Tolbooth Tavern

4.6

239 Reviews

£25 and under

Scottish

Make a booking

2 people

23 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Charming
Neighbourhood gem
Good for groups

Built in 1591, the Tolbooth Tavern in Edinburgh was formerly part of the original Canongate Tolbooth. This medieval building was used to divide the Royal Burgh of Edinburgh and Canongate.

The Tolbooth Tavern is a cosy traditional Scottish pub full of character and charm. The small exterior gives way to a spacious bar and mezzanine dining area. It boasts a fantastic spot along the Royal Mile.

Serving hearty home-cooked Scottish fayre using locally sourced produce, we are sure to keep you full before a full day on the tourist trail or join us for an evening exploring our fine whisky collection.

Our house favourites include Cullen skink, Tolbooth burgers, freshly landed Scottish fish n chips and our Tolbooth steak and sausage pie.

If you want to embrace dark history and immerse yourself in a spooky atmosphere, The Tolbooth Tavern is a must visit whilst in Edinburgh.

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Dining
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Scottish, Burgers, Gastro Pub
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am
Phone number
0131 557 1333
Website
https://www.tolboothtavern.co.uk/
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Casual Dress
Executive Chef
Our team will look after you
Catering
All of our produce is locally sourced and home cooked including Scottish classics that you are sure to enjoy after a busy day sightseeing.
Private party facilities
We have a fabulous mezzanine area, ideal for semi-private events

Location
167 Canongate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8BN
Area
Old Town
Cross Street
Centrally located on the Canongate towards the bottom of the Royal Mile
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
There is limited on-street parking and pay parking nearby. <br /><br />Waverley Train Station and the tram line are just a 10-minute walk away as well as an abundance of local visitor attractions.
Additional
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Gift card

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Experiences

Burns Day At The Tolbooth
£40.00 per person
Prepaid
25 Jan 2025 only
Join us at one of Edinburgh’s oldest and most charming pubs for a day filled with tradition, delicious food, and Scottish spirit. Guests will be welcomed by the enchanting melodies of our piper, Chris Norton, setting the perfect tone for the occasion. Our chef has prepared a hearty, home-cooked 3-course meal featuring Scottish classics to honour the day. As part of the festivities, witness the iconic Address to the Haggis, a time-honoured ritual accompanied by a dram of Dalmore 12-Year-Old whisky, adding a touch of Scottish elegance to the ceremony. With set dining times to suit every schedule, you can join us at the hour that fits best and be part of this cherished celebration. Set Times: 12:00pm, 2:30pm, 5:00pm, and 8:00pm

Popular dishes

Cullen Skink£8.25
Traditional smoked haddock soup, with potato, onion & cream. Served with crusty bread
Soup of the Day£6.25
Served with crusty bread and butter
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties Stack£8.25
With whisky cream sauce (vegetarian option also available)
Stornoway Black Pudding Fritter£8.65
With fried sourdough topped with a poached egg
Mushrooms on Toasted Bloomer £8.25
In a garlic & cream sauce with shaved Grana Padano
Smoked Scottish Salmon£9.25
Served with oatcakes & butter
Haggis Bon-Bons£7.65
With a sweet chilli sauce
Red Pepper & Goat's Cheese Croquettes£8.65
With sweet chilli sauce
Homemade Smoked Mackerel Pate£8.25
Served with oatcakes & butter
Chicken Liver Pate£8.45
Served with oatcakes, butter and onion marmalade.

Main Course

8oz Sirloin Steak£28.95
Dry aged, prime scotch beef, served with chunky chips, rocket & Grana Padano salad and a sauce of your choice - choose from Pepper, Whisky Cream or Garlic butter
Freshly Landed Scottish Fish & Chips£17.95
Hand-battered haddock fillet served with thick cut chips & tartare sauce
Homemade Steak Pie£17.95
Served with thick-cut chips & seasonal veg
Homemade Steak & Haggis Pie£18.95
served with thick-cut chips & seasonal veg
Macaroni Cheese£14.95
A blend of 4 Scottish cheeses and parmesan. Topped with crispy breadcrumbs. Served with fries or garlic bread
Chicken Balmoral£22.95
Haggis - stuffed chicken breast wrapped in pancetta & served with whisky sauce & seasonal veg
Haggis, Neeps and Tatties£16.95
MacSween's Haggis with creamy mash, crushed neeps & a whisky cream sauce (vegetarian option also available)
Chicken, Avocado & Bacon Salad£16.95
With mixed leaves, boiled egg, cherry tomato & red onion in a ranch dressing
Goat's Cheese, Avocado & Roasted Red Pepper Salad£16.95
With mixed leaves, red onion, & cherry tomato in a Dijon & balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Burgers

