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.
Featured Review
Angelina-Sabrina
Points +383
Holy Cow? Holy Grail! 🙏 - Edit
Suuuuuper lecker und total lieber Service 🤩
Read moreGuest
652 Reviews
First Review by craigmc
angdep
Points +1297
Good food, excellent desserts - Edit
I love the sandwiches here more than I do the burgers. They are healthier and so tasty! The best are the desserts! They have such great selections, and all so scrumptious.
Read morePros: organic
Cons: not all healthily prepared
Guest
Ale_xandra
Points +210
cozy + vegan - Edit
What a cute place! Great menu and I love their hours, they are open a bit later than most places that are a similar cafe vibe. The food was great, their buns are really really yummy so I recommend any of their burgers! I loved the tumeric latte although it had big chunks of what I can o it assumed was tumeric root. A bit pricy but great food! Be sure to get dessert! Oh and I love their branding, wonderful.
Read morePros: quality, good portions , cozy
Guest
AsherOscarTurnbull
Points +25
Lovely - Edit
Visited yesterday morning with my wife on trip up from Newcastle. We are both vegan so looked on Happy Cow to find a vegan place. We were impressed with the freshness of the food, down to the homemade bread. We had two open sandwiches to share and the portions were hearts, we couldn't quite finish! I do think some additional seasonings (perhaps something smokey) on the tempeh would have been an improvements, but it was lovely non the less and I really loved the tofu sandwich. The drinks selection was nice and water was brought to our table straight away when we came in without us having to request it. We were given friendly table service although we would have happily ordered at the counter. Very relaxed atmosphere and nice, bright, clean decor.
Read morePros: All vegan, Central Location, Friendly staff
Cons: None
Guest
Lex28
Points +227
Nice but expensive - Edit
We had the Cheeseburger and a BLT. The BLT was served on a really small piece of bread which made it very difficult to eat as it all fell apart, but was quite tasty, although a bit expensive for the size. The burger with the bbq sauce and cheese sauce was lovely and the chips were amazing. We had a summer fruits chocolate cake which was nice but a little bit bland.
Read moreGuest
chico.charlesworth
Points +16
Yummy food, lovely staff 🌱 - Edit
Loved the jackfruit burger & chips! 🍔🍟
Read moreGuest
blackoutrishi
Points +94
A lot better than I thought it would be! - Edit
I must admit I wasn't too eager to eat here because I thought the menu wasn't super unique, but when I came here on my last day in Scotland I was impressed how tasty the food was! I only had one of the burgers, but it was honestly one of the best burgers I've ever had in my life. The Australian girl who served me with kind and answered all the questions I had. I would come here again to try the other items on the menu.
Read morePros: the burgers
Cons: cash only
Guest
lmcc
Points +1249
Awesome little restaurant - Edit
I really enjoyed my meal here. The restaurant/cafe was very cosy and cute. The decor was really nice, and the display of cakes and treats was very tempting and gave me something to look forward to after my delicious main.
Read moreThe waitress was super friendly and great about recommending which burger I should get - I ended up getting the jackfruit burger. It was really delicious, and it tasted very fresh. I also got a slice of the peanut butter chocolate cheesecake, which was just the right blend of sweetness and chocolate/peanut-butter-y-ness. I would definitely come here again if I'm ever in the area.
Pros: Friendly staff, Delicious food, Great dessert choices
Guest
FairyTati
Points +135
Cozy place with delicious food - Edit
This place offers a very nice atmosphere and delicious vegan food!!!Really tasty hamburgers, soups and wonderful dessert options. If you are in Edinburgh, do not miss it!
Read moreGuest
unmond
Points +769
Lovely little gem - Edit
We came here on a chilly Saturday night in autumn and instantly felt at home in this warm and cosy café. It was not very busy and the relaxing atmosphere made our stay all the more enjoyable.
Read moreFor our meal, we shared two sandwiches (Smoked Tofu and the CBLT), which looked and tasted fantastic. After that, we could not NOT choose a slice of cake from their vast selection - and I'm so glad we did! I believe we had a Black Forest Berry Sponge Cake, and it was amazing!
