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The Abbotsford

4.0 (58 reviews)
ModeratePubs, Modern European
Open 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

The Abbotsford Photos

THE ABBOTSFORD ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Quiet
Outdoor seating
Good for groups
Good for kids

Recommended Reviews - The Abbotsford

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Reviews With Photos

Chicken sandwich
Sharon N.

Great pub. Fish and chips were great. Additional seating upstairs. Off the beaten path.

Steak and ale pie
Jen S.

Yes, bartenders were great. Very friendly and patient. Atmosphere comfortable and cozy. We ordered fish and chips and the steak and ale pie along with our beer and cider. Fish was delicate and beer battered well but the best part was the tartar sauce. The steak although tender lacked flavor and the sauce very thin and runny. I prefer a thicker gravy. I had to salt and pepper it to continue eating. I'll just chalk it up to personal preference I suppose.

Steak ale and pie
Tiffany A.

We ate here at our last night in Edinburgh and it hit the spot as we wanted some pub food. The atmosphere was very lively - all the tables were full downstairs (there was also a separate dining area upstairs), and we didn't need reservations. The layout of the room was very cool - the bar was centered in the middle of the room and the bartenders were inside the area. Reading some on the website, this bar is one of the best preserved pubs from the "Golden Age" of Scottish pub design. I wanted to get whisky my last night and the menu was extensive, so I asked for a floral lighter whisky and was suggested an excellent recommendation. For food, I got the steak and ale pie with veggies and my choice of potatoes (I got new potatoes - tasty but a little bland. Should have gotten the mashed potatoes like my husband did with his haggis). Overall good meal at a good price!

Baked Scottish Salmon.
Cindy Z.

Amongst the many pubs and restaurants along Rose Street, I came to The Abbotsford for some traditional Scottish food. As you enter, you'll find a circular bar in the middle surrounded by locals grabbing a pint or two. It's quite noisy and loud, but quite the opposite once you make it upstairs to the restaurant. There is a classic and olden day feel here with not too many tables, but is quite quaint. The two of us decided to share the Steak & Ale Pie (£14.95) and Baked Scottish Salmon (£15.95). The salmon was decent with a bed of cous cous and salad as a very healthy option here. I did enjoy the steak pie a lot more as the seasoning and flavors of the ale was poignant. It was topped with a flaky puff pastry served with a side of vegetables and carbs for a good balance. Overall, the food was mediocre especially for the price --nothing all too special though.

Scottish pie (entre)
Maggie C.

Really good food and fantastic service. I definitely recommend the bread platter for a starter, and for dessert, the toffee pudding. They had a sweet potato soup-of-the-day that was also so delicious. Kinda tiny restaurant but we showed up (patty of 4) without a reservation and had no problem getting a table.

Amanda B.

Glorious exterior, so be sure to pop in for a pint. We also went upstairs for dinner; we were hoping for some comfort food after a cold day spent outdoors, and we weren't disappointed. We loved the potato leek soup and bread, and were filled up on the tasty Mac n' cheese and beef pie. Also, get a cappuccino--yum! Wait staff was attentive and kind; overall a lovely meal.

Patio
Sharon Q.

December 21 were able to sit outside with all the cousins, aunties and Nanas! The patio is very spacious and lots of people watching to do. Beer and crisps were great. The pub inside was absolutely hoppin' and this was about 1 pm! Would love to go back.

Haggis, neeps, and tatties appetizer--excellent!
Beth C.

This wonderful restaurant is tucked up above a loud pub. The setting looks a bit austere, but most people dining wore casual attire. The service was top notch, very friendly. We had beer and cider and ordered the haggis, tatties, and needs appetizer. This was our second haggis. It's been great both times, but theirs was especially good, with refreshingly present spice (nutmeg and maybe mace, I'm guessing). My husband's main dish was the Caesar salad with lots of chicken, maybe two breasts, and actual strips of anchovies. He found it excellent. I opted for the wild mushroom risotto, which was incredibly good. In addition to the mushrooms--which included some adorable little ones with stems--there were tomato chunks and leek. Everything was delightfully fresh. We left stuffed and happy.

Cynthia D.

Very enjoyable evening here. We loved the bar - beautiful to look at. We ordered several apps - the Grilled Haloumi (cheese) was absolutely delicious. The chicken tenders were tasty and crispy. The cider was tart and you could definitely have more than one! For my meal I had the Fish and Chips. I've only had them here so I can't compare them for you but the fish was fresh, the batter was light and crispy and the chips were crunchy. Dan got the Game Casserole and he said it was quite tasty! It is like our beef stew here in the states but with venison. It was hearty with lots of flavor.

Lauren G.

