5 Best Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh

If you’ve been on one of my Edinburgh food tours, you’ll know that the Scots are rather fond of their meat and fish-based dishes! While the Scottish capital may not seem like the most vegan-friendly city on the surface, there’s a surprisingly extensive selection of vegan restaurants in Edinburgh.

The city’s vegan offerings can be found in every kind of eatery, from laidback cafés to upmarket establishments. What’s more, many of the top vegan restaurants are passionate about ethical and sustainable practices, making them must-visits for eco-conscious foodies.

In this article, I’ll run you through the finest vegan restaurants in Edinburgh that every plant-based diner has to try!

Best Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh

Seeds For The Soul

Photo credit: Seeds For The Soul

Priding themselves on being 100% vegan, Seeds For The Soul is one of my go-to haunts in the Bruntsfield area. The vibe here is like any other café with its cozy seating arrangements and welcoming staff. I also found the string lights draped across the ceiling to be a nice finishing touch.

Although you might be spoiled for choice with all the delicious vegan-focused bites when you come here, you’ve got to try the falafel salad. Each bite into the crunchy falafel shell was a burst of garlicky goodness and herbal notes. As for the salad, it was loaded with roasted chickpeas, sweet cucumber, and a bunch of other veggies.

Seeds For The Soul – Edinburgh EH10 4DG – Open every Monday from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm, Tuesday and Wednesday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm, Thursday from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm, Friday and Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and every Sunday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Soul Vegan

The next time you come to Edinburgh, stick Soul Vegan onto your list. This place is only a short walk from the University of Edinburgh and offers a mix of Malaysian bites with a vegan twist. Their dining room has a cool, fresh look, but the best part for me is the sign that says, “Welcome to Vegan Paradise.”

You’ll be spoiled for choice with the menu at Soul Vegan; I was about to go for Soul’s special deep-fried tofu, but that was before I saw the pineapple fried rice. It was as delicious as it sounds: juicy chunks of pineapple tossed in aromatic rice and chopped vegetables.

Soul Vegan – Edinburgh EH8 9DZ – Closed every Monday, open Tuesday from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Sen Viet

Sen Viet, located near Fountainbridge, is a Vietnamese joint that cooks up traditional recipes in a vegan fashion. The inside is decorated with classic Vietnamese touches, such as nón lá hats hanging on the walls, but it still keeps that casual restaurant atmosphere.

I’ve eaten my fair share of Vietnamese food over the years, but I never knew a vegan version of pho noodle soup like the one they sell here could taste so good. It was perfectly spiced and contained so many ingredients, from mild umami-flavored tofu to earthy mushrooms.

Sen Viet – Edinburgh EH3 9JU – Open every Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 3:00 pm and from 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm

Sora Lella

Photo credit: Sora Lella

Another vegan spot close to Fountainbridge that deserves a mention is Sora Lella. What makes this place so unique is that they take classic dishes from Rome and alter them to fit a vegan diet.

At Sora Lella, you’ll feel like you’re enjoying a meal right in the heart of Italy’s capital. It follows the style of all good trattorias: wooden interiors in a relaxed environment, and not to forget the insanely good food, especially the mezze maniche alla carbonara.

This dish tasted exactly like the real thing, from the chewiness of the mezze maniche pasta to the smokiness of the vegan-friendly bacon.

Sora Lella – Edinburgh EH4 9JS – Closed every Monday to Wednesday, open Thursday from 5:00 pm to 9:30 pm, Friday from 4:00 pm to 9:30 pm, and every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 9:30 pm.

Pulse

Photo credit: Pulse

Situated on the grounds of St. John’s Church in Edinburgh’s Old Town, Pulse is among the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh. Not only are all of their ingredients sustainably sourced, but they also follow a minimum waste policy. The restaurant itself features exposed brick walls, with an outdoor wooden deck surrounded by trees.

The tiramisu oats are a must-try at Pulse. Similar to the overnight style you’d find in most places, the dish has a strong cacao flavor and a light sugariness. Plus, the plant-based cream was as rich and satisfying as its typical dairy counterparts.

