Ten places for the best pub food in Edinburgh

Sometimes a packet of crisps just isn't enough to keep the hunger at bay when you're out for a drink, thankfully these Edinburgh bars are specialists when it comes to serving up pub grub.
The Kings Wark. Picture: Neil HannaThe Kings Wark. Picture: Neil Hanna
The Kings Wark. Picture: Neil Hanna

From Gastropubs to traditional bars with delicious scran, here are ten places for the best pub food in Edinburgh.

(2-4 Broughton Road, EH7 4EB)

Holyrood 9A. Picture: contributedHolyrood 9A. Picture: contributed
Holyrood 9A. Picture: contributed

Offering a comfort food menu infused with Scottish and American influences The Other Place delivers dishes like grilled cajun salmon, chilli cheese dogs, and spicy buffalo chicken wings, alongside deep fried haggis balls and chicken kiev.

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Those looking for something more can take on the OP Challenge - a triple chilli cheese burger with a side of chilli cheese fries and onions rings - all to be eaten with 20 minutes, should you manage your meal and any drinks you had during the challenge are on the house.

(1c Dock Place, EH6 6LU)

Holyrood 9A. Picture: contributedHolyrood 9A. Picture: contributed
Holyrood 9A. Picture: contributed

Traditional Leith pub, Teuchter’s Landing, is well known for its selection of whisky and real ale, but it also has a fantastic ‘proper pub food’ menu that’s on offer right through until 10pm. You’ll find traditional pub dishes on the menu, such as stew, fish and chips and Sirloin Steak, as well as some stunning seafood such as Shetland Scallops, Pan fried and served in the shell, and 1 kilo pots of Sheltland Blue Shell Mussels.

(1 Comely Bank Rd, Stockbridge, EH4 1DT)

Edinburgh’s The Scran & Scallie, the brainchild of two of the city’s top Michelin starred chefs, Tom Kitchin and Dominic Jack, bills itself as ‘Edinburgh’s leading gastropub’ and was recently named the only venue north of the border to make it onto The Michelin Eating out in Pubs Guide’s list of best UK establishments to enjoy a fine-dining experience with a pint.

It’s also got one of our favourite menus in the form of the ‘Bar Scran’ selection that features everything from oysters and Crispy pig’s ears to homemade salted nuts and bread and butter.

(26 Brougham Street, EH3 9JH)

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For an awesome alternative to fries, go for the crispy polenta and chickpea chips with spicy tomato mayo or the deep fried squid with lemon and coriander. Too fancy? Choose the simple-but-effective homemade soda bread – just like you wish you had on the dinner table every day. There’s also Cloisters’ great range of burgers - the recipes for which they admit to being obsessive over perfecting - all delightfully washed down by a cask ale.

(39a Queensferry Street, EH2 4RA)

Foundry 39’s effortlessly cool stylings have proved a hit with the locals and if you are looking for some simple yet delicious food in laid back surroundings you can’t go wrong with this excellent bar. Think wings, gourmet burgers and sourdough pizzas (oh yeah, and of course, bacon mac and cheese) accompanied by some of the hippest American craft beers and cocktails and for prices that won’t break the bank.

(44a Constitution Street EH6 6RS)

A wonderful interior of stained glass and wood panels gives this cut-above-the-rest pub a timeless, cosy feel, making Nobles ideal for first dates, parental visits and Sunday brunches. Local beers are plentiful but it’s food from the tiny kitchen which is worth the trip to Leith. You’ll find it hard to choose between imaginative menu items like Potted Crab and Kale & Crowdie Pearl Barley Arancini, satisfying portions of Loch Etive sea trout and roast guinea fowl or classic choices like prime beef burgers and steak.

(9A Holyrood Road, EH8 8AE)

At Holyrood 9A, the menu is all about beer and burgers, with real ales, craft beers and homemade gourmet burgers - the beef for which is sourced locally from Simon Howie - on offer.

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Try the Black Deer burger for a Scottish twist – a venison and black pudding patty topped with Clava brie and caramelised onion chutney.

(49-51 London Street, EH3 6LX)

The Ox perfectly blends together all the best elements of a traditional pub and a modern bistro, with a relaxed atmosphere and great food.

Enjoy Deuchars battered fish and chips, haggis balls, venison and black pudding pie, or tuck into a traditional roast dinner on Sundays.

(42-58 Angle Park Terrace, EH11 2JR)

As well as serving plenty of local beers, The Caley Sample Room also offer a delicious menu of refined pub grub favourites - as well as being another favourite spot for locals to enjoy a Sunday Roast.

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Enjoy sweet potato & cauliflower korma, 8oz 28 day aged sirloin steak, or the chef’s pie of the day with seasonal vegetables and new potatoes.

If you’re in the mood to share, there are also charcuterie, cheese and antipasti boards to try.

(36 The Shore, EH6 6QU)

This historic pub (which dates back to 1432) serves up seasonal Scottish dishes from its atmospheric dining room, overlooking The Shore.

There’s lots of fresh Scottish seafood on the menu, including steamed Shetland mussels with tomato, chilli and garlic sauce or Hebridean crab, potato and Applewood cheddar fishcakes.

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