Tolbooth Tavern
“Atmospheric pub, in a reputedly haunted 16th-century building, with wall lamps and framed pictures.”
Quick info
About Tolbooth Tavern
Tolbooth Tavern is a pub in Edinburgh at 167 Canongate, set in a 16th-century building on the Royal Mile that was formerly a tollbooth and prison for the burgh of Canongate. The building is reputedly haunted, so a visit doubles as a look inside a piece of local history. The tavern itself dates to 1820. The drinks list covers a whisky selection, local ales and a range of other beers served by the pint. In the kitchen, haggis, neeps and tatties sit alongside other pub dishes, including a venison stew. Sticky toffee pudding is on the dessert list.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention haggis, neeps and tatties, whisky selection, historic haunted building and venison stew.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention haggis, neeps and tatties, whisky selection, historic haunted building and venison stew.
Customer Review Summary
Haggis, neeps and tatties is the dish reviewers name most, with diners calling it a fantastic meal alongside a local ale. Close behind are a steak and haggis pie with seasonal veg, described as hearty and cooked beautifully, and a venison stew one reviewer calls the best ever, followed by sticky toffee pudding. Burger and fries, fish and chips, and sausage and mash also get called good or delicious. The whisky draws praise too, with reviewers noting how knowledgeable the staff are about it, and pints are described as served at the right temperature. Many point to the history of the 16th-century building, once a prison, with a vibe one reviewer calls creepy in a good way and another says the supposed spirits were very chill. Staff are called friendly and kind, and service is described as fast. The one practical note comes from a reviewer who suggests booking in advance because the pub was busy and popular. One diner who arrived at a packed pub was still found a seat.
Customer Review Summary
Haggis, neeps and tatties is the dish reviewers name most, with diners calling it a fantastic meal alongside a local ale. Close behind are a steak and haggis pie with seasonal veg, described as hearty and cooked beautifully, and a venison stew one reviewer calls the best ever, followed by sticky toffee pudding. Burger and fries, fish and chips, and sausage and mash also get called good or delicious. The whisky draws praise too, with reviewers noting how knowledgeable the staff are about it, and pints are described as served at the right temperature. Many point to the history of the 16th-century building, once a prison, with a vibe one reviewer calls creepy in a good way and another says the supposed spirits were very chill. Staff are called friendly and kind, and service is described as fast. The one practical note comes from a reviewer who suggests booking in advance because the pub was busy and popular. One diner who arrived at a packed pub was still found a seat.
Featured reviews
- Google user
“I’d heard of this place so was hoping to visit. It was quite busy when I got there but they found me a seat and everyone was really kind. The food was delicious and they were very knowledgeable about the whisky.”
- Google user
“Best venison stew ever. Service was super fast, within minutes of ordering. Was quite surprised actually, but there was no rush to eat and GTFO. Also had the sticky toffee pudding and it was the best one I had throughout my two week trip across Scotland.”
- Google user
“We really like this place, it’s a traditional pub that was really lively with a lot of people laughing and having a great time. The food was solid, we just had a burger and fries so nothing special but it was good. We had a couple of pints and they were served at the right temperature. This is at the end of the Royal Mile, but worth going to. We went and did the hike at Arthur seat and stopped here for food and beer on the way back.”
- Google user
“So pleased I went here, lots of history, really good vibe with a full bar and food menu, called the tollbooth tavern, I thought because of the spelling perhaps it wasn’t a toll booth, but it was! I wish i had researched the pub before my visit, I am still unclear on if the tunnel to the right of the pub was the road over the river to which the toll would have been paid? After my visit i have discovered it was prison for the burgh of Canongate before it later became a tavern in 1820 and supposed haunted.”
- Google user
“Booked for a day trip to Edinburgh and was not disappointed. The place itself was amazing, full of history and quirky. The food itself was lovely, everyone enjoyed it in the group. The staff could not do enough for us. If you want somewhere to give you a full Scottish experience I highly recommend. Make sure to book in advance as it was busy and popular.”
Location
Bars near Tolbooth Tavern
- The Holyrood 9A4.53,0010.2 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleWi-Fi
burgers, crispy chips, craft beer selection
- The World's End4.55,8950.2 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kidsWi-Fi
haggis fritters, steak and ale pie, fish and chips
- The Cocktail Geeks4.82,3250.2 mi£30–60
studio ghibli theme cocktails, journey's end d&d theme, drink backstory storytelling
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tolbooth Tavern | 4.53,061 | — | — | haggis, neeps and tatties, whisky selection, historic haunted building |
| The Holyrood 9AReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Wi-Fi | 4.53,001 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | burgers, crispy chips, craft beer selection |
| The World's EndReservations · Good for kids · Wi-Fi | 4.55,895 | 0.2 mi | £20–30 | haggis fritters, steak and ale pie, fish and chips |
| The Cocktail Geeks | 4.82,325 | 0.2 mi | £30–60 | studio ghibli theme cocktails, journey's end d&d theme, drink backstory storytelling |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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