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Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
CUISINES
Cafe, British, Healthy
FEATURES
Takeout, Seating, Highchairs Available, Free Wifi, Table Service, Gift Cards Available
Reviews (337)
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All reviews cake tofu burger sandwiches lox banoffee bread fries vegan food non vegan wonderful vegan slice latte eatery homemade
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Reviewed 14 October 2023

As vegans we went to the Holy Cow that had good Reviews. We ordred burger. The Pulled Jackfruit and Oyster Muchroom steak, both servered homemade potato fries. Very good taste for the Oyster Muchroom steak, the pulled jackfruit not soy good, they should season it...differently, the jackfruit is to strong, potatoes delicious. We had also a cheesecake after. We wanted a soup but they where sold out. We came maybe to late. Prices for the Burgers a little to high for a plate like that. The service was fantastic. Recommed - Come early.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 9 October 2023 via mobile

Fabulous lunch- terrific salad, but the real highlight was the vegan cheesecake- an outstanding dessert. My husband chose it from the cake displays, all looked good, I tried a bite but then went on to share half- best treat of our trip. Would go back...there to try the other cakes- and they offer an afternoon tea I saw. Best lunch ever!More

Date of visit: October 2023
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 15 September 2023 via mobile

Excellent vegan food! We both loved our burgers and the lotus cheesecake. The food is freshly cooked with home made chips. The burger was served with a delicious tartare style mayo dressing. It’s a quirky place with a small outdoor seating area at the rear...of the cafe. Would definitely recommend this please.More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 11 September 2023

The best vegan food we have ever tasted, absolute gem of a place. All food is homemade and freshly prepared, it was exceptional.

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 3 September 2023 via mobile

We were craving clean vegetarian/vegan food and found this place online with lots of good reviews , so we wanted to try it. The first thing we noticed while entering was the smell. It smelled like grease, it was unsettling. We both ordered the "green...power bowl" and our friend a "mushroom burger with chips" The veggies were fresh but way to oily for our taste. Too much pesto ? Idk but we didn't really like it. The portion was really big and served with not much love in our opinion. The Burger apparently was fine but again the chips were way to greasy , oily ??!!More

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 2 September 2023

The food is genuinely so yummy and fresh, 10/10. Waitresses were super attentive and provided fast service.

Date of visit: September 2023
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Reviewed 4 August 2023

Amazing Reuben sarnie, skeptical non-vegan child only wanted chips and then ate half of it, will have to come back! X

Date of visit: August 2023
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Reviewed 27 July 2023

Took my wee mum for lunch and we both loved it so much! Fantastic service as soon as we stepped in. The waitress with pink hair looked after us and made us feel at home. The food heavenly, the burgers yum and chips crunchy and...Tiramisu cake is to die for! Definitely recommend to anyone who is looking for vegan food to stuff their bellies!More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 18 July 2023 via mobile

Very bad service. Sat down, waited for 20 min, but then left to tell waitress we were leaving again because she was helping others but ignored us. Told us that she assumed we were gonna walk up to her to order even though she did...not ask us to, and there were no signs that we had to order at the bar. Will not visit here again.More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Paulina Wisniewska, Owner at Holy Cow, responded to this reviewResponded 19 July 2023

Hi Rocher, Thank you for taking your time and reviewing us but please, notice you’ve visited HC Lounge at Edinburgh Printmakers, not Holy Cow in a New Town so you reviewed the different cafe here. Best Wishes, The owner

Reviewed 16 July 2023

Although offering vegan only dishes, which would suggest an environmentally friendly awareness, the entrance to Holy Cow was anything but ‘environmentally friendly’. It looked more like a back entrance than the front. Littered with cigarette butts, delivery baskets and rubbish bins, did nothing for the...appetite. A discarded gardening/work glove appeared to have been laying on the steps for days. When a staff member was asked about the state of the entrance, he agreed that it looked like it hadn’t been cleaned for days, if not weeks but said that he hadn’t noticed, despite using the entrance everyday. Sometimes the simplest things are the things that get overlooked.More

Date of visit: July 2023
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Reviewed 1 July 2023

We discovered this vegan eatery near to the hotel we were staying at and thought that we would give it a try even though we are not vegan. The restaurant/cafe is situated in a basement accessed by narrow stone steps. Be careful if it’s raining...as they can be slippery. The place is simply laid out but welcoming, with original paintings on the wall that you can purchase if you so desired. The staff were very friendly and the ambiance good. There is a good variety of burgers to try as well as smoothies, sandwiches and cake. We both had the peanut butter, chocolate and banana smoothie that was sweet and refreshing. I had a tofu burger with relish and spicy chilli potato wedges with the skin in and my wife had a Reuben sandwich with plain potato wedges. Both were very filling to the extent that we couldn’t fit in dessert as tempting as they were. Good service and a relaxing time. Perhaps a little expensive for a non meaty meal but as a one-off we certainly enjoyed it.More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 12 June 2023

Good coffee and service. I appreciate exclusively vegan places (thank you!). However, been to Holy Cow a few times and found the cakes a little on the dry side on both occasions. Especially dry on our most recent visit in June! Think they'd be delightful...if fresh... However, offft the last visit the cake was ready for the bin. I used to work in a cafe and if the Icing looks dried out and sponge dry, it was time for the bin. Come on, Holy Cow!!! Coffee is pretty good though. If having cake; my advice is ask when it was made/ placed on display!More

Date of visit: June 2023
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Reviewed 25 May 2023

Rarely post reviews, have made an exception for this superb little restaurant. Very hard-working staff preparing and serving beautiful vegan food. Really enjoyed both our visits so far and will certainly be back. The negative April review of visitors from Rotherham is so unfair!

Date of visit: May 2023
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Reviewed 20 April 2023 via mobile

“Charm and ambience of a submarine!”, was my partners comment when we arrived. The dining area inside is just not somewhere you want the be, it’s got a really bad vibe, unwelcoming and grim, not dirty, just soulless. One member of staff working behind the...counter and doubling up as a waitress was friendly enough but even she struggled to go beyond a weak smile, disinterest, and apologies re slow service. The food is tasteless. We had burgers and chips but they were both awful, both burgers and both chips.. worst we’ve had, ever, anywhere, erm.. yes, by a country mile! I don’t need to explain why, if you go, and I pray you don’t, you’ll see why. This place gives all food a bad name, not just vegan food. Holy cow indeed. Plus, it ain’t cheap ether. Avoid.More

Date of visit: April 2023
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Reviewed 14 March 2023

Excellent service from the young woman Millie. Food and drink was served fast and tasted amazing. We will definatley be back.

Date of visit: March 2023
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Questions & Answers
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Margaret G
12 November 2023|
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Response from Margaret G |
opening hours
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nicola04021995
18 August 2017|
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Response from ScottishC4rly | Reviewed this property |
No, they don't do reservations. Def worth a visit though and 100% worth the wait if they don't have a table straight away!
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HOLY COW, Edinburgh - New Town - Updated 2023 Restaurant Reviews, Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Food Delivery & Takeaway - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Holy Cow

Yes, Holy Cow offers takeaway services.

Holy Cow is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4.5
  • Service: 4.5
  • Value: 4.5