Tolbooth Tavern

Pub · St. Leonard's

Tolbooth Tavern

Pub · St. Leonard's

1

167 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, United Kingdom

Photos

Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null
Tolbooth Tavern by null

Highlights

Atmospheric pub in haunted 16th-century building  

Placeholder
Placeholder

167 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, United Kingdom Get directions

tolboothtavern.co.uk
@tolboothtavernroyalmile

£20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Information

Static Map

167 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BN, United Kingdom Get directions

+44 131 557 1333
tolboothtavern.co.uk
@tolboothtavernroyalmile

£20–30 · Menu

Reserve

Features

wifi
payment credit card
Tap to pay
reservations
reservations required

Last updated

Aug 13, 2025

Powered By

You might also like

Terms of Use • Privacy Policy • Cookie Policy
 © 2025 Postcard Technologies, Inc.
@atlasobscura

Tolbooth Tavern – Edinburgh, Scotland - Gastro Obscura

"Edinburgh is a very photogenic city that offers visitors several prime locales to snap a picture. One such visage is located along the Royal Mile, in an area known to locales as the Canongate. The Tolbooth Tavern is situated in an impressive stone building with an ornate clock tower. But what many tourists may be unaware of is that this building hides a dark and mysterious past. Originally constructed in 1591, the building that contains The Tolbooth Tavern was used to collect tolls from travelers who wished to enter the city. It also functioned as a council chamber, police court, and prison. The prison incarcerated many individuals who fought alongside Charles Edward Stuart. They were often beaten and in some cases wrongly accused. During the 16th-century, a suspected warlock was said to have been exorcised on the premises by Sir Lewis Bellenden, a chief Justice to the Abbotts of Holyrood. The man was reported to have expired after the tumultuous ordeal. The initials of Bellenden can be viewed outside, carved into the wall, above the entrance to Old Toll Wynd Close. In the middle of the 1600s, Oliver Cromwell’s army detained several Scottish enemies of the state within the structure. Fortunately, these incarcerated men were able to make their escape by fashioning bedclothes to make a rope and climbing out an upper window. Nearly a decade later, the cells would be filled with Covenanters, religious inmates who objected to the king being the Head of the Church. If they weren’t sent to Greyfriars, they were shipped off to the Caribbean to endure years of hard labor. In addition, they would be physically marked for their offense. Men would have an ear cut off and women would be branded on their faces. This impressive five-story building is one of the oldest structures remaining from the Early Modern Period along this stretch of road. It didn’t become an official drinking establishment until 1820 when the Canongate was officially absorbed into Edinburgh. The name Canongate, the area between Jeffrey Street and Holyrood Palace, is derived from the place where metal artillery was forged for Edinburgh Castle. The clock structure was eventually added in 1884, emblazoned with the symbol of King David I and Holyrood, a stag with a cross-centered in its horns. The rear area of the bar was not incorporated until the 1900s and the entire premises has operated as an alehouse ever since. A building as old as this one is bound to have its fair share of unwanted guests. Staff and clients have both reported the presence of the spectral nature. From objects being moved around, to items falling off walls and tables. Who knows if the tormented souls of the former prisoners or ill-fated warlock still haunt the premises. Looking up towards the roof, to the left of the clock tower, one will notice sea shells implanted into the structure. It has been suggested that these offered protection from harmful spirits. Know Before You Go The exterior is visible at all hours of the day. To view the interior, check the website for opening times." - rbenn250, Shaheen Alikhan, SEANETTA, juliebarker, starrybluenight, toryface, Rachel Preskitt, m melissapipkin, t toryface, Dakini Dancing, melissapipkin, s starrybluenight

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/tolbooth-tavern
View Postcard for Tolbooth Tavern

Ian Tilley

Google
Service was great, absolutely loved the atmosphere of the pub. The staff were so gracious and very helpful to us as my mum uses a walking frame. The food was ok... Nothing wonderful, but not bad all the same.

Alexandra Garbeva

Google
Nice place, the food was tasty, and the service was quick. We had homemade steak pie – super delicious – and steak. The only thing we didn’t like were the chips; they were bland and underdone.

Rhonda M

Google
The smoked salmon starter was my favorite. A plate of build-your-own which I like because I like to control how much of the cheese goes on the oat cracker. The oat cracker was thick but not too crunchy, a really nice consistency. Husband loved the chicken bacon avocado salad. The mushrooms on toast was quite tasty and vegetarian. One less star because we felt rushed out. And the table service in the beginning when we arrived was not that great. Same guy walked past our table several times for 10 min before asking us if we wanted to order anything. They finally picked up the pace after we ordered food. Good traditional Scottish food and music. I am still waiting to see this ghost everyone keeps talking about! Booga booga!!!!

