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! read more

Ensign Ewart - Inside - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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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. read more

Ensign Ewart - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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

Ensign Ewart - Buffalo Trace Old Fashion - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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! read more

Ensign Ewart - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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

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! read more

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! read more

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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! read more

Ensign Ewart - Enjoying tea while they prepare my venison casserole. - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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! read more

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. read more

Ensign Ewart - Great ambiance - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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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. read more

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. read more

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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. read more

Ensign Ewart - Mactoddy - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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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! read more

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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. read more

Ensign Ewart - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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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 read more

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. read more

Ensign Ewart - On the lighter side whisky sours but still nice for 8.50 - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

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

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. read more

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

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 ;) read more

Ensign Ewart - Lagavuline 10yr - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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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. read more

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. read more

Ensign Ewart - Scottish coffee - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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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. read more

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! read more

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 read more

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. read more

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 ;-) read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

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). read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Ensign Ewart - Hot roasted red pepper soup and a tour of whiskey. - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

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! read more

Ensign Ewart - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more