Traveling with any dietary restriction can be scary, but I am here to show you the incredible things I eat while traveling! I have been a vegetarian for almost 5 years and it is not as hard as people believe. Here are my favorite meals and places that I ate in Scotland! Mostly in Edinburgh. Enjoy!
Biddy Mulligans
Here you find a seat and then go order at the bar and tell them your seat number. I found a great spot on the patio where I can watch people walk around Victoria Street. I ordered the Croque with Mushrooms and Spinach. I got a little confused because the menu said chips and I was always under the impression that meant fries but I got chips. I am not disappointed, everything was delicious! Of course, you have to top it off with a local pint, I tried Kelvin and enjoyed it!
Brass Monkey Grange
This incredible pub is around the corner from my Airbnb and I became a regular there! I cannot wait to go back. The staff and food are both great and I made several friends while sitting at the bar at night.
The various items I tried throughout my week in Edinburgh:
Vegan Fish Fingers – surprisingly great!
Spicy Fries – Fries loaded with jack and mex cheese mix, sriracha and red jalapenos. I ordered these several times throughout the week!
Great pub to try local drinks and be sure to order a Mini Mary shot!
Snax Cafe
I can’t say enough amazing things about this local spot! While dining at Brass Monkey, I met the owner Kenny who treated me to breakfast. The ‘All Day Veggie’ Breakfast which is basically the vegetarian equivalent to a Scottish breakfast has to be one of the best breakfasts I have ever had! Top it off with a cappuccino…delicious!!
The ‘All Day Veggie’ Breakfast: Veggie Sausage, Fried Egg, Hash Brown, Tattie Scone, Beans, Fried Tomato & Buttered Roll
If you see Kenny the owner, tell him Kimberly from Texas says hi!! He’s the BEST!
Cafe Edinburgh
Located on the Royal Mile they have about four tables outside that offer great views and people watching on the famous street in old Edinbrugh. The food was delicious and the display case full of sweets looked amazing! I am on somewhat of a budget and I don’t have a huge sweet tooth but if you like sweets, check it out!
Wrap: Brie, Spinach, Onions, Roast Peppers & Spicy Mayonnaise Sauce
Meadows Tap/ Rabbit Food
The pub Meadows Tap has an agreement with Rabbit Food, you scan a qr code and order your food. Since they are separate businesses you cannot order your food directly from the bartender at Meadows Tap. Everything from Rabbit Food is Vegan, it’s been almost 5 years since I had meat of any kind but this tastes like the real deal!
Buffalo Soldier: House sauce, crispy “chicken” patty, buffalo hot sauce, and house slaw.
Scran Bistro
A great brunch spot right off the Royal Mile. I was lucky to get a seat on the patio and enjoy a morning outside. I started with a Bloody Mary, holy cow it is spicy!! I am from Texas and used to spice, I never would have guessed this would be so spicy. Beware if you order one. The food is also huge! If you are not traveling alone I recommend splitting something. They also get busy so see if you can make a reservation or be prepared to wait a bit.
Veggie Stack: Avocado, chili jam, feta, veggie haggis, hash brown, poached egg & hollandaise sauce on toasted sourdough.
The Ship Inn – North Berwick
I took a day trip to North Berwick, it’s about 30 minutes from Edinburgh. The Vegan Burger might be my new favorite “burger”!
Sweet potato, mixed pepper, jalapeno and tomato burger served on a vegan brioche bun with lettuce, tomato, gherkin (pickle), and a side of chips (fries). I hate pickles so I removed the gherkin and since I am not vegan added cheese. Be sure to try dipping your chips in mayo, you can thank me later!
Tesco
This is a local supermarket and they have some great options. This is where my backpacker tendency comes in. I do my best to eat breakfast at my airbnb and then at least one cheap meal. I have found that the sandwiches and premade pasta options from Tesco are great! I really enjoyed the cheese and red onion sandwich and wish we had Tesco in the states.
Foreigner Fail in Glasgow
During a day trip to Glasgow I stopped in to The Ark. A fun place near the train station. I was craving fries thanks to my new addiction from Brass Monkey. The Ark was out of what I wanted so I ordered fries with cheese. As a traveler from the United States my assumption was I was ordering fries with melted cheese. Welp, foreigner fail, I was given fries with shredded cheese. It wasn’t horrible, but a great reminder to not deviate from the menu while traveling. The atmosphere and service was great and I will return!