The Abbotsford Bar is one of my favourite pubs in Edinburgh. Situated in the pub central area of Edinburgh, Rose Street, The Abbotsford Bar is right in the centre of the city and is a convenient place to reach. This pub is incredibly traditional and the inside is quite spectacular, it has super high ceilings with amazing art work on them and a vibrant bright pink carpet on the floor. I come here quite a bit for pre-drinks on the way to a night out and I always have a fantastic time drinking here. The Abbotsford Bar serves a wide range of beers, ales and wines and so there is something for everyone. The prices are incredibly reasonable here too, with a large glass of the house red wine costing under five pounds - bargain! Food is also served here, with standard traditional pub food dominating the menu such as steak, fish and chips, sandwiches and burgers, but there a few quirky additions to it as well such as mussels! There is always a lively and friendly atmosphere in this pub and it is great place to either go for a cheeky wee drink or if you are fully going for it!

Katie K.

We landed in Edinburgh and after dropping our bags at the AirBnb were ready for a first meal in Scotland! The Abbotsford provided a great introduction to the culture and the food here. Fantastic fish and chips as well as meat pie! Its tucked into a side street close to Princes Street, giving patrons an authentic location that doesn't take long to get to. Definitely a must try!

Vegetarian haggis!
Sophie S.

Excellent service and staff, with a cozy atmosphere and tasty veggie haggis which for me as a new vegetarian an interesting dish. Special mention to the bartender who ran after me as I had left my back pack in the outside patio. Thank you so much!!

Decor
Mike G.

Our guy Alex was as an amazing server. Took the time to explain the options. We had a few drams of the whiskey he suggested. We had a cheese plate that was good too. The uncomfortable situation was when one of Alex's co workers began to tell him he was spending "40 mins talking to clients" (we had been there for 15 mins). Made it awkward. She then confronted him in front of us on the second round. Nope lady (slightly visible in one of the pics) you were lame, not Alex. Came from very far to visit your pub.

photo from official website

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11 years ago

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11 years ago

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10 years ago

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14 years ago

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11 years ago

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18 years ago

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12 years ago

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12 years ago

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17 years ago

real ale is a bit hit and miss

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15 years ago

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10 years ago

Great stop with great cask beers, the menu is straight forward but the sea bass was outstanding and the service was perfect.

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17 years ago

excellent pub.always good service no matter how busy,from friendly knowledgeable staff.

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17 years ago

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Photo of J R.
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15 years ago

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18 years ago

one of the best pubs in town dont miss it

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The Abbotsford Reviews in Other Languages

Review Highlights - The Abbotsford

I've discovered quite a few nice ones since my arrival in Scotland, but I'm always happy to come back here.

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The Devil's Advocate - Smoked fish plate

The Devil's Advocate

4.3(637 reviews)
0.2 miOld Town, Royal Mile
££

Walking in to The Devil's Advocate in Advocate Close, just above Market St, the large bar greets…read moreyou. We chose the Scottish Road trip whiskey flight. As someone who truly loved little about Scotch, it was a wonderful way to taste and compare smoky vs peaty whiskeys. Fun. Our table was upstairs and we sat next to an open door which allows for fresh cool air. It was a warm day in Edinburgh. Our server was wonderful, patient and really helpful. Our choices were truly delicious. We started with the fish board, olives, and mushroom skewer. We loved them all. I enjoyed the cod main dish, while my wife finished the starters. The side of asparagus was also excellent. The mouse dessert was delicious but very rich, it's enough for 4 people. The cost of dinner was also totally reasonable. I recommend this place highly.

I don't really understand why the ratings are so high at this restaurant. We tried going here one…read moreevening and I messed up the reservation. I'm not used to seeing it in blocks and our end time was bolded but not the start time. We showed up at the end time. We were charged obviously because you have to give a card for a guarantee. I get that. I was fine with it since it was my fault. What I wasn't fine with was the rude (dare I say bitchy?) hostess who I spoke with upon arriving. She was awful to me and looked at me like I was garbage. Even after that, I decided to rebook and pay attention to the time. The restaurant had been recommended to us by a relative as the "best place they had eaten" while in Edinburgh and I wanted to try it. I booked for lunch and when we arrived the male host was lovely. We were sat early (because I always show up to a reservation early) and then we waited almost a half an hour for the one waitress there to come and help. It was fine. I can understand they are understaffed and busy. But then the food, it was also just fine. It was decent but not great. Like a lot of things in the UK, it's understated and seasoned. My husband had the pappardelle and my two children and I had the flat iron steak. His pasta had zero flavor. It was a cream based sauce. It needed more salt. As for the steak, it was fine. It was cooked well. Mine was medium rare and the kids both had medium. It was also not seasoned well. However the steak was served with a dipping sauce (a garlic sauce, a peppercorn or lemon mint). We tried all three since we had three steaks and those were all good and kept the steak from being bland. On the plate were chips (fries), which were not salted well but we had the dipping sauces. Also on the plate was plain arugula and a couple on the vine cherry tomatoes. Nothing spectacular. The waitress didn't come back once the entire time we were eating. Overall, it just wasn't worth it for the money we paid.

