
Platform 5
“Relaxed boozer with stylish interiors furnishing beers, spirits & classic pub grub.”
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Quick info
About Platform 5
Opposite Haymarket station in Edinburgh, Platform 5 is a pub at 8 Clifton Terrace that shows football on multiple screens in different parts of the building. Tables can be booked in advance, and a football match is one of the occasions you can pick when reserving, which suits groups planning around a fixture. Orders go through a QR code and app on your phone, with card details entered in the app. The kitchen serves classic pub food, including Chicken Balmoral and a steak and ale pie, and Doom Bar is on cask. The pub is open daily.
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Menu & Prices
14 dishes · mains £8–10- Halloumi Ciabatta£9.25
- Sirloin Steak Ciabatta£10.25
- 3oz Smashed Cheese Burger£8.25
- Impossible® Burger£8.25
- Haddock Goujon Ciabatta£9.25
- Chicken BLT Ciabatta£8.75
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken balmoral, guinness, steak and ale pie and football on screens.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention chicken balmoral, guinness, steak and ale pie and football on screens.
Featured reviews
- Norwegian Driver
“Absolutely phenomenal food, stopped by for a quick bite to eat after visiting the zoo. The bartender was such a lovely chap, the prices were surprisingly cheap and the food was amazing. We got the chicken, bacon and leek pie, and honestly i could have eaten another 4-5 of those pies. My friend got the balmorra chicken, and it was also 10/10. Only downsides was that the portion sizes could have been a bit bigger, but that might just being us being really hungry. Banger place to get a quick bite to eat.”
- Andrew Taison
“I visited during the World Cup final and was served a pint that was clearly off. Because I was watching the match and only sipping it occasionally, it took me a little while to realise just how bad it was. Staff acknowledged that it had probably been sitting in the lines for some time and replaced it. When the replacement arrived, I said it seemed better, although compared with the first pint, almost anything would have. Around 15 minutes later, after only another couple of sips, it was clear that the second pint was also off. I returned it almost completely full and asked to swap it for a different drink rather than risk receiving the same beer again. The manager refused because they had “already replaced it once” and insisted that, because the cask had been changed that morning, the beer was definitely fine. A fresh cask does not automatically rule out a problem with the lines or how the beer is being served. What made the experience particularly unpleasant was the manager’s attitude. He was dismissive and condescending, and spoke to me as though my opinion did not matter and I was beneath him. Rather than listening or trying to resolve a reasonable complaint, he seemed more interested in asserting his authority and making me feel uncomfortable for raising it. I appreciate that the pub was busy for the World Cup final, but that does not justify serving poor-quality beer or treating a customer this way. I was not trying to get free drinks, I had taken only two sips from the replacement and returned an almost-full pint. I simply wanted something fit to drink. Update following the pub’s response: I strongly dispute the claim that I consumed one-third of the replacement pint; it was returned almost full after only a couple of sips. I also did not confirm that I was fully satisfied with it, I said it initially seemed better than the first pint, which staff had acknowledged may have been sitting in the lines. Even accepting the pub’s disputed version, neither the passage of 15–20 minutes nor drinking part of a pint proves that the beer was fit to serve. I did not see the manager or any member of staff taste or otherwise check the returned pint before declaring it fine, although I cannot categorically say no check occurred because I was also watching the match. I was not seeking free drinks. I returned the pint and asked for a different drink because I believed the Doom Bar was off. I am particularly disappointed by the suggestion that my discomfort arose merely because I did not receive the outcome I wanted. That response reinforces my original concern about the dismissive way the complaint was handled. Greene King Customer Relations and the Area Manager are now investigating the matter.”
- Antonio D'Ambrosio
“We booked a table at 9:30 PM for 2 people, selecting the option of the football match “England-Panama” of the World Cup. At 7:30 PM we stopped by asking whether it was possible to come a bit earlier (at 8:30 PM) to have dinner. They told us that it was absolutely fine, since we were only two. Later, we came in for dinner and they told us that they had closed the kitchen at 7:30 PM because they had to deal with a large tour group. Basically, it was already closed when we asked before, but there was a total absence of communication between staff members. We were forced to find a last-minute option at a fast food. Also, we went there later to watch the football match (it was too late to find an alternative for Saturday evening). They gave us a table far from the TV, with the wrong football match. Why do you give the option on the website to select the occasion and the football match if then you do not provide this service? I definitely don’t recommend this place.”
- Alexander Wilson
“From the moment I walked into this pub, I felt at home. Traveling abroad can sometimes make you feel like an outsider, but that was never the case here. The atmosphere is welcoming, the people are friendly, and the staff genuinely make you feel like part of the community. A special thank you to Darren behind the bar. From the first day I came in, Darren made me feel welcome and took the time to chat, offer recommendations, and make sure I was taken care of. I’ll definitely be back the next time I’m in Scotland. Cheers from an American traveler! 🍻🏴”
- Lynn McBride
“Just opposite Haymarket station so really convenient. Screens in different locations so great for us sports fans. Service was great, very friendly and quick. Only had a drink, and prices were reasonable for Central Edinburgh. Others I spoke to said the food was pretty good, but I have not rated it as I didn't have any myself. Kids are allowed in with adults if they are having food. We'll worth a visit”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Customer Review Summary
Complaints are specific and fairly frequent. One reviewer reports two pints of Doom Bar that tasted off and a manager who refused a swap and came across as dismissive, a dispute now with the pub's owner. Another describes a table of 9 waiting over an hour for food, with only one steak left by 6.30pm and a very small portion of Balmoral chicken. A booked diner found the kitchen closed after staff said an earlier arrival was fine, and was seated far from the TV with the wrong match. App-based ordering also left one table without drinks until the food arrived.
Location
Bars near Platform 5
- The Voyage of Buck4.56210.3 mi£20–60ReservationsWi-Fi
cocktail list, sunday roast, dirty martini
- The Grosvenor4.21,7430.4 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
beer selection, mac & cheese, grilled cheese toasty
- Ghillie Dhu4.33,3470.5 miWheelchair accessible
haggis, live music, fish and chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platform 5 | 4.03,282 | — | £1–15 | chicken balmoral, guinness, steak and ale pie |
| The Voyage of BuckReservations · Wi-Fi | 4.5621 | 0.3 mi | £20–60 | cocktail list, sunday roast, dirty martini |
| The GrosvenorReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.21,743 | 0.4 mi | £20–30 | beer selection, mac & cheese, grilled cheese toasty |
| Ghillie DhuWheelchair accessible | 4.33,347 | 0.5 mi | — | haggis, live music, fish and chips |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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