Tetiana Alandarieva

Google
Historical place with nice music and traditions dishes for me food is a bit greasy but beer conquered my taste buds. Not much space, but very cozy and comfortable. Next time I bring my friends with me.

J Ski

Google
Solid food experience with a good whiskey list and efficient service. They were very busy when we visited with a reservation at 6:30 in the evening, so there wasn't time for chatting. The salad was fresh, which always bodes well for overall quality. There weren't any ghost-y experiences while we were there, but the ambiance was spot on. Recommend reservations.

Anastasiia Snisar

Google
Amazing old school pub. They're not trying to be fancy, just keep it traditional and that's what we liked it for. It was busy on a Friday evening and we had to wait at the bar for a table. Food was delicious and we even got carried away for some whisky tasting.

Alex Strickland

Google
True Scottish hospitality! Tolbooth made our last night in Scotland feel magical. We opted for the Scottish smoked salmon to start, then a haggis burger for me and the steak and haggis pie for my partner. We also couldn't go past cranachan for pudding. All dishes were served promptly by a really friendly team of staff, and tasted delicious. We polished off the lot. The bar boasts a huge whisky selection and the bar staff were very knowledgeable and good with recommendations. My partner really enjoyed talking whisky with the barman! Booking is absolutely essential as they were turning people away. We managed to get a table a couple of hours ahead of time though!

Zane Jacobs

Google
An amazing eatery with delightful details. Food was served quickly and in such large portions. Only my black hole of a son was able to clean his plate. Rather large selection of whisky too.
google avatar

Eowyn K.

Yelp
This review is for the pub only, we did not eat here. Cool pub at the end of the Royal Mile, cool staff. It's still touristy, but it's a bit off of the worst of the tourist zone. It's said to be haunted and has a dark history. No hauntings while we were there, but we had a good time.
google avatar

Rhonda S.

Yelp
The smoked salmon starter was my favorite. A plate of build-your-own which I like because I like to control how much of the cheese goes on the oat cracker. The oat cracker was thick but not too crunchy, a really nice consistency. Husband loved the chicken bacon avocado salad. The mushrooms on toast was quite tasty and vegetarian. One less star because we felt rushed out. And the table service in the beginning when we arrived was not that great. Same guy walked past our table several times for 10 min before asking us if we wanted to order anything. They finally picked up the pace after we ordered food. Good traditional Scottish food and music. I am still waiting to see this ghost everyone keeps talking about! Booga booga!!!!
google avatar

Ian C.

Yelp
Good vibes, good location - slightly quieter spot further down the mile. Recommend a reservation, staff was attentive and quick. Had a good, solid meal with some cider.
google avatar

Lanna L.

Yelp
Ambience here is great. What a cool place! The food was okay and the server was aloof. Had fish & chips and a whisky flight.
google avatar

Teena D.

Yelp
A friend had suggested Gord and I go to Tolbooth Tavern on the Royal Mile so we checked it out Wednesday evening for supper. I ordered Freshly Landed Scottish Fish & Chips (hand-battered haddock fillet served with thick cut chips & tartare sauce) and Gord likes to eat local so ordered Cullen Skink (traditional smoked haddock soup, with potato, onion & cream; served with bread & butter) and Haggis Bon-Bons with sweet chilli sauce. All were good.
google avatar

Jeff P.

Yelp
Wonderful Pub, friendly staff (Rosie). Great first night location for a drink in Edinburgh. On the Royal Mile but safely out on f the tourist zone.
google avatar

Ricardo J.

Yelp
This place is supposed to be VERY haunted, even by Edinburgh standards. A plaque by the outside door gives you a brief synopsis of this location's dark and grisly history. All that aside, having this place host the first lunch of my 50s was a great experience. They didn't know they were hosting anything, truth be told - it was our little secret. This place is not in the main tourist area of the Royal Mile so you can find more locals here who know where to find a good meal. The staff took great care of us and were very attentive. I ordered the haggis, neeps, and tatties. - a local traditional dish of haggis with mashed potatoes and parsnips. DELICIOUS. My hungry woman had herself an order of fish and chips which she raved about. She said that their chips may have even been the tops of the trip both in Edinburgh and London. That is a huge compliment considering her love of chips (fries). We had a wonderful meal here and would come back in a heartbeat.
google avatar

Stuart G.

