This place has great location just few steps from the castle. Top floor is a restaurant and bottom floor is a bar, the food was exquisite, those meat pies were so good, the mashed potatoes had great flavor. Overall a great place, with good view read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Pie - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The pub downstairs was really hopping, but the restaurant upstairs was a nice respite from the crush of tourists. I had the traditional haggis, neeps, and tatties for dinner, and my wife had the shepherds pie. Both were very good, including the vegetable sides. Highly recommended. read more

Great cocktail options for Gin and Tonic! Great Whiskey selection! Fun atmosphere! Definitely a must visit!

Right on the Royal Mile, but not a typical tourist trap. Service was friendly and prompt. Downstairs bar easy to get a cold delicious local beer. Upstairs food is delicious, quick, and authentic. Dessert is a must. Our vegan son loved his meal and dessert. Stop here for a great experience. read more

I'm not sure about the low star reviews, but both of my experiences were great. The food was excellent - some of the best bangers and mash I've ever had. read more

This place serves one of the best pub dinner that we had while we were in Scotland. We kept talking what a great food we had while we were travelling through Scotland for 3 weeks! It was that good. Situated right on the Royal Mile, this place gets packed with pub customer (downstairs) and the restaurant (upstairs). The line for the restaurant was pretty long but it worth a wait. We started from skink with smoked hadduck - a very traditional Scottish soup. It was very creamy and hearty. Lovely flavor and very filling. Also tried Haggis with Neeps and Tatties (appetizer) - haggis with mashed potato and melted cheese all over it. It was our first haggis experience and it was GOOD! I was surprised haggis was this good (as mostly people makes face as they talk about haggis!). We had Scottish salmon and shrimp salad and fish cake salad for dinner. Scottish salmon was swimming out of my dish as it was fresh and plenty of it. Fish cake was also very tasty - moist inside but crunchy outside. Salad was very big and with 2 appetisers we had, we were more than stuffed after our very delicious Scottish dinner. Although the restaurant was very busy and packed, service was very good. We needed to wait for the soup for a while but the our server was very friendly and I could see that she was trying really hard to find out what was going on in the kitchen. Great service, personable and very warm. We enjoyed dining here. read more

See all

I've been to Deacon Brodie's several times (it is where I had my first plate of haggis), and I have to say that although it can be a bit of a tourist trap, it is fine for a pint or two. Also, it is one of the few bars in town that actually sells souvenir T-Shirts which is a nice thing for the wide-eyed tourist. Location and price of a pint hit the mark, but food is pretty much served upstairs. Now, I hate to admit it but Deacon's haggis is some of my favorite in Edinburgh..somehow that just seems wrong in such a touristy place. The Deacon Brodie legend is also very cool and adds to the ambiance. So with all of this good stuff, why not a higher rating? Well, there is the tourist trap factor, but also the service can be hit or miss here. That being said, I would still come back for the haggis. read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Nothing better than haggis on a cold day - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

Just popped in for a much needed drink after walking around for hours. Loved the pub. Fantastic ceilings and wall covering. Quite packed out which is a good point as most were eating what looked like fantastic meals. Maybe next time we will give it a try. However, a nice selection of beers and ales. My type of boozer. Friendly, quick service at the bar. Nice pub and on my list for a revisit when next over above the border. read more

Ordered the Haggis, a glass of cab, and the sticky toffee pudding. Environment was cozy, very kind staff who made a solid dessert recommendation. It was the first time trying haggis and loved it. I almost asked for more sauce/gravy it was amazing with a medium pour of wine. The absolute best part was the dessert. A huge fan of toffee or salted caramel anything and it was more like a lava cake a la mode. read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

My parents enjoyed the selection of alcohol, but our fish and chips took much longer than expected. The fish and chips was slightly dry but overall good. read more

