The Cruelty Free Guide to EdinburghLast updated: 12 May 2008 |
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See the archive of our newsletter (1998-2000): Cruelty Free Living in and around Edinburgh |
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In addition and of equal importance, this guide welcomes you to Edinburgh and aims to help you discover some great places to eat, sleep and buy your everyday shopping. The city of Edinburgh is an exciting place, not just at festival time. There are lots of museums, cinemas, art galleries, theatres and restaurants to wind down, reflect and take in the atmosphere as well as the food.
For the vegetarian and vegan, Edinburgh could be considered a veritable paradise! A recent survey by a vegetarian magazine stated that per capita Edinburgh has the most vegetarian eating places in the UK. Indeed it seems Edinburgh has always been lucky as even in 1910 there was a vegetarian cafe right next to the Old College. (Source: Post House Hotel photo by Pickup)
So we hope you enjoy Edinburgh and that this guide helps you have even more cruelty free fun.
The cafes and restaurants listed here are vegan-friendly though not all are exclusively vegetarian. General information has been simplified using keys leaving room for sample dishes and comments made by the individual who researched the establishment.
Good wheelchair access
Limited wheelchair access
High chairs provided
Licensed
Bring your own bottle
Vegan options indicated on the menu
VgO
Typical vegan dishes:
Mili-Juli-Sabzi (Mixed Veg Curry with brown rice) £5.80
Bahar-e-Nau-Korma (Mixed Veg Curry in soya cream, coconut & almond with brown rice) £6.60
This family-run restaurant is probably the best place in Edinburgh for a cruelty free meal out. The staff are very vegan-friendly and keen to provide vegan versions of the few non-vegan menu items.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Gaeng Keow Wan Puk (Aubergines, broccoli and cauliflower in a green curry paste) with steamed rice £6.50
Panang Tao Hoo (Bean curd and mushrooms cooked in a mild panang curry paste) with glutinous rice £6.75
Thai restaurant with a large vegetarian section. All the veggie dishes are vegan except where egg is mentioned. Egg-free noodles are available on request. Pleasant and friendly. Children are preferred at lunchtime only.
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VnO
Typical vegan dishes:
Veggie haggis on baked tattie £2.40
Veggie chillie on baked tattie £2.40
Probably the best fast-food outlet in Edinburgh for vegans. A great place for a quick nutritious take-away, though there is limited space for customers who want to scran indoors. Many more vegan fillings than your typical baked potato shop. Student discount available.
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Licensed
Bring your own bottle
Typical vegan dishes:
Persian Vegetable Sambar (Potato and lentil with fresh coriander, garnished with spring onion. Medium spicy to taste.) £5.50, Aloo Palak (Potato and spinach with fresh coriander and mustard seed. Medium spicy to taste.) £5.95
Located smack bang in between the King's Theatre and Cameo Cinema in Tollcross, this restaurant offers a larger than average Vegetarian selection - enquire about which dishes are vegan.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Aubergine stuffed with Peppers, Cucumber, Rosemary and Chillies with Midori and Smoked Tofu and Cashew Crust £10.50
Mushroom and Olive Roulade with White Wine and Red Pepper Salsa £10.50
Black Bo's has received some acclaim for it's Gourmet style food. Once exclusively vegetarian, Black Bo's menu now offers "something for the carnivores". However on their website, which is well worth a visit, they say: "This is a Vegetarian Restaurant with meat and fish options. The integrity of all dishes is preserved with separate utensils through all stages of storage, preparation and presentation. We are happy to cater for your awkward dietary requirements." Meals are cooked to order, so you can request a vegan adaptation (especially if you've specified that you have "awkward" dietary requirements in advance). Advanced booking/vegan request is therefore recommended. No wheelchair access to toilets.
