Henderson's Vegan

Loved this place, went quite early (4pm on a Sunday) and it was full apart from a small table just right for me :) The fresh fruit juices were divine and I had the pearl barley risotto - sounded a weird mix but it was just perfect, I will definitely try (and probably fail) to recreate this dish at home!

This is a nice restaurant to go to if you're looking for a bit of a fancier place that is also all vegan. A bit pricier than most places we went to in Edinburgh but the prices weren't too over the top and it was a really nice place.

I wasn't feeling super hungry so I just got a tasting plate entrée, which comes with hummus, fig tapanade, basil cream cheese, fresh bread and oat cake crackers. It was all delicious and the bread was very soft and fresh.

My partner got the tofu teriyaki which he loved - very flavorsome! He also had a hot chocolate which was really nice - they offer a range of non-dairy milks.

It was a winter evening on our first night in the city and after a bit of a walk we decided to try out this place. it was recommended to us by the landlady of the guesthouse we are staying at. The place is light and airy and we immediately felt quite at home. it's quite a smallish room which means I felt a bit of a draft from the main door.

The service was great. friendly and informal but quite attentive. We ordered drinks (I went for red kite Amber ale, which was one of the nicest pints in a while).

Food. faultless. I had the pearl barley and apple risotto. the portion was large and the flavour lovely and subtle. I don't know what vegan cream they use but it's amazing. Skirted the texture of creamed rice but I'll ignore that as it tasted great.

My partner had the haggis. It comes with mash and a gravy. This dish is stunning. Really tasty. The standout here is the gravy. I could just drink it on its own. Seems to contain some kind of booze and has a slightly spicy kick.

Dessert.. What is there to say about a raw vegan cheesecake and a caramel brownie? Just stunning. If you don't leave room for dessert here you are simply missing out.

The only thing to let this place down were the toilets. With a place that has paid so much attention to everything else we expected them to be great. They were.. in a word.. grim. Down quite a precarious staircase to facilities that would be at home in a dive bar. This is the only reason this is not a 5 star review.

Updated from previous review on 2017-02-11

La comida deliciosa y muy variada, aunque un poquito caro (pero en Edimburgo es normal).

Yummy vegan food in an amazing setting. The bistro has a more up market appearance than our usual vegan cafes/restaurants and it is very welcoming. It's funky and the staff are vegans too. I had the organic Sauvignon Blanc teriyaki tofu and banana chocolate mousse all extremely delicious
Can't wait to go back again and take the boyfriend
Can we have one in sheffield please?

My husband and I had different mains and they were both10/10 tasty! The waiter (manager?) also gave us the best service and was very friendly. Every time I return to Edinburgh, I'll be back. It's such a shame I was too full to experience something from the great looking dessert menu.

We had to make a reservation because the place is a bit small but sooooo warm and welcoming, just like our waiter!

The design inside is really cozy and the food was amazing.

I lost my mind about the cherry pie!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ3T3ithwNg/?taken-by=sherlockksevani

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJ3V3Y3BZRH/?taken-by=sherlockksevani

Lovely atmosphere inside, but I might be biased because of the rainy evening we chose to visit here.

Food is pretty good, but I had high expectations that didn't quite get lived up to.

Still definitely recommended if you're in town!

We arrived at 6pm without a reservation and despite being booked full they found a table for us. The mixed green salad was yummy; the daily soul bowl was a delicious curry dish; and the glow (quinoa) bowl was outstanding! Nice selection of organic beers as well. Would love to try the other Henderson's locations - next time!

Had a lovely soup here. The bread the served with it didn't seem awfully fresh, however the soup was delicious!!! Also the treats to go seemed to be very focused on vegetable margarine so weren't quite what I was expecting when I but in. Great place to dine in though!

Best vegan restaurant in Scotland and of course, in Edinburgh. This is your chance to try "haggis" and worry not, it doesn't look like meat at all.
Enjoy!

I went for the vegan haggis as that was the only thing I could see labelled as vegan. It was good. Couldn't eat it all as there was a lot and could have done with some veggies or salad on the side or something to break up the flavour. The girl that served my food was nice but the other 2 ladies I interacted with at the till not so much. I felt a bit uncomfortable. The cupcake was ok (although I asked for it to go and she put it in a paper cup!! So when I tried to get it out I had to shake the cup upside down and got the frosting all over my work clothes - not good!) doughnut the next day was ok although perhaps too much jam. Considering the other reviews I think it's just me as everyone else loves the place...

So nice to go for brunch in an all vegan bistro. Everything we tried was yum. The staff were lovely and so is this little place. Loved it!

I had the veggie haggis and mash and my partner the tofu teryaki and both were simply delicious.

A slightly limited menu but the food is amazing. A must try in Edinburgh

I thought I was joking when I told friends I was going to look for vegetarian haggis in Edinburgh. But it's no joke: Henderson's offers a vegan haggis that beats the original. Dinner here made my day.
Note: I popped in around 5:00 p.m.; the waitress said it fills up around 6:00 to 6:30, especially during the annual festival.

