The Ensign Ewart

This place is cozy and comfortable. They have a decent selection of beer and liquor. We went in the early afternoon and had the Scottish pie & a pint deal. It was an excellent savory snack! We were pleasantly surprised that it wasn't excessively busy, given it's close proximity to the castle entrance. The bartender was very nice and great at multitasking....and he looked like he probably plays a viking during a show at Fringe festival.

A beautiful pub in the centre of Edinburgh. Cosy and typical in style: lots of wood and not much light. The menu offers various local dishes, including vegetarian versions. Many beers on tap in the selection and plenty of whiskies.

Great pub. Our favorite one on a 2 week trip through Scotland. Staff was nice. The beer was always cold. And good entertainment in the evening. Really enjoyed it.

Lovely little pub not far away from Edinburgh castle. Good selection of whisky and ales. Warm inside.

Good hang! I was happy with the options of Scottish gin & my partner was happy with his whiskey (the attendant provided good recommendations)

Could you please teach me the musicians? A guy playing the guitar and the women playing the fiddle. They made my night in Edinburgh truly wonderful. The music, Scotch, along with the amazing atmosphere of this bar, has become an unforgettable memory in my life. I am truly grateful. Thank you so much. from Japan.

Great pub experience! We had the “Pie and a Pint” deal for just £8 and it was excellent. The Scotch pie was warm, tasty, and perfectly crispy. The cask ale was fresh and smooth. The place has a cozy, traditional Scottish atmosphere, and the staff were very friendly. Great stop for a quick and authentic meal in Edinburgh! Highly recommend.

A great wee jewel in Edinburgh’s crown. Just down from the castle, this place boasts a good selection of beers and a welcoming atmosphere. We were lucky enough to be sat near a group of gentlemen in traditional Scottish dress which only added to the authentic atmosphere of this pub. The staff were friendly and helpful. We will be back!

On a recent trip to Edinburgh (on a tour), we landed here on two consecutive days to enjoy hot toddies. Both times, we came to a nearly empty pub that, within about our first 20 minutes there, got packed with other thirsty customers. I had hot buttered rum on both occasions, which came with a tasty bite of Scottish tablet. My husband got the Mactoddy, which I believe was a whisky drink. On our second visit, we split a bacon sandwich, which was as tasty as our drinks were. I loved the rustic vibe on this pub...you feel like you could dial the clock back a few hundred years and have the same, authentic experience. This was one of the few establishments in downtown Edinburgh offering hot toddies and we were directed here by another pub that did not offer such options (and we were happy for that referral). Staff were friendly. Here you needed to order and pay for your items at the bar, to then be delivered to the table. l highly recommend stopping in for a bite or a pint or a yummy hot toddy to warn your bones!

Ambiance is cool & intimate! Buffalo Trace Bourbon Old Fashion was as smooth as the bartender

This place is super authentic. They had great live music. The servers were friendly. The beer was just OK.

My friend and I came in here because it was listed as a whisky bar. This place did not disappoint! The whisky and cheese flight pairing was perfection. It was the best whisky and cheese pairing I've ever had. The price was reasonable for the pairing as well. They have a large selection of whisky and the bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and can offer great recommendations. The service was friendly and quick. They do coffee was well. I had a lovely flat white that was a great pick me up for the afternoon. This was a busy bar, and I can see why. I believe this is a must stop if you are in Edinburgh.

I love it here. The place is tiny and packed, so mind if that's not your thing maybe you won't like it. But the drinks are good, and the music is good. Will return!

Another great Edinburgh pub that's worthy of a pint stop. Now... I can't skip the fact that my friend Eric, who shall be nameless, claimed that the walls are once green! There were white! Yup... the 90's were a long time ago!