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The Devil's Advocate - Whiskey flight tastings

Whiskey flight tastings

The Devil's Advocate - Fish Filet

Fish Filet

The Devil's Advocate - Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

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Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

The White Hart Inn

The White Hart Inn

3.9(113 reviews)
0.4 miGrassmarket, Old Town
££

Our first day in Edinburgh and as usual our first order of business is to ride the hop-on-hop-off…read morebus. Today when the Red route took us to old town and I saw The White Hart Inn I said to Jan let's do an early dinner there and she agreed. We continued the route and stayed on back to the stop in old town. We love Alfresco dining but it was too cold and windy today. We went inside and the restrauant was packed. It's open seating. No hostess, no sign in. We were lucky and just happened to be standing next to a table that opened. We had been there about 5 minutes. The restaurant/ pub is rich in history, established in 1516. It's small with limited bar seating and prehaps 8 to 10 tables. It is noisy from conversation, tosting and music, but we didn't have a hard time communicating. It has a great vibe. It's a fun venue and popular with the locals. The menu is not large and has several Scottish offerings. To start, Jan was cold and wanted an Irish coffee. I ordered an Innis and Gunn larger. Innis & Gunn is an acclaimed Scottish brewery founded in 2003 in Edinburgh. It had a slightly citrus flavor. Jan ordered muscles and I ordered the steak and ale pie, served with a charred Hispi cabbage wedge, buttered mash and Merlot beef dripping gravy. It was very tasty, very robust flavor. I loved the cabbage; great flavor. I had to look up hispi cabbage and it is a variety of green cabbage. The muscles were good and the broth very nice. We had a lovely time and a good meal. Our good luck at freelancing dining venues while we explore Ireland and Scotland continues.

We chose this place for being one of the oldest establishments in Scotland dating back to the 18th…read more Century and a place where poets like Wordsworth, Burns etc gathered for a sip. The setting still looked ancient and the overall ambiance was befitting. Small place though. The food and drinks however disappointed. They could have put more efforts to turn the place into something much more than it is. Service was efficient without being really excellent.

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The White Hart Inn
The White Hart Inn
The White Hart Inn - Cozy place

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Cozy place

Queens Arms

Queens Arms

4.4(115 reviews)
0.2 miNew Town
££

Bar staff friendly and timely. Carrie (bartender) served us 2 nights in a row. So good we came back…read more2 time on our two night stay. Didn't wait long for drink in a very busy bar. Food was also good, veg were perfectly warmed, not over seasoned and crisp. Exactly how I like them. Food was a Lil pricey. But a great experience overall. Highly recommend.

Out of all the places I've been to in Scotland, I think Queens Arms was one of my favorites…read more We had reservations for this place recently and when I took one step inside, I was already in love. I mean who doesn't love a good pub? You get great drinks and great food at an affordable price. As I write it makes me think of think of when Zidane reunites with Freya in FF9. Sometimes we don't wanna eat at fancy Michelin restaurant that has small plates but charges a premium. Sometimes we just wanna cut all the BS and just get a nice hearty meal. And thats what we got. When we sat down we found out that they were doing a Trivia night. Normally I would have told my girl to pick another spot to eat but for some reason I was cool with it. There was even a table nearby with kids(yuck). And you know what? It was fine. That's because we had been sipping on some amazing cocktails. If you also partake, Gin and Mezcal enjoyers will love the Bramble and Hibiscus Crush. What color are Luigi's overalls from Super Mario? That's such an easy question. Wait...what do you mean Luigi's overalls are blue? They are green. Look at this picture onli...Oh... One of the stars of our meal was the Haggis. This was the first time I had ever tried it and after trying it at multiple places Scotland, Queens Arms I feel has done it the best. I love the complexity of the flavors of the meat with the creamy and pepper flavors of the peppercorn sauce. If you've never had Haggis, you definitely have to try it here. The best part is that it comes with mashed potatoes too! Shoutouts to the Fish and Chips if you are also into that. One of my friends ordered that and I definitely had to go back in for multiple bites. Finally the roast. The Sunday Roast should just be an automatic order if you happen to come here on a Sunday. You get so much food and it's all so damn tasty. They'll cook a roast to whatever doneness your heart desires. We went with Medium Rare and it came out perfectly. If you didn't have enough flavors with all the extra sides it comes with, they also give you gravy to pour on anything you want. Thanksgiving basically came early this night. But as I looked around and admired all the bookshelf's and all the families have a nice dinner with their loved ones, I just thought about how happy I was. I was finally here! This was the start of my trip. Queens Arms has set a high ceiling on great experiences in Scotland. We even went back there a couple of days ago just because we knew we would be able to end the night on a good drink. But in the end I think if you are Edinburgh, you have to come to this place. It is one of my favorite experiences I've had in Scotland so far and I dream about when I can come back again.

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Queens Arms
Queens Arms
Queens Arms - Wellington upfront and Mac and Cheese in the back

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Wellington upfront and Mac and Cheese in the back

The Abbotsford - pubs - Updated June 2026

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