The Playfair

Featured reviews

• G

  Google user

  ·1 month ago

  “The Playfair proved to be a peaceful oasis away from the busy crowds of the Edinburgh Fringe. After missing the Wetherspoon cider festival due to a holiday in Shetland, I was over the moon to find they still had some Thatchers Katy cider left—served wonderfully chilled, crisp, and over ice. ​For the main course, I went for The Big Smoke Beef burger, which certainly isn't for the faint-hearted. It came loaded with bacon, melted cheese, and barbecue sauce, accompanied by a very healthy chip count (32 to be exact!). The burger was solid, though a couple of the onion rings were so over-crisped they felt like chewing a brick. ​I finished off the meal with the chocolate brownie, served warm under a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream and chocolate drizzle—absolutely delicious. Throughout the visit, the staff provided friendly and professional service. A great spot to recharge during Fringe season!”

• G

  Google user

  ·1 month ago

  “I went here for dinner late at night with my family. I had a burger which I found tasty and the 2 waitresses who served us were nice. It was funny that my little sister had to stand outside of the pubs dining area after 10 due to rules and stuff.”

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “We visited Edinburgh today and came across this place and thought we would stop for something quick to eat and a drink. We had our 2 little dogs with us. We sat down outside in fact the furthest away away from the binding and ordered our drinks and food. The waiter brought our drinks and then stated we couldn’t have our dogs outside at all, he put out drinks down and went off for the manager, he arrived rude basically told us it’s a no, even expected me to pay for the drinks we had just be left and wouldn’t be able to finish so I said I want a full refund which he did rudely!! He came back and I just said you should maybe put a sign up saying no dogs allowed so people would know, he just turned around and said it’s all Wetherspoons like I should know this information! I completely understand if a food place does not want a dog inside but it was outside , no signs”

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “Love me a JD Wetherpoons. This one is large and convivial. Seating inside, outside and in the mall concourse. Very good prices as you'd expect from a JDW. Easy and nice place to get a pint and some grub.”

• G

  Google user

  ·2 months ago

  “The tables were filthy, no staff clearing tables. Then plates taken and NO cleaning carried out. Three tables, visible from my table (2) in the Omni Mal were uncleared for over an hour. Same with tables around me inside. Table 13 was the overspill store for dirty glasses as both carts were overflowing with dirty dishes, plates, napkins, bottles and cans. Every available shelf space was covered with dirty glasses. I could see into the food prep area and the floor had dropped food and napkins throughout. I got 4 chicken wings instead of 5. I don't send food back. I know people who have worked in kitchens and know the potential for repercussions. I could go on, but I CERTAINLY wont be back. The young barmaid was really good, polite and efficient.”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Friendly staff and - as usual for Wetherspoon - good value for the money. Both food and drink were decent and arrived within minutes. The pub is a bit on the noisier side, but we were still able to have a conversation. App worked well - wirh all discounts applied properly. Will come again.”

• G

  Google user

  ·4 months ago

  “Price-performance monster! Good food overall. But the whiskey they serve is definitely not proper whiskey and they really shouldn’t offer it. Apart from that, everything else was very good. Note: take your wipes to clean the table.”

• G

  Google user

  ·5 months ago

  “This restaurant was near our hotel and was always busy so assumed pretty good. When we arrived inside was packed. Was not sure of process. Found out you order at bar and they deliver food to your table. Menu had large variety of choices. Husband ordered fish and chips. I has ordered crispy chicken sandwich. Was suppose to be two crispy chicken strips. Food was delivered. After few bites of very bland I guess grilled chicken, realized I was delivered the wrong food. But no one ever comes back to check on you. So tried to eat it. It was really terrible. Husband seemed okay with his food. I left highly disappointed.”

• G

  Google user

  ·11 months ago

  “Lovely place where go for dinner and early breakfast. We choose this place,be was close to our hotel and was much cheaper then other places in Edinburgh. At evening was hard to find a place where to sit down. Breakfast was big and tasty.”

• G

  Google user

  ·1 year ago

  “Incident occured on Monday 28th, April, 2025 The duty manager profiled me as someone under the influence. I explained to her I have complex PTSD and am here to decompress after a series of recent traumas. After politely ordering some food and drink , to a server (Chips n cheese , Almaroni Pieronata, table 48) . (As I was looking for my charging unit for my phone) Without even introducing herself, The manager swooped in, and before I'd even taken a sip, she said "I have had too much drink" and that I was not to be served. I was understandably upset, as she gave no clear reason as to why I'd had my drink removed. if this was the case, why then should I have my order refunded (By her, without even asking.) Should I not be allowed my food. She then accused me of being aggressive, as she thinks her actions were not aggressive at all (They were sudden and took me completely off-guard, I was extremely upset by her lack of consideration and complete lack of clarity.) She began to effectively gaslight, and began to frame her decision to take my (Paid for) order away and completely refund it It was extremely rude and showed complete disrespect towards a paying customer. It was very clear there was some underlying agenda which she was not being honest about. And I seek clarification on what prompted this deeply unprofessional and dishonest behaviour Realising she was attempting to frame her decision on my "aggression" I de-escalated and asserted that I wish to make a complaint against her. She did not give her name, simply identifed herself as "The Duty Manager I replied, that's fine I don't need your name. But I will be proceeding with a complaint against her specifically. She was also unhelpful with this aspect too, although I can realise why as she will realise that her conduct and behaviour was anything but managerial. It was dishonest and sneaky and has robbed me of all faith in your establishment. Realising that she was standing by her decision, I said "fine I accept, but I have had absolutely nothing to drink" (Which is true.) I am not barred and she states that I am welcome to return. However, I will not. And I have stated that I will make an official complaint against her. My money was returned without receipt. I am absolutely disgusted by the complete lack of understanding, respect or support for mental health issues. I will never order food in this establishment again DO NOT ORDER HERE IF YOU HAVE ANY MENTAL HEALTH ISSUE. #standagainststigma”