Vegan
Organic
Western
Take-out
Bakery
European
Gluten-free

Cafe serving a selection of starters, burgers, sandwiches, all-day breakfast, soups, and Buddha bowls. Emphasis on cooking from scratch and creating healthy dishes. Est. 2016. Open Mon-Thu 12:00-22:00, Fri-Sun 10:00-22:00. Last orders 9pm. Open hours vary.


Venue map for Holy Cow
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Featured Review

Angelina-Sabrina

Points +383

Vegan
26 Mar 2025

Holy Cow? Holy Grail! 🙏

Suuuuuper lecker und total lieber Service 🤩


636 Reviews

First Review by craigmc

Kira.

Points +43

Vegan
14 Sep 2017

The banoffee pie is YUM!

I went to Edinburgh for a 3 day trip back in July and went here once for lunch and one for dinner.

At the time their sign wasn't up and the restaurant is in the bellow street level (Down the stairs) section of the building, so we didn't notice it at first.

The place is super clean and the staff our polite and welcoming. The main things are burgers, sandwiches and salads with some spring roll wraps aswell. My family opted for burgers both times we went.

First time, my mum and I had the portobello mushroom burger, which was super juicy, and my dad (Both my mum and dad are omni) who is super into meat, had the tofu burger, which I didn't expect him to like, but he wolfed it down and was super happy with it. The chips you get are really good and crispy and they have organic ketchup which I love.

The second time, both my parents had the portobello and I had the falafel burger. The burger tasted good, but was way to dense and a bit on the dry side for me. Just TOO much falafel.

We didn't get to try most of the cakes but they looked fantastic. I had a slice of banoffee pie and it was AMAZING, I missed banoffee pie. It tasted just like it's non-vegan counterpart.

The toilets are clean and I would definitely go back.

Pros: Good range of food, Cakes looked amazing, Polite and welcoming staff

Cons: Closes early so keep an eye on time

Iamreb

Points +53

Vegan
30 Aug 2017

Great burgers

We orderd "fresh" apple and orange juice but it was just regular juice from a bottle lol, little bit strange. Menu isn't that large unfortunately, and there aren't healthy options except for the salads...

But the cheesecake was 10/10!!! The peanutbutter brownie was also to die for, but a little bit dry for me. I love it that the cakes weren't that sweet, just sweet enough!

Pros: Delicious burgers, Delicious cakes, Friendly staff

Cons: Little menu options, especially the drinks

trisarahtops18

Points +101

Vegan
30 Aug 2017

Best vegan cakes I've had!

We've been to Holy Cow a few times now, and we've always left the restaurant feeling incredibly full, and incredibly happy. The food is all fresh and made on-site, even the bread, and everything is delicious. The portions are massive- definitely go along with an empty stomach! The cakes are particularly amazing- they usually have a vegan cheesecake available, and it's the best cake I've ever had. It's a great little spot, and the staff are absolutely lovely. Definitely worth a visit if you're in Edinburgh!

Pros: Excellent food, Lovely staff, Generous portions

ChipOwain

Points +46

Vegan
26 Aug 2017

Possibly the best vegan café in Scotland.

Definitely pricier than other cafés, but the food is restaurant-quality in quality and portion size, generous. Would highly recommend the super juicy portobello mushroom burger. If you're going to buy a vegan cake from any venue, make it this place. Best vegan cakes (I've tasted) in Scotland - but again, the quality is reflected in the price.

Pros: Taste, Portion Size, Quiet

Cons: Can't think of any. , For the quality, any cheaper would be unfair

KarenClement

Points +271

Vegan
25 Aug 2017

great burgers

I really enjoyed my food, the burger was great! Would eat here again. I didn't enjoy the cake too much as it was a little oily but this didn't stop me finishing it!

LauraAngelaBrennan

Points +22

Vegan
21 Aug 2017

great vegan food and atmosphere

I really enjoyed my meal at Holy Cow, I had the Jackfruit burger and my partner had the Thai carrot and we both enjoyed our meal! The chips were delicious as was the garlic mayo! The soup and bread starter was also great!

The cakes looked so good so we got them to take away and eat at home!

Would also recommend getting a smoothie, I had the yellow one and it was delicious!

MarinaNobre

Points +22

Vegan
13 Aug 2017

The Best Vegan Burger

Best vegan burger I've ever had. Generous with the portions and fillings. Garlic mayo was delicious. Great quality ingredients. Atmosphere cosy and cute. Service was fast and friendly.

rasmoos

Points +24

Vegan
11 Aug 2017

Cozy place & warm staff

Frequented Holy Cow multiple times during my stay in Edinburgh. It is hands down one of the best all-vegan places I have visited in Scotland. Everything on the menu is good, be it food, cakes or smoothies. The portions are good.

The place is situated in a cozy room below street level. The staff are very kind, friendly and I was always met with a warm smile.

One last thing: get a smoothie!

Pros: Excellent food, Friendly staff, Good value

Cons: Small place, Stairs down

Jonandmarkuk

Points +223

Vegan
05 Aug 2017

very nice food

Great food tucked away near the bus station.
Portions were very generous.
A word of warning, the kitchen closes for hot food about an hour before the closing time.

Pros: everything is vegan

Cons: cash only

hippoportamus

Points +25

Vegan
04 Aug 2017

Fresh and very tasty

We we're very happy with our meals and drinks, they were fresh, colourful and very tasty. The service was friendly and helpful. We walked away fully satisfied, will defiantly come back.

Pros: Can eat anything on the menu, Prices are good, Relaxing atmosphere

Cons: No alcohol licence

Robona

Points +56

Vegan
27 Jul 2017

hidden gem!