6oz burger patties served in a brioche bun with chopped lettuce, sliced tomato & our house sauce. Served with fries. Extra toppings - cheese, bacon, Fried onions £1.50, Haggis £2.75

Classic Burger£14.95
Cheeseburger£15.95
Bacon and Cheese Burger£16.95
Haggis Burger£17.95
Moving Mountains Veggie Burger£15.95
Panko Chicken Burger£15.95

Sides

Fries£4.75
Thick-Cut Chips£5.10
Onion Rings£5.75
Mixed Salad£4.95
Seasonal Veg£4.75
Honey-Glazed Mini Sausages£6.75
Garlic Bread£5.85

Dessert

Sticky Toffee Pudding£8.65
served with vanilla ice cream
Chocolate Brownie£8.65
served with whisky cream
Cranachan£8.65
Scottish raspberries, whisky, cream & oats
Selection of Scottish Ice-Creams£6.25
choose 3 scoops from today's flavour
Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake£8.65
served with vanilla ice cream
Vanilla Cheesecake£8.65
served with cream

Hot Drinks

Americano£3.75
Cappuccino£3.95
Latte£3.95
Flat White£3.95
Espresso£3.50
Hot Chocolate£4.25
Tea / Earl Grey / Camomile£3.75
Baileys Latte£8.55
Gaelic Coffee£8.95
Hot Toddy£6.50

What 239 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on recent ratings

4.4Food
4.6Service
4.6Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Energetic

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews

Tolbooth Tavern offers a delightful blend of Scottish charm and history. Guests praise its "great food" and "friendly staff." The atmosphere is "definitively Scottish," making it a "fun experience." While some found prices slightly high, the "excellent service" and delicious dishes like Cullen Skink and steak pie make it a must-visit. Reservations are recommended due to its popularity.

239 Reviews

J
James
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 12 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Absolutely loved Tolbooth Tavern. The staff are incredibly friendly and the food totally amazing. The steak pie is to die for. The tavern is so lovely with its quirky charm. We loved every second. Thankyou everyone.
Is this helpful?
T
Tara
East Sussex
2 reviews
5.0
2 reviews
Dined on 9 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Always a gamble trying to find an authentic pub with great food but this place did not disappoint. Worth the short walk out of the centre for a proper Scottish welcome, traditional pub, friendly staff and amazing food. Rounded off our short trip to Edinburgh perfectly.
Is this helpful?
E
Enrico
Edinburgh
6 reviews
4.0
6 reviews
Dined on 4 November 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Pub storico. Ambiente caldo e accogliente. Staff cortese e preparato. Buon cibo con porzioni abbondanti (unica pecca ...il fish and chips rimane un po' troppo unto). Ottime birre ed ampia selezione di whisky. Conto nella media di Edimburgo.
Is this helpful?
J
Jess
London
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 2 November 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Food was absolutely lovely, we had a variety and each person loved their chosen meal. All staff members were friendly and welcoming, we turned up an hour early for our reservation and we happy to have a drink before our meal if there wasn’t a table available but we were taken to a table right away, Will definitely return next time we come to Edinburgh!
Is this helpful?
A
Ashley
Dublin
8 reviews
vip
5.0
8 reviews
Dined on 29 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Amazing food, staff were very friendly and knowledgeable! Great value for money!
Is this helpful?
X
Xara
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 26 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
The food was perfect! The atmosphere was so Scottish and cozy! The service very polite! The music awesome too!
Is this helpful?
G
Gina
Raleigh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 25 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I’ve eaten here a few times. Every time has been great! Thoroughly enjoyed the food and drink!
Is this helpful?
S
Sandy
Edinburgh
3 reviews
5.0
3 reviews
Dined on 25 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good food, nice music, nice service. Will have to come back to try more ☺️
Is this helpful?
M
Mary
Chicago
1 review
3.0
1 review
Dined on 19 October 2024
1. Overall 3
2. Food 3
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 4
I had high hopes going into this experience, as I read some great reviews. What I will say first and foremost is it was my birthday, so I wanted to have a good evening. I also made a not so nice decision and showed up early. The restaurant did accommodate me, which was great. However, my service was very low from there. I had to physically and verbally flag my server down multiple times to get normative service. No checking in, or social interaction. Luckily the kitchen was speedy or I don’t know what would have happened. Now, I know he was tired. I heard him say as much to coworkers as he walked by my table (not checking in). But then add that my food lacked seasoning in the main course… it just could have been better.
Is this helpful?
E
Elena
Edinburgh
1 review
5.0
1 review
Dined on 18 October 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Good food and atmosphere, classic food for these kind of places
Is this helpful?

