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David Bann

4.2 (153 reviews)
ModerateVegetarian, Vegan
Closed 12:00 pm - 10:00 PM

David Bann Photos

DAVID BANN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Classy
Dogs allowed
Good for groups

Recommended Reviews - David Bann

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Smoked Tofu, Extra thick Chips, Red Peppercorn Salad as appetizers, and a shared Risotto for the main course.
Tony S.

Found on Yelp while looking for Vegetarian options, and WOW, so good we will be back to work our way through the menu. Cozy seating, friendly staff and great vibe.

My goat cheese and mushroom strudel.
Ben J.

"David Bann Vegetarian Restaurant" reads the outside window. For some reason I feel like vegetarian restaurants get a bad rap or are second class citizens to full spectrum places but David Bann would be a hard place to compete with, even if you did serve meat. To start with, it's a very elegant place. The decor is tasteful, refined, with tablecloths. The waiters are well dressed and the lights are dimmed. Actually, since I came for a dinner with friends, I was slightly concerned it was too nice for a fairly casual dinner. However, the waiters were very kind, and the prices were reasonable for a nicer place. The food, though, is what deserves the real praise, since it was fantastic! I had the strudel which was mushroom and goat cheese baked in filo with fried polenta on the side. It was one of the heavier options available but still didn't make me feel too heavy afterwards. One of my friends enjoyed the risotto which was very tasty as well, can definitely recommend!

Grahame G.

It's been a long time since I've been to Bann's, but as I had a couple of hours to spare and happened to be at this end of town, I decided to treat myself. It was early, so the place was pretty empty so I was soon ensconced in a seat by the window. Having so many yummy veggie & vegan things on the menu, it's hard to choose what to eat - it's such a luxury knowing that you can eat practically anything on the menu for once! I eventually settled for the Thai fritter of broccoli and marinated tofu starter, followed by stir-fried veg with Udon noodles and smoked tofu for the main, washed down with a large glass of Chilean Carmenere - a red wine that until recently was mistaken for a Merlot, according to the wine list. I'm not sure that it was the correct choice for my meal as I found it rather too rich for my taste, but it was an excellent wine nonetheless. Everything too delicious for words, especially the main course which came topped with the biggest slab of tofu I've ever seen on a dish. However, I think I will still reserve my accolade of "best tofu in the known Universe" for the Hanoi Bike Shop in Glasgow. So hat's off to Banns - still as good as I remembered. I'll try not to leave it as long before my return.

Mary D.

We loved everything about this vegetarian restaurant that any foodie would enjoy. The food was delicious and beautifully presented. We shared two desserts. The chocolate cake with pear compote and whisky ice cream was a delight! The decor was sleek and yet warm. It's best to make a reservation although we were seated mid week.

Tofu appetizer. Bland. Not good texture.
Melissa Z.

This was the meal I was most looking forward to in my vacation to Scotland. Although it was not the best vegetarian meal in the UK it was above average. If youre looking for a unique meal, i would recommend DB. Here's what we ordered: - sweet potato & orange soup of the day: quite a remarkable balance of sweet potato and wee hint of orange. It actually sounded unpleasant bc of the citrus but my fiance ordered it and when i tried it I found it to be quite good. - tofu appetizer: a total miss due to lack of texture. The exterior had no crispness, it was rather rubbery on the outside and mushy inside. The tofu had a hint of smoke but no other taste stood out. The mango curry sauce to smear on the tofu helped the dish be palatable. The issue was the size of the tofu. There are 2 large triangles about 3 inches thick. That is too large to get proper texture. Also the mango chutney needed to be more of a sauce for spreadability. - chickpea curry: right amount of heat. - quinoa entree wrapped in grilled zuchinni: creative but too dry. This needed a sauce. And protein. The lack of protein in the dishes was disappointing. The environment does nothing to enhance the dining experience. I can appreciate mminimalism if it is done well and this attempt missed the mark. 2 dark colored walls and meager lighting fixture were blah but the candle lighting on the tables are enough to keep the place at a good date spot.

Dining area
Steve M.

This restaurant feels like you are having a great meal and you forget you are In a vegetarian restaurant. We had the Thai fritters that were absolutely amazing. I also had the mushroom goat cheese and heather ale stelrudel which was equally good. The lentil Shepard's pie was a Good also. The only thing that was a bummer was when we ready to have dessert they told us that they needed the table in a half hour and we should essentially rush. The problem was that they took their time serving each dish we figured they were ok with it. We would have ordered earlier but we didn't know. So we can't comment on dessert. We even commented that we felt we were on European time. So be to told we had to rush was a downer and a mood kill.