I booked in advance for lunch with my cousin and we weren't disappointed!
The food was absolutely incredible with so much choice, and the staff were so lovely and friendly!
I would highly recommend the spicy pancakes and 'notella tart'.

I came here with my mum. At first it wasn't very busy but then so many people came in they were being turned away! The place is small (about 10 tables) but I liked this as it was more intimate.

I had the haggis with red wine gravy and it was really delicious, and very filling. For desert the chocolate and hazelnut cake which was nice but a little dry. This could have been remedied with maybe some vanilla ice cream, or plant based cream. Everything was beautifully presented. Overall a really nice evening out and we will definitely come back when in Edinburgh :)

I love this place, a must for vegans in Edinburgh. I had the Buddha bowl which was amazing and so was the chocolate avocado banana cake. Almond latte was a really nice coffee. Boyfriend had soup which was great and kale salad which was Amazing

My wife and I have been in Edinburgh for five days, and prefer vegan/vegi food. Even while traveling we try ... it can be hard but with HappyCow the search is much easier. Yesterday we had lunch, today we had dinner. Best meal all week. I especially like the Kale/lentil salad ... I could make a whole meal with just this item. Big salad is good for two people. We give it two thumbs up !!

Pleasant and friendly hospitality with a clean and warm feeling place.
The food was not too complex, but still gave the impression of a thought behind it.
Good tastes and well presented food that will, most certainly, bring us back here again...
Definitely a place to visit when in Edinburgh:)

The first ever vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh is a lovely place with a wide variety of food including many vegan choices or vege that can be made vegan. Very reasonable prices and nice atmosphere. I ordered the vegan pizza with 2 salads, pot of tea for about £8. Good section of cakes

This is literally my partner's favourite restaurant in Edinburgh. The staff are always incredibly friendly, we love the colourful decor, and the food is just great.

I think we tried most things on their menu, and didn't dislike a single thing - and then the menu changed because the season changed, so we haven't tried everything yet. As students, it's a little too pricey for us to go as often as we'd like, but it's our first choice for a treat. It's also a huge relief for my vegan partner to not have to ask questions about the menu, because we know she can have anything. The desserts are especially great, the chocolate mousse is just the best. Also try the affogato.

I had a few hours to spare in Edinburgh on my way from Glasgow to home. After the excesses of vegan junk food in Glasgow it was great to see a menu offering fresh and healthy choices. I opted for the Buddha bowl which was absolutely delicious. Followed by the berry cheesecake and a hazelnut milk latte. Everything was beautifully presented, full of flavour and used quality ingredients. Staff were really friendly and provided excellent service as well as being very knowledgable on the ingredients/dishes on offer. The bistro is a lovely place to hang out too, relaxed vibe but also a place to meet friends for a sophisticated meal. If this was local to me I'd be in here all the time!

We had an amazing dinner here. The food was great and service friendly. It is a small place, so make sure to book your table. We had the vegan haggis, so good!

I celebrated my birthday recently with dinner at Henderson's Bistro (now renamed Henderson's Vegan). As I've been dairy free for over a decade and newly vegan, it was a revelation being able to select from the entire menu with no concerns about individual ingredients. It was positively freeing to be able to confidently order whatever I fancied, without worry that it would include something a can't or won't eat.

We split a sharing platter of tasty breads, hummus, dipping oils and olives. I selected the Teriyaki Tofu, which had an intense and smoky flavour, and my husband tried the Thai Udon Noodles, which was light and delicious. We finished with Carrot Cake and Berry Cheesecake, both of which were perfect. I was in food heaven, and my husband (an omnivore) also really enjoyed the meal. We'll definitely be visiting in future.

The restaurant itself is cosy and comfortable, but small and it was busy on the Saturday night we visited (we booked ahead, and that was definitely vital). I was really glad to see that it's popular, but after eating here, I'm not surprised in the least. The staff were friendly and attentive and service was prompt. The prices were reasonable and considering the quality of the food and generous portions, I was very pleased by the final bill.

I've found my new favourite restaurant!

My mum (not vegan) and I (vegan) visited Hendersons today to our delight. Delicious food, great decor. The service was fantastic, I couldn't recommend it more.

Very nice restaurant. And the only one with some options for vegans. The cakes and salads are great and the staff was awesome!

The biggest issue with the bistro is it's a wee bit small and often feels cramped. I hope this gets worse now it's converted to a full vegan menu.

Its had a makeover and is looking lovely and fresh, just like the food. The staff were keen to know how we heard about the change and were really interested in feedback about the food, which is great. A Happy Cow decal is now in the window.

Back a couple of weeks ago and really getting better and better. The mushroom and olive tapenade was awesome.

The majority of people visiting on the day i was there were not vegan, but with a decent amount of media publicity around the veggie to vegan move meant it was busy. the food was great sharing and edamame salad and main courses of thai fritters, chickpea pancake with broccoli and vegan cheese, both of which were great.

we even managed to share some banoffee pie which was also excellent.

get there early.


