Vegan
Organic
Western
Take-out
Bakery
European
Gluten-free

Cafe serving a selection of starters, burgers, sandwiches, all-day breakfast, soups, and Buddha bowls. Emphasis on cooking from scratch and creating healthy dishes. Est. 2016. Open Mon-Thu 12:00-22:00, Fri-Sun 10:00-22:00. Last orders 9pm. Open hours vary.


Featured Review

Angelina-Sabrina

Points +479

Vegan
26 Mar 2025

Holy Cow? Holy Grail! 🙏

Suuuuuper lecker und total lieber Service 🤩


740 Reviews

First Review by craigmc

Lora2026

Points +43

Vegan
16 Oct 2026

Perfect for a lovely vegan breakfast

The atmosphere and the options of drinks, foods and smoothies are well chosen and sound really good.

Gionina

Points +22

Vegan
15 Oct 2026

Okay

The service was rather slow. We got sat in the corner and there were many little flies. We waited quite long for the food and it was okay. The bread from the burger was good. My tofu in the burger was plain.

Pros: Bread, Fries

Cons: Atmosphere, Flies, slow/unmotivated service

CorrieLevis

Points +46

Vegan
14 Oct 2026

Delicious

Probably my favourite spot for breakfast in Edinburgh, don’t skip out on the strawberry cake

Updated from previous review on 2025-09-28

EllaS(Yaffa)

Points +74

Vegan
12 Oct 2026

Under staffed

I haven’t tried any of the main food items but I will say it looked expensive (as does most of Edinburgh however). We visited just for a pot of tea and some double chocolate cake (GF!!). The cake was amazing but £7 a slice is horrific in my opinion.
Issue was we noticed we weren’t given our pot of tea, we were given the cups and oat milk. I waited as others were served and orders taken and still no tea🤣 I concluded the waitress forgot. Anyway we ate the cake without the tea. When I went to pay I explained we never got the tea and she was positive she’d given it to us. In the end she apologised which is fair. I’m sure this place is great and I’ve heard the food is tasty, service does need improving though, just took way too long both to be served and to get the items.

Updated from previous review on 2026-10-12

Pros: Vegan, Gluten free cake

Cons: Service is not good

the_fat_vegetarian

Points +101

Vegetarian
10 Oct 2026

Morning feast

Full Vegan Breakfast, a veritable feast. Pricey but worth it. A bit too much for me too be honest but I did my best. Would be a great start to the day for a jaunt up Arthur's Seat or a pub crawl along Rose St.
Nice place with a nice atmosphere.
When I go next time I'll order less of a meal and get a bit of cake cos they all looked amazing.

Pros: Plenty

Cons: Edinburgh prices.

e.percival

Points +1034

Vegan
08 Oct 2026

Friendly little cafe with some great options

Our first stop on our Edinburgh trip and setting the standards high. We enjoyed the full english breakfast, oyster mushroom burger and quarter pounder burger. The breakfast was filling, a good tofu scramble and yummy tempeh bacon alongside my first buttery potato scone! The burger buns were soft and well enjoyed. The oyster mushroom was impressive in size (even if slightly difficult to eat) and super cripsy and the quarter pounder you couldn't go wrong with. Friendly staff and some great options.

Pros: Nice vibe, Good portions

RanwithHassan

Points +392

Vegan
06 Oct 2026

One of my first Scottish vegan restaurants

This was one I visited years ago.

Loved it.

Updated from previous review on 2026-10-06

Nikut

Points +211

Vegan
05 Oct 2026

Nice burgers, perfect fries

Service and fries were perfect.
The Oyster-Mushroom burger was perfect as well. The Vietnamese Tofu Burger was missing something, it harmony, just felt a bit off and the bread was just dense and dry.
I personally was missing some Lager or Ale on the menu, but I guess you cannot have it all the time.

Updated from previous review on 2026-10-05

Pros: Fries, Oyster Burger

Cons: Beverage situation, The Vietnamese tofu burger was not crazy enough

Khow22

Points +163

Vegetarian
05 Oct 2026

Disappointed

Hello - I was disappointed with my burger but hoping an hi next review will help the business improve and keep going as. Vegan Cafe.

The Vietnamese Tofu burger was dry and it was only the mayo that saved it from being bland and dry. More bread than burger too.

The other guest enjoyed their Reuben Sandwiches. Updated: I have been advised this was average.


I wish the business to keep going. And hope that they taste the food that they are serving. And mine did not leave up to the description.

I don’t mind waiting freshly prepared vegan food but it has to taste good.

Updated from previous review on 2026-10-04

Pros: Vegan cafe

Cons: Vietnamese Tofu Burger, Long wait

MarianneDr

Points +361

Vegan
03 Oct 2026

So tasty

We were herein for the vegan cake. We tried 3 different ones, Tiramisu, Biscoff Cheesecake and Red velvet. All very very good.