Roasted cauliflower, potato and chickpea curry
Sumeet D.

I highly recommend the restaurant. Delicious food, hospitable staff and upscale ambience

Hummus, tomato chutney and homemade breads
Ciara S.

I've been wanting to try David Bann for a few years and eventually got a chance to make a reservation whilst holidaying in Edinburgh during November 2016. I visited with a party of four and we pre-booked our table, which I would recommend as this is a very busy restaurant. It's decorated in dark, rich wood and shades of aubergine, however bright lighting and a large open plan dining room ensure the overall atmosphere is relaxed and informal. On arrival we were seated and offered complimentary bread rolls. There's so much selection on the menus, David Bann really is Vegetarian Heaven so it took us ages to decide what to order. Our starters consisted of one hummus with chutney and bread, one goats cheese, caramelised onion and sun blush tomato tartlet and two Thai fritters of smoked tofu, broccoli, ginger, chilli, lemongrass, sesame and coriander served with fresh banana chutney and plum sauce. Everything was sublime, unique, delicious and flavourful. For my main I choose a parsnip, apple and blue cheese pudding served with roast vegetables and puy lentil stew. It was fantastic. My three dinning companions, even the carnivores, loved their mains as well. They all opted for the aubergine, chick pea and cashew koftas served with roasted sweet potato in a spicy coconut sauce plus green beans and sweet papaya side salad. Service from our waiter was impeccable and although we initially planned to have three courses we were so full after two we just couldn't manage dessert. Nonetheless we've resolved to return and try the dessert menu when next in Edinburgh. David Bann is now one of my favourite restaurants and I would literally travel to Edinburgh just to dine here. I would highly recommended this restaurant, even those who aren't Vegetarian will enjoy the gorgeous food.

Tasty Thai fritters
Jonny Q.

Ok so a fabled 5 star review from myself - only because this place delivered exactly what I was after and that was due to the following reasons: * Fantastic vegetarian food and very reasonable prices. The Thai fritter to start and kofta for mains was tres kick ass!! * Great staff - nothing was too much trouble - I even got a last minute reservation when this place fills up often. * Tasty pear juice to drink seemed nice and fresh. * Seeing as I was dining alone it didn't drag and I had 2 courses and still got to check out the ambience within an hour. * The price again - around £20 for starter, a main and a juice!

Thai fritters
Claire L.

Like Jenny, Elizabeth and Menno, we all headed here to try David Bann last night for a wee Yelper meal out. Most of us had heard great things about David Bann and were desperate to try it and although I've given it 4*, it is closer to a 3.5* but we can't do 1/2 stars. So what I liked: I've been in a fair few vegetarian and vegan restaurants around the world whilst travelling and they all seem to have that hippy, patchouli oil feel to them so it was nice to come somewhere that was more upmarket - wooden floors, candles, lovely simple decor. There is a separate Gluten Free menu and there is plenty of choice. I was particularly impressed by the desserts. I didn't partake this time but there was plenty of temptation beyond ice-cream or sorbets so that would sway me to return. GF oatcakes as a starter is a nice touch - so many places offer gf options but no bread or oatcakes and tucking in and breaking bread is such a ritual when eating out, so its nice not being the odd one out. Menu's sounded tempting and I did struggle to decide between a few options (again - choice is good) and as it has been a hellish month at work, then the large glass of red tempranillo I ordered was delish - lovely, warming and smooth. I probably opted for the wrong starter. I had the Thai Fritters which were ok but I didn't like the banana relish which came with it and it meant they were too similar to my main which was the aubergine and chickpea koftas. The koftas were nice and tasty enough but I did notice varying amounts of sauce on everyone's plate (mines was limited) so I ate them with raita mostly. I just noticed that Jenny has called this coconut sauce and it was meant to be this, but I am certain it was raita on my plate and I liked this. I would have liked the pineapple chutney to have been separated from the raita (raita dumped on top) so I could get all the different flavours. I was ok with the rice compared to Jenny L but I do like rice plain and I'm not a huge coriander fan so I was glad this wasn't the overwhelming flavour. Service was good - staff appeared well organised (little grid used when taking orders so they knew what food went where). So what I didn't like: David Bann has a high end reputation. I was thinking Mark Greenaway but pure veggies. This is not the case. This was disappointing. It is expensive for what you get - my food was ok but I wasn't wowed. If I describe things as nice then its ok, not mind blowing and nice doesn't justify this price tag. A few pounds cheaper and it might be ok but it may be a case of paying for the old town location. I actually thought the presentation was quite basic so although the restaurant was visually appealing, the food wasn't as much. Also the one dish that did look appealing was the mushroom loaf Menno had and that was the one dish that did look like a meaty Sunday roast (with lots of sauce!)... I have a friend who is vegetarian who does come here, so I would maybe go again, if only to ditch the starters and try the desserts. I'm sure he'd for once like a menu on one of our nights out where he can chose anything from it, not be restricted to one or two items. But for vegetarian newbies to Edinburgh, I don't think I'd be saying 'OMG you MUST go to David Bann...'