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VgO
Typical vegan dishes:
Vegetable curry and rice £3.95
Spicy vegetables in pitta bread £3.95
A pleasant cafe centrally placed near the West End of Princes Street. Vegetarian owner is happy to cook vegan food to order - jusk ask. Sauces are home made and many are vegan.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Szechuan Bean Curd (excl. rice) £3.90
Wheat Gluten (mock abalone) fresh ginger and spring onion (excl. rice) £3.80
The menu has more vegan dishes than your average Chinese Take-Away, though both fried rice and fried soft noodle contain egg.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Soup £1.75
Lentil dhal with two salads £3.95
Though not guaranteed, you should find some vegan food on the menu. The staff are interested to cater for vegans, so feel free to ask about the vegan credentials of anything you fancy on the menu. Special Sunday opening is planned for the Festival from 11.00-17.00.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Three bean casserole with dumplings £3.50 large, £2.50 small
Pasta with basil with roasted peppers £3.50 large, 2.50 small
Though not as wonderful as a few years ago, you can still enjoy a reasonably priced vegan dish in a spacious and pleasant atmosphere. Fish dishes appear on the Saturday menu.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Malaysian vegetable curry £9.00
Homemade zucchini and aduki bean burger (vegan on request) £6.90
Opened in August 2002, a new venture getting rave reviews for David Bann who established Banns Restaurant in Hunter Square. Menu denotes meals that are vegan and those than can be requested as vegan.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Black bean stew £1.85
Soup 75p
On weekdays the cafe is subsidised, hence the amazingly low prices. Garvald Community Enterprises is a charitable organisation working for people with learning disabilities. Training includes vegan awareness. Outside catering available.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Winter chickpea casserole plus 2 salads £2.95
Shepherdess Pie plus 2 salads £2.95
Clean and bright environment; self service at counter; staff very friendly and helpful. Organic produce is used where possible. Vegan biscuits and apple tart available.
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VgO
Typical vegan dishes:
Chickpea and Coconut Curry with rice £4.50
Hummus & Pitta Bread £2.95
Friendly happy happening place. Currently quite a good vegan selection, just ask the staff to check what is suitable. The soup is always vegan.
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Good wheelchair access
Bring your own bottle
Vegan options indicated on the menu
Typical vegan dishes:
Vegeburger and side salad - £3.50
Red lentil and cumin soup with bread - £1.80
Spinach and Tofu salad - £2.50
The Forest is a non-profit collective and was established initially as a Fringe venue at the 2000 Festival and its vegetarian cafe funds a diversity of arts-related activities. The cafe is volunteer-run, the food is simple, the style home-made and casual and there is often open music and theatre. Children are welcome.
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VgO
Typical vegan dishes:
Lentil stew and potatoes £4.75
Leek and mushroom pie with side salad or baked potato £4.75
Enjoy Hendersons cooking in a cosy wine bar atmosphere. The lunchtime special (12-3pm) lets you have two courses, tea or coffee for £6.95, while in the evening (4-7pm) you can enjoy two course, tea or coffee and a glass of wine for £8.50. Hendersons tell us they now stock some vegan wines - please ask for details.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Nut loaf £3.20
Veg haggis, neeps & tatties £3.20
The oldest and perhaps most well-known veggie restaurant in town. Tasty and imaginative vegan dishes, though few of the many puddings are vegan. Be prepared to pay relatively high prices for the high quality dishes and city centre location. Portions may disappoint the hearty appetite. Very busy Saturday lunchtime. Complimentary newspapers and live music some evenings. Student discount available. Hendersons tell us they now stock some vegan wines - please ask for details.
