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! read more

Tolbooth Tavern - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

See all

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

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. read more

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! read more

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Tolbooth Tavern - Bangers and mash! - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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. read more

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. read more

Tolbooth Tavern - Perfect pair for Fish n Chips! - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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

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 read more

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. read more

We were in need of a drink, post climbing up to Arthur's seat. I had a cider, but there were plenty of beers to choose from. It looks super pub like, and was reasonably busy in mid-afternoon. The pub is located amidst a bunch of touristy shops and things. read more

Tolbooth Tavern - Strongbow - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Fantastic ambiance, but the food is extremely average pub fare. Still, it's really cool to have a pint in a tavern that actually used to collect tolls and taxes. Like so many places in Edinburgh, history literally seeps from the walls. read more

See all

The Toolbooth is a traditional bar that has lost none of its charm, despite the Scottish Parliament providing many of its daytime patrons. Food is regular pub grub, nothing to write home about but fills its purpose at very good value but the cosy surroundings are a great havan from the busy street of the royal mile (worth mentioning that this bar is rarely touched by Fringe revellers!). Bar staff are keen to keep regulars happy here, so don't be surprised, or too offended if you're asked to keep your voice down - if you like to be loud - best head somewhere else. Ess read more

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. read more

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

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. read more

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. read more

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. read more

Stumbled into this pub/restaurant after a long afternoon of sightseeing. Very welcoming staff rapidly brought our drinks while we studied the menu. Typical pub- grub menu. Definitely the best chips I have tasted for years. Persuaded to have dessert and out came the biggest portions of sticky toffee pudding and chocolate fudge cake I have ever seen. Definitely worth a visit. read more

Excellent Food, good beers, friendly staff, highly recommended for meals or just a drink. can't fault this place at all. read more

Nice typical pub with god (but sometimes slow) service and good food. Good enough offer of different beers.

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. read more

This is a great place to get a pint or a cup of coffee, especially on a cold night. It has a nice warm and relaxing environment. The Tolbooth Tavern has a lot of history behind it, and some say that the place is even haunted! The place is not only awesome for drinks, but they even serve food as well! read more

My boyfriend and I visited edinburgh for the fringe festival and this was by far our favorite tavern. It's cozy and warm and very authentic. All of his favorite local beers are here and they have edinburgh gin which is my favorite. The food is AWESOME! He had the haggis tower and I had the steak and ale pie. Highly recommend the onion rings as well. Service is super friendly both at the bar and dining area. This is a must try in the city! read more

Solid pub, good food. Super friendly staff! Recommend. We split appetizers as we were pub crawling, but didn't make any difference in the way we were treated. Good choice for pints and a light supper. read more

Service was good but the food was not. The fish and chips were dry cold and the sauce on the side was mayo with tomato and cucumber. The bangers and mash ordered were the same. The bathrooms were not at all clean. They need a good deep cleaning in both ladies and gents. ( mold was seen in the gents room ) read more

Will have to disagree with most of the reviews, stopped by in a cool rainy afternoon after walking the Royal Mile for a drink. Bar tender treated us as if we were an imposition and most of the tables were dirty in the bar. We chose not to eat, if the patrons in the restaurant area could hear the Snide comments their waitress was making about them in the Bar their reviews would not have been so high. read more

One of the best meals we've had in Scotland thus far and surely the best goat cheese salad I've ever had in my life (and it's my favorite salad)! We arrived a bit earlier than the usual dinner crowd (around 5:15p) and that was a good idea as the dining room area wasn't the biggest and we saw lots of groups. The burgers are towering so good idea to share. Warlock Pie was phenomenal with its flaky crust. read more

Actually have to disagree with the other reviews here. Whilst it is just a back street pub that doesn't mean that customer service should go out of the window. Bar and waiting staff are surly at best and rude most of the time anyway. Food is standard pub grub but whatever you do don't complain, you will simply aksed to leave and not come again. Try Jenny Haas instead food is not much better but at least staff are nice. read more

Stopped here yesterday with my husband and I ordered off the starters menu. Had the bruschetta with cheese and it was " to die for " ! Highly recommend it AND it was meal size.... not appetizer size so don't feel you have to order more. I told the waitress to pass on my compliments to the chef. read more

I love the mac and cheese here! Best in Edinburgh!

A fine pub, with very friendly staff and heartily decorated. Grabbed me a Guinness here, and my lass's chardonnay was pretty damn fine too.

A rustic old pub which is worth visiting for a pint. Situated on the tourist trail which is the Royal Mile, this place is quaint inside and out. If old buildings are your thing, you may want to take your camera. read more

Like most other reviews here, I was immediately immersed in the charm of the place. Good selection of beers and a warm velvety feeling inside, if one could use those words to describe a bar. read more

This is a very traditional Scottish pub with a very nice setting the food we had for lunch was good however the weird thing was the waitress was somewhat of a bitch she was not very pleasant at all I don't know if she had an off day or if she should not be in the business of waiting on people read more

Food was fantastic! Drinks and food were reasonably priced. Our theatrical waitress was very warm and inviting. Highly recommend you stop in for pint! read more

Impressive, old style pub on the Royal mile not too far away from Holyrood Palace and the new Scottish Parliament building. It used to be a lodger some centuries ago, now it functions only as a tavern. I have visited it twice. The first time we were the only customers with my friend and received outstanding service - we ordered plenty of food and drink and everything was delicious. The second time, I visited the pub with two friends for a drink only and the staff were a bit rude - I couldn't say what the reason was, perhaps it wasn't their best day but I decided that I will avoid the place in future. read more

Hello! Are you hungry? Want edible food? Ha, then don't eat here. When I arrived I was rudely told my friend and I would have 40 minutes to eat. Having eaten something about 3+ times a day for slightly more than 21 years this has never happened to me. The waitress shoved the menu in my hand and asked what I wanted to eat. She recommended the Haggis or Meat pie. I ordered the meat pie and my friend ordered the Haggis. When my food finally arrived, we waited another 10 minutes and her food never arrived. The waiter finally had the common sense to ask the problem, to which we told him we were waiting for her food. He then brought out an empty plate. Almost comically I told him we were waiting for her food. Finally he brought out her food and we began to eat. Now I'm from America, but I had been traveling the UK for a while and had eaten both Haggis and Meat pie before, but both of these dishes were almost inedible. Her was served, almost comically, in the shape of a hat. Instead of providing her with a traditional whiskey sauce, they had vinaigrette. My dish came with chips thrown to the side, a pile of peas, and a flakey piece of bread placed on top of a brown slop of meat. The meat was tough to eat and did not fall apart as it should have and the bread simply crumbled onto my lap. Obviously someone knew we would have this experience and decided to avoid the restaurant because no one else arrived. Having been over 40 minutes, we deduced this emptiness to be the only reason they let us stay. Finally we had to ask for the check and then wait another 20 minutes for the waiter to realize we wanted to pay. As we discussed what we each had to pay (in front of the waiter with the check) he took my card and put the entire thing on my card. At this point I just wanted to leave. Bottom line: DO NOT EAT HERE. Walk near the National Museum of Scotland and find a place to eat or even go to McDonalds. read more