Tolbooth Tavern

About Tolbooth Tavern

• Food: 5

  Ambience: 4

  Service: 4

  Value: 5

  Good Scottish food

  I was hosting a friend from outside the UK and wanted to let her taste proper Scottish food and drink and this was just what we got.

  Simon Shearer - dined in restaurant 06/03/2023

Traditional Scottish pub on Royal Mile

Housed in a former toll collection point, prison and court that originally date back to 1591, the Tolbooth Tavern is a cosy and traditional Scottish pub. The small exterior gives way to a spacious bar and mezzanine dining area. The Royal Mile location attracts many visitors as well as a regular clientele of locals. Real ales, malt whiskies and traditional bar food keep everyone smiling. Keep an eye out for the resident ghost.

Classic Scottish bar food

The menu at the Tolbooth Tavern flies the Saltire with pride. From the Cullen skink, freshly landed Scottish fish ’n’ chips, haggis, neeps and tatties tower and Tolbooth steak and sausage pie.

It is all simple, hearty bar food which is keenly priced and more than capable of sustaining diners through a long day on the tourist trail or an evening spent exploring the malt whisky collection.

Canongate attractions and transport links

Tolbooth Tavern is on the Canongate towards the bottom of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. There is limited on-street parking and pay parking at New Street. Waverley train station and the tram line are a brisk ten minute walk. Local attractions include the Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Scottish Parliament Building.