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VgO
Typical vegan dishes:
Dam aloo Gobi (Potato and cauliflower in a spiced tomato gravy) £7.00
Bhindi Masala (seasoned okra fried with onions and tomato) £5.95
The Kalpna does a Vegan Thaali and their South Indian selection is also vegan. Justifiably highly acclaimed wholefood Indian restaurant. Booking recommended for the evening. Special meals include the generously priced special buffet lunch (£7). Discounts for Vegetarian Society UK members.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Vegetable pancake roll and garlic potatoes £2.40
9-inch cheeseless pizza with onion/mushroom/peppers £3.50
Probably the biggest veggie selection of any Edinburgh chippy. Take away only. Veggie items fried separately. The batter is vegan and despite it's name so is the veg. pancake roll. Beware that white puddings contain beef suet.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Panang Tao Hu - Dry bean curd curry with lime leaf £4.95
Pak Chub Pang Tod - fried mixed vegetables with red curry paste and sweet basil £5.25
The vegetarian section of the menu is reasonably extensive. Dishes which are not already vegan can be made so, simply by asking for egg to be omitted.
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Typical vegan dishes:
Vegan Thali (4 dishes+rice+bread) £9.95
Smoked aubergines+rice £4.95
Suruchi is recognised for the quality of it's multi-regional cuisine and was named as Patak's Best Indian Restaurant in Scotland for 1996. The owner is quite knowledgeable about vegan food. Very fresh and bright decor with a comfortable feel. Jazz music accompanies the food on Wednesday and Friday evenings. Discounts for students and Vegetarian Society UK members.
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VgO
Typical vegan dishes:
Adzuki bean nashimi (Japanese) £2.65
Buckwheat stuffed courgettes £1.95
Susie's provides a tempting and imaginative wholefood menu at very reasonable prices. Ask the staff what the vegan options are, it's easier than deciphering the blackboard. Hot food is available until approximately an hour before closing.
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The good news is that "vegan" alcohol is very common; the bad news is that it is seldom labelled so. For example, many champagnes are vegan, as are most types of bottled lager. The problem is knowing if a particular wine or beer is "okay". This short article will hopefully help you to seek them out.
Most spirits are vegan. Exceptions are some vodkas (passed through bone charcoal) and Campari (contains E120 cochineal from insects). "Merrydown" and other ciders are vegan.
Please note that new alcoholic products are routinely tested on animals.
In the meantime, a solution it to check with the wine supplier whether the wine is vegan. We're not suggesting that your try phoning some little vineyard in Tuscany! - some Edinburgh shops have done this and clearly mark vegan wine.
As well as those above, branches of Oddbins and wine stores (e.g. Threshers) are increasingly informed and helpful. All Mateus wines e.g. Mateus Rose, Coop wines e.g. Beaujolais, Principato Red, Rose d'Anjou, Colombard (California), Marks and Spencers wines e.g. French Chardonnay, Georges Duboeuf Cabernet Sauvignon.
Fisherrow Brewery opened near Portobello in 1999 and can if asked, provide a cask of their beer unfined, or just using adjunct (mineral and seaweed based) although they only recommend it with the Porter. People need to speak to Feorag or Iain, not David, who seems to think it's impossible. It will need to stand a little longer than usual, and it won't be crystal clear (just drink it out of non-clear containers!). There are veggie finings available from home brew shops if people want to fine their own.
They are also, with advance warning, able to supply traditional cider and perry - usually Cowhill, sometimes Gwatkin in quantities of 25 litres (or so) and multiples thereof. This is almost always vegan (although the traditional method of re-starting a stuck fermentation is to bung a bit of meat in, this hardly ever happens because the natural yeast on apples is a loony). These are obviously best for events or large parties and, as they have to fetch the cider from Herefordshire, warning is required.
As for stuff in bottles, if you go to Oasts and Toasts opposite the conference centre they sometimes have Cropton's beers in. They're bottle-conditioned and mostly vegan (I think one has honey in), and rather good. Fisherrow are about to start bottle-conditioning, as well.
Fisherrow Brewery, Unit 12 Duddingston Yards, Duddingston Park South, Edinburgh EH15 3NX(Info received: 24 Jan 2001)
These lists only represent a small number of those available. Further information can be found in the Animal Free Shopper and on the Vegetarian Society's website.
