I'm slightly surpirised by the level of praise this place is getting, perhaps it's because Edinburgh has very few vegetarian restaurants. That said, this place has a really good atmosphere and decor and the staff are friendly if a tad slow. The food is of a reasonably high standard and clearly a lot of thought has gone into the dishes. My criticism is mainly that the food lacks flavour to the point of sometimes being bland; a distinct lack of depth of flavour or heat in their curries for instance. It strikes me that this is a slight throwback to the vegetarian=health food mentality of the 70's and 80's. I still enjoy going here but if you've ever been to Cafe Paradiso in Cork or Terre a Terre in Brighton, this place seems a long way behind. read more

I've been going to Banns for quite a few years - I liked it best when it used to be on Hunter Square and was less upmarket than it is now - used to have a great relaxed, boho feel to it that has gone in the new venue. Always had great meals at Hunter Square, but our experiences at St Marys St have been mixed - once I chose items that sounded great on the menu but were pretty awful on the plate, I'm afraid. We have also found the service to be very slow, even when the place has been really quiet. We live a long way from Edinburgh and only get to go once or twice a year - Banns used to be a dead cert for us to visit, but the last time we just couldn't be bothered to go - our experiences have been so variable in the new place. Maybe we've just been unlucky, but to our minds there are better veggie places to eat in Edinburgh (Kalpna, Black Bo, Hendersons etc). read more

Service was poor. Good choice of menu but found my main a bit rich.

After getting kind of tired of the typical great pub food of Scotland, my family and I decided to come here. This vegetarian fare is AMAZING - seriously. A bit pricey, of course, but totally beats pretty much all other vegetarian restaurant food I have had. The service was also great, and I had super good eggplant here. read more

Outstanding! Nevet thought that vegetarian food coulis be so delicious! Only advice: GO THERE and TRY IT!!

I am writing this review after having been to Davin Bann twice. Both times around I was impressed with the range of food on offer i.e. it was not all "same-y" and how much of the menu was also Vegan. I was a little disappointed with my main on my first trip but my boyfriends meal was nice however the starters and deserts were fab. The second time I was not disappointed and the waiter on this time was very helpful (advising us that the bread and olives was a rather large starter and really best for sharing as I was going to have it alone). The menu changes regularly which means that there is always something new to try. The good thing is the vegan chocolate ice cream never leaves. read more

I was a little disappointed as well. It's not that the food is bad, just that I was expecting something more... a little more special/ original. The service is good and the restaurant itself is lovely (it's also very well located). However, give the hype I still left feeling a little let down - but maybe that's my fault as I shouldn't have believed the hype. read more

what can i say apart from the staff are great and children are welcome. Oh and has to be a gr8 choice for vegetarian diners

Outstanding! Stumbled on this gem looking for a late lunch. The Polenta with roasted veggies, pesto and goat cheese was amazing. Prices very reasonable. read more

I'd say this is a pretty average establishment all in all. It is pretty unusual to have a veggie restaurant with this sort of vibe, modern and dressed to impress, which is a welcome change to knitted tables (although I'm fond of such things). And although the food is nice, the flavours in themselves are very much like other good veggie restaurants. And unlike other veggie restaurants the price tag is pretty high. I wouldn't go back, as I think you can get the same quality at other places in a more honest fashion. By that I suppose I mean cheaper. read more

I was disappointed. I thought they would have more on offer, with such a reputation. The service was great, but I was not overly impressed with the food. read more

Fantastic restaurant, it's always a treat when I go. Really inventive with their food, not carbohydrate heavy like some veggie restaurants tend to be (no pasta in sight!), and the ingredients themselves are high quality and fresh. Impressive wine list, the red Rioja is particularly special (and low in the price range), but you HAVE to make sure you leave room for a dessert - they're heavenly. read more

Loved the food here. Visited with my parents and we enjoyed every part of the meal: the Thai fritter was great for a starter, the spicy quinoa chili hit the spot, the koftas were full of flavor, and the risotto was delicious and creamy. The only part we didn't like was dessert - we shared the ginger lime ice cream and it was flavorless- which sometimes is fine if the ice cream is creamy- this one tasted like it had been lost in the freezer for a few months! Besides that, the starters and main dishes, as well as the service were fantastic. read more

