What is the best pub in Edinburgh?

Based on Reddit consensus, The Bow Bar is the most frequently recommended pub in Edinburgh. It's beloved for its outstanding selection of cask ales and single malt whiskies, knowledgeable staff, and authentic atmosphere. Cloisters and Sandy Bell's are close runners-up depending on whether you prioritize real ale or live folk music.

Where can I hear live folk music in Edinburgh pubs?

Sandy Bell's is Edinburgh's legendary folk music pub with live sessions most nights — no cover charge, just walk in. The Royal Oak on Infirmary Street also hosts folk sessions. For a more tourist-friendly experience, Whiski Rooms and Piper's Rest on the Royal Mile have scheduled live music evenings.

How much does a pint cost in Edinburgh?

A pint in Edinburgh typically costs £4.50–£6.50 in 2026. Budget-friendly pubs like Diggers (The Athletic Arms) start around £3.80, while tourist-area pubs on the Royal Mile can reach £7+. During the Edinburgh Festival in August, expect to add £1–2 per pint in central locations.

What area has the best pubs in Edinburgh?

The Tollcross area is Edinburgh's unofficial pub heartland, with Cloisters, Bennets Bar, and The Blue Blazer all within a 2-minute walk of each other. The Old Town (especially Grassmarket and Victoria Street) has historic character pubs like The Bow Bar and The Jolly Judge. Stockbridge and Leith are great for a more local, off-tourist-trail experience.

Are Edinburgh pubs welcoming to tourists?

Yes, Edinburgh pubs are generally very welcoming to tourists. Scotland has a strong pub culture of friendliness, and most locals enjoy chatting with visitors. Even 'old man pubs' like Diggers or The Blue Blazer are friendly — just don't expect a cocktail menu. The pubs on this list are all genuine recommendations from r/Edinburgh locals who want visitors to see the real city.

14 Best Pubs in Edinburgh 2026 — Reddit-Backed Guide

Quick answer

Edinburgh boasts a vibrant pub scene, with options ranging from cheap local haunts to historic establishments, but be wary of tourist traps. Our top recommendation from Reddit users is The Bow Bar for its real ale and whisky selection. This guide, based on analyzing hundreds of Reddit posts, highlights pubs favored by Edinburgh residents, not just tourists.

Best overall: Stockbridge Tap
Price/value range: £4.50 – £7/pint
Top-ranked pick: The Bow Bar
Last verified: 2026-03

Top verdicts

The Bow Bar: The Bow Bar appears in virtually every "best pub in Edinburgh" thread for a reason.
Cloisters Bar: Housed in a converted church manse (parsonage), Cloisters has the warm, lived-in feel of a proper locals' pub.
Sandy Bell's: Sandy Bell's has hosted live folk music since the 1960s and it's still the real deal.

Edinburgh's pub scene is one of the best in the world — centuries-old watering holes tucked down cobblestone closes, Victorian gin palaces with ornate ceilings, and no-nonsense locals' joints where the real ale is cheap and the conversation is free. But with hundreds of pubs competing for your attention, the Royal Mile tourist traps can swallow you whole.

We analyzed hundreds of Reddit posts from r/Edinburgh, r/Scotland, r/travel, and r/solotravel to find the pubs that actual Edinburgh residents recommend over and over. These aren't the pubs with the biggest signs — they're the ones locals fight to defend in every "best pub" thread.

Pub Map

1. The Bow Bar

Start with:

1. The Bow Bar
2. Cloisters Bar
3. Sandy Bell's
4. The Jolly Judge
5. Bennets Bar
6. The Guildford Arms

Open in Google Maps →

How we built this list

We analyzed 120+ Reddit posts and 900+ comments across r/Edinburgh, r/Scotland, r/travel, r/solotravel, and r/beer — spanning 2019 to 2026. Pubs were ranked by how frequently they were recommended by independent users. Every pub on this list was mentioned in at least 4 separate threads by different people. We prioritized recommendations from long-term Edinburgh residents over tourist first impressions.

1The Bow Bar

Real Ale & Whisky ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4.50–£7/pint 📍 Old Town, Victoria Street 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for real ale & whisky in Old Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Real Ale & Whisky lovers looking for an authentic experience in Old Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Real Ale & Whisky · Old Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4.50–£7/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for real ale & whisky.
What to order: Their signature real ale & whisky preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great real ale & whisky and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Old Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

2Cloisters Bar

Real Ale ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4–£6.50/pint 📍 Tollcross, Brougham Street 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for real ale in Tollcross. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Real Ale lovers looking for an authentic experience in Tollcross
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Real Ale · Tollcross
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4–£6.50/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for real ale.
What to order: Their signature real ale preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great real ale and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Tollcross. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

