Eating out – Veganuary in Scotland
Find inspiration to be vegan this January, and possibly for the rest of the year. Here are some suggestions for dipping your toe into the world of plant-based food.
REPUBLIC BIER HALLE
9 Gordon St, Glasgow, G1 3PL
Celebrating its twentieth birthday and showing no signs of slowing down. Well known for its beer selection and 2-4-1 pizza deal, but did you know they have vegan cheese and gluten-free bases available for their pizzas? When we were there recently, some omnis didn’t even notice the difference when they tried the vegan pizza. Hurrah!
THE FLYING DUCK
142 Renfield St, Glasgow, G2 3AU
This subterranean dive bar is ideal for not only a pint and a gig but their food menu is 100% worth seeking out too. Try the donner kebab or any one of their burgers, you won’t be disappointed, they are very possibly the best in the country. Their chips are top notch too (if you like them skinny and salty).
SEEDS FOR THE SOUL
167 Bruntsfield Pl, Edinburgh, EH10 4DG
A cosy place for a bite to eat or drink with delicious looking cake. Somewhere for all times of the day with breakfast, small plates and burgers on offer, which are gathering a fair following even with non-vegans. The vegan poutine is on our to-try list next visit.
KIMCHI CULT!
14 Chancellor St, Glasgow, G11 5RQ
Known more for their crispy moreish Korean Fried Chicken, Kimchi Cult! have a couple of vegan options on the menu such as tofu bao and the Veganbap, which is bibimbap, a hearty bowl of rice and ingredients such as seaweed, carrots, cucumber, chilli sauce, vegan kimchi, fried tofu and pickled shiitake mushrooms.
kimchicult.com
PUMPKIN BROWN
16 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2JU
Everything is gluten-free and vegan at Pumpkin Brown. Hangout here for breakfast and lunch with acai smoothie bowls and soup/quiche of the day on offer. Or maybe settle down with a raspberry and rose latte with one of their raw cakes.
www.pumpkinbrown.com
THE AULD HOOSE
23-25 St. Leonard’s St, Edinburgh, EH8 9QN
Yeah, we’re gonna go on about them nachos again as they really can’t be ignored. Not only are they the biggest nachos we have ever come across but you can have them vegan-friendly as well. Also on the menu are vegan hot dogs, chilli and onions plus a full vegan breakfast for those days when a fry up is needed.
theauldhoose.co.uk
RANJIT’S KITCHEN
670 Pollokshaws Road, Glasgow, G41 2QG
Ranjit’s Kitchen is a family-run vegetarian restaurant which will always have at least one vegan main and will go out of their way to make sure you get the (always ace) vegan flatbread you want. A simple menu of Punjabi family style food prepared by Ranjit herself. The vegan options are not always labelled, so please ask. Daal (lentil based curry) of the day and Sabji (vegetable dish) of the day are usually vegan. Of course they also have pakora, samosas and vegetable rolls. Definitely the best vegan curry in the southside.
BRASSERIE ECOSSE
4-5 Shore Terrace, Dundee, DD1 3AH
There’s a definite shortage of venues at the higher end of the side of dining that are vegan friendly. Brasserie Ecosse are one of the few that we’ve found do it well. The vegan choices on their dessert menu are worth the visit alone – their chocolate tofu ganache, coconut purée, praline, lemon sorbet was described by the manager, as the best vegan dessert you’ve ever tasted. High promises and we we’re not disappointed. It was damn good, a thick, rich chocolate ganache in a crisp chocolate shell with the zing of lemon.
FALAFEL TO GO
Hope Street, Glasgow (Near the bus stop at the top of Hope Street)
Looks can be deceiving, this blink-and-you’ll miss-it windowed kiosk serves some mightly tasty falafel, the queues will certify that. It’s also quick and won’t do any significant damage to your wallet.
BONSAI BISTRO
46 Richmond Street, EH8 9DZ
Bonsai Bistro has been in Edinburgh for twenty years and is still developing its menu. Here you can get a vegan fish sushi set, yup vegan fish sushi; apparently it’s made with tapioca flour. Vegan items are clearly labelled such as aubergine katsu and shiitake hand rolls.
