Scotland’s capital isn’t just famous for its dramatic skyline, ancient closes, and world-class festivals — it’s also one of the UK’s most exciting cities for vegan food. Whether you’re walking the cobbled streets of the Old Town or exploring the more bohemian corners of Leith, you’re never far from a plant-based twist on something traditionally Scottish.
Forget the limp salad sides and safe lentil soups. This is a city where you can eat vegan haggis in a whisky bar, enjoy a full Scottish breakfast with square sausage and tattie scones, and even hunt down a deep-fried Mars bar — all without compromising your principles.
This is Edinburgh. And this is how to eat your way through it, vegan style.
Snacks
Edinburgh’s bakeries and cafés love a savoury snack, and the vegan options here go beyond oat milk lattes and banana bread. These bites are ideal for a mid-morning pick-me-up or a light lunch between castle-hopping and museum browsing.
Macaroni Pie
A pie filled with macaroni cheese might sound like overkill, but it’s a beloved Scottish classic — rich, stodgy, and satisfying. Edinburgh’s version tends to be a bit neater and more refined than the grab-and-go ones you’ll find in small towns.
- Vegan version: Try the one at Considerit — a vegan bakery and donut shop that occasionally features savoury pies. Otherwise, Hendersons often rotates creative pastry-based mains that tick the same boxes.
- Local note: You’ll sometimes find macaroni served in a morning roll — if you spot a vegan version, grab it fast. It’s a uniquely Scottish kind of madness.
Mains
Edinburgh’s vegan chefs have embraced the challenge of reworking Scottish classics. Whether you’re after a hearty sit-down meal or a comforting pub dish, you’ll find that the capital does tradition with a twist.
Haggis
You can’t leave Edinburgh without trying haggis — even if you’re vegan. The plant-based version captures all the spice and richness of the original but without the offal.
- Try it at: Hendersons, one of Edinburgh’s most iconic vegetarian restaurants, offers a reliable vegan haggis with neeps and tatties. David Bann, a stylish vegetarian restaurant near the Royal Mile, also does a refined version in a modern setting.
- Supermarket option: If you’re self-catering, Macsween’s vegan haggis is widely available at Tesco and Sainsbury’s.
Fish & Chips
You’ll find a chippy in nearly every neighborhood — and many now offer a vegan alternative.
- Vegan version: Harmonium in Leith does a standout vegan “fish” supper, usually made with banana blossom or tofu, and comes with chips, mushy peas, and tartar sauce.
- Local tip: In Edinburgh, they serve chippy sauce — a mix of brown sauce and vinegar — instead of just plain vinegar. Make sure to try it.
Full Scottish Breakfast
It’s bold, it’s filling, and it’s surprisingly easy to make vegan in Edinburgh — especially with all the independent cafés around.
- What to expect: Vegan square sausage, scrambled tofu, tattie scones, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, baked beans, and sometimes vegan haggis or black pudding.
- Best spots: Seeds for the Soul in Bruntsfield serves a massive vegan Scottish breakfast. Black Rabbit in Tollcross also offers a killer version in a more deli-style setting.
Cullen Skink
A smoked haddock soup from the northeast of Scotland — traditionally creamy and rich. Rare in restaurants, but a few places in Edinburgh have given it a vegan twist.
- Vegan version: David Bann has been known to do smoky soups with oat milk or cashew cream bases, which are reminiscent of Cullen Skink.
- Make at home: Look for smoked tofu or smoked coconut-based recipes to recreate it in your Airbnb kitchen.
Deep Fried Pizza
A chip shop legend — frozen pizza, battered, deep fried, and served with chips. Yes, it’s real.
- Vegan version: You may need to request this at an open-minded chippy that offers vegan options. Bring your own vegan pizza slice and ask politely.
- DIY option: Buy a vegan frozen pizza, dip it in a flour-water batter, and deep fry it. Add Edinburgh’s signature chippy sauce, and you’re living the dream (or the hangover).
Sweets
Edinburgh has embraced vegan baking, and many cafés and dessert bars now offer fully plant-based treats — some traditional, others wildly inventive. Whether you’re craving something elegant or unapologetically sugary, the city delivers.
Sticky Toffee Pudding
A warm date sponge drenched in toffee sauce and served with a scoop of ice cream. An ideal dessert after a long walk up Arthur’s Seat.
- Try it at: Harmonium in Leith regularly offers a rich, gooey vegan sticky toffee pudding. Check the dessert board when you visit.
- At-home option: The Easy Vegan bakery sometimes sells individual versions at local markets.
Cranachan
A traditional Scottish dessert made with whipped cream, raspberries, whisky, and toasted oats.
- Vegan version: Rare to find in restaurants, but some upscale spots like David Bann may offer a seasonal vegan version.
- Make it yourself: Oat cream, fresh raspberries, agave syrup, and a splash of whisky — easy to whip up and very Edinburgh.
Deep Fried Mars Bar
Invented just down the coast in Stonehaven, but embraced by Edinburgh’s chip shops as a badge of honour.
- Vegan version: If you’re lucky, some chippies will deep fry a vegan chocolate bar for you. Otherwise, you can DIY with a Go Max Go bar or something similar.
- Warning: Edinburgh’s trendier spots may side-eye you for asking, but it’s worth it for the story alone.
Tablet
Grainy, crumbly, and intensely sweet — tablet is Scotland’s sugary answer to fudge. Sold everywhere from gift shops to corner stores.
- Vegan version: Vegan versions are often coconut-based and sold at markets or independent gift shops.
- Try it at: The Marshmallow Lady occasionally offers vegan tablet or can recommend where to find some nearby.
Other Must-Try Spots
While Edinburgh offers vegan twists on Scottish classics, the city also has a growing number of fully vegan spots that draw on global influences. Whether you’re craving Italian comfort food, fresh Vietnamese flavours, or spicy Mexican street eats, these places are worth adding to your list.
Sora Diana
A casual-dining, fully vegan Italian bar and restaurant serving traditional Italian dishes with a modern edge. Expect rich pastas like truffle risotto, vegan steaks, and pizzas such as the creamy Boscaiola — plus a full cocktail menu and elegant desserts.
- Good to know: Previously run under the name Sora Lella, this revamped version keeps the soul of the original while adding new flair.
Sen Viet
Vegan Vietnamese food in the heart of Edinburgh. The menu features fresh, flavourful dishes like pho, rice bowls, noodle salads, and crispy starters. Portions are generous, and the food strikes a great balance between light and satisfying.
- Tip: Great for a quick lunch that doesn’t feel rushed.
Antojitos
Fully vegan, Mexican-inspired street food served inside the Edinburgh Street Food Market at the Omni Centre. Find it first on the left after you walk in. The menu includes tacos, loaded nachos, spicy potatoes, elote (corn on the cob with a twist), and more.
- Note: While it’s not strictly traditional Mexican, it’s flavourful, fun, and full of personality — ideal for casual bites with friends or a pre-theatre snack.
Final Thoughts
Edinburgh’s vegan scene is a mix of tradition and innovation. It’s a place where you can eat a vegan full Scottish breakfast, shop for dairy-free tablet, and sip an oat milk latte in a centuries-old close — all in one afternoon.
So whether you’re here for the Fringe Festival, a wintry castle crawl, or just a weekend of eating, Edinburgh proves that you can taste everything the city has to offer — no meat, dairy, or compromise required.