plant-based food in town, while seeing and learning about the splendid sights of the historic city as well. But just in case you miss your reservation window for a tour, don’t fret. The following hot spots will satisfy your cravings while giving you a true taste of Edinburgh’s plant-based flair—no booking required.
Holy Cow
1 Haggis & hamburgers at Holy Cow
Known for its unique burgers—the Oyster Mushroom Steak and Vietnamese Tofu varieties are favorites among diners—Holy Cow serves homemade soups, salads, and sandwiches full of fresh, seasonal ingredients and even offer a fancy vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea service (be sure to book in advance). Most impressive is the gluten-free Scottish breakfast (a counterpart to the traditional English breakfast)—complete with Italian sausage, smoked tempeh bacon, baked beans in tomato sauce, tofu scramble, tomato, mushrooms, greens, and a veganized version of haggis.
Considerit
2 Sweet indulgence at Considerit
For all those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth, look no further than Considerit. This welcoming shop with people-watching-ready cushioned window seats offers a decadent assortment of doughnuts, ice cream, and melt-in-your mouth homemade chocolates. Cherry coconut, s’mores, hazelnut praline, and Biscoff are some of the more popular doughnut flavors, and are perfectly paired with a hot chocolate topped with a generous mound of whipped cream and marshmallows. Be sure to arrive early, as the delectable treats regularly sell out.
Curran Geal
3 Soup, sandwiches, and sanctuary at Curran Geal
Cozy cottage-like café Curran Geal specializes in homemade comfort food. Chief among them are wholesome salads, wraps, sandwiches (opt for the bagel sando stuffed with vegan mac and cheese, barbecue sauce, baby spinach, cherry tomatoes, and onion), and daily rotating hearty soup selections served in colorful vintage mini crockpots. Just be sure to leave room for the scrumptious desserts—the chocolate-and-orange Jaffa cake and the blueberry and banana cake will have you figuring out how to schedule a return trip into your itinerary.
Black Rabbit
4 Deli delights at Black Rabbit
Black Rabbit vegan deli and coffee shop has a constant flow of customers thanks to its variety of plant-based breakfast items like smoked salmon and cream cheese bagel and tofu Benedict, plus salads and sandwiches. Try the Green Rabbit—made with avocado, grilled artichokes, homemade pesto, and arugula on toasted sourdough—for a robust and delectable way to eat your greens, and take some artisanal cheeses and plant-based deli slices to go. But above all else, don’t skip the pistachio croissant: it’s otherworldly.
Sen Viet
5Vegan Vietnamese done right at Sen Viet
Edinburgh may only boast one vegan Vietnamese restaurant, but Sen Viet does not disappoint. With dishes ranging from aromatic pho to tasty stir-fry vegetables like water spinach and kohlrabi, the menu has a unique authenticity, and the aromas wafting from the kitchen will make your meal choices that much more difficult. Opt for the fresh avocado vermicelli summer rolls followed by the grilled tofu and aubergine or the slow-cooked caramelized tofu and mixed vegetables served in a clay pot. It’s flavorful and filling, but be sure to save room for the Kem Chiên—fried vanilla ice cream in a crispy wheat paper dome, topped with coconut cream and crushed peanuts.
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Sora Lella
6 Roman flavors and Scottish charm at Sora Lella
Two European vacations in one? Not exactly, but one visit to Sora Lella will reward you with a taste of Rome without ever leaving Scotland. This cozy Italian restaurant entices passersby with flavorful, tantalizing scents of authentic Roman dishes that taste even better than they smell. Known for its traditional pizzas with melty mozzarella and tangy parmesan cheeses, Sora Lella also serves a variety of pastas with mouthwatering sauces—from a creamy vodka tomato to a rich truffle with sausage. For any calzone enthusiasts, all of the pizzas can be made into tasty handhelds (go for the delicious cacciatora calzone filled with red sauce, mozzarella, roasted potatoes, bacon, capers, and black olives). And for wine lovers, all of the vino is also vegan and organic.
The Sly Fox
7 Czech-inspired feasts at The Sly Fox
The main dilemma at popular Czech-inspired restaurant The Sly Fox is whether to order off the brunch menu or dinner menu. The latter offers everything from hearty potato pancakes served with dill cashew sour cream, homemade red cabbage and beetroot slaw, and sauerkraut garnished with crumbled bacon and jalapeños, to the spicy goulash served with sourdough bread. But for a morning bite, don’t skip the house specialty filled croissants in savory and sweet varieties. Be sure to try the deliciously decadent croissant filled with hot apples, pears, and cinnamon—and topped with vanilla creme fraîche.
Novapizza Vegan Kitchen | Instagram
8 Pizza & pasta perfection at Novapizza Vegan Kitchen
At Novapizza Vegan Kitchen, fluffy focaccia, saucy pastas, and a unique assortment of lightly charred, thin-crust pizzas await. Don’t miss the signature Roma pizza—topped with mozzarella, roasted mushrooms, homemade seitan, Roman artichokes, and Taggiasche olives—or the signature Serena pizza with a pesto base, mozzarella, roasted tomatoes, Stracciatella cheese, Taggiasche olives, and basil sauce. Not in the mood for pies? Delve into the Lasagna Bolognese made with spinach lasagna sheets, Bolognese, and bechamel sauce. For dessert, the tiramisu and pistachio cheesecake are solid choices, as is the Fagottino Alle Mele—an apple and custard cream puff pastry served with vanilla ice cream.
Seeds for the Soul | Facebook
9 Breakfast and bowls at Seeds for the Soul
Amid comfortable cushioned bench seating and beneath a high ceiling adorned with string lights and a neon “The Future Is Vegan” wall sign, the vibe at Seeds for the Soul is warm and welcoming even before the food arrives. When it does, it’s next level, with a wide selection of breakfast items (think Biscoff pancakes), a variety of tasty burgers and bowls (the tofu Satay Soul Bowl tastes as good as it looks), and mouthwatering sides like the Mac ’N Cheese Chips (French fries loaded with gooey mac, housemade smoky bacon bits, and herbed bread crumbs).
Soarsa 1875
10 A plant-based retreat at Saorsa 1875
Even though it’s not in Edinburgh, it’s worth trekking out to the Highlands to dine (and stay for a night or two) at the incredible, welcoming vegan hotel Saorsa 1875. Nestled in the picturesque village of Pitlochry, a 90-minute drive from Edinburgh, this charming Victorian stone structure is home to a restaurant that takes vegan dining to new heights with multi-course feasts. Made from all organic ingredients and largely sourced from the hotel’s garden and local farms, dishes include chanterelle and apricot ravioli with sage and pecan-walnut butter, and a barley risotto with fresh herb pesto, coral black tuile, and wild herbs. Small plate delights include polenta with dark muscovado sugar, cinnamon, cordyceps, and red pepper purée, and potato pavé with orange, dill, yogurt, pickled black radish, and blueberries. Finish your meal with poached apples in ruby port syrup and light-as-air pistachio meringue.
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Juliet Pennington is a Boston-based journalist and educator who is passionate about all-things vegan.
