Edinburgh’s ‘best’ pubs have been named in a new list published by The Times, with one city centre spot coming out on top.
The publication shared a roundup of eight pubs from across the city, from local haunts to popular tourist venues. Coming in at number one on their list is Cafe Royal on West Register Street, only moments from Princes Street.
Dating back to 1893, the pub has kept its opulent Victorian interiors – and is known for their fresh seafood. Visitors to Cafe Royal can enjoy a curated selection of beers and continental lagers, as well as various wines, spirits, and cocktails, reports the Daily Record.
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In terms of food, the pub offers up dishes such as fish and chips, steak, and Cullen skink. The Times wrote: “Victorian gin palaces were often considered gaudy and brash, especially by those who thought they were too good to drink in them. Really they were intended as palatial spaces that made for a heightened drinking experience but would still feel welcoming to casual visitors.
“The Cafe Royal, built in 1863, pulls off that difficult feat. The oval central bar evokes top Manhattan hotels, but images of notable Scottish historical figures in stained glass and tall paintings never let you forget you’re in Edinburgh. I’m not sure anywhere else could achieve this balance of grandeur and approachability.”
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Meanwhile following behind at number two on the newspaper’s roundup is The Royal Dick. The pub is located within the courtyard of Edinburgh’s multi-arts venue Summerhall.
The Royal Dick was once Edinburgh’s vet school, with many nods to its heritage inside. Featuring one of Edinburgh’s biggest beer gardens, the venue is a popular spot to enjoy some food or drink before or after a show at the Edinburgh Fringe in August.
The newspaper stated: “Theatre cafes are rarely memorable but the Dick, while being clean and modern, also pays homage to its history, with animal bones and lab apparatus among the many interesting specimens and artefacts around walls.
“A relaxed yet stimulating place, it is of course six deep at the bar during the festival. But it’s worth timing a visit for when the show before the one you’re planning to see has just started.”
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Elsewhere, coming in at number three on The Times’ list is The Abbotsford. The pub is located on Rose Street in the centre of the city.
The Abbotsford is known for its lavish decoration and original island bar carved from Spanish mahogany. The Edwardian venue is home to both a pub and restaurant, the latter of which serves up traditional dishes such as haggis, neeps and tatties and steak and ale pie.
The Times singled out The Abbotsford for its whisky selection and “beautifully corniced ceiling”. The newspaper recommended that visitors follow the “local tradition” of ordering a dram and a half-pint at the bar.
The full list of “eight of the best pubs in Edinburgh” can be found on The Times website.