Yelp
Excellent hot toddys, sticky toffee pudding, decent apple pie. Friendly old town pub, great whiskies and ales selection (as is the norm in this area), good food, great atmosphere and staff, even dog friendly. A go-to hangout.

J A.

Yelp
Have been coming here since 2017 on business. I now live here and have brought family & friends several times. Two of the three male servers absolutely suck. Rude. Uncommunicative. It almost pains them to engage. If you hate your job, or the customer so much, why bother working here at all? Food is awesome. Beers are great. Service sucks.
google avatar

Marcus C.

Yelp
Our family's favorite on a recent trip to Edinburgh. Liked it so much the first time, we were back 2 days later. Chicken Balmoral, Haggis with Neeps and Tatties, Fish & Chips, Burgers, and Chicken Sandwiches were all great. Nice selection of whiskey and beer as well. Great vibe and layout. Really nice waitstaff too. Given the location and history, this place could probably mail it in and still do fine, but they were top notch.

Kat S.

Yelp
Wonderful pub, with lots of character. Not in the most touristy area either, which was great. The food was amazing, great value for money. Super friendly staff as well!

Martin C.

Yelp
Stopped here as part of a tour Nice looking place, but food doesn't match the looks. Had the fish and chips, must have been a baby fish, I got 8 chips and undercooked peas. My wife's carrots with the steak pie were basically raw.
google avatar

Nicole G.

Yelp
This was our first meal in Edinburgh and it lived up to the hype. The building itself is very old but in good condition. The staff were welcoming and spent time telling us a little history and interesting stories. The food was actually great. I had the fish and chips and they were delicious.
google avatar

Brenna P.

Yelp
Located on the Royal Mike in Edinburgh, we stopped here one day after hiking up Arthur's Seat. The menu was appealing and the atmosphere made it better. We were quickly seated and ordered drinks. Looking around this place, I thoroughly enjoyed the gargoyle (or dog heads?) overlooking the restrooms. I also enjoyed being seated in what looked like a church pew made into a throne. I had the tomato, vegetable, and white bean casserole (£8.25). The sauce is yogurt based and spiced with chili and coriander. The dish comes served with fresh bread. It was absolutely delicious. My wife had the fish and chips (£11.25). Our server was fast and efficient. The history behind this place is also fascinating. I would definitely recommend stopping in here if you ever find yourself in need of food or drink while walking the Royal Mile.
google avatar

Mai L.

Yelp
We stumbled upon this on the Main Street after looking at shops and exploring. Walking in, the bar is right there and if you want to have dinner - you just walk to the back and up to the dining area. It's definitely authentic Scottish with tartan rugs and old medieval style furniture. We were the second table there and only one server for all the tables. I ordered the Warlock Pie and the server nodded in approval. It came out in good time and it was delicious! The meat was flavored really well. The crust of the pie was so flakey. I ate the whole thing! The service was a little slow server but he was so nice. He was into chatting with certain tables that left most of us waiting. I'm glad we stumbled upon this place!

Paul A.

Yelp
Wonderful place to stop for lunch and a pint on the Royal Mile. Great food, excellent and friendly service in a historical setting. Highly recommended!
google avatar

Annette C.

Yelp
Very authentic pub .. super traditional, nice menu and bar options awesome .. love the ambiance .. 1820 construction . Amazing
google avatar

lisa h.

Yelp
Great spot for lunch on the Royal mile. Food was tasty and service great. Wonderful selection of local beers and amazing fish and chips!
google avatar

Jim B.

Yelp
We had lunch here today. We ordered the Fish and Chips and the Warlock Pie. Both were decent. The service here was very friendly and fast. The presentation of both dishes was amazing. We felt the pieces of beef in the Warlock Pie could have been more tender. Some were tender, others were a bit gristly. The Fish was good but could have cooked another 60 seconds. The fish itself was done and I ate it all, but the batter next to the fish was just short of being fully done. My wife had the Coast to Coast Ale and I had a Guinness. Both yummy.

Craig H.

Yelp
It is a classic tavern. Drinks are reasonable, food was good, and ambiance was great!
google avatar

Amy P.

Yelp
As an American traveling to Edinburgh for the first time- we saw this cute place on the Mile and thought we'd give it a try! We fell in love with the charm and the two brothers (one was a bartender and the other waiter) were soooooo great!! Teased and friendly banter- I wanted to try Haggis! If you want to try-this is the place to go in Edinburgh!! Oh my goodness! I was hesitant and nervous-but oh so good!! We learned so much about the locals and he just chatted and talked to us about our time- he gave a can of the IRN BRU to try and told us how they are banned in America- Americans wanting a fun experience- this was great for lunch and a dram of whiskey!!! The only suggestion would be to change the music in the eating area- still worth the 5
google avatar

Greg M.