Right on the Royal Mile, went here for a beef pie and it was ok. The upstairs dining room had a quaint old school vibe which hits the nail on the head for what you'd expect, although I did have to wait about 30 minutes for a table even though it seemed pretty slow. The service was nice but wasn't anything too special. read more

It was a bit confusing on where to go to start with but we got it figured out. Food was great but seating is limited eapecially if it is raining. Could use maybe another waitress because she looked overwhelmed. read more

This place delivers authenticity. It is beautiful inside in the regard that it is detailed and feels like it is well maintained yet hasn't changed in centuries. I love the old pub atmosphere. The woodwork, the ceiling, the dim lighting and the charge of a popular watering hole buzzing with energy. The drinks are reliable and delicious. Had a Sipsmith Orange & cacao infused gin & tonic. Upstairs in the lovely and cozy restaurant we had the Ocean Special Fish'n Chips (outstanding & recommended!) and the Nicholson's Pale Ale Steak Pie (beautiful but not flavorful to my foreigner's tastebuds). I give 5 stars because everything here is done right. The steak pie is good, it's perfectly made. I think maybe I'm just more a fish 'n chips person by flavor. This place is so cool and feels so sincerely cultural right down to the tartan carpet. Love it!!! read more

See all

So this a review rating solely on the tavern. Found this place by happenstance and so happy I did. I have been to 13 bars before this and none in Edinburgh had any gluten free beer (except ginger beer). This place has Peroni gluten free beer and had old mout cider that my boyfriend loved. Pub isnt huge and it was a bank holidays so I imagine it was busier than a normal Monday but it only took ten minutes to get a table and maybe a minute or two to grab our drinks. The mens bathroom is downstairs and the womens is upstairs which is also where the restauraunt. This means there will probably be a line in front of the door when you walk up to use the toilet. Rest assured it is for the restaurant. Just ask and the people will move to let you use the ladies bathroom. Didnt try the restauraunt as we were planning to eat at Roti (so worth it if you are gluten free), so again this is just a review of the tavern. read more

Solid food. 2 floors of tables. Eat here. Pies are the bomb. Good gin and whisky menu.

Good place for a pint. We had some beers then decided for our last night in Scotland we had better try some whisky. We had no idea what to pick so we just had the bartender pick some for us. They were really good and 3 only set us back about £10, not bad! It can get pretty packed and is on the Royal mile. read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Whisky tasting - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Wonderful food, staff, and atmosphere! The staff was really friendly and helpful in meal selections, and the food was fantastic!! We had the Haggis, Fish Pie, and the Chicken and Ham Hock pie and they were perfect after being out in the Scottish cold. What a welcome to Scotland! Cozy place with extra seating on the second floor. We also received a cute notecard from the staff thanking us for coming in and wishing us well on our travels! read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

As others have stated, when in Rome.............. I started off with a cup of Cullen Skink which was my second time indulging, not quite as good as that I had in Ayr a few days prior, but close, very close. Similiar to New England fish chowder except the haddock is moderately smoked, & very smooth. Try it! My wife went with the fish & chips and Bulmer's cider, she enjoyed it immensely. Then I had to go with the Haggis, Tatties, & Neeps dinner of course, my first time eating it. I found it to be surprisingly tastey, now I'm not sure if I'll include it in my regular routine but I would certainly try it again (especially @ a Burns Dinner). It was fairly spicey & moist initially, then the outmeal would cut in leaving my mouth dry, time for a bit of wet neeps & tatties, then a swallow of the very smooth Tennant's "Velvet". Repeat the cycle. Overall the combination of all the food & drink was pleasant, this is an excellant place to try a haggis dinner for the first time imo. The service was excellant! We had a terrible time with our credit card company in Scotland (despite advance notice to them about our trip) and the staff here was really patient & polite about it. It wasn't until we returned to the US that we discovered our trip had caused the collapse of the entire financial system of the US - but as my wife explains - she's worth it! More about Deacon Brodie, the person and the inspiration for RL Stevenson's "Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deacon_Brodie read more