Pulse – Edinburgh EH1 2AB – Closed every Monday to Wednesday, open Thursday and Sunday from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm and every Friday and Saturday from 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

Vegan-Friendly Cafés & Bakeries

Photo credit: Curran Gael

In addition to the ever-growing list of vegan restaurants in Edinburgh, the city boasts plenty of cafés, coffee shops, and bakeries specializing in sweet and savory treats.

Black Rabbit is one such spot. As tasty as their sandwiches are, the plant-based cruffins and cinnamon rolls are what I loved most about this place. Some other great spots to check out include The Sly Fox, for their signature raw cakes, or Curran Gael, if you’re in the mood for hearty soups and sandwiches.

Vegan Street Food & Casual Eats

Photo credit: Stockbridge

Vegan street food wasn’t something I expected to encounter much of in Edinburgh, but I stumbled upon some wonderful markets during my last visit. On the first Saturday of every month, the Leith Market transforms into a plant-based haven for all kinds of grab-and-go bites and snacks.

Although there are fewer options at the Grassmarket and Stockbridge locations, you’ll typically find a handful of vegan stalls at both weekly markets.

Fine Dining Vegan Options

Those of you eager to indulge in an elevated but animal-free dining experience while in Edinburgh have to try spots like David Bann or Hendersons.

Both are vegetarian rather than fully vegan but have plenty of fantastic plant-based options. The latter has even made it onto the Michelin guide, which is a testament to the quality of the fare on offer!

Tips for Finding Vegan Food in Edinburgh

As Edinburgh’s vegan food scene continues to grow in popularity, securing a table in many restaurants has become quite tricky. For this reason, it’s best to make a reservation a few days in advance for evening meals and avoid visiting busy cafés during the lunchtime rush.
When you arrive in Edinburgh, utilize apps like Google Maps to find lesser-known vegan spots in the local area.
Although you’ll find flavors from around the world in many of the top vegan restaurants in Edinburgh, local produce is a feature on most menus. This includes grains like oats, barley, and rye, along with root vegetables like potatoes, onions, and carrots.
Aside from specific vegan restaurants, a string of other eateries have plant-based offerings on their menus. If you’re conscious of cross-contamination, be sure to ask the staff about their food preparation system before placing your order.
Edinburgh has a thriving vegan community that regularly hosts events and meet-ups for plant-based diners.

Sources:

Eating Europe. (n.d.). Edinburgh food tours. Eating Europe. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.eatingeurope.com/edinburgh/

Seeds for the Soul. (n.d.). Seeds for the Soul – Vegan café in Edinburgh. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.seedsforthesoul.co.uk/

Soul Vegan. (n.d.). Soul Vegan – Plant-based street food. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://soulvegan.uk/

Sen Viet Chay. (n.d.). Sen Viet Chay – Vegan Vietnamese cuisine. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.senvietchay.co.uk/home

Sora Lella. (n.d.). Sora Lella – Traditional Italian vegan cuisine. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.soralella.co.uk/

Pulse Home Cooking. (n.d.). Pulse – Plant-based home cooking. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from http://www.pulsehomecooking.com/

Black Rabbit. (n.d.). Black Rabbit – Vegan deli & café. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.blackrabbitedinburgh.co.uk/

Tripadvisor. (n.d.). The Sly Fox – Edinburgh restaurant reviews. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g186525-d26635598-Reviews-The_Sly_Fox-Edinburgh_Scotland.html

Curran Geal. (n.d.). Curran Geal – Instagram page. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.instagram.com/curran.geal/

Stockbridge Market. (n.d.). Leith Market – Fresh local produce & street food. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from http://www.stockbridgemarket.com/leith.html

Stockbridge Market. (n.d.). Grassmarket Market – Artisan foods & crafts. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from http://www.stockbridgemarket.com/grassmarket.html

Stockbridge Market. (n.d.). Stockbridge Market – Edinburgh’s famous Sunday market. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from http://www.stockbridgemarket.com/stockbridge.html

David Bann. (n.d.). David Bann – Contemporary vegetarian & vegan dining. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.davidbann.co.uk/

Hendersons Restaurant. (n.d.). Hendersons – Scotland’s plant-based pioneer. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://www.hendersonsrestaurant.com/

Vegan Edinburgh. (n.d.). Vegan Edinburgh – The ultimate guide to plant-based dining in the city. Retrieved March 23, 2025, from https://veganedinburgh.com/