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Read time: 6 mins.

Is Scotland vegan friendly? We certainly think so.

Veganism has surged in popularity in the last 5 years following the launch of Veganuary. So much so that as of 2019 roughly 2% of the Scottish population considered themselves to be vegan.

That’s over 100,000 people!

In fact, veganism consistently ranks high in Scottish Google searches year-round and was searched 7 times more often than vegetarianism during Veganuary 2020.

Google Trends data from Scotland shows the surge in searches for veganism (blue line) compared to vegetarianism (red line) from 2015 to the present day, hitting a peak in January 2020.

And the rise in demand has brought with it some brilliant Scottish vegan cafes and vegan restaurants.

From vegan Scottish desserts to international cuisines made vegan, Scotland’s vegan restaurants are some of the UK’s best.

So where are the best vegan restaurants in Scotland? Here are our top 10:

1. 

We recommend for: date night.

Cuisine: Vegan Italian.

• An authentic and family-run vegan Italian restaurant bringing a taste of Rome to Edinburgh
   

• Highly rated amongst vegans and non-vegans for its friendly service and flavourful dishes
   

• Highlights include their 12-inch pizzas and white pizzas, made from organic flour, traditional Carbonara with homemade vegan bacon and heavenly vegan Tiramisu
   

• Sample their red, wine and sparkling Italian wines, all vegan and organic
   

• Gluten free options are available
   

• A finalist in the Scottish Italian Awards 2021
   

• Open: Tuesdays to Sundays 12.30pm – 10pm

££  

Enjoy an authentic Italian vegan pizza in Edinburgh at Sora Lella. Photo courtesy of Sora Lella Vegan via Instagram.

2. 

We recommend for: a date night with incredible views.

Cuisine: Vegan food with an Eastern influence.

• A cosy vegetarian teahouse and restaurant nestled away in Glendale, Northwest Sky
   
• The teahouse was founded to create a warm ‘space of consciousness’; their name ‘Chiakasha’ means the ‘abode of peace’
   
• A focus on using seasonal and locally sourced produce, with many of the ingredients grown in their own garden
   
• Highlights include their confit croft turnips and seasonal selections
   
• They’re alcohol free but all meals can be paired with their large variety of teas
   
• Open: Wednesdays to Fridays for sittings at 6pm & 8pm

££  

3. 

We recommend for: a vegan dining feast during a getaway break.

Cuisine: Multinational vegan.

• An elevated vegan dining restaurant set in the UK’s first vegan hotel
   
• A focus on creating great food inspired by their travels using local, organic produce
   
• Daily changing 3 course (Mon-Weds) or 5 course (Thurs-Sat) set menus depending on the produce available in their garden or local farms
   
• For every dinner served, a tree is planted in conjunction with The Green Earth Appeal
   
• Dinner must be booked in advance
   
• Open: Lunch service Mondays to Saturdays 12pm – 3pm, dinner service Mondays to Saturdays from 7pm, Sunday lunch from 3pm - 7pm

£££

Fancy a taste of luxury vegan cuisine? Head to the restaurant at Saorsa 1875. Pictured: Saorsa's Carrot Tartare.

4. 

We recommend for: a relaxing lunch.

Cuisine: Healthy vegan eats.

• A wellness centre and vegan café in Edinburgh with an aim to nourish its customers “from Soil to Soul”
   
• Everything is cooked from scratch, mostly organic and 100% vegan
   
• Highlights of their healthy but filling menu include their vegan afternoon tea, freshly baked vegan cakes, and all-day vegan brunch
   
• Cheese lovers can sample their vegan cheeses from sister company, , some of the best vegan cheese in Edinburgh
   
• Grab a bite in their indoor or outdoor dining areas before heading up to their yoga studio for a relaxing session
   
• Looking for something vegan and gluten free? Try their gluten free vegan cakes
   
• Open: Wednesdays to Thursdays 10am – 3pm, Fridays 10am – 4pm & Saturdays to Sundays 10am – 5pm

££

Looking for a vegan lunch or vegan Scottish breakfast in Edinburgh? Head to Beetroot Sauvage’s café. Photo courtesy of Beetroot Sauvage via Instagram.

5. 

We recommend for: a catch-up meal and drink with friends.

Cuisine: Classics made vegan.

