Edinburgh’s Fringe festival is not to be missed with hundreds of shows and events to experience in a fantastic city. However, as anyone with an allergy, intolerance or specific dietary requirement, eating out and about can be tricky.
To make your visit a little easier Edinburgh Foodie Caroline Cassidy, has put together a list of the top 10 eateries that will not only cater to dairy free diets, and some other allergies, but also introduce you to some of the tastiest food Edinburgh has to offer.
CAFES – for breakfast, brunch, lunch or even just a sweet treat.
The Herbivore Kitchen, situated in Edinburgh’s Southside area, is a great café that caters to most diets including vegetarian, vegan and dairy free. Their menu includes a handy allergen key so you know exactly what allergens are in each dish.
In addition to lunch they offer delicious breakfast and brunch options such as pancakes – I’d highly recommend the apple and cinnamon pancakes with biscoff, salted caramel and banana.
The Herbivore Kitchen is also a fantastic place to go to satisfy a sweet craving with delicious brownies, cinnamon buns and cakes which are dairy free.
With a lovely décor and relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and a range of dairy free choices both savoury and sweet, this café is a must.
For those looking for dairy free treats while being health conscious, look no further than Pumpkin Brown located in the historic Grassmarket. Not only is the menu dairy free but also gluten free and with no refined sugar in any of the food or drinks. Pop in for breakfast or lunch where you’ll be tempted by creative/refreshing salads and a hot dish of the day. You can also stop by for coffee and slice of cake.
One of Edinburgh’s best for breakfast and brunch, Loudon’s in the Fountainbridge area of Edinburgh cater to dairy free and gluten free diets without any compromise on taste or choice.
With an impressive breakfast and brunch menu, you will not be stuck for choice and staff are happy to help with any allergen requirements or questions. The lunch menu also offers a number of dairy free options. If it’s just a quick coffee and sweet treat that you are looking for then this place is also a great option with a daily range of cakes including a number of dairy and gluten free choices. This place is popular and busy so there may be a queue but it’s well worth the wait!
This café is ideally located on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and its unique “old world” atmosphere makes your dining experience that bit more special, especially to tourists and visitors of the city hoping to steep themselves in Edinburgh’s rich history. It is like stepping back in time with the story of Deacon Brodie told on the walls of the café. There are dairy free and vegan options for breakfast and lunch as well as freshly baked goods such as brownies and scones.
To satisfy a sweet craving or cool down a little in the unusually hot weather Scotland is experiencing this summer then stop by Considerit which is located close to the Meadows.
This place offers artisan chocolates that are dairy free and plant based, as well as delicious donuts in a range of interesting flavours and dairy free ice cream.
RESTAURANTS
This small and always popular eatery near the Potterrow, the Royal Mile and George IV Bridge is ideal for dairy free eating with a wide range of choice on the menu. You may have to wait for a table, but it is worth it as the food is incredibly tasty and good value for money.
This year you can also find a Ting Thai Caravan pop-up take-away venue inside the Assembly George Square Gardens.
In several locations across Edinburgh offering various vegetarian and vegan menus, Henderson’s is failsafe for a dairy free eating. Beside Hanover Street they have a completely vegan restaurant and The Salad Table restaurant as well as a shop/deli where you can grab a bite to eat or a sweet treat. Near the bottom of the Royal Mile in Holyrood close to several of Edinburgh’s tourist landmarks you can also find Henderson’s where you can take away or eat in.
Centrally located close to Edinburgh’s George Square Campus, this place is perfect for a hearty breakfast, lunch or dinner, providing delicious Persian-inspired food for all. They cater extensively to dietary requirements including dairy, gluten and nut allergies. With a choice of fresh salads everyday you could visit again and again and experience something new and scrumptious every time.
This eccentric bar serves an exciting menu with vegetarian and vegan food, including nachos. The bar is just a 5 minute walk from the Royal Mile so I’d recommend grabbing a cocktail and bite to eat at this unique place which has great music and often has fun events so be sure to check it out!
After a long day at the Fringe, or after catching a show at Pleasance Courtyard, head to the Auld Hoose on St. Leonard’s Street. With a friendly and relaxed atmosphere this alternative pub offers a wide range of vegan and dairy free dishes. Their speciality is (huge) nachos as well as burritos and hot dogs.