Updated from previous review on Tuesday August 04, 2015

Lovely little place. Really friendly, great variety on the menu. Super tasty deserts! Reasonably priced and good quality food.

I'd been meaning to come here for some time and really pleased I finally got round to it. To start we had the tapenade with oatcakes, and also some olives, which we shared whilst waiting for our mains which were a delicious crepe and a very tasty cashew based curry. Both were really good. We ended with a coffee based vanilla ice cream and chocolate cake - superb end to a wonderful meal. I liked the atmosphere too - it felt very relaxed and intimate and the serving people were really friendly. Edinburgh's only pure vegan restaurant/cafe and so it felt good supporting this restaurant. I'll be going back for sure. For Edinburgh this deserves 5 happy cows as one of the better places for vegans but in a wider context I have to give it a 4. We need more vegan places in Edinburgh.

Note: One thing I would say was that only 3 oatcakes with the tapenade was a bit stingy I felt. 4 would have been more reasonable.

This place was the first one I went to arriving in Edinburgh. It was tucked away on a side street and had a nice ambience about it. The food came out and to the table super fast and man was it delicious. Really a homely feel about the meals. What a delicious treat and to know the whole place is vegan now makes it even better. Thanks Henderson's Vegan for an amazing 3 courses

The Henderson's bistro is by far the best of their three shops in Edinburgh. The dishes are far more innovative, prices seem much more commensurate with what you get, and it is all vegan. Highly recommended.

I have eaten at Hendersons for many years, and was delighted to find the bistro is now totally vegan! Had two courses and both were delicious - I'll be back!

One of the best vegan places in Edinburgh. Best burger and vegan haggis I tried. Staff is awesome too!

This is an excellent place. The staff is really great and the food excellent. The chocolate nut cake is worth a trip to Edinburgh alone. Thank you so much for a great evening!

Great place:) easy to find,nice bistro and friendly staff.
The food is delicious( had the bean burger,of course with extra caramelised onion and cheese) and my partner had the satay with rice.lets not forget the amazing dessert, we shared the pumpkin pie and it was delicious:):)

I can only agree with all the reviews below: Totally worth it!
My visit of Henderson's was an excellent experience, cozy atmosphere, most friendly service and really amazing food! It happens quite rarely to find a restaurant serving such high-quality food that tastes amazing, is served in a gourmet way and has great value!
The only thing, really, that may be disappointing is the small size of the venue; it is crowded often - but obviously you can't blame all the people going there.

This place is great and I've been here with vegans, vegetarians, people with lactose allergies etc etc and everyone has found something that they've liked. It's recently gone completely vegan which is fabby. Try the nachos! They also cater to those with gluten intolerances which is very helpful.

It can (understandably) get pretty busy at weekends so book ahead. :)

What can be better than not knowing what to choose when you can pick all the things on the menu as a vegan. In the end my hubby chose the bean burger, who turned out to be a winner for us and I chose The Orange & chilli nacho crumble tofu with quinnia, which was way to delicious for the size, I could have eaten a couple more of them. The cherrypie and soy ice with espresso as desserts and the rose lemonade and Oak Aged Beer; Innis & Gunn were also delicious.

I went to the Bistro today for the first time since it went vegan and was absolutely blown away. As others have said, it is a small space so I ended up waiting for about 5-10 minutes for a table at lunchtime but it was very definitely worth it. I had the haggis and caramelised onion nachos followed by the lime cashew cheesecake with a hazelnut milk latte and it was all delicious! I've been to the Bistro a few times before it went vegan but today was definitely my best experience there yet: the food was exceptionally good, the service was excellent and the staff were super helpful and friendly. If you're in Edinburgh, this is definitely a must visit.

I had never been to Henderson's Bistro before, always preferring the Henderson's cafe next door, but on hearing that their menu had been switched to 100% vegan(Edinburgh's only 100% vegan eatery) I decided that this week was as good a time as any to check it out.

The interior is bright and the mood relaxed, and there are around 10 tables altogether. The service we received throughout the meal was excellent - the waiter was very attentive and engaging, and was clearly looking to get feedback on the new menu.

To start we had the hummus, oatcakes and veg sticks, as well as the sweet potato fritters. All of these (including the oatcakes) looked to be freshly made, and the hummus that day was beetroot and basil, suggesting that they will have different kinds from time to time. All in all the impression was that thought and care had gone into the items on the menu.

To follow we had a nut burger (very tasty and held together well) and a Spanakopita (pastry stuffed with spinach and tofu.) When ordering these you also select a salad and a dip - these were quite varied and a decent size, although mine was perhaps a tad on the oily side.

To finish we had slices of their 2 specials, a key lime pie and a banoffee pie. Both were excellent without being too heavy or rich which was just as well after the large main course. A full 3 courses each plus drinks came to £50, which in the centre of town is good value.

Overall, I couldn't fault the service or the food, and now that this place is 100% vegan it means it offers real variety. If there were hundreds of vegan restaurants in Edinburgh this would still be well worth a visit - given that there isn't then it's pretty much essential.