It was random find from yelp. Would say awesome food...have been traveling over the world n would be eating many different cuisines but to find vegetarian is difficult to get and if you get then not so authentic. At David that's not a question..it's just vegetarian and would not let you remember non vegetarian food...enjoyed to the core... read more

Does the idea of a vegetarian restaurant put you in mind of Birkenstock wearing hippies eating lentils from earthenware bowls? Yes? Then perhaps you should pay a visit to David Bann's to challenge your perceptions. This restaurant has somehow managed to make vegetarian food sexy, stylish and interesting. The menu is packed full of tempting dishes and it's easy to forget that there is no meat on offer. The food is creative and original and takes influence from cuisine from around the world. I used to love the Aduki bean burger with goat's cheese; it's no longer on the menu, but it's good that they change things around regularly to keep it fresh and interesting. Weekend brunch can be a bit of a let-down for non meat eaters (imagine it without bacon or sausages!?!), but David Bann's does a good job of consoling the poor veggie buggers with 'Free range organic eggs cooked your way on toasted muffins, mushrooms, homemade potato scone and beans in a herb tomato sauce', it's served until 5pm on Saturday and Sunday and will only set you back £6. read more

Good thing I booked a table for a group of 10 yelpers. Leaving David Bann this evening, I noticed that the place was jam packed, and on a Tuesday night! Surely this is a good sign? Unlike many other establishments in Edinburgh, there isn't much of a quirky atmosphere/theme going on... It's quite polished and clear cut. Being vegetarian, and having been recently diagnosed with coeliacs, I have been having quite a bit of trouble finding restaurants which cater for me, and don't let me feel like I am missing out. The staff here have reserved a few menus where they point out which items are gluten free, onion free, and garlic free. I was surprised to see quite a few options available from me, even from the pudding menu! The chocolate souffle and whiskey pannacotta stood out in particular.I was debating whether to get a starter and a pudding, or just a maincourse, though in the end settled for the latter. Tanja J's ravioli in a tomato and basil soup looked amazing, though the thai broccoli and tofu fritters which most people on the table looked a little dry? They were also quite small portions, so perhaps not suitable as full meals, unlike Tanja's ravioli. I personally was tempted by the polenta topped with courgettes, sweet potato and goats cheese. To keep us occupied whilst waiting to order, the waitress brought us gluten free oatcakes (I could eat these!), and homemade bread. Though very Scottish, it would perhaps be nice if they could offer gluten free bread, be it homemade, or simply toasted genius bread. The staff were very attentive, bringing us refills of the jug of tap water regularly, which had mint inside, a nice touch. In the end, I went for the 'spicy' aubergine kofta, as I thought it was something I would be less able to make at home. It arrived served with a neat little pile of coriander rice, a side salad topped with a raita dressing, and some mango chutney. It was a nice dish, though I wouldn't say authentic Indian cuisine. Koftas usually come in a much thicker sauce, though here the koftas only have a light drizzling of sauce. I'm not against fusion food, and I realize this was a Scottish take on the dish, but the lack of sauce made them a little dry, and as others said, they weren't too spicy. I am being quite critical, as this was quite an expensive meal (£11.90) considering the ingredients involved. If priced at around £6, this could be an excellent meal. I was pretty jealous looking at the dishes of those a few heads down the table, who had ordered the mushroom bake with goats cheese and roasted winter vegetables. That looked truly divine, and well worth the price. I must admit I had high expectations for this place, as it has so many consistently positive reviews and has a good reputation amongst vegetarians in Edinburgh. Overall it was a good restaurant, which caters well for dietary requirements, people seemed more or less happy with what they got, but I am not sure whether the prices reflect the food. £5.60 for a pannacotta? I realize David Bann has aspirations to be a michelin star vegetarian chef of sorts, but what I had wasn't THAT good. I just can't work out why they don't offer any Lunch deals... I think there is just so much good food in Edinburgh, and I have been well and truly spoiled with amazing vegetarian food. Kalpna is less pretentious, more friendly, more affordable, and offers much tastier food. As is orb cafe, a raw food restaurant... Though this may not be to everyone's taste, it definitely wins in terms of innovation. I feel kind of wrong, giving this 3 stars, when it has such consistently high reviews, but I just couldn't justify giving it 4 when comparing it to other restaurants in town. Maybe had I tried something else, I would have had a better impression of the place? read more