Yelp
Good beer and good service. The Cullen skink and beef and sausage pie were bland and disappointing. We would not go back for the food.
google avatar

John T.

Yelp
We were staying at an AirBnb maybe 25 meters from the tavern and stopped in for a quick beer (no food) in the evening. A small atmospheric pub with friendly service, perfect way to end the evening. Although on the Royal Mile, it is at the far end closer to Parliament and the building, constructed in 1591, most certainly did not have a tourist feel. While enjoying our beers we tried to imagine what it might have been like in the day...
google avatar

Chip G.

Yelp
Love Tolbooth. What a fun place with tons of character. Go on quiz night. Cold beer and scotch whisky.
google avatar

Scottie A.

Yelp
What a great spot to stop in as we walked the Royal mile. And the history of the place is really mind blowing.
google avatar

Jennifer B.

Yelp
Try the Tolbooth Burger. Definitely the most delicious item on their menu! Beef patty topped with bacon, haggis and black pudding... What more could you want??? Next time I visit Scotland I will definitely be coming back!
google avatar

Stephanie S.

Yelp
Tasty first meal in Edinburgh. It is pretty centrally located but far enough from the tourist traps up the royal mile. There is bar only seating downstairs for drinks and food service upstairs. They serve local Edinburgh beers on tap with a selection of about four along with some bottles of other kinds. I had the fish and chips for dinner. It was delicious! It came with one large piece of haddock that was cooked well. It came with fries, peas and a small salad. Service was friendly and pretty fast. Prices were fair, about £10 average for most items. It was an enjoyable meal.
google avatar

Paul C.

Yelp
This was our first restaurant experience in Scotland (not counting the airport), and let me say, the bar has been raised very high, thanks to the Tolbooth Tavern. Let's break it down, shall we? Ambiance. The location and exterior of the tavern looks fantastic...very historic and very cool looking, especially with Old Tolbooth Wynd right next to the tavern. The tavern is right on the Royal Mile, so the location is great; not too close to the city to be bothersome, but not too far a way to require a train and a taxi to get there. The inside of the tavern looks great. A lot of history here and to me, it walks that fine line of being forced historic (too well kept) and unkept. The place is clean, mind you, but the floors creak, the windows are a little foggy, old books and dinnerware are throughout the tavern...all of which add to the fantastic ambiance. Food. This is what put the Tolbooth Tavern firmly into the 4-star range. I ordered the Haggis Burger (Tolbooth Burger), which our waiter/bartender said was a good way to break into haggis, if you've never had it before. My wife ordered the steak and ale pie, and my two boys had the fish and chips and chicken burger. The Tolbooth Burger was over the top. The bun was slightly greasy and fluffy (akin to an old '50s diner), the burger itself was perfectly cooked (medium rare), and the haggis was...well, haggis (not as bad as you think). The steak and ale pie was great, though I only had a small bite, as my wife destroyed the plate before I could get my hands on it. The fish and chips is amazingly big; the fish was about the size of my 4-year old's head and perfectly breaded and cooked. Beer. Won't spend too much time on this, but I had the Edinburgh Ale and the IPA. Both excellent beers, and the IPA was probably the finest IPA I've had in forever. I begrudgingly got used to the San Diego IPA movement where the goal is to destroy your tastebuds for at least 12 hours. The IPA in the Tolbooth Tavern (the name is escaping me), was very much an IPA, but not overwhelming like I was chewing on raw hops (I'm looking at you Stone Brewery). I could easily have 2-3 pints of the IPA in the Tolbooth if I wanted to. Service. We came a little early (5:30pm), thanks to having kids, so service wasn't an issue. Our waiter/bartender was spot on, attentive (but not overly TGI Fridays in your face attentive), nice, and great with the kids. After reading some of the other reviews about the service, we were initially hesitant about coming here, but rest assured, we had none of the issues in previous reviews. To me, the service here is what put the Tolbooth Tavern in the 5-star category. Edinburgh, I have a few more days here to sample your food and drink. The Tolbooth Tavern has set the bar very high for my expectations of food, drink, and ambiance in a Scottish Tavern. Best of luck!
google avatar

Wendy P.