As one might surmise from the majority of reviewers bearing US locations, Deacon Brodie's draws a tourist crowd. Situated on the Royal Mile this is to be expected, and, being a yank myself, I'm no exception. The pub downstairs is inviting, and the restaurant is upstairs, though rather on the small side. After walking up to the castle and stopping at shops along the way, Deacon Brodie's Tavern offers a nice respite with a pint of your favorite brew. Upstairs, the restaurant can get crowded depending on what time you go, though if you're early enough you won't have a problem. And it's not just tourists: along with the group of septuagenarians in matching caps, there was a Scottish wedding party that came in - both of which added considerably to the wait time. I was fortunately already seated with a plate of fish and chips and a pint of Tennent's. Everything was good, though nothing was exceptional. The fish was crispy on the outside, flaky inside, though could have done with a dash of vinegar, which I had difficulty obtaining from the harried waitress. In the end, the warm atmosphere and cozy, low-ceilinged space with all the traditional pints and dishes makes Deacon Brodie's a prime stop on the Royal Mile. read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Deacon Brodie's - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

Very nice bar, food was delish and no wait. Would definitely be back again. I would recommend the pie and calamari was amazing. read more

See all

I'm not a native, but I know enough to avoid restaurants and pubs on the Royal Mile. However, one day the boy and I were in the area, the restaurant we meant to patronize was closed and we were tired, hungry and desperate so we sucked it up and ducked in. The dining room upstairs is nice enough, and the view is great if you can get a table by the window. We got close enough, and as it was a nice day, the windows were open, letting in a good breeze and the noise of the Mile. The restaurant itself was packed with tourists (of course) and the tables were constantly full, even though it was that awkward hour between lunch and supper. I wasn't starving, and put off by the high prices so that I just ordered an appetizer (they do have a cheaper 'light lunch' section but it's only available on weekdays) while the boy had sausage and mash. We each ordered a pint, and waited. And waited. And waited. Honestly, the service was dead slow. As busy as the restaurant was, the tables were well staggered and the dining room isn't huge to begin with. It took ages to get the first pint, even longer for the second (changing out the tap, they said) and thrice as long for the food. When it did arrive, it was tasty enough, but how can you mess up sausage & mash and fried mushrooms? It's a bit of a shame, as it's a nice old building with a lot of history, but its location makes it a tourist trap that sacrifices service and raises prices to near ridiculous standards. Lesson: learned. read more

We were starving and happened upon this little tavern. It was a bit chilly, so I opted in for the egg salad sandwiches, leek soup, and decided to have a nice 20 year Glenfiddich to help warm me up. The sandwich was superb, the soup hit the spot, and the whiskey was some of the best I've ever had. The only comment I have is that the tablecloths needed to be wiped down better. read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Eggcellent egg salad, soup, and Glenfiddich - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Food was good and decor was great but service was very bad. Took for ever to even get water let alone food. felt like they were not prepared to be busy read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Nicholson burger - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Great setting & amazing menu. Kitchen is part of Nicholson pub menu (several in the area) and we had 5 different entrees & all were amazing. Got there & place was packed but got a table & food in 30 minutes. Entire order was spot on, drinks were great and staff was lovely. Worth the spot to stop as we picked at random & we enjoyed the lunch after our time at the castle! We sat upstairs by the windows read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I'm definitely not a fan of Deacon Brodie's. It just tries to flaunt the Scottish culture to the tourists with tartan, overpriced whisky and miniature statues of bagpipers on the bar. Of course, real Scottish pubs which are inhabited by locals don't usually have any of these things, so I see Deacon Brodie's as a bit of a phony in this sense. Of course, it makes sense that they should target the tourists, especially in summer. Nonetheless, the drinks are pretty extortionate with most pints costing more than £3 and single spirit measures going for around the same. This place does good business and it's atmosphere isquite lively, but it's still a sellout. read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The food was good. The service sucked! We were standing in line at the top of the steps; after about 10mins we sat on the bench bc no one came over so we figured they were too busy. Another couple came upstairs she walked right over and sat them. She then came back and told us it would be a 20min wait. I told her we were there first. She said "sorry you should have been standing at the door!) wtf!! She handed us a buzzer so we could get drinks at the bar. On the way down another couple was going up. When we got the buzz and went back up we noticed the other couple had also been seated before us. Anyway, we were hungry so we sat and ordered. My daughter told her she was going to order extra food so she could take it back to the hotel to eat later. At the end she asked for a box and she said "sorry we don't have boxes" what restaurant doesn't have boxes??!!! We told her we would like the check and she walked back and just stood at the bar so about 5 mins pass and I walk over and ask if I pay here and she said no at the table I'll bring it over in a minute. The food was good but these waitresses need a lesson in how to serve people. read more