Pros: Nice quiet place, Friendly staff, Delicious

becci1305

Points +172

Vegan
01 Oct 2026

mid

We were a bit surprised because the reviews are so good. Unfortunately, the burger was quite bland and the portion was very small for the price. It just didn’t feel worth the money. The pastrami sandwich, on the other hand, was really good, and the service was friendly. Overall, it was okay, but we expected more based on the reviews.

Updated from previous review on 2026-10-01

DarceySmith

Points +433

Vegan
27 Sep 2026

Nice but had better

Went for lunch and had to wait over 40 minutes for our food with not all tables full. The hot chocolate was divine so would highly recommend going for cake and drinks.
The food was nice however lots of other options in Edinburgh. Maybe just caught them on an off day? There were also lots of flies about with was a little off putting.

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-27

Pros: Lots of options, Delicious hot drinks, Friendly staff

Cons: Long food wait time, Expensive , Flies

AndyPicklea

Points +100

Vegan
24 Sep 2026

Mad for this Cow

You could easily miss this little beauty. But follow your nose and you’ll not be disappointed. Lovely people and food 11 out of 10 🙂

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-24

Pros: Relaxed, Food, Feels like home

scottlovesanimals

Points +634

Vegan
22 Sep 2026

Kitchen closes early

Listing says open until 10pm. Showed up at 8:40pm and was told the kitchen closes at 9 and we couldn’t get food, but offered us cake. Never had an experience like this before, don’t know what time you have to show up to actually get food, but beware.

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-22

craigmc

Points +43012

Vegan
22 Sep 2026

Great options

Much love for Holy Cow from me (and it’s sister restaurant).
I really appreciate they make everything for scratch including burgers, salads and open sandwiches. A great selection of burgers made using tofu, shroom, jackfruit, beans and celeriac.
Good salads and plenty of cakes.

Yum

Yum

😉

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-22

Pros: cooking from scratch., staff, location

holycow.vegan

18 Apr 2024

Thank You Craig for supporting us and vegan lifestyle✨⭐️🙏

craigmc

18 Apr 2024

Yvette.hfn

Points +6264

Vegan
22 Sep 2026

10/10 food

The vegan English breakfast is very tasty (good portion size, delicious ingredients). The no-mackerel sandwich was also very tasty, but after a while it got a little monotonous because of its texture. The restaurant’s decor is very nice, and the staff is very friendly. It’s a little hard to find because it’s located in the basement.

coradvil

Points +467

Vegan
21 Sep 2026

Un brunch tranquilito

Tienen tartas, sándwiches y hamburguesas. Está bien para hacer un brunch. El local es un poco apretado.

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-21

Cons: Precio alto, Poco espacio

ta_st_y

Points +55

Vegan
20 Sep 2026

Super!

Very friendly staff, attractive food offer, cosy atmosphere. We loved it
🥰

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-20

tophuh

Points +36

Vegan
20 Sep 2026

Excellent

Enjoyed this place so much we came back two days later. Food is excellent, staff are wonderful. The perfect place for a no fuss meal.

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-20

RoyTapping

Points +496

Vegan
18 Sep 2026

Delicious

Beautiful food and excellent service. The Biscoff cheesecake blew my mind.

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-18

Pros: Delicious , Excellent service, Fabulous

Cons: Steps down to the entrance

CharlieMills

Points +7297

Vegan
14 Sep 2026

Delicious but pricey

Went here to get a reuban but didn't want to pay £18 for a sandwich! I got the breakfast for £20 which felt like better value for money. It was very tasty, I loved the mushrooms. The coffee wasn't my favourite.

KikiMartins

Points +160

Vegan
14 Sep 2026

Amazing food

Holy Cow is absolutely amazing! We had the Reuben sandwich and the vegan cheesecake, and both were SOOOO delicious. We’ll definitely be back! 💚

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-14

NataliaJance

Points +584

Vegan
14 Sep 2026

Root veggies bowl

I think I made the wrong choice by choosing this dish... It was dry and quite tasteless. I am sorry to say I didn't enjoy it.

Pros: Nice staff, Quiet atmosphere, I am sure there are better options

Macca0910

Points +146

Vegan
12 Sep 2026

Try the mackerel

The small cozy restaurant is downstairs and has lots of variety.

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-12

Pros: Choice, Desserts , Healthy

c&l

Points +92

Vegan
11 Sep 2026

É bom, é vegan

As batatas sao fresh e gostosas

Updated from previous review on 2026-09-11

Cons: Demora

Ezis

Points +677

Vegan
07 Sep 2026

Nice small cafe

Small vegan cafe in the cellar with a small and simple menu: burgers, bowls and English breakfast (all day).
Home made cakes.

Pros: Friendly staff, Tasty food

Cons: Actual prices differ from online menu by over 20%

BrianDove

Points +451

Vegan
06 Sep 2026

Excellent Food

Food is excellent and the staff was very friendly. I had the Full Gluten Free Breakfast for dinner and there was so much food (for me) that I had to take away the dessert to enjoy later.

Pros: Delicious Food, Cozy dining room




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