{"id":4505,"date":"2022-07-25T14:35:54","date_gmt":"2022-07-25T14:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/?post_type=restaurants&#038;p=4505"},"modified":"2022-07-25T15:17:18","modified_gmt":"2022-07-25T15:17:18","slug":"edinburgh","status":"publish","type":"restaurants","link":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/restaurants\/city-guides\/edinburgh\/","title":{"rendered":"Best Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure id=\"attachment_4514\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4514\" style=\"width: 450px\" class=\"wp-caption alignright\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4514\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh.jpg\" alt=\"Edinburgh city centre\" width=\"450\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4514\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">shawnwilliams4433 \/ Bigstockphoto.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Anyone visiting Scotland should certainly ensure they stop by the magical capital Edinburgh to explore the many attractions it has to offer. As well as the more obvious landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle and Arthur\u2019s Seat, the city is also awash with culture, both contemporary and from times gone by. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe brings the city to life with all manner of theatre, comedy, oddities and spectacles, while the Edinburgh International Festival brings some of the best dance, opera, music and (more traditional) theatre to the fore.<\/p>\n<p>We\u2019ll give you an overview of the best things to see and do in Edinburgh later on. But the thrust of this article will be to illuminate the vegan cuisine options in Scotland\u2019s capital as we pick out the best vegan restaurants in Edinburgh. Note that many of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/restaurants\/city-guides\/glasgow\/\">vegan restaurants in Glasgow<\/a> double up as music venues, but this is not so much the case in the capital where there are more standalone vegan caf\u00e9s, delis and restaurants.<\/p>\n<div class=\"disclaimerbox\">All the information provided below is correct at the time of writing, but \u2013 as we\u2019ve all found out in recent years \u2013 things can change rather swiftly in this topsy-turvy world, so please check with the establishment in question to double-check prices and menu items. Or just go along and see what they have to offer, whatever you prefer.<\/div>\n<h2>Holy Cow<\/h2>\n<div class=\"infobox\">\n<div class=\"infoboxheading\"><em>34 Elder Street, Edinburgh EH1 3DX | <a href=\"https:\/\/holycow.cafe\">holycow.cafe<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n<p><strong>Well-established and popular vegan caf\u00e9 serving a wide range of meals, cakes and even a special vegan afternoon tea!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Typical Costs<\/strong> &#8211; Burgers: \u00a315.50; Sandwiches: \u00a39; Afternoon Tea: \u00a335 to \u00a370<\/li>\n<li><strong>Example Dishes<\/strong> &#8211; Vietnamese Tofu Burger (hoisin marinated tofu, lettuce, Asian-style coleslaw, sriracha mayo, cucumber); Full Vegan Breakfast (Italian-style sausage, smoked tempeh bacon, organic baked beans, scrambled tofu, potato scone, mushroom, tomato, green, toast or breakfast roll); Aromatic Zucchini Noodles Bowl (zucchini noodles, basil pesto, spring onion, cherry tomatoes, walnut parmesan, fresh basil)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4516\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/holy-cow-vegan-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Holy Cow vegan logo\" width=\"200\" height=\"209\" \/>Located just off York Place and not far from the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Holy Cow Vegan Caf\u00e9 have been around since 2016 when they began serving up some of the most popular vegan burgers in the city. You can choose from Portobello Mushroom, Vietnamese Tofu, Nori Fish, Pulled Jackfruit or Quarter Pounder burgers, but if you fancy something else, there are various other options. They have a couple of nice-sounding salads, various sandwiches, veggie bowls and pasta dishes, all of which are vegan and mainly organic.<\/p>\n<p>For those seeking the real wow factor, perhaps for a special occasion, booking in for the Holy Cow Afternoon Tea could be a great option. As well as your tea of choice you will get savoury appetisers (such as the beetroot wrap with wasabi and green pea hummus), a selection of sandwiches and homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry and lemongrass jam (or another dessert). It\u2019s all 100% vegan and it has been garnering some excellent feedback from customers.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4507\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/holy-cow-burger.jpg\" alt=\"Holy Cow Edinburgh burger\" width=\"850\" height=\"850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/holy-cow-burger.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/holy-cow-burger-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/holy-cow-burger-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/holy-cow-burger-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>As well as the food mentioned, Holy Cow also has a kids\u2019 menu and a wide range of hot and cold drinks including smoothies, kombucha and a good selection of coffees. It has built up a reputation for excellent, friendly service over the years, but it\u2019s fair to say that many vegans visit Holy Cow for one reason and one reason alone: arguably the best vegan burgers in town! Note that their sister eaterie (Holy Cow Lounge) is located on Dundee Street and lives up to the standards set by the original.