Love Deacon Brodies! We went on a Saturday and hardly waited 10 minutes for a table which was well worth it. The staff was kind and always nearby. Food was exceptional! We were fortunate to get a seat by the windows which made the ambiance beyond expectations. Definitely worth checking out! read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Lunch with a view! - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

We ate at the restaurant above the pub. Even though the restaurant was very busy (20 min minimum wait for a table), the staff did a good job serving the customers. Our waitress recommended a whiskey for me, which I liked. The fish & chips were perfect and the sticky toffee pudding was fabulous. We enjoyed our meal! read more

Deacon Brodies Tavern - Shepherd's pie - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

I asked the bartender for a local beer and he introduced me to the Innis and Gunn local lager. Delicious. We ordered the fish and chips (came piping hot with loads of chips) to eat at the lounge while watching Serena Williams slay her opponent. Still had Wimbledon withdrawal so this was the next best thing :) Comfortable setting and decent food prices! We ordered another half pint and bowl of chips for a second round :) read more

We had a delicious dinner at Deacon Brodie's Tavern. We tried the night before to dine here but the wait was too long. We were aiming for another restaurant around the corner and it was also full so we found our way back to Deacon Brodie's and we're really glad we did! We did still have a bit of a wait for our late dinner on a Friday night, but it was delicious and worth the wait. My husband had Stovies which he really enjoyed. My daughter and I shared the steak and the Crofter's pie. I loved the Crofters Pie - so delicious! We had a delightful evening there - made us feel we were enjoying the true Scotland when we read up on the history of Deacon Brodie whilst we waited for our supper. We recommend this restaurant! read more

We had just spent two hours at Edinburgh Castle, and were jonesing for something filling to eat (no, we didn't bother with the food court - undoubtedly it was high priced tourist-oriented rubbish). Walking down the Royal Mile, we soon came across this building, for which my wife said "That's a Jeckyll and Hyde reference"! (Some say it's Deacon Brodie who inspired those characters, and perhaps he lived here - if so, little did he know that two silly Americans would be eating there more than a century later). Inside we went, and realized that the lower level of the tavern was... a tavern. Apparently we had to go upstairs. At the top was a queue of people waiting to be seated, but with no other indication as to how long it might be. Peering inside there appeared to be but two waitresses working with every table filled with seemingly happy patrons. So, at least it made sense why we were waiting. After about 25 minutes we were finally seated, and got a table by the window so we could people watch (and on the Royal Mile, there was more than enough going on in that department). At this point things sped along a bit more efficiently. Our order was taken, of which I selected the fish and chips and a Red Squirrel IPA, while wife had their chicken burger paired with an ice tea. Food quality was outstanding, and our bellies were adequately satisfied for many hours afterwards. So, as long as you're not in any particular hurry, this is a very good option - healthy portions and a healthy price leave the patron healthy when they leave. read more

