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Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh, Edinburgh

Tolbooth Tavern

4.6 (268)
£25 and under
Scottish
167 Canongate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8BN

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 12 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Great for craft beers
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.

We are open from 11am daily for drinks. Our food menus are available from 12pm.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    £25 and under
  • Cuisines
    Scottish, Burgers, Gastro Pub
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–12:00 am
  • Phone number
  • 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
  • Neighborhood
    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. Waverley Train Station and the tram line are just a 10-minute walk away as well as an abundance of local visitor attractions.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
Gift card

Gift card

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Experiences

  • Scottish Sharing Platter

    £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

    £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 268 people are saying

Tolbooth Tavern reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

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 Ambiance

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Tolbooth Tavern offers an "amazing atmosphere" with a "quintessential Scottish pub" vibe and "excellent food and service." The staff is "hard-working" and "very friendly," making it a "highly recommended" spot in Edinburgh. Enjoy "delicious haggis" and a "great whisky menu" in this "cozy" and "historical" establishment.

268 Reviews
  1. Anthony

    Sacramento5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food and great service! Excellent whisky selection

    Is this helpful?

  2. Barbara

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious food, excellent service. The place and the atmosphere are quaint and welcoming and there’s a feeling of relaxed joyfulness in the way the staff deals with customers. Will try and go back again for sure before our vacation is over.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tomas

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined 4 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Excelente lugar y ambiente! Vale la pena probar las cervezas y el fish & chips

    Is this helpful?

  4. Stella

    Kent1 review

    3.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    The chicken burger .... would avoid. Thinnest bit of chicken (a wafer is thicker). Quite disappointing

    Is this helpful?

  5. Richard

    Charlotte2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 17, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Great service and I admire your hard working staff. Excellent

    Is this helpful?

  6. Christine VIP

    San Francisco21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Such a lovely, quaint pub. We had the soup of the day, tomato with roasted red pepper - outstanding. We also shared the fish and chips - amazing fresh fish with a crunchy coating - yum!!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Sonia

    Sacramento1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Amazing atmosphere and great food/drinks! Highly recommended for anyone visiting Edinburgh!

    Is this helpful?

  8. Verena

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 27, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Very friendly, lovely Tavern , very dog friendly, food is good dessert (especially Toffee Fudge) is brilliant! It’s not cheap but worth it.

    Is this helpful?

  9. Iva

    Phoenix5 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 23, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cozy, authentic, yummy. Lovely evening. We highly recommend.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Anne

    Edinburgh1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Friendly service, excellent food. Would highly recommend.

    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 268 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.

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Edinburgh/Midlothian
  4. Edinburgh
  5. Old Town

Make a reservation

2 people
7:30 PM
Booked 12 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for Tolbooth Tavern

167 Canongate, Edinburgh, Edinburgh EH8 8BN

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Centrally located on the Canongate towards the bottom of the Royal Mile
  • Neighborhood
    Old Town
  • Hours of operation
    Mon–Thu, Sun 11:00 am–11:00 pm Fri, Sat 11:00 am–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
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Late Night, Non-Smoking, Takeout, Vegan, Wine
  • Phone number
  • 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

Gift card

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

Send a gift card
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