• A 100% vegan bar and restaurant in Edinburgh’s New Town with a focus on bringing people together in harmony through great food
   
• Highlights include their Harmie Poutine, Loaded Mac & Cheese with vegan haggis and vegan pizzas
   
• To drink, choose from their 100% organic wine list, local lagers, ales and ciders or seasonal cocktails
   
• Have additional dietary requirements? No problem. They cater to gluten free, soy free and nut free diets
   
• Bring the children along too, their vegan kid’s menu includes all the usual favourites
   
• Open: Mondays 5pm – 11pm, Tuesdays to Thursdays 12pm – 11pm, Fridays to Saturdays 12pm – 12am & Sundays 12pm – 11pm

££

6. 

We recommend for: a breakfast date with a friend.

Cuisine: Vegan fast food.

• A cosy 100% vegan cafe specialising in vegan comfort food
   
• Their focus on sustainability is clear throughout their menu, which is printed on 100% recycled paper and features ‘Peacado’, a sustainable alternative to avocado
   
• Other highlights include their vegan full Scottish breakfast featuring vegan haggis and black pudding, their Mac and Cheez and Biscoff desserts
   
• Make a reservation to guarantee a seat in this snug spot or grab a takeaway to enjoy on Glasgow Green
   
• Open: Mondays to Thursdays 9am – 7pm & Fridays to Sundays 9am – 8pm

££  

The Glasvegan is one of the highest rated vegan restaurants in Glasgow, Scotland. Photo courtesy of The Glasvegan.

7. 

We recommend for: an afternoon cake and coffee catch up.

Cuisine: Fresh and healthy vegan eats with international influence.

• A healthy eating vegan and vegetarian café in Aberdeen specialising in fresh and nutritious free from food
   
• Known for their vibrant and relaxing atmosphere
   
• Highlights include their vegan breakfast bagels, Buddha bowls and filling vegan burgers
   
• All desserts are free from refined sugar and their cakes are baked fresh each day
   
• Vegan and gluten free or vegan and diabetic? There are plenty of dietary-friendly options
   
• Open: Mondays to Fridays 9.45am – 5pm, Saturdays 9.45am – 4pm & Sundays 11am – 4pm

££  

8. 

We recommend for: a filling weekend breakfast.

Cuisine: Vegan brunch favourites.

• A 100% vegan café, shop and secluded rooftop garden
   
• Supporters of local independent and fellow vegan businesses, they use local produce as much as possible in their menu items
   
• Highlights include their Bonobo Fry Up with hash browns and vegan dippy yolk, Bonobo Mac and freshly baked cakes
   
• Pop by for brunch or lunch followed by a yoga session or activity at their workshops
   
• Gluten free options are available
   
• Open: Tuesdays 12pm – 4pm & Wednesdays to Saturdays 10am – 4pm

££  

9. 

We recommend for: a family celebration meal.

Cuisine: Pan Asian.

• A family run restaurant with a sharing style menu
   
• A focus on making eating vegan as flavourful and interesting as possible
   
• Dishes are made fresh using natural ingredients without using MSG
   
• Highlights include their vegetable gyoza and rendang curry
   
• Gluten free options are available
   
• Open: Wednesdays & Thursdays 5pm – 10pm, Fridays 5pm – 10.30pm, Saturdays 1pm – 10.30pm, Sundays 1pm – 9pm

££ 

Suissi have plenty of classics from across Asian cuisine – all made vegan. Photo by courtesy of Suissi vegan kitchen.

10. 

We recommend for: a healthy weekend lunch.

Cuisine: Multinational vegan eats.

• A plant-based kitchen on Sauchiehall Street bringing nutritionally balanced vegan food to the people of Glasgow
   
• They source their fresh and mostly organic produce from local businesses
   
• Highlights include their Mac and Greens, Buddha bowls and raw cakes
   
• Why not get involved with their workshops? From Kombucha making to urban foraging, there are all sorts to try. Details of upcoming events can be found on their website
   
• Open: Thursdays 4pm – 8pm, Fridays and Saturdays 12pm – 8pm & Sundays 12pm – 5pm

££  

Those are our recommendations for the best vegan food Scotland has to offer.

Have we missed one of your favourite vegan or vegetarian restaurants in Scotland? Let us know on our social channels.

Fancy treating yourself to a vegan food hamper at home? Take a look at our

Want to treat a vegan in Scotland to a special treat? Our vegan gifts Scotland bound are full of sweet and savoury artisan treats.

And if you’ve enjoyed this blog don’t forget to share it.