Hendersons Vegan

Creative and inspiring plant-based dishes, executed with flair, using fresh, local and organic produce.

The 2019 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Beloved Hendersons has been improving the lives of Edinburgh’s vegetarian community since 1962, so it’s not a surprise that you’ll have to hustle for a table if you haven’t booked in advance at its vegan restaurant. This relaxed and modern venue opened in 2015 to cater for the growing vegan market and the menu is people-pleasing without resorting to the lure of fake meat – there’s no Quorn or seitan in sight. Start with a playful platter to share or perhaps roasted Portobello mushrooms, simply and tastily adorned with pesto, seeds and grilled tomato. The sliders are a popular main course that could easily find a home in any pub, with three little black bean puddings surrounded by homemade dips, alongside light, crisp and grease-free shoestring fries and onion rings. Pasta with ragù of lentil, walnut and smoked aubergine has a less enticing presentation, with a dollop of basil cream on top, but goes down well. Surprisingly, it’s worth leaving room for some really good desserts – including a you-can’t-believe-it’s-not-dairy thick chocolate mousse.