Should you ever find yourself in the centre of Edinburgh, I'd highly recommend you pay this place a visit. It's not very far from Waverley station, which makes it the ideal spot to spend the time waiting for your train.
Guest
danielaj
Points +904
wonderful! - Edit
Beautiful decor, cosy space with decent amount of seating. Food is wonderful! Burgers, sandwiches, soups and salads to pick from at a reasonable price (big bowl of soup and bread for £4.50!) coffees, tumeric lattes, hot chocs, teas and cakes. ALL VEGAN! Great place yum food! Free wifi. Only accepts cash though although there is a cash machine nearby
Read moreGuest
Layra
Points +720
Delicious vegan burgers - Edit
Holy Cow is a very cute place close to Edinburgh Bus Station. There is a good choice of vegan burgers, sandwiches, salads, soups and sweets. I tried the thai burger and it was super delicious and filling! I would highly recommend stopping by for lunch ;) Staff was extremely friendly as well.
Read moreGuest
Huxley
Points +41
The most helpful staff!! - Edit
We visited this place a little while ago with my baby (in her pram), not realising it was downstairs and the waitress carried the pram all the way upstairs for me after our meal,
Read moreUnfortunately my meal was way too oily and there not very enjoyable but the service deserves more than 5 stars in itself. It may have been an off day or perhaps just my meal so because of the service I will go back and try it out again.
Updated from previous review on 2017-10-22
Pros: Most helpful staff
Cons: Food was too oily on this occasion
Guest
AmyW
Points +21
Best vegan burgers - Edit
Innovative burger options and delicious soup too.
Read moreRelaxed and friendly environment.
Guest
Christi
Points +174
Delicious vegan food! - Edit
This is a great vegan cafe/restaurant. Paulina was very friendly and informative. I got the Portobello mushroom burger, which was really tasty, chips and an amazing peanut butter and chocolate cheesecake.
Read moreI have no idea how it was vegan but apparently it was! I would definitely go back next time I’m in town.
Guest
RedAmaranth
Points +292
Chips to die for - Edit
Airy and bright little spot down some steps behind the bus station.
Read moreShort but effective menu - no fake meat, which is great, but they have vegan cheese if that's your bag.
I was going to have a salad but got swayed by the promise of the hand-cut chunky chips with the burgers, which sealed the deal.
Lovely smoothie and staff too.
Pros: Very cute inside. , Interesting flavour combos. , No fake meat.
Cons: Wee bit pricey. , Cash only.
Guest
TudaG
Points +53
great food - Edit
Stopped in for lunch after arriving in Edinburgh. This place is very charming and cute while offering top notch vegan sandwiches, burgers, and coffee.
Read moreGuest
Kira.
Points +43
The banoffee pie is YUM! - Edit
I went to Edinburgh for a 3 day trip back in July and went here once for lunch and one for dinner.
Read moreAt 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
Guest
Iamreb
Points +53
Great burgers - Edit
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...
Read moreBut 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
Guest
trisarahtops18
Points +101
Best vegan cakes I've had! - Edit
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!
Read morePros: Excellent food, Lovely staff, Generous portions
Guest
ChipOwain
Points +46
Possibly the best vegan café in Scotland. - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Taste, Portion Size, Quiet
Cons: Can't think of any. , For the quality, any cheaper would be unfair
Guest
KarenClement
Points +271
great burgers - Edit
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!
Read moreGuest
LauraAngelaBrennan
Points +22
great vegan food and atmosphere - Edit
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!
Read moreThe 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!
Guest
MarinaNobre
Points +22
The Best Vegan Burger - Edit
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.
Read moreGuest
rasmoos
Points +24
Cozy place & warm staff - Edit
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.
Read moreThe 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
Guest
Jonandmarkuk
Points +227
very nice food - Edit
Great food tucked away near the bus station.
Read morePortions 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
Guest
hippoportamus
Points +25
Fresh and very tasty - Edit
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.
Read morePros: Can eat anything on the menu, Prices are good, Relaxing atmosphere
Cons: No alcohol licence
Guest
Robona
Points +56
hidden gem! - Edit
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.
Read morePros: great menu options
Cons: a bit chilly due to open door
Guest
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