There has been much confusion over the term "not tested on animals" e.g. this might mean the final product may not have been, but what about the ingredients? Approximately 60% of testing is on ingredients. It also might mean not tested on animals within the last five years, i.e. so long as the testing happened five years ago, the product still goes on the market. Ingredients being tested today, could come onto the market in five years time, and be labelled "not tested on animals" or "against animal testing". This is called the rolling five year rule.
A legal definition of the term cruelty free is needed to stop the public being misled by false claims. A company committed to stopping animal testing will have a fixed cut off date. This means only using ingredients which are not from animals and have not been tested on them prior to a certain date e.g. Beauty Without Cruelty have a 1976 fixed cut off date where they use very long established natural ingredients and nothing else. In other words the ingredients are already known to be safe because they have been used by people and herbalists for many years and sometimes thousands of years.
In September 1976 an EC Cosmetics Directive was published which ensured all new ingredients after that date would almost certainly have been tested on animals. However there is no guarantee that some of the established pre 1976 ingredients have never been tested by anyone at anytime, but at least if a fixed cut off date is adopted by all companies in the industry no more animal testing will take place. Companies using a later cut off date may be using ingredients tested on animals before their fixed cut off date but it ensures no more animals are used for their sake.
Many companies are reluctant to adopt a real cruelty free ethic because they want the option to use new and innovated ingredients, often cheaper, synthetic chemicals which emulate natural ingredients. These innovated ingredients would have to be tested on animals under present laws and regulations in force. These companies perpetuate the testing on animals, whether or not the company is undertaking these tests directly. It may occasionally cost a little extra to use the safe natural ingredient rather than the new synthetic copy, but if it means that animals will be spared, it is surely a small price to pay.
All the companies listed in this guide have a fixed cut off date and to the best of our knowledge at the time of printing, their whole product range is vegan unless indicated otherwise.
key in the
shops section for cosmetics and toiletries outlets.
Source: Information gleaned on companies from Beauty Without Cruelty and RSPCA cruelty free guides (1995).
Due to the increased popularity of both vegetarian and vegan diets, it is now possible to buy many suitable products (food and non-food items) in almost every shop. This ranges from the "corner shop" to the major supermarket chains. Those listed below are ideal for the cruelty free shopper and are mainly, but not exclusively wholefood and health food shops.
The shops are listed alphabetically with details of address, telephone number, opening hours, symbols illustrating the range of products sold and a short comment.
Alcohol
Books and magazines
Bread
Chilled or frozen foods (microwave meals, vegan haggis/burgers)
Household cleaning products (no animal products or testing)
Cooking aids (e.g. sauces, vegetable stock, spices and herbs)
Dried foods (e.g. grains, pulses, nuts and dried fruit)
Eggs or dairy products
Fair Trade produce
Fresh vegetables
Tea, coffee, herbal teas etc
Fruit and vegetable juices
Meat or Fish
Cruelty Free medicines (e.g. essential oils, vitamins)
Savoury takeaway snacks (e.g. savoury pastries, pakoras, samosas)
Soya products (e.g. tofu, soya milk, ice cream)
Spreads (e.g. nut butters, fruit spreads, pate etc.)
Cakes and sandwiches Toiletries and cosmetics
The Bean Machine is a wholefood delivery service, which specialises in organic produce. Edinburgh deliveries are fortnightly on a Thursday, so orders should be made by phone on the preceding Monday or Tuesday.
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You'll find this inconspicuous wholefood outlet in Blackhall Post Office, near where Craigcrook Place meets Queensferry Road.
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Located on the outskirts of the city near the Hillend ski slope, this farm shop specialises in organic produce.
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A new shop providing a much needed outlet for the increasing range of Engine Shed products. The organic vegetables, tofu and breads (including wheat-free and yeast-free varieties) are particularly recommended.
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Good Food manages to pack an impressive array of wholefood produce into deceptively small premises in the heart of Morningside.