Never disappointed. Eat here whenever I get good tips. The ever changing menu means that you can always try something new but a lot of the things are only slightly altered: so if you really like that mushroom risotto you don't have to worry about it not being there the next time. The wine list is set out simply yet with lots of great choices. The plates (for a restaurant that seems to be loved by food snobs) are totally stacked with food so you won't go hungry and it's healthy and hearty. I recommend the Asiette of dessert for 2 as you can get up to 3-4 different sweets on the plate for a very reasonable price. Service is laid back enough for you to breathe and enjoy your meal but there's always someone on hand should you need them. Staff also have a lot of happy chat. Great for casual dining and romantic dining. Only visited once as a group and although the service didn't falter, I didn't really feel that it has the party atmosphere and didn't want to spoil other people's evenings by being boisterous. read more

I have to say the 1 star is for decor!. I am sorry to say we were looking forward to this dinner, booking a month in advance from San Francisco. We found the service confusing and off. Our first course came 10 minutes before the starting cocktail! This made us think twice about ordering a bottle of wine...thinking we were going to have a great culinary experience. Didn't happen. After 5 bites into the entree I was looking for the check and wanting to find food else ware. I hate giving bad reviews. Maybe it was an off night. read more

I am from Scotland so when I go back and visit my family we often go here for evening meals. This restaurant is one of the nicest in the city that I have ever been to. The restaurant itself draws from the chic and minimalistic style, if you like Mediterranean food then I strongly recommend you try this place for a meal. The atmosphere here is second to none. Perhaps the selling point for this restaurant is the fact that the prices are reasonable and the food it excellent. If you are a vegetarian then this place offers a healthy menu that I am sure you will love. The restaurant hasn't been open for that long, less than ten years I think but in its short life it has managed to become very well established in the area. The staff and polite and friendly, the service is quick and professional and I seriously can't fault it. I wish it was based here in Manchester because I seriously miss the food. The interior is very calming, it is lit subtle and the dark wood creates a great ambiance. I will be going back here in September when I go back to Scotland. A sausage read more

The food here is quite good. The staff are very good and professional. The setting is intimate, relaxed and also modern. A wonderful place to go for a coffee and something, lunch or dinner. It has a real warm atmosphere about it. They offer interesting menus, and even non-vegetarians could really enjoy it. The problem I have is that they do not vary their menu often enough. I think it has been the same for over a year now. It would be nice to add new things at least as specials, or re-do the menu for the seasons, or at least annually. I always hope for different choices when I go, and am slightly disappointed with this one aspect. read more

our starters were absolutely amazing, yet our entrees fell a little short. maybe we ordered things that strayed from our taste aesthetics, but we were slightly disappointed, though it was definitely edible. maybe our starter dishes simple set the bar very high. this all vegetarian with vegan options menu had just enough selection to warrant another visit, yet not so much one would feel confused where to start. the staff was great. no one person helped us, but our very attentive staff also did not inundate us with too much attention. i liked so much about this place, i would love to give it a five, and if i do get the chance to visit again, i'm hoping that will change the rating i gave it. read more

I'm not a vegetarian and I keep forgetting that this place is vegetarian as it is just as delicious as any meat-eating restaurant I've been to. The menu is amazing and is so hard to choose as the dishes are all so original and exciting, but rest assured that whatever you order it will be incredible. The chocolate souffle is the best pudding I have ever had, ever!! The decor is very contemporary and stylish and it's quite a treat to go there. read more

