Our Story
HENDERSONS
Eat Better Live Better
Hendersons - Eat Better Live Better.
A new vegetarian and vegan restaurant with a lot of history. We’re located near Bruntsfield Links in Tollcross, Edinburgh. Open 7 days per week, 12-10pm.
We opened our doors in October 2021 and although that isn’t that long ago, we have a much longer history. Hendersons - Eat Better Live Better was started by Barrie Henderson, grandson of Janet Henderson who founded the original Henderson on Hanover Street that closed in 2020 due to the covid-19 pandemic. This marked the end of an era, as Hendersons had originally opened in 1962, and was one of Edinburgh’s longest running restaurants, and the UKs longest running vegetarian restaurant - its closure left a visible gap in the Edinburgh dining scene. Feeling compelled not to let this happen, Barrie opened this new restaurant to ensure that his grandmother’s legacy will live on. Not only has Barrie returned to the new location, but also many previous staff members who had lost their jobs alongside Barrie.
We’ve worked hard to harmonise the old and new, not only in our interiors, but also in the food, with many echoes of the Hendersons of old resonating throughout the space. Our walls have been given a textured feel, and an archway has been created as a nod to the original restaurant. Through our menus, you can also experience some of the original dishes, and some new improved versions - we have made sure the original chocolate mousse has found its way back onto the menu, as well as the updated lentil lasagne, made with homemade pasta, and our classic vegan haggis.
We stand by the values that the original Hendersons also stood for, such as using locally sourced whole food and organic ingredients as much as possible. Our menu is accessible enough for everyone but also contains plenty of options for people with specific dietary requirements and we hope you will visit us soon!
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About Barrie Henderson
Barrie has been part of the Hendersons family business since he was 14, working his way through different departments including the old organic bakery, the kitchen, and front of house, eventually becoming general manager at a time when the company was run by his uncle Nicholas and father, Oliver.
During a 2-year hiatus in 2010 Barrie gained experience in Germany, then working as a chef in the Inner Hebrides, working under the direction of Pamela Brunton (Inver), returning to Hendersons in 2012. He went on to gain a Masters in Hospitality and became instrumental in the overall running the business, helping them win several awards including Green Family Business of the Year 2018 (The Herald) and Family Business of the Year 2016 (The Sunday Post).
Barrie is devoted to a vegetarian lifestyle, spending much of his time developing new recipes. He is also passionate about sustainable food production and growing his own food. His most treasured award is for a red cabbage that secured first prize at a local vegetable competition.
The Chefs
Paul Kayne worked at Hendersons Vegan for 4 years, developing vegan dishes that focused on naturally nutrient-rich wholefood ingredients, bucking the trend of using meat substitutes.
This was a big success with the clientele, with ‘the vegan’, as it was affectionately known, being a favourite hang out for vegan (and non-vegan) celebrities like Woody Harrelson, Ian McKellen, Chris Leibing, and Akon when they were visiting Edinburgh.
His creations included black bean pudding sliders with beer batter bun, apple pickle, homemade ketchup, and celeriac gnocchi with whisky date sauce.
Information
Opening Times
We are open every week Monday - Sunday from 12:00 - 22:00.
Please note that the kitchen is normally closed between 4pm and 5pm. You are more than welcome to join us for a drink at that time though.
Find us
We are based in Bruntsfield, right next to the Bruntsfield Links and you can find us at: 7-13 Barclay Place, EH10 4HW, Edinburgh, Scotland
Amenities
We have a ground-floor toilet that has a baby changing facility and handrail next to the toilet. The door entrance is 81cm wide if you need to know for your wheelchair.
Contact us
Our number is 0131 202 1635.
If you cannot reach us via the phone, you can contact us via email - hello@hendersonsrestaurant.com.
We are also dog friendly!
Visit Us
7-13 Barclay Place
Edinburgh, EH10 4HW
Hours
Tuesday – Friday
12:00 - 22:00
Phone
(+44) 0131 202 1635