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Established in 1998, Grow Wild is Central Scotland's Organic Home Delivery service. They are committed to supplying quality fresh organic produce at reasonable prices. They will deliver directly to your door (at home or work) alternatively your produce can be left with a friend or neighbour. All produce is chilled throughout the supply chain to ensure optimum freshness. Cruelty Free Guide Testimonial: "I'd recommend adding Grow Wild to your Shops section. It's a superb organic box scheme company, I've been using them for years."
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Although the emphasis is definitely on health products, Hanover Health offers a respectable range of wholefood in a conveniently central location.
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The interesting selection of savoury items includes chilli bean burgers and filo parcels with roast veg and tofu.
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Part of the large nationwide chain of health food stores.
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Now an international chain with outlets in many countries, Lush has a most refreshing attitude to cruelty free cosmetics. It does not espouse the "cut-off" date ethics preferred by other companies but rather makes ethical choices about suppliers rather than the ingredients themselves. You can read about their testing policy on their website.
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Many new branches of Margiottas keep springing up all over Edinburgh and they are generally a good bet for finding a vegan snack. This one probably offers the most vegan produce.
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A modest but comprehensive selection of speciality foods. Organic bread available.
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Not alot in the way of food, but as part of the Garvald Centre Ltd, it is a shop sympathetic to the vegan lifestyle and one well worth supporting.
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Napiers has operated as a Herbal House since 1860 and offers a unique alternative to the High Street Chemist.
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This recently opened health food store specialises in organic vegetables and fairtrade goods. They operate an Ecover refill service and also do home deliveries.
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All products in this shop (apart from cosmetics, toiletries and household items) come with a Fair Trade guarantee. It is feasible in this Alladin's cave to find your complete birthday and Christmas gift list among the books, magazines, World music, Fair Trade crafts, jewellery, clothes, textiles and hand-made paper products.
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If you get a craving for Swedish Glace ice cream or Lindt plain chocolate at a quarter to midnight, this is the place to come! They also seem to stock every beer known to the human race, so there should be a few of your vegan favourites on the shelves.
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Award winning organic farm shop and vegetarian cafe just outside Falkland. Excellent range of fruit, vegetables and wholefoods. Planning delivery service. See web site for more information.
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8 Brougham Street, EDINBURGH, EH3 9JH
(0131) 228 1201
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9.00-18.00, Sat 9.00-17.30 Sun 11.00-17.00
Edinburgh's largest retailer of health and wholefood products, much of which is organic. They have a very good range of organic bread (e.g. Garvald, Engine Shed, Trusty Crust), for which all ingredients are listed. They are leading the way in stocking and clearly presenting a range of vegan and organic alcohol.
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Typical vegan breakfast:
Fruit juice, muesli, tea/coffee, potato cakes, veggie sausage, tomatoes, beans
Open all year; 1 dbl, 1 dbl/ensuite, 1 twin; tea and coffee making facilities; all rooms smoke free; dogs welcome; £20-£25 B&B per person. Small flat at the top of a tenement. Vegan owner.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Fruit juice, toast, cereals, fruit, tomato, waffles, mushrooms, beans.
Open July, August and September; 4 dbl/family; all rooms smoke free; £20 B&B per person. Tea and coffee in dining room. Suitable for families.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Organic porridge, cereals, fresh fruit, fruit compote, cooked breakfast: including veggie haggis, potato scones, mushroooms, tomatoes, fruit juices, tea, coffee, soya milk (if requested in advance).