One of my favorite pubs/bars I've ever been to. Live folk music every night at 9pm (kitchen closes at 4pm, just FYI). Bartenders were kind and very knowledgeable and fun to talk to! The vibe was chill and amazing. Exactly what we were looking for on our short trip to Edinburgh. We had the Mactoddy, Sherry Cauld (soooo freaking good. Get this!!), tablet old fashioned, and the hot buttered rum. The hot buttered rum was surprisedly not too sweet which we loved (like a warm apple pie?). Old fashioned was a nice, well balanced smoky old fashioned. Husband said the sherry cauld was one of the top 3 cocktail he's ever had! He's a whiskey guy for the most part. Overall, 10/10.

Great traditional pub with delicious charcuterie, superb beer and nice whisky . Intoxicating music soundtrack , lots of soul and rhythm. Excellent and welcoming service. Pretty staff too!

Quaint small pub. Just down from the castle. You can just feel that the decor here is the same style as when officers from the garrison above would snip down for a few pints. Nice collection of whiskey. This place is definitely about the ambiance.

Love this pub. I came on a rainy evening after walking around Edinburgh all day. I had the cheese and whisky tasting and it was incredible. The pairings are perfect /with full whisky pours!). Also had the soup and crusty bread with was delicious and hit the spot. The nightly music was delightful and the ambiance is so cozy and friendly. Definitely check out this awesome and historical pub.

We stopped by Ensign Ewart after Edinburgh castle and while it may smell of tourist trap, it certainly didn't play out that way. BTW, I am giving every restaurant who doesn't irritate me during my birthday week a SOLID 5. One, because COVID-19 sucks and hurts the industry terribly, and two, this is not the week to be shitty. First, we planned on drinks and ended up getting a bigger meat and cheese charcuterie board with local goodness. The whisky and gin cocktails under recommendations also did not disappoint, especially the Pickerings & Grapefruit drink. As for PPE, Ensign Ewart is also proactive. Everyone was wearing a mask properly, everyone had to sign up for NHS track & trace, and there was plexiglass dividing tables into quasi booths. Not everywhere in Edinburgh is taking precautions seriously, but this place made it feel a lot safer and responsible. The food, drinks, service, and gorgeous location in Old Town Edinburgh all get 5s. Cheers!

Popped in here for dinner before attending a free ghost tour. It was super crowded because it had just started raining outside and it's not that large of a space. I think there was only one waitress working the whole pub so service was slow, but she was doing her best and was perfectly polite and helpful. We were still in and out in a reasonable amount of time. I had a cup of tea (which, to my surprise, came with a piece of Scottish tablet!) and the venison casserole, which was like a hearty crock of venison, potatoes, and cheese all baked together. It was hot, tasty and had me ready for the evening and walking tour. Take note that there is not a large menu here, so either check beforehand or don't be too choosey. Also be aware that there is limited seating and service may not be lightning fast. If you keep all that in mind, you're in for a nice meal!

Walked into a great experience. Staff friendly, drinks good and the egg sandwich yummy. Tables are close to each other which was great for striking up good conversation. A great find for a place est 1680

Fun, cozy pub right on the strip. Was super hot when we walked in on a cold night so everyone was in their t-shirts. Lucky to find a table since there weren't many. Kitchen closes a little after 9pm so come early for food. Got some simple food like pea soup and garlic bread, nothing too fancy, but did the job. Cask ales on tap. Live music was great with the band playing at a table (vs a stage). If you want to escape the cold and grab a pint, this is your place.

Our second time to visit, love this place! Had the meat and cheese platter with a Haggis scotch egg, would definitely recommend! Good beer and whisky selection.

The Royal Mile would be missing a foot or two without the Ensign Ewart! Just situated a block down the Royal Mile from the breathtaking Edinburgh Castle views is this unassuming pub. We managed to stumble, literally, upon this establishment as we were taking cover from the sudden downpour threatening to dampen our day. The first place that seemed to have hot food and dry seats along the way down, Ensign Ewart sure delivered more than we expected! Jackets flying off everywhere, we were placed at a table near the back. It was kind of cramped and there was a door to the right of me. I was wondering where it would lead to and why my seat was right by that door. Fortunately, after asking where the bathroom was, I discovered that it was just an arm's length away through that door! Lucky! After moving to another table near the bar, I quickly ordered an ale since I didn't know when would be the next time I would find myself in a Scottish bar. Since they all looked the same to me, I just picked the Belhaven Best, the best Scottish ale apparently. Famished from castle exploration, I also ordered a warm sandwich. The beer was fantastic. I don't know if it's Scotland's best, but it was light and refreshing. The sandwich, I forget what it's called, was just as delightful. It had the perfect combination of brie, bacon, and tomato (correct me if I'm wrong). I almost forgot about the rain outside. For the food and drinks at a reasonable price, I highly recommend careening down the Royal Mile towards this pub the next time you are in Edinburgh!