I'm not vegetarian but I really enjoy coming here. The menu is quite exciting and rather original, the food is fresh and organic plus it's well priced. The decor is cool, modern and sophisticated. The staff are friendly and enthusiastic and if you're lucky Mr Bann might cook your dish which also adds to the experience. read more

The people who were 'disappointed' with this restaurant MUST be meat eaters, or at least vegetarians. As a (newish) vegan who goes here A LOT, I can tell you: DAVID BANN'S IS HEAVEN. Firstly, the service. In my experience the wait-staff are super awesome obviously there's some rigorous staff training because they all have impeccable manners, and personally I think the service approach is more like a big hotel (Balmoral or similar) than a restaurant of this type usually has. It's above and beyond, really great. I mean, they always make sure you have a replenished water jug on the table, you're never sat for too long with empty plates cluttered in front of you, and if you have questions about what's vegan, what contains nuts or anything else dietary, they never have to say 'oh wait, let me check' they are extremely knowledgeable about every single dish, all the wines I genuinely have no idea how anyone can fault the service. What?!?! Obviously, carnivores (yay, dead animal flesh and pus! Woo!) will be disappointed here, but for vegans the choice is AMAZING. Seriously it's not just pasta with olive oil or a baked potato like we're used to. There are actually starters and desserts that vegans can eat! And wines that vegans can drink! The dishes are all creative and original and delicious. In other restaurants I'm sometimes a bit apprehensive about trying new things, but at Bann's I will try anything they put on the menu with total confidence, because I know it is guaranteed to be delicious. Literally my only fault with this place is that they could change the menu a bit more often. But then my veggie partner was DISTRAUGHT when they took the chocolate souffle off the menu for a while, so maybe the old favourites stick around due to popular demand! LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE if you haven't yet, go there now! read more

This is my favourite restaurant in the whole world. The dishes are amazing and delicious! I really hope that David will come out with a cookbook so that I can make them at home as I don't live here! read more

Boring veggie food. Very small portions.

The cheese plate is amazing. Also try the lentil pancake with chocolate sauce.

Very atmospheric restaurant with great service and wonderful food. Most of us were vegetarians, and we liked the creative interpretations of vegetarian staples (tofu fritters, for example) as well as classics like risotto. The portions were medium-sized, but we ordered 4-5 starters and three mains to share among six people and it was plenty of food. The wine list had some interesting options as well. Overall, it was one of the best meals we had during our five-day stay in Edinburgh and we would certainly return if we find ourselves back in Scotland! read more

Fantastic food, really well thought out menu and plenty of choice. I was there for dinner the other night with friends and we had a great meal, which was sadly ruined by terrible service. Our waiter was rude, aloof and condesending. He may just have been trying to be "funny" but please save that for the fringe and not for dinner. read more

My favourite vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh... never fails to delight!!

Walking in without a reservation, was slightly apprehensive if its going to be too busy and we would be turned away! but it wasn't too busy, and we were welcomed in, décor is very chic and modern and simplistic at the same time, service was very good with attentive staff. Food was brilliant and as the review rightly said in-spite of being a meat lover, I was spoilt for choice, menu choice is good, for starters we had the Tartlet of blue cheese and slow dried tomato, which was delicious, followed by mains of Chilli crepe with griddled potato and chocolate sauce & Aduki and pistachio koftas. The food was well presented and delicious, though the quantity seemed just a little bit too much. For the desert had the vegan chocolate ice cream which was again very yummy. read more

I've been coming here for around 14 years, and it just gets better and better. Bann's is my favourite place and anytime I am in town I nip in for a bowl of soup or something different. The manageress is adorable and always makes time for a friendly chat.( I've noticed that she is extremely nice to new clientele also and always goes out of her way to help them too). The waiting staff are always mannered and helpful and the menu changes often enough to keep it interesting. Although I am a veggie, I have taken a lot of my non-veggie friends here and they have all loved it. Well done and keep up the good work! As a regular, it would be good to be able to book during the festival and I would like them to serve brunch also during the festival. read more

Good place for a vegetarian meal. Not a vegetarian myself so can't really say how good the food was, but the portion was good and filling.

very nice food, but bit pricey. good for a romantic date