Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant
- Telephone 0131 225 2131
- Food served Mon–Wed 8am–9.30pm; Thu–Sat 8am–10pm. Closed Sun. [Aug & Dec: open Sun 10am–5pm].
- Average price £9.95 (set lunch); £15 (evening meal)
- Website www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk
Jump to times, articles or comments (3)
The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.
This subterranean restaurant is the place for the original Henderson’s experience, with a diverse clientele as loyal as you’d expect for somewhere with fifty years of history behind it. It’s boho, but also surprisingly sophisticated of an evening, when the lights are low and live jazz musicians play softly in the corner. Community is Henderson’s strong point, from the locally sourced ingredients to artwork displayed in the gallery onsite and the language club that meets in a side room. This makes it a welcoming and versatile place with an atmosphere that shifts throughout the day, from buzzy canteen for breakfasts and lunches, to a vaguely Middle Eastern accented restaurant in the evening. The food remains much the same, and is comparable to the bistro and St John’s café: lots of interesting salads, generously filled wraps and regularly changing hot meals like a veggie haggis-filled filo parcel (slightly lacking in that haggis spice mix), croquettes or curries. Famously good cakes and puddings round things off, including vegan and gluten-free choices, or a Scottish cheese board.
- High point: You can even feel good about the biodynamic wines and organic beers
- Low point: Good food, but not fancy food
Listed in The Larder – in the shops now or buy online.
Founded by Janet Henderson in 1962, Henderson’s Deli is an Edinburgh institution. Committed to selling wholesome, natural food at reasonable prices, there is also a salad bar downstairs, bistro alongside and an art gallery upstairs. Bread and cakes come from Henderson’s wholemeal bakehouse on the same premises. An array of vegetarian and vegan specialities are available, along with locally grown fruit and vegetables (organic where possible). Salads, soups, sandwiches, ready-made meals and fresh juices are available to takeaway.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 18
- Private dining: Up to 60 covers
- Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Outdoor tables, Live music, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: No music
- Capacity: 180
- Largest group: 60
- Open since: 1962
- House wine: £14.50 per bottle
Event times
There are 18 events at this location
Sorted by title / date & time
Asparagus Week
It's a vegetable that doesn't come without its repercussions, but the misfit asparagus is still rather delicious. Celebrate its long-standing status as a showcase ingredient as Henderson's chefs put it in everything they can think of, from starters to bakes.
Mon 3 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 08:00 – 22:00 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Asparagus Week
Tue 4 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 08:00 – 22:00 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Asparagus Week
Wed 5 Jun
Prices vary / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
- 08:00 – 22:00 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Asparagus Week
Back to '63 Festival Launch Party
To kick off their 50-day festival celebrating 50 years, Henderson's of Edinburgh invite you to time warp back to their opening night in 1963. Get on your best retro gear, hit up the 60s makeover zone and, for the first hour, grab a cocktail at a price last seen five decades ago. Booking is essential.
Sun 26 May
£10 (early bird offer £10 for two) / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Chinese Conversation with Yakety Yak Language Cafe
Improve your Mandarin Chinese conversation in a small group with an experienced tutor.
Thu 23 May
£7 / 07826 555 134
Thu 30 May
£7 / 07826 555 134
Thu 6 Jun
£7 / 07826 555 134
Desafinado
Brazilian jazz from this duo.
Thu 23 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Desafinado
Fifty Years of Henderson's Exhibition
Celebrate the life of Henderson's founder, Janet Henderson, and her husband Mac, and their contribution to the organic food movement in Scotland.
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
Exhibition launch party. Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Wed 29 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Thu 30 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Fraser Urquhart
Relaxing piano.
Wed 22 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Fraser Urquhart
Ged Brockie & Doug Urquhart
Jazz guitar duo.
Thu 30 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Ged Brockie & Doug Urquhart
Graham High
The guitarist is joined by guests playing Hot Club-style jazz.
