10 of the best vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh

Meat-free dining has become somewhat commonplace in most major cities across the UK, and Scotland’s bonnie capital is no different. Edinburgh’s best vegetarian restaurants are a brilliant bunch, spanning all types of dining styles, cuisines, budgets and occasions. From sustainable cafés to quirky pizza joints to seductive fine dining spots, you’ll find there is a vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh to fit the bill, whatever you're looking for.

If you’re on the hunt for somewhere to grab a quick bite, you’ll find plenty of chilled spots in this list that are perfect for daytime dining. Edinburgh is full of cool and quirky cafes offering entirely vegetarian menus, or at the very least a decent selection of top-notch veggie dishes.

In fact, while most of the options in this list are dedicated vegetarian restaurants, we've also included a few places that aren’t strictly veggie, but offer a wealth of meat-free options that absolutely do not feel like an afterthought. These places are great if you're booking for a group and need somewhere that suits everyone. We’ve also included a couple of vegan restaurants too, which naturally cater for vegetarians and are too good not to mention. You’ll even find a couple of fancier options down below, that would be perfect for a dinner date or a special occasion.

While we’ve scoured the city for the best vegetarian restaurants in Edinburgh, you’ll probably find that most places these days offer excellent veggie options on their menus. Gone are the days of sad omelettes and stuffed peppers. But if you really want the best of the best, then keep on scrolling to find out where to eat top tier vegetarian food in Edinburgh. And if there’s any where we have missed, make sure to let us know over on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to hear from you.

The Gruff Goat

What: If you're looking for a slap-up veggie breakie in the heart of Edinburgh, The Gruff Goat has you covered. Offering a mix of classic Scottish dishes, and Mediterranean meze, this cosy little cafe offers a bit of everything. If you fancy a fry up, go for the vegetarian breakfast with potato scone, veggie sausage and hashbrown. For a light lunch, choose from their cold meze selection, with snacks like babaganoush and stuffed vine leaves. Or enjoy a hearty plate of veggie moussaka with a side of tabule. There's also plenty of vegan options for any vegan friends.
Where: 19/20 Teviot Place, EH1 2QZ
Book now: The Gruff Goat

Dishoom

What: Although Dishoom isn’t a vegetarian restaurant, there’s a huge range of choice when it comes to meat-free dishes and a reliable option if you need somewhere that is guaranteed to suit everyone. Favourites include its famous gunpowder potatoes, paneer tikka, house chaat, jackfruit biryani and chana salad. For any vegans in the group, there's also a separate plant-based menu, ensuring everyone can have a tasty time. 
Where: 3a St Andrew Square, EH2 2BD
Book now: Dishoom Edinburgh

David Bann

What: David Bann has long retained its title as one of the most innovative vegetarian restaurants in the capital. Sharp interiors that include deep aubergine walls and a minimalist approach to décor keep the vibes cosy and clean, and instead leave the food to do the talking. The menu is internationally inspired and offers inventive takes on vegetable-focused, classic dishes. Think spicy aubergine koftas; stout stew with tyrol dumpling; and haggis fritters with banana chutney. There's also a generous amount of vegan and gluten-free dishes too.
Where: 56-58 St Mary's Street, EH1 1SX
Book now: David Bann

Novapizza

What: Vegan pizza joint Novapizza is the first of its kind to open in Edinburgh, serving entirely plant-based versions of one of the world’s most-loved dishes. That means all its ingredients are entirely vegan – including the mozzarella. Creations include the 'cantalice' with aubergines and courgettes, and the 'rosita' with gorgonzola and raspberry coulis, all with a plant-based twist of course. You’ll also find starters, salads and pasta dishes alongside the mains, and a creamy pistachio tiramisu if you’re interested in dessert.
Where: 42 Howe Street, EH3 6TH
Book now: Novapizza

Timberyard

What: Michelin-starred Timberyard is undisputedly one of the best restaurants in the city, which makes it a shoe-in for veggies, as it also serves a dedicated vegetarian tasting menu. Aside from exceptional snacks, the menu offers a range of vegetarian dishes such as preserved tomatoes with grapefruit, verbena and sorrel, roast cauliflower with vin jaune and Amalfi lemon, and a delightful morel and hazelnut number. Put this top of your list for your next celebration.
Where: 10 Lady Lawson Street, EH3 9DS
Book now: Timberyard

Restaurant Martin Wishart

What: For even more vegetarian fine dining, Restaurant Martin Wishart is a Michelin-starred modern European restaurant with a full vegetarian tasting menu, and it’s absolutely exceptional. On offer are four signature courses plus a boat load of clever plant-based canapes, snacks, as well as a lovely Champagne parfait for dessert and petit fours too. There’s nowhere better to splash out on a veggie celebration in the city than Restaurant Martin Wishart. 
Where: 54 The Shore, EH6 6RA
Book now: Restaurant Martin Wishart

Foodstory

What: Following on from its original sites in Aberdeen, the team behind cute and quirky Foodstory have opened another café in Edinburgh. Over half the menu is veggie and vegan and includes a huge range of tempting dishes and snacks. There’s a house vegan sausage roll with chickpeas, vegan Applewood smoked cheese and chilli jam, a brunch focaccia with smoked vegan bacon, hash browns, tomatoes, hot sauce and mayo, along with a load of vegan pastries and cakes.
Where: 127 Easter Road, EH7 5PP
Book now: Foodstory

Paradise Palms

What: One for the students, Paradise Palms is a kitsch bar located in the thick of Edinburgh University's campus buildings which is great for a cocktail and a boogie. If all that dancing makes you peckish, it also offers a cracking vegetarian menu courtesy of vegan caterers Antojitos Cantina. Specialising in zingy Mexican food, there's everything from vegan chorizo tacos to southern fried fak chicken wings, as well as a birria breakfast burrito, spinach taquitos, and smashed chimichurri potatoes. 
Where: 41 Lothian Street, EH1 1HB
Book now: Paradise Palms

Holy Cow

What: Holy Cow is actually an entirely vegan café located a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley station. Its famous vegan burgers are the thing most people go for here. Look out for an oyster mushroom steak burger featuring panko breaded oyster mushrooms, tartare dressing and spiralized sweet potato chips, or the Vietnamese tofu burger with Asian style coleslaw. Elsewhere, epic ‘holy’ sandwiches, homemade soup, salads and all-day brunch plates are sure to level up your lunch time.
Where: 34 Elder Street, EH1 3DX
Book now: Holy Cow

Hendersons

What: Eat better, live better. That’s the mantra Hendersons in Bruntsfield follows. It comes from the chef Barrie Handerson, whose passion for sustainable, vegetarian food led him to open his own restaurant in 2021. All its ingredients are locally sourced and organic where possible. Although the menu changes regularly, examples of some of its inventive dishes include buffalo mozzarella bocconcini, cullen skink with smoked tofu, miso poached celeriac, and Henderson haggis with root mash and whisky tarragon cream. Desserts sound pretty epic too, such as plum and almond tart and homemade affogato. 
Where: 7-13 Barclay Place, EH10 4HW
Book now: Hendersons

Hungry for more? Take a look at the best boozy brunches in Edinburgh to book this weekend.