The Best Pubs in Edinburgh

Teuchters Landing in Leith offers over 90 varieties of malt whisky, 16 beers on tap, and 20 wines and bubblies by the glass. You can sit outside by the water in summer or get cosy by the fire in winter, and the menu features excellent fish and sticky pudding. This spot is known for its great food, scenic views, and a huge whisky selection that requires a chat with the barkeep.

The Holyrood 9A is a warm and cosy bar with gleaming pumps offering 20 beer and ale varieties from Scotland and around the world. Its all day menu features a mouth-watering array of delicious gourmet burgers, with tips highlighting the original burger with cheese and the fantastic sticky toffee pudding. The skilled bar and waiting staff, along with crispy fries, make this a welcoming spot in the heart of the city.

The Guildford Arms is a family owned real ale emporium that has been operating since 1896. It features a stunning rococo plaster ceiling and a gallery restaurant. The pub offers a great selection of beers, making it a fantastic spot for lunch or dinner.

The Queens Arms is a hidden gem below the cobbles, offering everything a comfortable, quality pub should be with a passion for heritage and quality. It serves fantastic homecooked dishes made with some of Scotland’s greatest product, alongside handpicked cask ales and craft beers from top independent breweries. You can catch all the biggest games on five high definition screens, and the sell out Sunday roast is an incredibly popular option. It is also a dog friendly pub with a pub quiz on Sundays at 8pm.

The Bow Bar is an award winning whisky and real ale pub with a fantastic selection of craft beer and a great price to boot. It offers a newly released peated highland whisky aged for 9 years in an oloroso hogshead, available to buy by the bottle. The knowledgeable staff make it a must visit for the true whisky connoisseur.

This cozy wee pub on Elm Row, serving Leith since 2014, is a true gem for great booze and fresh pizza delivered direct from local friends at Origano. They take immense pride in their quality products, earning consistent inclusion in CAMRA’s real ale scheme, and stock a varied, changing selection that supports local businesses. The fun doesn’t stop there with a free weekly pub quiz led by the legendary Dr Paul on Wednesdays and mind-blowing close up magic from resident magician Tim Licata every Thursday. It’s a welcoming spot that even welcomes canine friends, making every visit special.

Kay's Bar is an acclaimed historic pub that started as a wine merchant's shop in the early 19th century before becoming a pub in the 1970s. It features a main bar room with an open fire and a smaller snug, and still displays bottles and labels from its time as a wine shop. The pub has earned the Edinburgh winner of the CAMRA Real Ale Quality Award for 2021 and 2022, and was named one of the best pubs with fires in Scotland by The Times. It attracts a mix of locals and tourists who enjoy its unique history and award winning real ales.

Welcome to Café Royal, Edinburgh’s iconic oyster bar and historic restaurant serving fresh seafood, classic dishes, and a curated selection of beers and continental lagers. This historic pub offers stunning Victorian interiors, functions, and wifi. It is a hidden gem that is proud of its history and loves to see a happy customer.

This pub in Leith is a welcoming alehouse that reclaimed a homophobic graffito to create an inclusive pop up pride event throughout June. It offers well maintained rotating cask and keg choices from breweries like Pilot, Cross Borders, and Brass Castle, served by a friendly and helpful staff. The pub is unpretentious and serves craft beer in pints at reasonable prices, making it a fantastic local spot with a completely transformed, welcoming vibe.

The Stockbridge Tap is a fantastic, friendly local that feels like the perfect place to kick off a proper Scottish adventure. The team behind the bar is incredibly welcoming and happy to guide you through a brilliant selection of beers on tap, all at genuinely great prices. This casual, good value pub is a true wee boozer where you can settle in for a wonderful pint.