<\/p>\n<h2>Beetroot Sauvage<\/h2>\n<div class=\"infobox\">\n<div class=\"infoboxheading\"><em>33-41 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh EH9 1SX | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.beetrootsauvage.co.uk\">beetrootsauvage.co.uk<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n<p><strong>Vegan caf\u00e9 with beautiful, nutritious food, a wellness centre, events and live music to help you embark on a holistic adventure of healing and connection!<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Typical Costs<\/strong> &#8211; Light Bites: \u00a36 to \u00a310.50; Mains: \u00a311.50 to \u00a313; Desserts: \u00a34 to \u00a36.50<\/li>\n<li><strong>Example Dishes<\/strong> &#8211; West African Peanut Stew (sweet potato stew in fragrant peanut butter sauce, served with rice); Cheese &amp; Fruit Platter (selection of three vegan cheeses from Earthy, served with chutney, oatcakes and fruit); Spiced Caramel Crunch Bubble Waffles (two scoops of salted caramel ice cream, Biscoff sauce and biscuits &amp; whipped cream)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4511\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/beetroot-sauvage-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Beetroot Sauvage logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"100\" \/>This 100% vegan caf\u00e9 and wellness centre has built up a reputation for providing nutritious and good-value vegan food alongside a variety of wellness-related events, workshops and classes. They run yoga classes (from beginners to more advanced practitioners), Pilates, baby yoga and more, and they host events and supper clubs covering all kinds of subjects from Shamanic Drumming to sound healing and mindful breathing techniques.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4509\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/vegan-cheese-beetroot-sauvage.jpg\" alt=\"Vegan cheeses at Beetroot Sauvage in Edinburgh\" width=\"850\" height=\"472\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/vegan-cheese-beetroot-sauvage.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/vegan-cheese-beetroot-sauvage-300x167.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/vegan-cheese-beetroot-sauvage-768x426.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/vegan-cheese-beetroot-sauvage-720x400.jpg 720w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Located about a mile south of Edinburgh Old Town in the Mayfield area, Beetroot Sauvage is an oasis of calm that is likely to appeal to those who want to forget the outside world for a while and indulge in tasty vegan food with their coffee, tea or smoothie. The bubble waffles also look very tempting for those with a sweet tooth!<\/p>\n<p>Many of the dishes found at Beetroot Sauvage could be classified as rather standard vegan fare, with things like Chilli Sin Carne, Nachos, Mac n\u2019 Cheese and the various sandwiches and salads. But there are a few more imaginative dishes including the West African Peanut Stew, the Haggis Roll and the Acai Smoothie Bowl. And all are made from high-quality, fresh ingredients and are served by friendly and welcoming staff. All in all, if you\u2019re in this neck of the Edinburgh woods, check it out.<\/p>\n<h2>Harmonium<\/h2>\n<div class=\"infobox\">\n<div class=\"infoboxheading\"><em>7-11 East London Street, Edinburgh EH7 4BN | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.harmoniumbar.co.uk\">harmoniumbar.co.uk<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n<p><strong>A chilled and inviting vegan caf\u00e9 bar with wholesome and appetising dishes and a great range of drinks.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Typical Costs<\/strong> &#8211; Starters\/Small Plates: \u00a35 to \u00a38; Mains: \u00a311 to \u00a313; Desserts: \u00a36<\/li>\n<li><strong>Example Dishes<\/strong> &#8211; Harmie Poutine (Hand cut chips topped with homemade gravy, feta, Sgaia bacon, grated mozzarella \u201ccheese\u201d &amp; spring onion); Chargrilled Scotch Bonnet Cauli Steak (served with fried rice, chickpeas, onions and roast peppers with a cumin &amp; lime yoghurt dressing); Pan Seared King Oyster Mushroom Scallops (with haggis rosti, summer squash puree and fried capers)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4513\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/harmonium-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Harmonium logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"43\" \/>Established in 2017 by the same folks who are behind some of the top vegan eateries\/music venues in Glasgow (Mono, Stereo, and The Flying Duck), Harmonium offers a similar bar\/caf\u00e9 vibe with some interesting and appetising dishes. There is a deliberate maritime tilt to many of the options here with things like Pan Seared King Oyster Mushroom Scallops and Filet o\u2019 To-Fish Burger appealing to those who used to enjoy fish or seafood before becoming vegan. Or indeed those who are curious as to how the vegan alternatives compare.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4506\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/harmonium-scallops.jpg\" alt=\"Harmonium scallops\" width=\"850\" height=\"850\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/harmonium-scallops.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/harmonium-scallops-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/harmonium-scallops-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/harmonium-scallops-768x768.