Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Reviewing milestone with Walty
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
The Malt Shovel, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH1 1BP
Pub Type
Taylor Walker (Spirit Pubs)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Old Boots left this review about The Malt Shovel
Sizeable Belhaven (Greene King) pub at the bottom of Cockburn St. Set out on two levels due to the steep hill, the main servery is in the lower room. A roughly U shaped counter has a couple of T-Bars of Belhaven and UK standard kegs, the four pulls had a couple of the truly dreadful Belhaven cask beers, one of the Hen flock “coming soon” and an unclipped one. The bar back is quite monumental and there’s a little of an old pub remaining above head height and in odd corners but although comfortable the various makeovers aren’t entirely satisfactory.
On 27th January 2026
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3859 recommendations about 3526 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Malt Shovel
Exactly what you would expect from a Greene King - all perfectly functional but very expensive. Pints all over £4, peaking at £4.70 for a GK Amplified.
Can get more for less elsewhere.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2ungLwQ
On 13th July 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 277 recommendations about 276 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Malt Shovel
Taylor Walker pub with a multi-room, split-level layout featuring the traditional-style furniture and decor that you would expect. Also has a few small patio tables out on the pavement. However, what sets it apart from most of this chain's outlets is the decent selection of regional beers from the six handpumps: two from Houston (including Warlock, £4.10), two from Cairngorm, and one each from Alchemy and Loch Ness.
On 21st September 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 9017 recommendations about 9017 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about The Malt Shovel
A Taylor Walker pub located down from the royal mile and close to Edinburgh Waverley train station. 5 real ales and food served. The pub has a split level interior.
On 8th July 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3028 recommendations about 2961 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Malt Shovel
This used to be one of my regular stopping off points on my way to the old town. It's a split level pub that's beginning to look a bit shabby in places. No really outstanding features although they do have live music occasionally. The food is similar to a Nicholson's and is reasonably priced if a bit generic. They used to have a great range of ales on the bar, but on our latest visit there were only 3. The pint of Stewart that I had was in decent condition and the other half said the red wine was OK without being top class. It's still OK for a short visit but I once spent a whole 2nd January in here drinking Broughton Oatmeal Stout and I don't think I'd want to do that now.
On 13th January 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3333 recommendations about 3243 pubs]