Favorite pub or eatery in Edinburgh?

Admitting that I don't know if the cruise ships come in at Leith Docks or the next complex to the west, make it easy and eat right along there. It used to be a pretty scruffy area frequented only by us ruffians, but since they tied up the Britannia it's gotten pretty gentrified without dorking up the quality of the dead fish. (Edinburg got started as a fishing port and it's still pretty good at it.)

There's a string of places along Annfield Road and whatever names it becomes on both ends. Baxter's is right by the yacht, Chain Pier to the west at about Something Crescent. Both are good, but not fancy. The one with 'Peacock' in the name sucks bad.

Thanks, Ed. We will likely be somewhere in Edinburgh proper, taking a shuttle or bus into town. Will be sure to note....no Peacock in the name.

There are so many choices....I would think about getting something in the Grass Market. There are lots of pubs. I also had a good meal at The Elephant House. Or you could eat in New Town. On Rose Street is The Mussel Inn, but there are many other pubs.

Pam

If you're set on going up on the main drag, the area is full if them. Deacon Brodies is probably the best known. I guess everybody needs to stick their nose in once.

There's a cluster up around Lawmarket. Ensign Ewart and the Jolly Judge are both good. The Royal McGregor has the best grub.

Ed, I keep hoping that the Oxford Bar would have food, but I don't think it does. Did you ever check it out? It's the Rebus bar and I want to go, but I am actually uncertain about it as a single woman. Although, now that I am "older" maybe I should stop worrying!

PAm

If this is a test, I flunked.

Never heard of it.

Well not a test. I was sure you would have read the Ian Rankin books. They are great mysteries and are set in contemporary Scotland. I'll take a good historical story any time, but it's good to read a story about today. :)

Pam

If you like Italian - La Piazza! We eat there 2-3 times while we are there every trip!! We love it that much. It is actually our favorite restaurant PERIOD!! It is on Shandwick Place.

If you travel to the Old Town using the 23 or 27 bus (http://lothianbuses.com/assets/files/city-centre-route-map.pdf), then I can recommend the Cuckoo's Bakery on Dundas Street (http://www.cuckoosbakery.co.uk) for an excellent snack.

I have Cuckoo's as a "like" on FaceBook and the pictures are just food porn :-) As you find places you may like to visit/eat at, I look for FacBook pages and hit the "like" button, then gather those pages on an interest list. It's a good way to learn more about a business and to find out what's happening as your trip approaches.

Cheers.

This is more of an alcohol recommendation than food but I really enjoyed The Hanging Bat Bar Cafe Old Town, West End 133 Lothian Road. It has 12 taps and 6 casks of interesting local beers and large collection of boutique gins as well and not surprisingly they really know their stuff. If you want to try the modern version of the pub the vibe is kind of young and hip with no darkened wood or red leather in sight. The food is good but unpretentious beer bar food: The Greyfriar is hotdog with haggis and onions. Coming from a town with breweries every other block these days it was great to find a place serving boutique locals and microbrews with pride.

I also enjoyed The Cloisters on that end of town Tollcross 26 Brougham Street. It was exactly what you want from an old school neighborhood pub. I'm not sure it's worth traveling across town for but if you're in the area and looking for a traditional pub give it a shot!

Have a great time!
=Tod

Sadly, I just heard that The Elephant has closed. :(

Sharon,

A couple of Pubs you could try are Sandy Bell's or Greyfriar's Bobby (look for the statue of the wee dog outside, there's quite a legend associated with the Pub).

Regarding restaurants, as someone else mentioned La Piazza was excellent. I believe that's the restaurant I dined at and I'd highly recommend it.

And at Sandy Bell's you can hear traditional music. :) I had lunch at Greyfriars and it was good. It was very crowded though.

Pam

Magnum Bar and Restaurant on Albany was our favorite hangout during 5 days in Edinburgh in 2012. Good food and friendly people. We stopped in for beer and cider every day.

Thanks so much, everyone! Great information! Looking forward to Edinburgh!