David Bann

David Bann is a vegetarian restaurant located on St Mary’s Street.

Why David Bann?

Just off the High Street in the Old Town, a short distance from Arthur Seat, the Parliament, and Holyrood, and a few steps from the Pleasance courtyard, David Bann is an ideal spot for a light vegetarian lunch whilst taking the sights; or for a sophisticated evening meal to end the day. The menu is seasonal and varied, with a mix of styles and cuisines, some British dishes, and going as far as India and Thailand. Open from lunch until dinnertime, there are starters, snacks, mains and desserts to choose from, all beautifully presented. The food menu is not overwhelmingly long, which helps reduce choosing time, but the wine menu is extensive.

Starters (from £4 - £8) include ‘Thai fritter of broccoli and marinated tofu’, and ‘parsnip and blue cheese pudding with pea sauce’. Soup of the day costs a very reasonable £3.95. Mains are between £12 -14 and include ‘aubergine, chickpea and cashew koftas’ and ‘puy lentil shepherd’s pie with roasted vegetables’ which is our Top Tip. The dessert menu, for around £6, offers treats like ‘whisky panna cotta with pear and caramel sauce’; and ‘Cranberry with coconut and oat milk pudding’. Some vegan and gluten-free options are available, and the menu changes seasonally.

The Extensive drink menu offers a wide range of beers, white, red, and dessert wines, as well as cocktails, soft drinks and hot drinks. Wines start at £18 and go to £60 a bottle, and are all reasonably priced for the quality.

All of David Bann’s food is attractive, smartly plated and served in a low key, neat and clean setting. It’s all reassuringly up to expectations and most meat eaters will find the food equally satisfying. Now well-established, the restaurant opened in 2002, filling a gaping hole in the market and raising the bar for veggie dining in Edinburgh.

Open daily from around noon until 10pm (Fri and Sat until 10:30pm), David Bann is recommended for a finer dining vegetarian experience than can be enjoyed elsewhere in Edinburgh. Located around the corner from the Royal Mile at around the halfway mark between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace, it is a nice place to schedule in for lunch or dinner, while exploring the city. The quality of food is great, and prices are reasonable. With food this good, meat will not be missed.

Where is David Bann?

56-58 St Mary's Street
Edinburgh
EH1 1SX