La Garrigue has been named as the Scottish regional winner of the Good Food Guide Readers' Restaurant of the Year. Featured on Ramsey's Best Restaurants Gordon described La Garrigue as an "amazing little bistro". Come along and sample the flavours of the Languedoc at either in Edinburgh's New Town or City Centre.
David Bann
- Food served: Mon–Thu noon–10pm; Fri noon–10.30pm; Sat 11am–10.30pm; Sun 11am–-10pm
- Bar open: Sun–Thu noon–10pm; Fri/Sat noon–1am
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 14
- Private dining: Up to 40 covers
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs
- Music on stereo: Nothing
- Opening times: Sun–Thu 11am–10pm; Fri/Sat 11am–1am
- Capacity: 80
- Largest group: 80
- Open since: 2002
- Average price:
£22 (set lunch)
£16 (evening meal) - House wine: £13.75 per bottle
Send us more details about this place.
The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
They say that once you reach the top the only way is down, but this is far from the case for David Bann who, for almost ten years, has been at the forefront of vegetarian dining in Edinburgh. There are no vegetarian clichés to be found here, only original, exciting and exquisitely prepared dishes. A tartlet of blue cheese and slow-dried tomato provides a mouth-watering entrée while Thai fritter of broccoli and smoked tofu is delicately aromatic. Main courses are expertly produced too: organic udon noodles come with ginger red pepper sauce and an incredible home-smoked tofu; and beetroot, apple and Dunsyre Blue pudding is light and delicious and served with tasty savoy cabbage sautéed in tarragon butter. Choose with difficulty from the range of desserts or share an assiette that includes malt whisky pannacotta, raspberry and whisky chocolates and hot pear and passion fruit tart. The discreetly modern surroundings, well thought out wine list and unassuming staff add to what is a satisfying and memorable dining experience.
- High point: Makes a refreshing change from vegetarian lentil-clichés
- Low point: Trying to make a choice from the excellent menu
Reviews of David Bann (56–58 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh)
- 13. Roberto, Glasgow – 26 May 2011, 4:14pm
David BannReport -
Still the best Veggie in the UK.
Only 2 problems:
1) They did away with the Bean Burgger.
2) Theywill not take bookings during the Fringe.
- 12. MikefaeAberdeen, Aberdeen – 18 October 2010, 5:37pm
David BannReport -
Really good meal here - wonderful food from starter to pudding. Doesn't get the 5 stars as it took 20 minutes after we had been seated and given menus for any one to offer us a drink or take our order! However once we were attended to the staff were very good - perhaps just a glitch and not what we have usually experienced at David Bann. In any case well worth it for the wonderful food.
- 11. Jake M., Edinburgh – 8 November 2009, 1:22pm
David BannReport -
We've been to David Bann many times over the last 6 or 7 years, and on the whole, love the place, but have also been dissatisfied. The decor is superb, staff are professional and discreet, the food is beautifully styled and creative, and it has been enjoyed by the vegetarian and meat-eaters in our party alike.
However, in the past couple of visits, we've really had a hit-or-miss experience. Some dishes are delicious, while others are conceptually interesting but still in the 'first draft' stage, and others still are decidedly boring. Perhaps this is a case of attempting to appeal to a wide range of tastes (and some people do prefer bland food), but it might be worth developing some of the dishes a bit more before they go on the menu.
Still, it has enough to keep us coming back!
- 10. MikefaeAberdeen, Aberdeen – 24 July 2009, 10:05pm
David BannReport -
Ate here during our stay this week in Edinburgh and had a very fine meal and were served by efficient and friendly staff. The risotto I had was well made and seasoned and my partner had two starters as a main which were equally tasty. A few years back I found the food at Banns tended to rest 'heavy in the belly' but this time thought things greatly improved. Still find the interior a little gloomy but otherwise a great vegetarian restaurant!
- 9. Mike, London – 9 May 2009, 10:40am
David BannReport -
Fantastic food, service and atmosphere. I went to David Bann's for the first time in April and had a great time. The choice and variety of flavours and textures made for a really enjoyable meal and experience. Cetainly one of the best vegeterian meals I have ever had. The food was so good that I even had a pudding (a selection of puddings for 2) - rare for me. I would thoroughly recommend David Bann's.
- 8. Adit, Edinburgh – 5 May 2009, 6:26pm
David BannReport -
Great atmosphere, great food, great service. The mains I tried were the chilli and smoked cheese tortilla and the Jerusalem artichoke tart. Both were packed full of flavour and all components of the dishes were fresh and tasted homemade. The cheeseboard for desert was unfortunately dominated by smoked cheeses which were a bit overpowering.
- 7. Jon H, Edinburgh – 25 April 2009, 6:41pm
David BannReport -
We had high hopes for this restaurant and the menu sounded mouth watering, however none of the food really hit the mark. Starters: The leek and tomato tart was average, the watercress soup tasty but under seasoned. Mains: The chilli with chocolate was bland, the cheese souffle actually rather unpleasant, though its accompaniments were good. After that we didn't bother with desserts.
It's not that the food in David Bann is particularly awful - there are worse places, but the disappointing mediocrity of it only merits two stars.
- 6. Dave Mac, Edinburgh – 19 March 2009, 3:22pm
David BannReport -
Lulu, minestrone soup is meant to be thick!
When i was there I had the crepe with roasted vegetables and cheese. Was terrific and the balsamic reduction that came with it was clearly of a high quality.
- 5. Jill, Edinburgh – 4 March 2009, 10:52am
David BannReport -
I've visited this restaurant several times in the last few years and although I'm not even a veggie the service and food has been fantastic each time, thanks!
- 4. Lulu, Edinburgh – 18 September 2008, 3:51pm
David BannReport -
I was really looking forward to eating here before I went, but I have to say it wasn't up to the hype. The minestrone soup was thick and stodgy and had no zing. I followed it with the pea risotto which was extremely bland. I would have been embarassed to serve it to guests at home. My partner had a spicy tortilla dish with chocolate sauce which was better. Unfortunately we couldn't fit in dessert, because I fancied trying the dessert platter to share. Despite everything the staff were lovely and service was good despite how busy they were. I enjoyed the experience, but not the food.
- 3. Tess, Edinburgh – 11 September 2008, 2:37pm
David BannReport -
Had a really great meal here during the festival for my mother in law's birthday. We were all impressed with the food and service (even my meat loving husband who took some convincing)! Have no previous visits to base this but really enjoyed all three courses - as did the rest of the party. I thought the menu was different in terms of flavour pairings to what would normally be expected and made a nice change! Our main waiter was very attentive though we found some of the others that came by to help a bit overbearing and disorganised at times! Will definitely dine here again.
- 2. veggiefan, Edinburgh – 5 September 2008, 9:19pm
David BannReport -
Used to be my all time favourite place to eat but, sadly, it's gone downhill recently. Gone is the quiet, serene atmosphere as they have packed more tables in, and - thought I'd never hear myself say this - the food has gone downhill, and last two visits, the food was mediocre. Real shame.
- 1. R Dineen, Edinburgh – 15 May 2008, 11:09amDavid BannReport
-
I have to say i have eaten one of the best dessert in this restaurant.... their cheesecakes are renowned and the rhubarb cheesecake i have recently eaten was fantastic.
Great food (from a non veggie) and well worth visiting.
To post a review you'll first need to log in: Forgotten your password?
Not registered? Sign up – it only takes a minute.
RSS feed of these reviews