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Located a short walk from both the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Calton Hill, a visit to Harmonium could be perfect for those doing a spot of sightseeing north of the Royal Mile. And it\u2019s not just those seeking nourishment who are well catered for. Like their Glasgow counterparts, this place has a wide range of drinks from which to choose including some well-made cocktails, a solid wine list and a good range of whiskies. Generally speaking, Harmonium is regarded as one of the best vegan eateries in the city when it comes to the quality of the food and it is popular with vegans and non-vegans alike.<\/p>\n<h2>NovaPizza<\/h2>\n<div class=\"infobox\">\n<div class=\"infoboxheading\"><em>42 Howe Street, Edinburgh EH3 6TH | <a href=\"https:\/\/novapizza.co.uk\">novapizza.co.uk<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n<p><strong>Much-loved vegan pizza and Italian restaurant with a great reputation.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Typical Costs<\/strong> &#8211; Starters\/Breads: \u00a36 to \u00a312; Mains\/Pastas: \u00a314 to \u00a316; Pizzas: \u00a310 to \u00a315<\/li>\n<li><strong>Example Dishes<\/strong> &#8211; Amatriciana Pizza (tomato sauce, red onions, mozzarella, bacon and parmesan. Topped with pepper, basil and walnut parmesan); Parmigiana di melanzane (layers of aubergines, parmesan, mozzarella and slow cooked tomato sauce, finished with fresh basil. Topped with walnut parmesan); Tagliatelle Al Funghi, Piselli, Speck e Tartufo (tagliatelle pasta served with mushrooms, peas, and speck in a creamy truffle sauce. Topped with parsley, pepper and walnut parmesan)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4515\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/novapizza-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Novapizza logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"180\" \/>If you like pizzas \u2013 and we\u2019re talking real pizzas rather than the ones you might encounter at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/restaurants\/chains\/dominos\/\">Domino\u2019s<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/restaurants\/chains\/pizza-hut\/\">Pizza Hut<\/a> \u2013 then NovaPizza could be right up your street. But there\u2019s plenty more to enjoy on the menu aside from pizza as there is a range of fine vegan pasta dishes, starters and breads and a couple of sumptuous-sounding mains. But it is the pizzas that have helped this establishment gain such a good reputation in recent years. With standard pizzas, \u201cpizza blanche\u201d or calzone options, and a wide array of toppings, these vegan pizzas are very highly regarded by the many fans this place has gathered.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4510\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/novapizza-edinburgh-food.jpg\" alt=\"Novapizza Edinburgh food\" width=\"850\" height=\"856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/novapizza-edinburgh-food.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/novapizza-edinburgh-food-298x300.jpg 298w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/novapizza-edinburgh-food-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/novapizza-edinburgh-food-768x773.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>It is perhaps a little pricier than some of the other vegan restaurants and caf\u00e9s mentioned here, but the food is of a high standard and there is also a fantastic dessert menu that is packed with vegan-friendly versions of Tiramisu, Cr\u00e8me Br\u00fbl\u00e9e and Lemon or Oreo Cheesecake. You are sure to be satisfied after a visit to NovaPizza.<\/p>\n<h2>Black Rabbit<\/h2>\n<div class=\"infobox\">\n<div class=\"infoboxheading\"><em>33 Brougham St, Edinburgh EH3 9JT | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blackrabbitedinburgh.co.uk\">blackrabbitedinburgh.co.uk<\/a><\/em><\/div>\n<p><strong>Self-described \u201calternative vegan deli\u201d, Black Rabbit is a great plant-based pitstop when exploring the many sights of Edinburgh.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Typical Costs<\/strong> &#8211; Rolls\/Bagels: \u00a35 to \u00a36; Lunch: \u00a35 to \u00a37.50<\/li>\n<li><strong>Example Dishes<\/strong> &#8211; The Hungry Rabbit (grilled and marinated mushrooms, Greek style cheese, red onion, roasted red peppers and rocket in grilled sourdough); The Katsu Baguette (This Isn\u2019t Chicken nuggets, crispy iceberg lettuce, gherkin, spring onion, katsu curry sauce and mayo)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-full wp-image-4512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/black-rabbit-logo.jpg\" alt=\"Black Rabbit logo\" width=\"300\" height=\"187\" \/>With a fine range of sandwiches, bagels, croissants and cruffins (a cross between croissants and muffins), as well as various other light bites and lunch options, Black Rabbit is a great place to stop for a coffee and snack or meal in between museums or Fringe Festival shows. They bake many of the items in-house and strive to be as sustainable as possible (using 100% green electricity and avoiding plastic packaging).<\/p>\n<p>The exact pastries, cakes, cruffins and scones that are available will change regularly as they are created and baked in the caf\u00e9, and they also have a great range of vegan cheeses at their deli counter. With a friendly atmosphere and a good location near the King\u2019s Theatre, Black Rabbit is well worth visiting if you fancy a coffee, a bagel or something a little sweeter.