32 Granby Road is an Edwardian property which has been renovated and completely redecorated for 2003. It is located in a peaceful part of Edinburgh yet just a pleasant walk from the city centre. All rooms have ensuite bathrooms, television, telephone and tea and coffee making facilities. Open all year round and entirely smoke free. Not suitable for pets or small children. £75-£85 per room, inclusive of breakfast.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Fruit (e.g. melon, grapes), cereal, juice, veggie sausage, mushrooms, tomatoes, potato cakes, beans, waffles
Open all year; 3 dbl, 3 single, 2 tw/ensuite; wash hand basins; tea and coffee making facilities; all rooms smoke free; £35-£50 B&B per person based on two people sharing. Suitable for families; family room £100-£150 per night.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Abernethy House no longer offers breakfast. It is however very vegetarian/vegan friendly and people may access kitchen facilities.
Run by vegetarian and vegan women; 3 rooms ; tea and coffee making facilities; £25-£38 per person per night. Children are welcome at reduced rates. TV and radio in each room. Counselling and therapy is also available at Abernethy House.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Breakfast is both a wide ranging buffet and cooked to order.
Long established vegetarian guesthouse in central location. Open all year (except Xmas). 6 rooms (3 en-suite) - singles to families. Good 'atmosphere'. Prices £25 - £40 per person. Singles from £30. All rooms have colour TV and tea/coffee facilities. Owners also vegetarian.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Organic porridge and cereals, cooked breakfast as requested, soya milk with advance notice
Open all year; 3 rooms (all ensuite); tea and coffee making facilities; all rooms smoke free; £75-£95 per room. Not suitable for young children or pets. Colour TV and fridge in each room.
Typical vegan breakfast
Fruit Juice, choice of cereal, fresh fruit, dried fruit and prunes, a selection of soya yoghurts, Scottish oatcakes (with Tofutti cream cheese on request) followed by organic tempeh rashers, veggie sausage, veggie haggis, mushrooms, baked beans, hash browns, tomato, toast (white and/or wholemeal)
Open all year; 6 rooms (all ensuite or with private bathroom); wash hand basins, tea and coffee making facilities; all rooms smoke free; from £35 per person; families welcome; vegetarian owners. Awarded the best hotel or guesthouse catering for vegetarians by the Vegetarian Society in 2001, the Greenhouse's mouth-watering breakfast menu deserves further investigation as it offers the gold standard in vegan-friendly breakfasts.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Cereals, fruit salad, potatoescones, veg cutlets, herb/fruit teas, tomato, mushrooms, beans. Soya milk and marg on request.
Open May-October, other times by arrangement; 3 rooms (all ensuite); smoke free house; £22-£35 per person; tea and coffee making facilities; families welcome.
Typical vegan breakfast:
Good choice of cereals, fruit juice, tomato, mushrooms, potato scones, herb teas, tea and coffee. Soya products on request.
Open all year (except Christmas); 5 ensuite rooms; wash hand basins; tea and coffee making facilities; all rooms smoke-free with central heating and TV; £25- £30 B&B per person. Not suitable for children under 8 years.
Open all year; 140 beds; £9.50 per bed (£9.80 by credit card). Listed as one of Europe's top five hostels by United Hostels of Europe, advanced booking is certainly advisable. Facilities include kitchen, showers, pool table, juke box and dining room. Free walking tours every morning at 10am. Email: 101357.553@compuserve.com
Open all year; 42 beds; £9.90 per bed. Facilities include a couple of common rooms and a kitchen, which only has a microwave. Residents can also do their cooking at the High Street Hostel.
Open all year except midwinter (check with hostel); 160 beds;
Open all year except midwinter (check with hostel); 158 beds; per bed (includes continental breakfast). Meals provided daily. Hostel store/shop.
Open 30 June till 11 September; 100 beds; Open in Summer only. Family and single rooms available.
In order to keep on top of this as much as possible we would welcome feedback from you. Whether you are a vegan-friendly proprietor or a satisfied customer of such an establishment, please let us know of any we have missed out. Also feel free to send us suggestions to enhance, update or correct any of the current entries. General comments on the guide itself (presentation, layout, readability etc.) are of course also extremely welcome.
To inform us of any of the above, please email us at guide@crueltyfree.org.uk