Came in for live music and ordered two cocktails. The most poorly made drinks I've ever had. Very watery.

Super yummy soup and sandwich. Very well priced with a cozy atmosphere. Great beer, whiskey and cheeses. What else do you need in life? Sticky toffee pudding for dessert. Heaven.

What a great pub! We enjoyed the music as we sat in the back behind the band. Kitchen closes early like all the pubs i think around 8ish. We enjoyed a delicious whisky sour made by the experienced bartender. The waiter though was overwhelmed by the crowd and grimaced every time he had to get through. Then to our dismay they made him make our 2nd whisky sour. So he had to break out a sheet of paper with instructions. It came out way to sour. For 8.50 a drink made by rookie it was time to move on. 4stars for music, cozy setting and 1st drink. All the cities bag pipe players were also here grabbing a drink so that tells you its a good local spot.

If you want to try a real scotch Haggis, you shouldn't miss this authentic scotch bar-restaurant. Good ambiance. Great service. The food is delicious prices are reasonable. Highly recommended when visiting Edinburg.

Delicious! While traveling had to stop by! So happy we did - would love to go back! Whiskey flight was excellent!!

Absolute Gem! Love this pub. Some of my friends have come to visit a couple of times and I always bring them back here. It started off just being on the way to the next pub during a little bit of a crawl we decided to do around Edinburgh but it turned out to be a place we wanted to stay. Cosy atmosphere with an amazing selection of whisky and a good selection of gin as well. They have fantastic service and always seem up for helping. A number of different whisky tastings to choose from with a nice guide to go along with them. The beginner's guide is definitely worth going for first to have a go and delve into it all. Atmosphere feels really honest and the food smelt good but we were there for drinks. I will be back whenever someone visits but also for a rare selection of whisky ;)

I had the Scottish Venison Casserole for dinner after a day long tour of the Highlands. It was delicious, the atmosphere was homely, and the staff were attentive. The venison casserole was not gamey at all and was delicious. Portion could be a bit more but overall the meal was enjoyable. Meat was cooked just right and gravy was not too heavy. They also have live music every night and is often local folk artists/bands. I had a traditional Scottish trio playing folk songs and it was a wonderful experience.

Not great service, but okay to stop in and get lunch after visiting Edinburgh castle. I got the soup of the day because it was so chilly outside- butternut squash soup served with bread, pretty tasty. My boyfriend got one of their sandwiches, which was served with mayo even though he asked them to keep it off. He also got a "Scottish coffee" which was interesting. And we shared a cheese board....wish we had known what kinds would be included before we order though! Don't know if it was worth the price.

Love this pub. The haggis with neeps and taties is delicious. Also the local ales are great. It's a tiny place, but if you can get a table you will enjoy. Although it's in the heart of tourist area, it delivers the goods.

Really pleased to have such a great experience so close to the castle! Had the soup, cheese plate, soup & sandwich, salad, gin & tonic from list of dozens - cute historical setting, very friendly staff. Save space for the sticky toffee pudding - you won't be sorry.

Came here for a birthday party. Not a huge establishment, but very Scottish and beloved by many. Didn't order any food but instead had a few pints on tap. Later in the night we also ordered a round of shots and the server was very helpful throughout the whole process. The best part by far is the live music. Folk, Scottish​, incredible​ music.