So I am biased to history and historical figures. This place claims to have housed the inspiration for Dr. Jeckle and Mr. Hyde, Deacon Brodie. There's plenty of framed portraits and posters that depict and tell the history of both the fictional and real life character. Hearing this alone made me choose it as a location for lunch. It's also not far from Edinburgh Castle. The portion one eats in is upstairs above the large bar below. It's not a very big eating place, maybe a dozen or so tables fit scattered about, which can make queues to be seated long. I was lucky to be second in line for a table with my husband and only had to wait 15 minutes. When I glanced behind me before being shown my seat, the line had started to form down the staircase and some of those didn't get seated until 45 minutes later (when I was finishing my meal). Was it worth the wait? Yes. The food was very reasonably prices along with the drinks. I went for a lighter plate and had their Ultimate Chicken Burger while my husband tried their fish and chips. Both were fantastically seasoned and tasty. Add to it a Stewart Brewing First World Problem (an IPA), a ginger ale, a pot of tea, and a coffee, our bill was barely 45 pounds. Despite the small size, we ate at leisure, enjoyed watching people below through our window seats, and chatted happily. It was very comfortable and worthy of a visit if one can get a seat. read more

Traditional Scottish fare. Awesome atmosphere. Perfect warm cozy pub on a rainy humid spring day. I had the Meat Pie. WOOHOOO!! The gravy, the "chunky chips" (with malt vinegar drizzled on them) The philo pastry dough placed on top of the meat. DELISH! The pints are reasonably priced and the service is fabulous! There were more tourist than locals, but you got the delectable pub food/atmosphere experience without the stinkeye from the local peeps. Would definitely go back! read more

If you're a tourist, add a star. If you manage to get a seat, possibly add another star. Yes, it's a pub on the Royal Mile that wants the almighty foreign pound. Nothing wrong with that, you do what you have to do. It's usually somewhere I walk right past, if I'm being honest. This day? It was raining. I'm that fickle. And to be fair, I'm glad I went in as they had the new Iron Maiden Trooper Red n Black porter on tap, which is well worth seeking out if you're an ale head like I am. In terms of ambience, I would say it's generic Scottish style pub #8 - couple of TVs, one long bar, lots of talk and chatter and the odd Scottish decor feature thrown in to keep tourists snapping away on their phones. The ceiling is spectacular, though, I will say that. It's just an average pub amongst many that happens to trade upon it's history of being there since the early 1800s and being named after a man who some say was the inspiration behind Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde... William Brodie was a respectable man, a Deacon of The Guild Trades who stole to pay for his lavish lifestyle of gambling and mistresses, and eventually paid the price for his misdeeds with his life when he was hung. Go for the history and the vibe, for sure. It's nothing special as a venue bar the choice of ales (being a Nicholson run pub, they do tend to know their beer) and helpful staff. read more

Yep. This place is a pretty solid 3 stars. If you're wanting to sit with a drink or decent meal on the Royal Mile with a possible view of St Giles Cathedral, then this might be your place. My American boss loves going here because it's on the Mile. Easy to find, and if it's not a busy weekend, you can often find a table. Downstairs looks like many a pub in Edinburgh, and is often crowded. If you go through the back of the room then there's a stairway going upstairs to a bigger seating area with a bit more of a restaurant feel. The food is decent, although I wouldn't recommend fish and chips even if you're a tourist. For half the price you can get much better fish and chips in the Grassmarket or any other take away in the city. They have a nice haggis starter with whisky sauce, which is great if you've never had Scotland's favourite delicacy. In fact, all of the food is nice, but nothing that will blow your mind. And for the same prices there are many, many other places to find much better food. read more

