A Journey to Vegan Eateries on the East Coast of Scotland

"The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated."

Mahatma Gandhi

Having just finished a 9-day tour of the east coast of Scotland, we're thrilled to share some vegan eateries with you. It’s not always easy to find places to enjoy vegan food, and a good recommendation is worth its weight in gold!

Our 7 Recommended Vegan Cafes on the East Coast of Scotland

Holy Cow - Edinburgh

Holy Cow is a fully vegan cafe located on Elder St, not far from Waverley train station. We enjoyed a fantastic organic vegan lunch here. We opted for a starter and a main course: soup and burger.

However, we made a big mistake by getting both dishes because we were too full after the soup! No worries, we boxed up our burger for a tasty dinner later.

The food was delicious, and the service was great. The cost was £57 for two, including drinks. If you have room for dessert, don't miss the chiller cabinet filled with amazing treats.

Forgans - St Andrews

Dining in St Andrews is not a problem, as there are numerous cafes and restaurants. We found a vegan lunch at Forgan's, a well-known spot on the high street. While it's not entirely vegan, the menu includes delicious vegan dishes.

The entrance is small and easily overlooked, especially in March when there are no outdoor seats. However, if you push through the doorway and pass a flower shop, you'll discover a spacious restaurant at the back.

Originally the St Andrews Old Golf Factory, the decor blends industrial and cozy vibes. They offer private booths—perfect for larger gatherings. Our meal (vegan) was tasty and reasonably priced. We enjoyed one starter, two mains, and two drinks for just £45.

Number 44 Hotel - Stonehaven

We booked a last-minute stay at Number 44 Hotel. Initially, we thought the decor was tired, but we couldn’t fault the service or the breakfast. The bar and dining room were busy at night. Since we checked in late, we skipped the cooked meal.

The menu offers vegan options, and if breakfast was any indication, we knew the evening food would be good. Our room cost £90 per night, or £95 with breakfast for two, booked through booking.com.

The vegan Scottish breakfast was delightful. It included potato cakes, juice, and unlimited toast, jam, and coffee. The service was friendly, and it's great to see a thriving little business. (We were too busy enjoying our meal to take a photo! 😂)

The Davron Hotel - Rosehearty

While camping near Rosehearty, we cooked our meals on the first night. In a future post, we’ll share our typical road menu. After a long walk, we craved a drink, a meal, and a game of cards. We chose The Davron based on a recommendation from Carole at Down on the Farm.

Initially, we felt out of place upon entering. It felt like stepping into a gritty working man’s pub, with men deep in conversation. Our hopes for a relaxing atmosphere dimmed at first! However, as they say, you shouldn't judge a book by its cover. After inquiring about food, we were directed to the restaurant—what a difference!

The menu featured a couple of vegan options. We chose a vegetable madras curry and a vegan burger. Uncharacteristically, we decided to share a dessert of melon, fresh berries, and sorbet, which was enormous.

Playing cards is a favorite evening pastime for us. Unfortunately, we forgot our cards. We kindly asked the staff if they had any available. The landlady even brought hers from home, leading to a delightful evening of playing 7-card rummy. I won't reveal who won! 😘 The meal and a couple of drinks cost £54, and the service was excellent.

The Royal Oak Hotel - Cullen

We had a stunning walk from Portknockie to Cullen. Although it was windy, we arrived ready for lunch. We stopped at this award-winning hotel and enjoyed a moving mountain burger (we really don’t live on burgers!). The hostess was friendly. We paired our meal with coffee and a chilled glass of Sauvignon. The total cost was £48 for two. We were so glad to have a proper meal before facing the windy walk back to Portknockie in driving rain!

The Famous Star Hotel - Moffat

The Star Hotel in Moffat is known for being the narrowest detached hotel in the world—only 20 feet wide! We stayed the night and made a dinner reservation. I went for a vegan roast, while Michael chose a curry (and thankfully, there was no burger in sight). We started with a lovely potato and cauliflower soup.

The food was hot, tasty, and paired perfectly with a real ale. The dinner cost £55 for two, including drinks.

We also booked breakfast for £10 each. It was satisfactory, but the dining room felt uninspired with only us present. There are numerous eateries in Moffat, so consider trying another place for breakfast. We later discovered Brodies, a cafe in town with a full plant-based menu.

In conclusion, we hope you enjoy our 7 recommended vegan cafes on the east coast of Scotland. While it's not an exhaustive guide, these establishments are highlights from our 9-day tour of the east coast. We encountered several cafes that either didn't have vegan options or were closed due to the off-peak season.

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