Holy Cow is a fully vegan restaurant at 34 Elder Street, close to Edinburgh’s New Town and bus station. Established in 2016, it offers an intimate and informal space for plant based lunches, dinners and coffee. The concept is independent and deliberately compact, with food made in house rather than built around imitation versions of a large conventional menu.
Homemade burgers are central to the offering, supported by soups, salads and changing seasonal choices. Fresh local and organic ingredients are used where possible, giving vegetables, pulses and grains a leading role. Organic rolls and gluten free breads are prepared daily, although guests with allergies should still check current handling and cross contact with staff.
The selection changes with available produce, so repeat visits can bring different combinations and accompaniments. Everything is vegan, but the restaurant is designed for any diner interested in thoughtful, freshly prepared food rather than only for those following a plant based diet. Portions and presentation turn the simple cafe format into a complete meal.
Homemade cakes and other sweet treats extend a visit beyond the savoury menu, accompanied by coffee and additional drinks. The small room and central location make Holy Cow useful for a quiet meal away from the busiest Edinburgh streets. Its appeal lies in seasonal ingredients, careful home style preparation and a clear commitment to vegan cooking.
Address: 34 Elder Street, Edinburgh EH1 3DX, United Kingdom
Holy Cow New Town Menu
Breakfast
Served all day.
Full Vegan Breakfast
Italian style sausage, smoked tempeh bacon, organic baked beans in tomato sauce, scrambled tofu, potato scone, mushrooms, tomato, greens served with toast or homemade, organic breakfast roll (gluten, soya)
Gluten-Free Vegan Breakfast
Italian style sausage, smoked tempeh bacon, organic baked beans in tomato sauce, scrambled tofu, mushrooms, tomato, homemade hash and greens served with homemade buckwheat toasted bread (NGCI, soya, nuts, mustard)
Muu Burgers
On homemade bun (gluten, sesame seeds) with crunchy lettuce, accompaniment with ORGANIC, hand-cut chunky fries. Price £15.80.
Oyster Mushroom Steak Burger
Fresh lettuce, panko breaded Oyster mushrooms, tartare dressing and fajita seasoning spiralized sweet potato chips (soya, mustard)
Vietnamese Tofu
Lettuce, hoisin marinated tofu, cucumber, asian style coleslaw, sriracha mayo (soya, sesame seeds, peanuts)
Pulled Jackfruit
Lettuce, BBQ jackfruit, garlic mayonnaise, tomato, red onion (soya)
Quarter Pounder
Lettuce, BBQ seasoned kidney bean and soya ground patty, BBQ sauce, tomato, cheese slice, red onion (soya, gluten)
Holy Sandwiches
An open sandwich served on homemade buckwheat (GF) bread or freshly baked breakfast roll.
Beetroot Carpaccio
Fresh rocket, baked beetroot carpaccio, feta vegan cheese, caramelised walnuts and reduced balsamic sauce (nuts)
No-Mackerel
Fresh lettuce, homemade no-mackerel patty served with HC’s pickles, banana shallots sliced and fresh dill (soya, mustard)
Smashed Avocado
Rocket lettuce, smashed avocado with flakes, cherry tomatoes, fresh basil & lime wedges
Ruben Sandwich
Side greens, seitan pastrami, mature vegan cheddar cheese, homemade sauerkraut and pickles, Russian dressing (soya, gluten, mustard)
Soup of the Day
Served with sourdough or homemade buckwheat (GF) bread. Price £7.70.
Soup of the Day
Salads & Bowls
Cult HC's Pad Thai Salad
Courgette noodles, red cabbage, red peppers, spring onion, roasted peanuts, smoked tofu, fresh cilantro served with satay sauce and lime (soya, peanuts)
Root Veggies Bowl
Buckwheat, carrots, parsnips & beetroots baked in aromatic herby sauce, orange tahini dressing and crunchy baked chickpeas (sesame seeds, soya)
Extras
Organic, handmade chips
Hot Dirty chips
Mild Herbal Oregano chips
Side salad
Cheese (1 slice)
Seitan (gluten, mustard / 3 slices)
Sauerkraut
Kimchi (sesame seeds)
Smoked tempeh (soya/3 slices)
Hot Drinks
Americano
Flat White
Latte
Cappuccino
Mocha
Hot Chocolate
Espresso
Double Espresso
Turmeric Latte
Homemade Chai Latte
Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte
Blue Matcha Latte
Green Macha Latte
Extra Whipped Cream
Extra Syrup
Caramel, Vanilla, Chocolate
Extra Espresso Shot
Pot of Tea
English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Green, Peppermint, Camomile, Spicy apple, Rooibos citrus zest tea, Rooibos autumn spice tea
Lemon, Ginger & Agave Syrup
Soft Drinks
Karma Cola
Lemony Lemonade
Gingerella Ginger
Fentimans
Curiosity Cola; Rose Lemonade; Ginger Beer; Dandelion&Burdock
Kombucha
Left Field: Oolong; Green Sencha; Yunnan Black; Darjeeling
Sparkling Water
Juices
Apple / Orange
Smoothies
Green
Spinach, celery, spirulina, pineapple, lemongrass, lime and apple juice
Protein
Banana, blueberries, hemp protein powder, dates, soya milk
Energizer
Orange, strawberry, ginger, guarana, orange juice
Chocolate & Peanuts
Peanut butter, chocolate, banana, soya milk
Frappucinos
2 coffee shots, scoops of ice cream, ice, soya milk, whipped cream and syrup of your choice: Vanilla, Caramel or Chocolate