No. No. No. No. You couldn't drag me in here again by my hair and I am pretty sure that most of my dinning companions would agree. I ordered the day's roast (turkey) with mash, Yorkshire puddings, and vegetables. The Yorkshire puddings that Deacon Brodies served where unanimously voted the worst Yorkshire puddings ever served - this from a table of Brits! Greasy, soggy, inedible. They were left on the plate with most of the rest of the food served to me. The turkey was dry, the gravy congealed, and the vegetables bland. It may have been the worst meal I had while in Europe for two weeks (and I can say this after having eaten breakfast at Victoria Station in London - gag). The damnation of Deacon Brodies doesn't stop with my order... Two other members of our party ordered the Haggis with neeps and tatties . They were served the smallest portions I have ever seen in a restaurant (and I love Tapas!). No gravy. The nips weren't mashed up enough - a LARGE chunk of veg was stuck in the middle of the serving portion. Really unappetizing. It was a sad sad representation of Scotland's finest culinary offer. The straw that broke the camel's back? Bad beer. Two of the people we were with ordered a beer that they have had many times before. Both of them came to the conclusion that the beer served at Deacon's was bad. The taste was wrong and they couldn't even gag it down. When we called the server over to deal with the situation he tasted the beer and declared to the table, "Nothing is wrong with this beer. That is the taste." Really? The brewery makes beer that tastes rotten and stale? Interesting concept. They did not offer a new beer. They did not offer a different beer. They did not offer to remove the beers from the check. In fact, no solution to the problem was ever offered other than that the beer was fine. Outstanding. Deacon Brodies, you lose. read more

The best thing about this bar is its location. At the top of Cockburn St and on the Royal Mile, it gets a lot of footfall. But there's nothing stand out about it. Average (Edinburgh) pricing, average booze, not much in the way of personality. It does the job if you're nipping in for a quick pint after work or in the mood for something low key and there's nothing wrong with it. It's just not very exciting. read more

As tourists in the UK, we accidentally ended up in a Nicholson's Pub a few times. On the one hand, it's disappointing to realize you're in a chain, but on the other hand, they do a good job of making each pub has its own feel. We went to one in the Picadilly area of London, one in York, and Deacon Brodies in Edinburgh. I'm a fan of "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde", so this was an especially interesting spot. Deacon Brodies is touristy by location, but the location is great. The view from the windows is beautiful, and it's convenient to everything. The kitchen is slow, and we were told we could sit and drink but it would be forty minutes until our food arrived, which was odd. At any rate, our server was friendly and at least didn't ignore us until we could order. When food did arrive, it was great. My husband loved his black and blue burger, and I had my first bangers and mash. Probably the most unhealthy meal of my life, but a great one-- The Gloucester Old Spot sausages were wonderful and I'd eat the gravy as soup. And the potatoes-- both my mashed and his fries-- were amazing. I wish potatoes in America were like potatoes in the UK. I'm sure there's more authentic pubs in Edinburgh, but if you're on the Royal Mile and hungry or thirsty, this is a solid choice. read more

Not a good local knowledge place. It's so overly populated with tourists that it's somewhere that's overpriced and overrated. The food is uninteresting and bland while the drinks are far, FAR too expensive for what they are. As I said, it's just a tourist trap so the staff are far too used to serving people who have no idea about the usual prices and, as we all know, tourists tend to have poor attitudes and are sometimes rude. The staff have no time or willingness to treat you as an individual, but why would they? They'll be making a monster amount of cash from holidaymakers. read more

After standing in line with my wife and kids for 45 minutes, we finally get to the seating station at 745pm. The hostess then tells us all the tables are full and they stop serving families at 8pm. The fact that we waited for 45 minutes was retorted with "We have signs posted ALL OVER about this"....BULLSHIT. There was ONE SMALL SIGN posted at the hostess stand that you dont even see as you wait in a long line up the stairs and into the vestibule. You see it when you FINALLY get to the hostess station. I also pointed this out so she just simply said "sir im not going to argue" and walked away. Basically this was taken as "F@ck you, you American tourist" because there was no arguing against my points! Way to represent the Scottish - I hope Scotland as a whole is embarrassed to have you as a citizen, since EVERYONE ELSE we met the past 3 days has been great! So F this place as a whole....1 star on the premise that their first and only impression is "shite" as theyd say over here! read more