Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
Disappointment of the week with Mobyduck
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Tolbooth Tavern, Edinburgh
Edinburgh
EH8 8BN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Colin Walker left this review about Tolbooth Tavern
The Tollbooth Tavern sits at the lower less tourist side of the Royal Mile. The interior has the traditional18th century Scottish look, but has been refurbished to give this look. On tap there is a choice of Coast, Three Hop, Strongbow Extra Cold, Fosters, Guinness Extra Cold, Belhaven Best, Moretti. Ales available are Caledonian Deuchars IPA, Caledonian Edinburgh Castle 80 Shilling Ale, Caledonian Golden XPA. There are meals available, so after 9pm the eaters start to leave and the place is much less busy and more like a pub, with more locals than tourists.
On 6th November 2018
- rating: 10
[User has posted 709 recommendations about 704 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Tolbooth Tavern
The text on the plaque outside the The Tolbooth Tavern states that is part of the original Canongate Tolbooth which was built in 1591 and that the building was used to collect tolls from travellers entering the burgh. Apparently it has also served as a Council Chamber, Police Court and Prison, and now functions very nicely as a tavern and has done so since 1820.
A two part split interior well described by previous reviewers, I liked it here as it had a good feel and was obviously favoured by locals more than being a tourist trap akin to the pubs at the other end of the mile.
Three pumps in operation and alongside Deuchars IPA there were two Caledonian brews in the shape of Flying Scotsman and one called Road to Rio, the June Monthly brewed for the World Cup, and the two we tried were in good nick.
On 2nd August 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Boots left this review about Tolbooth Tavern
A long thin pub down the lower slopes of the Royal Mile, the rear is a raised area with a couple of gargoyles for decoration but otherwise not quite as interesting as the lower front. The counter is to one side at the front, home to three pulls two of which with Caledonian products and the third with Hobgoblin, the kegs are mainly McEwans, the cask wasn't bad. There's the usual big screen and machine but also a bit of exposed stone, some nice bench seating and an exuberantly carved counter and bar-back. The six rugby nations flags are pinned to the ceiling and there are shields on the walls. A popular locals pub.
On 25th January 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3230 recommendations about 2939 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
hondo . left this review about Tolbooth Tavern
A split level interior with 3 real ale taps 2 on during my visit and food served.
On 30th March 2013
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
David Ross left this review about Tolbooth Tavern
Located below the Canongate Tolbooth at the foot of the Royal Mile, near the Scottish Parliament building, this has apparently been a pub since about 1820, although it looks more modern. It consists of a long, narrow, split level bar with the raised section at the rear designated as the eating area. Beers on sale include McEwan’s 70 and 80 Shilling and Lager, Murphy’s Irish Stout, Kronenburg and two Caledonian Brewery real ales. For such a touristy area, prices were very reasonable at £2.85 for a pint of 70 Shilling.
On 30th January 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 769 recommendations about 683 pubs]