An out of the way and hard to spot hidden gem! Lovely selection of burgers. Masses of cakes to choose from and all 100% vegan. Worth checking out.

Pros: great menu options

Cons: a bit chilly due to open door

Nayvee

Points +124

Vegan
27 Jul 2017

Cozy place

Dropped in with my friend during our school trip. Unfortunately we had a lack of time and money too, but managed to taste one soup and a sandwich. Both were fulfilling and delicious. Staff was helpful and kind and the interior was very lovely. I wish I could have tasted more, the cakes and burgers looked amazing! Their home made bread is mind blowing

Pros: Big portions, Dogs are welcomed

PolyCoelho

Points +22

Vegan
25 Jul 2017

Amazing!!

Really delicious food, nice place and great staff. Totally recommended!

SaraHugner

Points +46

Vegan
21 Jul 2017

Disappointed

I was excited to visit this Cafe because of the high rating, but was disappointed with the overall quality and experience. Would not recommend.

Pros: Cute exterior and interior.

Cons: The latte I ordered was mostly foamy milk, and the

Tray-C

Points +579

Vegan
20 Jul 2017

Hidden Vegan Gem in Edinburgh!

Excellent food and service. We had the rainbow spring rolls, green juice, green salad and mushroom burger. All very fresh and delicious. All homemade. Very highly recommended.

Pros: Service, Homemade delicious food

paulaispaula

Points +20

Vegan
19 Jul 2017

I would definitely come back :)

Lovely place and an amazing food. Loved the portion size and choices of desserts 👌🏻

Pros: amazing customer service , unusual choices of cakes

Cons: cash only

mikeldbengal

Points +24

Vegan
17 Jul 2017

Lovely homely feel

Wonderfully homely place with fresh seasonal dishes.

Great location and family-friendly.

Pros: Friendly, Fresh food, Great location

Cons: Cash only

NatalieDowelMcIntosh

Points +362

Vegan
16 Jul 2017

Really enjoyable experience

The food was fresh, hearty and delicious! There were six of us and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their meal. Lovely place!

modog737

Points +67

Vegan
15 Jul 2017

Unbelievably Vegan!

This was our first vegan restaurant to try in Edinburgh. Amazing! Small cafe style just below street level. Bright, cozy and very quirky and cute decorated spot. Lovely tables with some having window benches to sit at with lots of cute pillows. The food...small, but incredible menu. We had the CBLT sandwich and fresh vegetable roll. Healthy and delicious....and amazing vegan desserts. Banatoffe pie and oreo brownie accompanied by excellent Americano and almond milk latte. Just a wonderful spot...not to be missed for lunch or a coffee and dessert.

Cons: it's not near my home

Fagioli

Points +35

Vegan
01 Jul 2017

Great spot for lunch

This is a nice place to stop in for lunch or coffee. They had a number of plant milks to choose from which was a nice contrast from the usual coffee chains. Friendly staff, good food. The bread was a little bit dry in the burger, I got the jackfruit one, but otherwise very good. My girlfriend got the cheesey cheese open sandwich, which was a bit heavy on the sauce, but the buckwheet bread was great.

gdwasmund

Points +62

Vegan
26 Jun 2017

Delicious!

Had the Cheesy Cheese sandwich and hot chocolate almond milk and also a taste of the red velvet cake. Large servings yum!

Ghiribizzo

Points +224

Vegetarian
28 May 2017

Sunday lunch

Amidst the chaos of the demolition of the St.James Shopping Centre on the opposite side of the street... an oasis at Holy Cow.
Very filling burger with so many potato wedges. Excellent!

Shannon.Bushell

Points +93

Vegan
22 May 2017

Gem in Edinburgh

Great spot, amazing burgers, friendly service

neil7908

Points +436

Vegetarian
01 May 2017

Decent food and great staff in a good location

Although a little hard to find the restaurant is actually in a very central part of Edinburgh and for anyone coming into the city via bus, train or tram from the airport it'll be no more than than 5 minutes from where you are dropped off.

My partner and I had a bit of a mixed view on our food and drink. We went for lunch and ordered the fish burger, bacon sandwich, a smoothie, a coffee and a bit of cake. Overall the sandwich, cake and coffee were very good. The fish burger and smoothie didn't quite do it for us. The fries were really good though.

Staff were wonderful and we'll certainly be going back again to try some other things on the menu.

Only other downside is that it is quite expensive. Including tip we spent over £30 on lunch which was a bit pricey.

Pros: Location (once you find it!), staff, some great di

Cons: Expensive, some not so great dishes

bibifelstead

Points +74

Vegan
22 Apr 2017

Best vegan burgers and cake around :)

Incredibly impressed with this place!! The staff were lovely, the burgers were by far some of the best vegan burgers I've ever tasted (I've had a fair few), and the red velvet cake I ordered was to die for. I'm sure one of the best vegan places to visit in scotland.

Pros: burgers!!!, Best vegan cakes, lovely staff

Cons: not open for evening hours?

StepRam

Points +24

Vegan
21 Apr 2017

lovely little Coffee shop and Vegan lunch spot

Lovely little Coffee shop with lots of cake.and vegan lunches hot and cold.
Free Wifi

Pros: lot's of options totally Vegan Quiet

Cons: no plugs for charging phone's and laptops so n

HappyT.

Points +208

Vegan
17 Apr 2017

Great service and delicious food.

Great service! I had the Mexican burger with chips (delicious) and a slice of the red velvet cake (also delicious). Highly recommended!

Pros: All vegan, great service, delicious food, clean, a




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