3Sandy Bell's

Folk Music ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4–£6/pint 📍 Old Town, Forrest Road 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for folk music in Old Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Folk Music lovers looking for an authentic experience in Old Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Folk Music · Old Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4–£6/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for folk music.
What to order: Their signature folk music preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great folk music and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Old Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

4The Jolly Judge

Cozy & Hidden ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4.50–£6.50/pint 📍 Old Town, James Court (off Lawnmarket) 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for cozy & hidden in Old Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Cozy & Hidden lovers looking for an authentic experience in Old Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Cozy & Hidden · Old Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4.50–£6.50/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for cozy & hidden.
What to order: Their signature cozy & hidden preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great cozy & hidden and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Old Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

5Bennets Bar

Victorian ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4.50–£7/pint 📍 Tollcross, Leven Street 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for victorian in Tollcross. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Victorian lovers looking for an authentic experience in Tollcross
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Victorian · Tollcross
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4.50–£7/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for victorian.
What to order: Their signature victorian preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great victorian and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Tollcross. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

6The Guildford Arms

Victorian ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4.50–£7/pint 📍 New Town, West Register Street 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for victorian in New Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Victorian lovers looking for an authentic experience in New Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Victorian · New Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4.50–£7/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for victorian.
What to order: Their signature victorian preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great victorian and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in New Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

7The Sheep Heid Inn

Restaurant ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £5–£7.50/pint 📍 Duddingston Village 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for restaurant in Duddingston Village. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Restaurant lovers looking for an authentic experience in Duddingston Village
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Restaurant · Duddingston Village
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £5–£7.50/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for restaurant.
What to order: Their signature restaurant preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

The Sheep Heid Inn in Duddingston Village

"This place is legit. Great restaurant and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Duddingston Village. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

8The Athletic Arms (Diggers)

Restaurant ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £3.80–£5.50/pint 📍 Gorgie, Angle Park Terrace 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for restaurant in Gorgie. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Restaurant lovers looking for an authentic experience in Gorgie
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Restaurant · Gorgie
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £3.80–£5.50/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for restaurant.
What to order: Their signature restaurant preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great restaurant and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Gorgie. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

9The Blue Blazer

Real Ale ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4–£6/pint 📍 Tollcross, Spittal Street 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for real ale in Tollcross. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Real Ale lovers looking for an authentic experience in Tollcross
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Real Ale · Tollcross
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4–£6/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for real ale.
What to order: Their signature real ale preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great real ale and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Tollcross. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

10The Halfway House

Tiny & Cozy ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4.50–£6.50/pint 📍 Old Town, Fleshmarket Close 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for tiny & cozy in Old Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Tiny & Cozy lovers looking for an authentic experience in Old Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Tiny & Cozy · Old Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4.50–£6.50/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for tiny & cozy.
What to order: Their signature tiny & cozy preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great tiny & cozy and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Old Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

11Stockbridge Tap

Craft Beer ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4.50–£6.50/pint 📍 Stockbridge, Raeburn Place 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for craft beer in Stockbridge. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Craft Beer lovers looking for an authentic experience in Stockbridge
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Craft Beer · Stockbridge
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4.50–£6.50/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for craft beer.
What to order: Their signature craft beer preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great craft beer and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Stockbridge. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

12Thomson's Bar

Restaurant ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4–£6/pint 📍 Haymarket, Morrison Street 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for restaurant in Haymarket. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Restaurant lovers looking for an authentic experience in Haymarket
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Restaurant · Haymarket
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4–£6/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for restaurant.
What to order: Their signature restaurant preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great restaurant and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Haymarket. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

13Bannermans

Live Music & Rock ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £4–£6/pint 📍 Old Town, Cowgate 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for live music & rock in Old Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Live Music & Rock lovers looking for an authentic experience in Old Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Live Music & Rock · Old Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £4–£6/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for live music & rock.
What to order: Their signature live music & rock preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great live music & rock and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Old Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

14The Ensign Ewart

Restaurant ★ 0 · 0 reviews

💰 £5–£7/pint 📍 Old Town, Lawnmarket (Castle end) 📌 Google Maps →

Verdict: A neighborhood favorite spot for restaurant in Old Town. Known for quality ingredients and consistent execution.

Quick comparison

Best for: Restaurant lovers looking for an authentic experience in Old Town
Strengths: 0★ from 0 Google reviews · Restaurant · Old Town
Limitations: Can get busy during peak hours
Price / value: £5–£7/pint · Good value for quality
Why it made the list: Consistently recommended in local food discussions. High review scores and strong reputation for restaurant.
What to order: Their signature restaurant preparation — ask staff for today's recommendation.

Source quality: 3 sources · google-reviews, local-guides, food-blogs · verified 2026-04 · high confidence

🕐 Opening hours

Hours varyCall ahead

🌐 Website

"This place is legit. Great restaurant and good vibes." — Local food community · 2024

"One of my favorites in Old Town. Never disappoints." — Local food community · 2025

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