There are so many restaurants to choose from! Shannon Blanks looks at some of the best vegan-friendly eateries around Scotland. Be prepared to give your taste buds a treat… If we’ve left your favourite vegan eatery off this list, let us know and we’ll add it!
Published on 31 Jan 2017
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Aberdeen
Bonobo
Aberdeen Wellbeing Centre, 13 McCombies Court
A Saturday brunch never fails to be a good idea, but finding where to go can always be tricky. If you find yourself in Aberdeen, then your Saturday brunch is already set at Bonobo. A pop up only running on Saturday’s between 11-4, you can expect to find pastry rolls, sandwiches, tarts and tofuiches, all vegan with one gluten-free option. They do salads if you fancy something lighter and cakes if you fancy a treat. Unrefined, raw or totally decadent, their use of high quality and unusual ingredients make for an extremely tasty endeavour.
Entirely run by volunteers, this place has a unique yet welcoming environment that is filled with creative types that love to make you feel good with healthy, tasty vegan food. Their menu changes each week, so keep up to date on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/bonoboaberdeen/
Falkirk
Blitz Juice Bar
Callendar Shopping Centre, Falkirk FK1 1UJ
The first place in Scotland to bring raw vegan cakes that are gluten, dairy and refined sugar-free, Blitz Juice Bar started the ‘vegan trend’ in Falkirk by becoming the first of its kind. They believe that food made by vegans, for vegans, tastes so much better. Proud to be the cheapest raw cake makers in Scotland, they are affordable for all, because having cake with tea is not a luxury, but a necessity. They pride themselves on making cheesecakes for those who haven’t been able to have it for years and love speaking to fellow vegans to share their positivity.
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Edinburgh
Henderson’s Bistro
Henderson’s, 25 Thistle Street, Edinburgh EH2 1DX
Now that the cooler months are upon us, it’s only natural for us to desire wholesome food that is fresh, local and organic. Here at Henderson’s you can find cutting edge contemporary cuisine that is entirely vegan. Nestled on the cobbled Thistle Street in the heart of Edinburgh’s City Centre, you can enjoy tasty dishes in a light and colourful environment. Expect to see Tofu Teriyaki, Vegan Haggis & Root Mash, Lasagna and Henderson’s specialty oatcakes on the menu, alongside scrumptious pumpkin pie smoothies and vegan doughnuts. Finally, a place where vegans can feel at home and enjoy 100% of the menu, including wines, beers, cakes and coffees, this intimate yet elegant eatery is the first of its kind in Edinburgh and a place you must visit whether you’re a local or tourist.
Organic Delicious Café
26 Morningside Road, Edinburgh EH10 4DA
If you don’t already spend most of your mornings at the Organic Delicious Café, then you need to start doing so! The epitome of homemade and indulgently rustic, pretty much everything here is made on site, including their chutney and relishes. After just five months of being up and running, this café is already gaining in popularity, with all ingredients coming from local, farm-fresh and ethically sourced locations. Their deep passion for organic living is apparent and although not everything is vegan, you are sure to find something to indulge in regardless of the time of day – vegan sausage rolls, burrito bowls, toasted muesli, burgers, chilli or oriental Thai spring rolls.
Cakes are made fresh every day on site and you can take your pick of hot and cold treats that can be served with dairy-free ice cream! Their extensive range of smoothies and juices, all intended for specific health benefits, are great for a morning pick me up or end of day boost, especially since they are open late on Thursdays.
So settle down with a vegan hot chocolate or a mug of their special Morningside coffee and sit back and relax.
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Checkpoint
Checkpoint, 3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh EH1 1EY
Checkpoint, which was once an old church building, has been creatively refurbished into an all-day eatery with an upcycled Scandi interior. It was named by The Times as ‘one of the 25 coolest restaurants in Britain’ and the shipping container/dining area in the corner makes Checkpoint a really quirky spot.
The eatery hosts a mouthwatering daybreak menu from 9am (10am Saturday and Sunday). Checkpoint has a delicious range of great vegan dishes and most of the menu can be modified to suit vegan requirements, which offers a lot of flexibility in the menu. Vegan dishes include; smashed avocado on sourdough toast with chilli & chia seed and roasted cherry tomatoes, toasted freekeh with roasted pumpkin, Mediterranean vegetables toasted seeds and hummus, and a quinoa, apple, pickled beetroot and pomegranate.
One of our favourite vegan dishes featured on the evening menu at the moment is chickpea and potato, harissa and cherry tomato tagine with panella points. What is unique about checkpoint is that it caters to everyone. It’s the place to go with all your friends no matter what the dietary requirements are!
Glasgow
Mono
12 Kings Court, Glasgow G1 5RB
After opening in 2002, Mono has been providing Glasgow with a unique and versatile space in which to eat, drink and discover new music. Their reputation for good beer and vegan food in an environment that offers great gigs and even better times ensures that this vegan café is something you want to be a part of!
Sharing their roof with Monorail Music, who provide an eclectic soundtrack to Mono’s days, gives this eatery a laid back vibe and, not only do they host some of the most exciting bands around, both local and international, they run exhibitions, book readings, art performances and workshops too, so there’s always something going on for you to enjoy.
The Mono menu is to die for, with a variety of different pizzas, including a beetroot and kale one, to fish n chips, mac n cheese and hot dogs, plus an extensive range of yummy starters, sides and desserts.
Soy Division
Soy Division Glasgow, 51 Kilmarnock Road, Glasgow
Soy Division is possibly the best place to head to for comfort food galore, everything is homemade, with some cakes being made by their friends and family, who have a surprising talent for cheesecake! Expect mac n cheese, cheese and tomato tart and potato salads – anything you think you are missing from your pre-vegan days, you’ll be sure to find available here.
If you want something different from typical English classics, try their chilli, ginger and lemon tofu couscous, or simply melt into heaven with their sausage rolls, spicy noodle soup and nut and mushroom big pie.
Their hearty big breakfast even includes homemade baked beans and their homemade cheese is rather delicious!
It’s a homely environment with a delicious array of vegan food, so make sure to pop by if you ever find yourself passing through this part of Glasgow.
Picnic
103 Ingram Street, G1 1DX
Picnic is a stylish new plant-based cafe with a focus on healthy eating. Located at 103 Ingram Street, Picnic is a great choice for a healthy, guilt free breakfast or lunch. There is also a great selection of fresh-ground coffee, tea, cakes and other sweet treats, all available to eat in or take away.
Guests can choose from a delicious array of dishes on the menu, including fresh, home made curries (which change daily), served with brown rice, baked potato or baked sweet potato. If you’re a fan of breakfast food then Picnic’s No Egg Mayo Roll, featuring their secret vegan ‘egg’ mayo with lettuce and tomato served in a rustic brown roll should be on your ‘To Try’ list!
Picnic is also the perfect spot to indulge in brunch with friends as they offer a full cooked breakfast (served on weekends and public holidays), which is comprised of a healthy and satisfying combination of vegan sausages, asparagus, beetroot, spinach, avocado, tomatoes, mushrooms, potato scones and baked beans.The cafe is open 7 days a week from 8am-4:30pm, except Sundays when they open at 1000.