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-4508\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/black-rabbit-food.jpg\" alt=\"Black Rabbit food\" width=\"850\" height=\"629\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/black-rabbit-food.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/black-rabbit-food-300x222.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/black-rabbit-food-768x568.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><\/p>\n<h2>Selected Other Vegan Food Options in Edinburgh<\/h2>\n<p>If you want to avoid the usual tokenistic <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/restaurants\/chains\/\">vegan options at chain restaurants<\/a>, then either check out one of the vegan establishments outlined above or perhaps venture into one of the following.<\/p>\n<h3>FacePlant Foods<\/h3>\n<p>Like many vegan food outlets, FacePlant began life as a pop-up kitchen attending events and markets. But they became popular enough to bring their mix of vegan comfort food to a permanent location on Duke Street, as well as a stall at the excellent Leith Market. They specialise in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/food-drink\/vegan-substitutes-alternatives-to-meat\/\">vegan meat alternatives<\/a>, and serve various loaded hot and cold sarnies, mac \u2018n\u2019 cheeze, salads and more.<\/p>\n<h3>Naked Bakery<\/h3>\n<p>This vegan caf\u00e9 and bakery has a great array of breakfast, brunch and lunch options including waffles, toasties, sandwiches, Buddha Bowls, burgers and more. They also sell all kinds of homemade vegan cakes and other delights and can custom-make some very cool-looking birthday cakes if you contact them with your request in advance.<\/p>\n<h3>Radge Chaat<\/h3>\n<p>If vegan Indian street food appeals, then Radge Chaat is the place for you. Serving samosas, pakoras, chana chaats and more, Radge Chaat is located on the 4th floor of the St James Quarter Shopping Centre so is the perfect place to stop off if you\u2019ve had a busy morning of shopping.<\/p>\n<h3>Seeds For The Soul<\/h3>\n<p>Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Seeds For The Soul has an extensive vegan menu that includes burgers, bowls, man \u2018n\u2019 cheese, toasties, vegan hot dogs, wraps, bagels and more. They also have loads of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available.<\/p>\n<h3>Sora Lella<\/h3>\n<p>Another vegan Italian restaurant that is worth checking out. Some people rate it as highly as the abovementioned NovaPizza, and like that establishment, Sora Lella has a great range of Italian classics, but without any animal products spoiling it.<\/p>\n<h2>Things to Do in Edinburgh<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_4517\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-4517\" style=\"width: 850px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-4517\" src=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh-castle.jpg\" alt=\"Edinburgh Castle\" width=\"850\" height=\"587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh-castle.jpg 850w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh-castle-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/edinburgh-castle-768x530.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 850px) 100vw, 850px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-4517\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Edinburgh Castle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Visitors to Edinburgh face a dizzying array of choices when it comes to picking how to spend their time in the city. Whether you want to experience the many great restaurants, bars and music venues, take in a bit of culture, simply hit the shops or seek out a whisky distillery or two, Edinburgh is sure to have something that satiates your appetite.<\/p>\n<h3>Castles, Monuments and Museums<\/h3>\n<p>Edinburgh has a rich heritage that spans centuries and it contains many monuments to that heritage, including the iconic Edinburgh Castle. There are also some absolutely cracking museums to explore too. Here are some of the best places to visit in the Scottish capital.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Edinburgh Castle<\/strong> &#8211; It is impossible to visit the centre of Edinburgh and fail to notice the imposing fortress that is Edinburgh Castle. Built in stages from some time in the 12th century and in subsequent centuries thereafter, the Castle is the most visited paid attraction in the city and it is well worth the visit too. It houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, various famous guns, and the National War Museum of Scotland. It takes a fair while to explore the many rooms and galleries, but most visitors come away feeling like they\u2019ve gained a real sense of Edinburgh\u2019s and Scotland\u2019s history.<\/li>\n<li><strong>National Museum of Scotland<\/strong> &#8211; A large, diverse and extremely interesting museum featuring collections from all corners of the globe. The exhibits fall into various categories including The Natural World, Science &amp; Technology, and Scottish History &amp; Archaeology.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Museum of Edinburgh<\/strong> &#8211; A great option for those who want to find out more about the city of Edinburgh itself, and though it has some rather niche exhibits, it allows visitors to get under the skin of Scotland\u2019s capital.<\/li>\n<li><strong>National Monument of Scotland<\/strong> &#8211; Located on Calton Hill (where you will also find the Nelson Monument), is one of the most recognisable landmarks in Edinburgh and is a memorial to Scottish fighters who lost their lives in the Napoleonic wars. You might see a resemblance to the Parthenon in Athens (on which it was based), but the monument was never actually completed due to a lack of funds. It\u2019s still impressive though.