Yelp
I've only been here five days, yet I've stopped by this place three times. Why, you ask? Well first off, they serve Caledonian 80, which is my new favorite. Then there is the ambiance, which I immediately loved. Superb, awesome, old stone building. Sure it's on the Royal Mile, which itself seems to be a bunch of touristy trappings, but this place definitely had some locals chillin'; aka flava. In fact, I think I was the only American, and that's fine by me. They have Wifi. I just love the fact that a place that looks so ancient allows me to upload my snaps of Arthur's Seat to Instagram! Lastly, the location is just that, a great place to reward yourself with a pint after trekking around Holyrood Park. It's all good.
google avatar

Louis R.

Yelp
This spot used to be a prison. It looks like a spot Sherlock Homie would put Moriarty in, back in the day...no joke. Love the traditional pub decor. Love the music. Love the cask ales. The barkeep was funny. Love this spot on the Royal Mile. It's tough to miss so you should def hit it. I mean, if you ever make it outta NYC. Suckas.
google avatar

Paul M.

Yelp
We wandered in after a day strolling around the Royal Mile and Edinburgh's city center. We were attracted by the exterior and learned that this building and location has great history, which definitely appealed to us. The pints of ale were refreshing. We had a light snack - we split an appetizer (Scottish salmon) and an order of Haggis, neeps & tatties since it IS the national dish of Scotland and we were visiting from the states. The haggis was tasty, but didn't have anything to benchmark it against. While a resident ghost is said to knock things off the walls, we didn't have a paranormal experience but I did taste the haggis for the remainder of the day (as it kept repeating on me).
google avatar

Gretchen D.

Yelp
Great service despite lots of fellow tourists! The Accused (burger and chips) really hit the spot on this rainy day.
google avatar

Jonny L.

Yelp
The Canongate is a fantastic location for a traditional pub. The old stone Gothic buildings create a real atmosphere. The Tolbooth Tavern is carved into such a row old stone buildings, with lots of wynds and closes. It's perfect for an ambient visit to the city, to get a feel for the historic Edinburgh. The cosy Tolbooth Tavern is on the site of the old Tolbooth which was basically the administrative centre for Canongate, which in the 1590s when it was built, was a separate burgh from Edinburgh. The building has been the Tavern since the early 1800s and was refurbished in the 1870s, from which its current appearance can be dated. Inside the pub has a traditional aesthetic. It's a large pub, which stretches back further than you would realise just looking at the exterior. The back of the pub is used for dining (which is pretty good quality pub food), with the bar at the front. There's also a function room which can be hired out. Quite a lot of tourists come here which is a mixed blessing, you certainly don't feel like you're intruding. Prices are average to just above average for both drink and food. As for that famous ghost, apparently its presence can be most felt at the back of the pub, so watch out while dining!
google avatar

Rita B.

Yelp
I was so pleased with this little pub. I was on business, so travelling alone, and the people and bartender in the bar were very friendly and I didn't feel awkward in a pub as a woman in a foreign country. I had the fish n chips and they were amazing! The Scottish beer was not my favorite so I ordered an IPA and it was wonderful. I would recommend this bar to everyone, it had so much history and charm and lots to look at while enjoying lunch or a pint. Extra Kudo's to the staff, they were very friendly and made my experience special and memorable.
google avatar

Ceceley C.

Yelp
We stumbled into this place after having conquered Arthur's Seat. We were just planning on a few beers and a snack for the kids but they ended up getting full meals which were exceptionally good. Seriously, The Gallows burger and Mac n cheese were shockingly exceptional, and my husband and I loved the beer. Strongly recommend for great service, atmosphere, drinks, and food.
google avatar

Kathleen G.

Yelp
Easy menu to order from and enjoyed the warmth and history of this location. Went back 3 times in our five day visit. Easy enough to get a table as long as you eat before 7pm. Pubs have to stop serving food by 7 before the bar scene prevails.
google avatar

Kevin S.

Yelp
We were staying just down the street. We popped in for a pint and it was a friendly place. Great selection of beers and ciders. Food is available but we didn't eat there. Stopped in again it was so nice
google avatar

Matt I.

Yelp
Very friendly staff, great ambiance! This is the kind of pub I enjoy. It's small, old, and quiet. Perfect place to pop in after visiting the palace. The street outside is very picturesque.
google avatar

Gavin M.

