Hendersons Holyrood

This contemporary expression of Hendersons brings decades of vegetarian cooking know-how into upbeat surroundings at Holyrood.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Down towards the Scottish Parliament, this branch of the Edinburgh family vegetarian chain opened in 2015. Inside, it’s decorated with reclaimed wooden doors, mismatched armchairs and lamps, and various sun-trap outdoor tables for good weather days. Workers at the neighbouring BBC and Rockstar Games offices use it as a takeaway spot for the mix and match salads Hendersons does so well, alongside hot goat's cheese tarts, quiches, wraps, soups and daily specials. A menu loosely inspired by street food includes seitan steak burgers, doner kebabs and hot dogs. Coffee is free if you breakfast before 10.30am during the week and there is a range of pancakes and tray bakes, with various options for gluten, dairy and sugar-avoiders. Although weekday lunchtimes can be busy, Sundays attract a different crowd for an all-day brunch menu of shaksuka, vegan waffles and breakfast burritos. Like all Hendersons ventures, Holyrood scores high on green points and is committed to recycling, using sustainable ingredients and reducing energy and water use. (They even put the money you spend in Triodos, the ethical bank.) Keep an eye on Facebook for vegan film nights and plant-based events.