David Bann

Why does David Bann let himself down during the festival?

I love David Banns: it is one of the best places in Edinburgh and one of the best Veggie restaurants in the UK. However during the festival they do not take bookings: this sends a message saying profit matters more than customers. Also the best dish they do: the chocolate soufflé is withdrawn!

It seems a shame that Bann drops his standards during the festival. I recommend anyone to go to Banns but not during the festival.

Still the best Veggie in the UK.

Only 2 problems:

1) They did away with the Bean Burgger.

2) Theywill not take bookings during the Fringe.

Really good meal here - wonderful food from starter to pudding. Doesn't get the 5 stars as it took 20 minutes after we had been seated and given menus for any one to offer us a drink or take our order! However once we were attended to the staff were very good - perhaps just a glitch and not what we have usually experienced at David Bann. In any case well worth it for the wonderful food.

We've been to David Bann many times over the last 6 or 7 years, and on the whole, love the place, but have also been dissatisfied. The decor is superb, staff are professional and discreet, the food is beautifully styled and creative, and it has been enjoyed by the vegetarian and meat-eaters in our party alike.

However, in the past couple of visits, we've really had a hit-or-miss experience. Some dishes are delicious, while others are conceptually interesting but still in the 'first draft' stage, and others still are decidedly boring. Perhaps this is a case of attempting to appeal to a wide range of tastes (and some people do prefer bland food), but it might be worth developing some of the dishes a bit more before they go on the menu.

Still, it has enough to keep us coming back!

Ate here during our stay this week in Edinburgh and had a very fine meal and were served by efficient and friendly staff. The risotto I had was well made and seasoned and my partner had two starters as a main which were equally tasty. A few years back I found the food at Banns tended to rest 'heavy in the belly' but this time thought things greatly improved. Still find the interior a little gloomy but otherwise a great vegetarian restaurant!

Fantastic food, service and atmosphere. I went to David Bann's for the first time in April and had a great time. The choice and variety of flavours and textures made for a really enjoyable meal and experience. Cetainly one of the best vegeterian meals I have ever had. The food was so good that I even had a pudding (a selection of puddings for 2) - rare for me. I would thoroughly recommend David Bann's.

Great atmosphere, great food, great service. The mains I tried were the chilli and smoked cheese tortilla and the Jerusalem artichoke tart. Both were packed full of flavour and all components of the dishes were fresh and tasted homemade. The cheeseboard for desert was unfortunately dominated by smoked cheeses which were a bit overpowering.

We had high hopes for this restaurant and the menu sounded mouth watering, however none of the food really hit the mark. Starters: The leek and tomato tart was average, the watercress soup tasty but under seasoned. Mains: The chilli with chocolate was bland, the cheese souffle actually rather unpleasant, though its accompaniments were good. After that we didn't bother with desserts.
It's not that the food in David Bann is particularly awful - there are worse places, but the disappointing mediocrity of it only merits two stars.

Lulu, minestrone soup is meant to be thick!

When i was there I had the crepe with roasted vegetables and cheese. Was terrific and the balsamic reduction that came with it was clearly of a high quality.

I've visited this restaurant several times in the last few years and although I'm not even a veggie the service and food has been fantastic each time, thanks!

I was really looking forward to eating here before I went, but I have to say it wasn't up to the hype. The minestrone soup was thick and stodgy and had no zing. I followed it with the pea risotto which was extremely bland. I would have been embarassed to serve it to guests at home. My partner had a spicy tortilla dish with chocolate sauce which was better. Unfortunately we couldn't fit in dessert, because I fancied trying the dessert platter to share. Despite everything the staff were lovely and service was good despite how busy they were. I enjoyed the experience, but not the food.

Had a really great meal here during the festival for my mother in law's birthday. We were all impressed with the food and service (even my meat loving husband who took some convincing)! Have no previous visits to base this but really enjoyed all three courses - as did the rest of the party. I thought the menu was different in terms of flavour pairings to what would normally be expected and made a nice change! Our main waiter was very attentive though we found some of the others that came by to help a bit overbearing and disorganised at times! Will definitely dine here again.

Used to be my all time favourite place to eat but, sadly, it's gone downhill recently. Gone is the quiet, serene atmosphere as they have packed more tables in, and - thought I'd never hear myself say this - the food has gone downhill, and last two visits, the food was mediocre. Real shame.