FAQs

Tolbooth Tavern offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at 0131 557 1333.

Tolbooth Tavern is rated 4.6 stars by 239 OpenTable diners.

Tolbooth Tavern does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a booking

2 people

23 Nov 2024

19:00

Booked 9 times today

Experiences are available.

Order delivery or takeout

167 Canongate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8BN

Dining areas

Additional information

Cross Street
Centrally located on the Canongate towards the bottom of the Royal Mile
Area
Old Town
Hours of Operation
Mon–Thu, Sun 12:00 pm–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 12:00 pm–12:00 am
Price
£25 and under
Cuisines
Scottish, Burgers, Gastro Pub
Dining style
Casual Dining
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Public transit
There is limited on-street parking and pay parking nearby. Waverley Train Station and the tram line are just a 10-minute walk away as well as an abundance of local visitor attractions.
Payment Options
Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Our team will look after you
Additional
Dog Friendly, Gluten-free Options, Vegan

Website
https://www.tolboothtavern.co.uk/
Phone number
0131 557 1333
Catering
All of our produce is locally sourced and home cooked including Scottish classics that you are sure to enjoy after a busy day sightseeing.
Private party facilities
We have a fabulous mezzanine area, ideal for semi-private events

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

Tolbooth Tavern

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card

Burns Day At The Tolbooth

Haggis Bon-Bons

Haggis Burger

Macaroni Cheese

Starters

Cullen Skink£8.25

Soup of the Day£6.25

Haggis, Neeps & Tatties Stack£8.25

Stornoway Black Pudding Fritter£8.65

Mushrooms on Toasted Bloomer £8.25

Smoked Scottish Salmon£9.25

Haggis Bon-Bons£7.65

Red Pepper & Goat's Cheese Croquettes£8.65

Homemade Smoked Mackerel Pate£8.25

Chicken Liver Pate£8.45

Main Course

8oz Sirloin Steak£28.95

Freshly Landed Scottish Fish & Chips£17.95

Homemade Steak Pie£17.95

Homemade Steak & Haggis Pie£18.95

Macaroni Cheese£14.95

Chicken Balmoral£22.95

Haggis, Neeps and Tatties£16.95

Chicken, Avocado & Bacon Salad£16.95

Goat's Cheese, Avocado & Roasted Red Pepper Salad£16.95

Burgers

Classic Burger£14.95

Cheeseburger£15.95

Bacon and Cheese Burger£16.95

Haggis Burger£17.95

Moving Mountains Veggie Burger£15.95

Panko Chicken Burger£15.95

Sides

Fries£4.75

Thick-Cut Chips£5.10

Onion Rings£5.75

Mixed Salad£4.95

Seasonal Veg£4.75

Honey-Glazed Mini Sausages£6.75

Garlic Bread£5.85

Dessert

Sticky Toffee Pudding£8.65

Chocolate Brownie£8.65

Cranachan£8.65

Selection of Scottish Ice-Creams£6.25

Hot Chocolate Fudge Cake£8.65

Vanilla Cheesecake£8.65

Hot Drinks

Americano£3.75

Cappuccino£3.95

Latte£3.95

Flat White£3.95

Espresso£3.50

Hot Chocolate£4.25

Tea / Earl Grey / Camomile£3.75

Baileys Latte£8.55

Gaelic Coffee£8.95

Hot Toddy£6.50

Overall ratings and reviews

Review summary

FAQs

Does Tolbooth Tavern offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Tolbooth Tavern restaurant rated?

Does Tolbooth Tavern offer gift cards?

Is Tolbooth Tavern currently accepting bookings?

Make a booking

Order delivery or takeout

Dining areas

Additional information

Gift card