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Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Tolbooth Tavern

4.6
4.6
256 Reviews
£25 and under
Scottish

Make a booking

2 people
7:00 pm
Booked 4 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.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • 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
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Our team will look after you
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Scottish Sharing Platter

    GBP 26.50 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Sample some of the Tolbooth Tavern’s favourite Scottish dishes The Tolbooth Tavern loves to showcase local Scottish produce in our cosy pub. With our Scottish tasting platter you will get to sample some of our favourite dishes. Included within the tasting platter is: MacSween’s haggis croquettes with whisky cream sauce Smoked salmon with Scottish oatcakes Medley of mushrooms with garlic cream sauce, on toasted bloomer bread (v) Freshly landed hand battered mini Fish n chips For dessert you will enjoy a traditional Scottish dessert Cranachan. Scottish raspberries, whisky, cream and oats. Minimum of 2 people to book. Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance.
    Scottish Sharing Platter photo
  • Whisky Flight

    GBP 25.00 per person

    Prepaid

    Multiple dates available
    Learn a little more about Scotch whisky! Discover more about whisky through vision, taste, and aroma at the Tolbooth Tavern. You will sample three great Scottish whiskies in our cosy pub. Adults only 18+ for whisky flight. Min of 2 people to book. Must be booked at least 24 hours in advance
    Whisky Flight photo

What 256 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
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.7Ambience
  • 4.5Value

NoiseEnergetic

Loved For

  • Edinburgh

    Best Ambience

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Tolbooth Tavern shines with its "great food, service, and atmosphere." Known for its "delicious" haggis, fish and chips, and steak pie, it offers a "warm and cozy" pub experience. The staff are "friendly and attentive," enhancing the tavern's "authentic" Scottish charm. A reservation is recommended due to its popularity.

256 Reviews
  1. lorraine

    Dublin1 review

    3.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Food very poor and tasteless. Would expect better quality for the price. Mac and cheese watery and bland. Meat in steak pie tasteless.

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  2. ElaineB

    Yorkshire1 review

    5.0

    Dined 7 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The staff were amazing and the food was fantastic. Definately a must go when in Edinburgh.

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  3. Keith

    Seattle6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 25 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A wonderful old Scottish pub. Dinner and drinks (cask ales and ciders) were excellent. Service was very friendly and personable. I actually stopped in three times during our week in Edinburgh and I would love to go back. It’s a cozy place on a very touristy avenue so make reservations at least a day early for table service.

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  4. Martin

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 22 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Friendly staff, tasty food, quick service, wide set of options for both food and drinks.

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  5. Maik

    NRW2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 9 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great place to be for dining or a few drinks. Historical building outside AND inseide ! all in great shape. very clean restrooms. Great dining ! We take the sirloin steaks and a Haddock with chips and vegetables. very tasty !

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  6. Valerio

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 1 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing experience! It was our first time visiting Scotland, and after hearing good things about the Tolbooth Tavern, my family and I decided to give it a try. We were 100% satisfied! The food was excellent—we tried haggis for the first time, and it was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was perfect; the noise level was just right—not too loud (we’re not fans of loud music), but still with delightful Scottish music playing in the background. The staff were super nice, and the overall vibe was very enjoyable. I would totally recommend this place!

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  7. Joseph

    New York City6 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on 1 February 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 4
    Great dinner and environment. Great whisky menu. Good overall vibe

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  8. Suzie

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 27 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service. Hearty food. Good value. Really enjoyed our evening. Made to be very welcome.

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  9. Isabella

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 26 January 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Excellent food, especially soup and salmon. Excellent service

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  10. KAREN

    Greater Boston1 review

    2.0

    Dined on 19 January 2025

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 4
    Loved the inside of the pub but food was very bland. This place came recommended on Instagram and was very disappointing.

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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 256 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
7:00 pm
Booked 4 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Tolbooth Tavern

167 Canongate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8BN

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Phone number
  • 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
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    Street Parking
  • Payment Options
    Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive Chef
    Our team will look after you
Gift card

Gift card

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

Send a gift card
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