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Craigmillar Castle<\/strong> &#8211; Not as vast or grand as Edinburgh Castle, but Craigmillar Castle \u2013 which is set in the picturesque, and imaginatively named, Craigmillar Castle Park \u2013 is well worth the visit. It dates back to the 14th century and has played host to many of Scotland&#8217;s most significant historical figures including Mary Queen of Scots.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Museum of Childhood<\/strong> &#8211; This fun and interactive museum has plenty to offer children\u2026 and those who are children at heart. With a puppet theatre, dressing-up costumes, a massive range of games, toys and dolls and lots of souvenirs to purchase in the shop, the kids will love this place, and it\u2019s an especially good option if the weather\u2019s not great outside.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Culture Vultures<\/h3>\n<p>As mentioned in the introduction to the article, Edinburgh is a hotbed of culture and that covers the whole spectrum from the weird and wonderful and downright bizarre shows that appear at the Fringe to the high cultural offerings of the International Festival. But aside from those extremely well-known events, Edinburgh also plays host to many other cultural highlights including the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Edinburgh Jazz &amp; Blues Festival<\/strong> &#8211; Running in July, this festival was originally all about traditional jazz when it launched in 1978 but has since broadened its horizons significantly. It now includes everything from old-school blues and jazz, to funk, hip hop and fusion, and attracts some of the biggest names in the business including Courtney Pine, George Benson, Jools Holland and Abdullah Ibrahim.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo<\/strong> &#8211; This iconic event takes place on the Edinburgh Castle Esplanade and showcases the talents of British Armed Forces bands and display teams. It includes a diverse array of shows including highland dancing, intricate marching formations, and even daredevil motorcycle shows.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Hogmanay<\/strong> &#8211; Whether this massive New Year party in Edinburgh can be classified as cultural or not, it\u2019s certainly a lot of fun. Over the four-day celebration, it includes a Torchlight Procession, various concerts and shows, a fireworks display and the famous Hogmanay Street Party itself when all and sundry boogie into the wee hours after a dram or two.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Edinburgh International Book Festival<\/strong> &#8211; You can probably guess what this is all about. It\u2019s another that runs in August and attracts some of the world\u2019s top authors of fiction, non-fiction and poetry with workshops, \u201cmeet the author\u201d events and discussions on a wide range of topics.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Edinburgh International Film Festival<\/strong> &#8211; If films are more your thing, that\u2019s covered too as the Film Festival showcases some of the best new international cinema productions that exhibit exceptional artistic quality (it\u2019s safe to say the next Marvel film won\u2019t get a look in here).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Apart from all that, there\u2019s also the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, the Edinburgh Mela, and the Edinburgh International Children\u2019s Festival to sample at different times and locations around the city.<\/p>\n<h3>A Thousand Other Options<\/h3>\n<p>As this article is more about the vegan food of Edinburgh than the sights and attractions, we\u2019ll not go into any more detail about what there is to see. Suffice it to say, there are numerous options including walking tours, galleries (with the Scottish National Gallery and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery being at the top of our list), a visit to the Scottish Parliament and all kinds of other delights. And, of course, there are plenty of opportunities to sample a dram or three of whisky.<\/p>\n<h2>Vegan Restaurants in Edinburgh: Conclusions<\/h2>\n<p>As you would expect from a city as interesting and diverse as Edinburgh, there are loads of options when it comes to vegan restaurants and caf\u00e9s. It\u2019s a slightly different scene to that of Glasgow (which is focussed more on bars and music venues) but the range in the capital is good and there are some particularly good vegan Italian restaurants and bakeries that are well worth seeking out. Whether you want a quick vegan snack while taking a little time out from sightseeing, or you\u2019d prefer to linger for a sit-down meal, Edinburgh has a vegan eaterie that should fit the bill nicely.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":4514,"parent":4151,"menu_order":0,"template":"","acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/restaurants\/4505"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/restaurants"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/restaurants"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/restaurants\/4151"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4514"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.veganfriendly.org.uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4505"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}