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3 years ago

Really fresh and creative combinations of flavors - also try the desserts! Had a great Tempranillo with my dinner here.

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4 years ago

Food was unique served and presented well. Excellent service not my favorite but I would try it again

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Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Crown Of Slow Cooked Beef Shoulder With A Rich Horseradish Infused Gravy

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar

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If you're in Edinburgh and want a place that does comfort food right, Makars Mash Bar is absolutely…read moreworth the stop. We tried a variety of dishes including the Scotch egg, chicken, pork, and beef options, and every single one was excellent. The meats were very flavorful and tender, and the mashed potatoes were easily some of the best we've had. The Scotch egg was perfectly cooked with a rich, slightly runny yolk and a crispy, well-seasoned outer layer. The sticky toffee pudding was also outstanding and a perfect way to finish the meal and was shared by the group as the portions were huge!! The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with a unique and cozy feel. We waited about 20 minutes in line, but it was worth it. Service was great, everyone was friendly, and the experience felt very well run. This is also a great option for families, especially if you have picky kids. You can't really go wrong with excellent mashed potatoes and high-quality meat options. FYI the Pork Shank was the winner overall.

Makars Mash is one of those places that is always at the top of folks recommendation lists for…read moreEdinburgh. I found this to be for good reason. At the door, parties of 2+ had around an hour wait. I was lucky enough to be dining solo, so was immediately seated to a small high-top area by the door. Service was very kind. I ordered the Lamb and Classic Mash. The side pickles were tasty and refreshing. The mash was truly good. I ended up wishing I picked a different protein because the lamb came on the bone, wish was hard to eat around for me. Since it was my first day in Scotland, the conversion between pounds and dollars hadn't yet processed for me. As a heads up, ordering the 23.00 pound classic entree came out to be $32.50.

The Devil's Advocate - Smoked fish plate

The Devil's Advocate

(629 reviews)

££

Old Town, Royal Mile

Just an awesome, rockin' final meal in Edinburgh - fantastic food, good service and energized local…read morevibe! Absolute must to get reservations! We tried on our first week in Edinburgh and failed, but were able to make reservations 3 weeks out for our last night in Scotland, and we are glad we did. Pork cracklins were a bit hard and crunchy, but everything else was perfect. We had fresh bread and langostinis for starters, along with a smokey whiskey cocktail, the Smoked Indiscretion! For mains we enjoyed the poached Cod, and the Pork with Barley. Service was very good, and wine selection was extensive. Atmosphere was loud with music and locals' chatter in the bar below, but dark tables and heavy wood panels made it a perfect place for a couple celebrating 3 weeks of travel. Highly recommend a visit to the Devil's Advocate, if you can book a table in advance.

The Devil's Advocate is undoubtedly a treasure to find in Old Town Edinburgh, especially if you…read moreaccidentally take the News Steps to get there, only to realize you should have simply taken the steps up Advocate's Close from Cockburn Street. But they call these lessons, "character building," apparently. No matter, the Devil's Advocate is worth the search. Located in an old Victorian pump house halfway up (or down) Advocate's Close, the Devil's Advocate is known for a killer whisky shelf of more than 300 different bottles from various distilleries across the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Campbelltown, the Islands, and Islay. I finally sipped on a 15-year Tamdu that has convinced me to keep a bottle at home. Then there's the Clydeside 2024 Limited Edition Cask Strength that was wicked impressive. The bartenders are class at making and serving seasonal and regular cocktails that have their spin and character. My wife enjoyed gin-based cocktails such as the Clean Slate (with St-Germain, citrus, and sugar), Rose Garden (with Yellow Chartreuse, Cocchi Rosa, apple, lemon, and mint), and Bee's Knees (honey and lemon). I went full speed ahead with the scotch cocktails, which are essentially classics with a scotch-substituted twist. The Double Shot is an Espresso Martini with Dalmore 12 in addition to Kahlua, espresso, and demerara -- quite smooth without being too sweet. The Scotzia is a Negroni with Fettercairn 12, while the Boxcar is a Sidecar only with Aberfeldy 12. We enjoyed the bar for a few hours, watching the bartenders make magic while sipping on cocktails, while listening to 80s pop tunes. A great evening indeed.

David Bann - vegetarian - Updated May 2026

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