We enjoyed a light dinner and local beer at this pub. It was very busy, and likely filled with tourists like us. It's right at the top of the Royal Mile. Good experience. I would return.

We were so happy with our lunch here! Two of us split a ploughman's lunch, the third had the soup, and everything was delicious. The beer was great, too, and the service was friendly. We were surprised to get such a tasty and reasonably priced meal in the heart of a very touristy area.

We wandered into Ensign Ewart on the first night of our Scotland trip-- we had initially attempted to get into a restaurant we remembered from our honeymoon, but found it was impossible without a reservation, so we wandered into this little pub. Lucky for us, it turned out to be a great find! It's a cozy little place, and seemed to have a mix of locals and tourists. The menu is pretty small, but I suspect it's all very good. We both had the venison pie-- a delicious mix of slow-cooked venison, miscellaneous vegetables and mashed potatoes. It was a steal at £10 or so, and beer was reasonable as well. It does take them about 20 minutes to make, so don't order it if you're in a hurry, but you can't complain about food made from scratch! They have TVs but not too loud, and our server was swamped but very nice. There's so many places to choose from on the Royal Mile, but for a good pub meal at a very reasonable price, Ensign Ewart is worthy of consideration.

My husband and I stopped by this pub to grab a quick lunch after visiting the castle. We were greeted by a very rude waitress. I was ready to walk out but my husband wanted to stay to try them out. The pub itself gives you a very historical feel. This is something that we normally don't find in the US. However, there's nothing special about the food here.

Bursting with character and customers, the Ensign Ewart pub at the upper end of the Royal Mile has a decent selection of craft ales and other drinks. Its quite a snug place and if you can bag somewhere to sit then its your lucky day. We didn't eat in the pub, but food is served which looks like your standard pub fare. Its a pleasant spot to while away an hour and eavesdrop on the conversations of your close neighbours. Understandably its very popular with tourists. The loos at the Ensign Ewart are locked, but fear not, there's no need to get caught short. When ordering drinks at the bar the staff lean forward and whisper the keypad code. A canny solution to non-customers trying to use the facilities!

Situated at the top of the Royal Mile, Ensign Ewart presents itself as a traditional Scottish pub, with low ceilings, an open fire and historical memorabilia adorning the walls. Sadly, it doesn't live up to the standard of other pubs on the Royal Mile. Serving a variety of British beers at reasonable prices, considering its location, Ensign Ewart seems to aim mainly at tourists. One big annoyance is a pin-code lock on the bathroom door, forcing you to check at the bar before going to the toilet. To be honest the place has a slightly tacky feel, between the claymores and the Culloden portraits it feels as if Mel Gibson's Braveheart were turned into a pub and dumped in the centre of Edinburgh

I cannot begin to say how much I enjoyed this tiny spot. Lured in by the scent of soup, I wasn't disappointed in the carrot and red pepper soup of the day. It was accompanied by a lovely bowl of olives, some hearty bread and four drams of whisky. I left warm, full, and utterly relaxed. Wish I could go daily. And the waitress was kind, friendly and pretty.

What a delightful pub! This is a local's pub and while we were enjoying the atmosphere, we noticed we were the only ones who were not local ... but that wasn't a problem and the locals were quick with entertaining conversation. The whiskey selections were great and their menu of other drinks was quite diverse, so everyone will find something they like at Ensign Ewart. ... AND ... For you ladies, you'll find the bartenders to be quite handsome, so enjoy the eye candy as you drink ;-)

Just down from the Castle, in the hub of the Royal Mile, this pub still manages to have an intimate feel. It's got low ceilings, a load of pub paraphernalia (bits and bob of pictures etc) and they serve a really great range of good beers and ales. The staff don't glare you down, which is always a plus. Even though it's on the Royal Mile, it's still refreshingly quaint, and though it can be jammed with tourists, it still feels like a bit of an oasis from the blaring bagpipes and endless tat of the Royal Mile (once you've lived in Edinburgh long enough, the Royal Mile sometimes becomes a place to avoid, especially during the Festival). Definitely a solid pub, if you're in that part of town, a part of town which seems to lack any good places to sit down for a drink. They serve food, but sadly, I haven't had a chance to taste any yet. But it's pretty standard pub food.