Yelp
When I was a lad growing up in Falkirk, the Tolbooth Tavern was the only pub that would let us in at the tender age of 15. Unlike the Edinburgh version, disembodied spirits of the dead weren't all you had to fear, but also "Mental" Martin, a local lad with very large fists and a personality disorder. Any chance meeting with him in The Tolbooth would result in you becoming his temporary "best mate" for the night, until he forgot who you were and things got a lot more terrifying. Thankfully old Martin doesn't appear in Edinburgh's Tolbooth Tavern, instead it's a gentle mix of locals and tourists, in far more tasteful and character-laden decor than many of it's horrific competitors further up The Royal Mile. From the outside it looks like possibly the cosiest place in the world. It isn't, but it's still pretty cosy.
google avatar

Heather G.

Yelp
Cool ambience and history here. Bangers and mash was flavorful and hearty. Service to have order taken and receive tab was a little slow. Food arrived quickly upon ordering though. Two young men were running the upstairs dining section alone working their tails off. I left a 30% tip because they were working hard and still very pleasant.
google avatar

Clarice W.

Yelp
A great place to stop in for a pint on a chilly Edinburgh night. This building used to be the auld tolbooth jail and where those coming or going from Edinburgh would have to pay a tax. This building hails from the 1500s, but is decorated in 1700s decor with amazing and odd wooden carved gargoyles that hang from the shelves above your heads. They say there are ghosts that haunt the old Tolbooth Tavern and throw things off the walls. I didn't experience any otherworldly activity, but there were two chaps who appeared to be academics talking over a pint about Scotland's demographics when their conversation also turned to that of personal ghost stories. The Tolbooth serves coffee and breakfast in the morning and lunch and dinner later in the day. They have a sign outside saying they are not licensed for children under 5-years-old, just so you know!
google avatar

Amanda M.

Yelp
Great bar, staff and atmosphere. Had a delicious hot toddy. Bartenders are friendly and fun.
google avatar

Desi F.

Yelp
I only ventured into the Tolbooth Tavern because Bene's Fish Shop was closed and I was so distraught about it I needed a drink and fast. I looked up and saw the lights of heaven shining on this pub across the street. My partner and I ventured in and made ourselves at home. The lovely pub staff were very friendly and chatted with us for a bit. They assured us Bene's would open shortly, as it did, and I cheered up immensely (due to both the good news as well as the good company). The drinks were typically priced, so no cheap booze, but the crowd seemed like locals (one seemed like a regular and brought her dog into the pub) and, like I said, the staff made it very comfortable. We stayed for a few drinks and then left so we weren't there for very long at all but the Tolbooth Tavern has proved memorable and I would enjoy a trip back, especially pre- or post-Bene's.
google avatar

Gina D.

Yelp
We didn't eat here, but had a couple of pints. Good mix of local feel and many local patrons, but warm and friendly to tourists as well. Lots of seating in the bar area. Bartender was great.
google avatar

Seanie S.

Yelp
If you're looking for a quiet drink with some friendly locals this is the best bar on the Royal Mile to find it. The staff are super friendly and there's plenty material for people watching.

Cd P.

Yelp
We had dinner here. The waiter was very friendly and funny. Service was fast. The onion rings are real ones :) Upstairs is for food/drinks and downstairs for drinks. I had the veggie burger - quite decent and my husband had the sausage dinner which he said was good. Relaxing atmosphere.
google avatar

Hayley H.

Yelp
Excellent lunch spot for a pint and some pie and mash! I would definitely suggest the steak and ale pie!
google avatar

Tony W.

Yelp
My family and I were staying directly across the road and we stopped in for dinner on a Friday evening. I'm certainly glad we did! The tavern was almost empty when we arrived, so we were a bit nervous about how good our food would be. The lower level is the bar, and you walk through the establishment to the back to get to the dining area. The menu is a good collection of traditional Scottish meals. My brother and dad ordered the steak and ale pie, and I was adventurous and ordered the tower of haggis. What I like about this place is that they recommend beer pairings with all of their meals. My brother and I ordered the Flying Scotsman, which (I believe) is an ESB. We all loved the food. I had never had haggis before, and it was served in a tower sandwiched between neeps (turnips) and mash. Delicious. The service was a little slow, but they made up for it with the quality of food and the hospitality. Yet another great place in Edinburgh! Stop in if you are on this end of the Mile.
google avatar

Anuhea P.

Yelp
Honestly, the draw was the exterior/story of the place. The food was mediocre at best. We ordered haggis towers which were in whisky sauce and the poor waitress was running around as the only wait help in an almost full restaurant. The haggis towers weren't even flavorful...the neeps and tatties weren't seasoned an the whisky sauce was cold. I would avoid this spot unless you're coming in for just a drink.