Fri 24 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Graham High
The Henderson's 50 Wine Fair
One wine tasting to end them all; 25 reds, 25 whites, plus a few rosés and sparklings thrown in to keep you on your toes. Once you're done tasting, vote for your favourite, which will end up on Henderson's wine list. Booking is essential.
Thu 20 Jun
£15 (early bird offer £20 for two) / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Henderson's Family Kitchen Takeover
The progeny of Henderson's founder Janet Henderson try their hand out in the kitchen, under the guiding hand of head chef Barry Baker. Taste what they make and let them know what you think of their cooking skills.
Thu 30 May
£30 / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Interplay
Featuring guitarist Lachlan MacColl and guests.
Wed 29 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Interplay
Janet Henderson Centenary Dinner and Discussion
A look at the work of Janet Henderson, who helped to establish the organic, local sourcing and healthy eating scene here in Scotland, and a glance at the future of food culture in the country. Booking is essential.
Wed 3 Jul
£30 / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Lachlan's Sounds of Jazz
Accomplished jazz, with Lachlan on guitar and Kenny on double bass.
Fri 31 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Lachlan's Sounds of Jazz
Ron Carruthers
Popular pianist playing standards from the last 100 years.
Wed 22 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Ron Carruthers
Mon 27 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Ron Carruthers
Russian Conversation with Yakety Yak Language Cafe
Improve your Russian conversation in a small group with an experienced tutor.
Thu 23 May
£7 / 07826 555 134
Thu 30 May
£7 / 07826 555 134
Thu 6 Jun
£7 / 07826 555 134
Steve Tyler
Classical jazz guitar.
Tue 21 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Steve Tyler
Tue 28 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Steve Tyler
Stewart MacLennan
Guitarist and singer-songwriter from Texas with a collection of eclectic tunes.
Sat 25 May
Free / 0131 225 2131
- 18:45 – 21:30 Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant Stewart MacLennan
A Sweet Ending
Two light savoury courses are followed by the main event: dessert. Over 50 puddings and cakes adorn the Sweet Table, to which you can make as many visits as you like with no judgement from anyone.
Fri 12 Jul
£25 (early bird offer £40 for two) / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Sat 13 Jul
£25 (early bird offer £40 for two) / 0131 225 2131
Part of Henderson's 50/50 Food Festival.
Reviews & features
Edinburgh vegetarian restaurant Henderson's wins List award in 50th year
24 Apr 2012
Pioneering business wins Eating & Drinking Guide's Special Award 2012
2012 marks a notable anniversary in Edinburgh’s dining history: Janet Henderson’s first city venture dedicated to vegetarian food opened 50 years ago. In 1962 Janet, along with husband Mac, an East Lothian farmer, set up a ‘farm shop’ in the city…
Comments & ratings
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3.
SarahDon – 5 Jul 2012, 11:58am
Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant
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Henderson's is the best, love it :-) Nowhere else in Edinburgh has the same feel, i go whenever I can!
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2.
Emma L. – 6 Apr 2012, 10:20am
Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant
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We love going to Henderson's. My Mum and Dad took me when I was a kid, and now I'm a student in Edinburgh and I go with my friends for lunch and sometimes in the evening for the atmosphere
- 1. Amy Minnis – 21 Aug 2009, 3:07pm Report
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I have been going to Henderson's for about 40 years but I doubt if I will be back. Today my mum and I had a 'medium' salad - 3 spoonfuls on a tiny side-plate. They were all watery and tasteless. Mum complained and Mr Henderson said he was away to taste them but he didn't come back. The choice of salads is nothing like as extensive as it used to be and you just get the feeling they are trying to give you as little as they can get away with - hence the tiny plates with food spilling over the edge. It is a shame because we used to really enjoy the food there - and we're not vegetarian.
Average rating /5 from 2 reviews of Henderson's Vegetarian Restaurant.
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