Very misleading! They have barely anything on the menu, and the things they do have on the menu are pretty terrible. Their wine is not good at all. Not worth going.

One of the spots on the way to dinner that we stopped at. Love the Gin flight! I asked the bartender to just give me his faves and he did not disappoint. Gave me recommendations and hooked me up. I'm now going to start drinking my gin with orange slices! Decent selection of brew on tap and bottled. There's something for everyone. Atmosphere was great with live music. Beware if you have a large-ish group though - it isn't a very large place. Great service and reasonable prices!

Stumbled in here because it was the nearest pub to the castle and I need help swallowing culture, unaccustomed to it as I am. Visually the pub ticked most of the right boxes for me; dimly lit with a lovely old fashioned woody decor to it. I wasn't that impressed with my pint of Caledonian 80 though. Could have been unlucky but I couldn't help wondering if such a handy location for snaring tourists (guilty) was responsible for a lazy attitude to the beer as well as being the reason for the London prices. Named after a legendary soldier who is buried nearby (there is a monument).

This was a nice, little pub right in the city centre! The menu didn't have much selection, just 2 main dishes (venison or haggis-regular or vegetarian), some starters and a couple of things to eat after the main dish, but the venison casserole was delicious! The service was a little slow at some times, but the live music was really nice.

We popped into this small pub after a chilly morning of touring the Castle. We were seated in the front by a friendly staff. My husband had a local brew and their soup and sandwich. I had the BLT and a latte to warm up. Service was speedy and the food and drinks were excellent. I would definitely recommend this place if you're in the area.

Loved the authenticity of the place. Great drinks, super friendly staff and really great traditional Scottish food. First time trying Scotts Eggs and Chutney, loved it all ! Will come back!

Top notch pub. About a dozen beers and ales on tap and nice selection of whiskeys. Hung out there with some live music and a couple pints. Very pleasant atmosphere and staff. About £4 a pint - what I expected for the location. Would definitely recommend to friends.

It was not great. My sandwich was frigid cold, and mildly flavorless. I was overall really unimpressed and left hungry. I originally gave them three stars but then my "lemonade" tasted like thick sprite and I bumped it down. They also forgot to bring out part of my grandmothers meal. Overall, I just really was not a fan of the meal that I had here.

SUPER CUTE PUB...if pubs can be super cute!! =) We loved it. Low ceilings, dark wood, very pub-y!! We stumbled across this pub on the way down from Edinburgh castle. We had a tasty sandwich and yummy, warm soup. The staff was very friendly and accommodating even though it was packed with people enjoying their pints. The ale I had was refreshing and went down easy. We thought it was very reasonably priced. All in all, it was an excellent Scottish Pub experience.

Amazing evening, had a bunch of different singing talents. Friendly service. Had the venison pie- very good

Well, after almost a week of intensive(!) research, we found a winner for our favorite pub in Edinburgh. We've been in a bunch of places that were on various "Best Pubs" list, and most were overrun by tourists, had poor quality beer, and/or little character. Then, last night, after fleeing one such establishment, we happened into a cozy, unassuming little place right on Lawnmarket St. called The Ensign Ewart. It was a pleasant surprise, given the throngs of crowds outside, and the fact that most of the more "showy" pubs up and down the street are overcrowded and noisy. Does it have a dozen tellies blasting the sport du jour? No. Is it on everyone's "Ten Best Pubs in Edinburgh" list? No. Does it serve haggis nachos? No. Is it cozy, comfortable, friendly, and traditional? Yes! Does it serve cask ale? Yes! Is it a pleasant easy-going place to relax and enjoy a few quality cask ales. Absolutely!

Dreadful, unhelpful staff and not at all welcoming, may have something to do with why it was empty. The castle just across the road was a much better bet

Great little pub that we stumbled on. Loved the cheesy garlic bread and split pea soup.