When I lived in Portobello a long time ago, one of my main complaints was the lack of a decent High Street pub. That problem has now been thoroughly cured by the Portobello community, and among the new options, I would like to recommend The Rusty Seagull on Portobello High Street.
It is not a huge venue, which is part of the challenge. I have never found it easy to get a seat there, nor have I ever managed to secure a table, but I have always been able to pull up a stool. There is a drink rail seating area running along one wall that turns a corner, seating maybe six to eight people, depending on how friendly they are.
Atmosphere and Drink
Given the size, The Rusty Seagull can get quite noisy, but the atmosphere is consistently fantastic. I think one of the reasons for this vibe is the pub’s commitment to finding interesting and local beers. It is the only place I know that has had Closet Beer on tap – a local success we should all celebrate.
I have never had a bad pint here. They often have other local darlings like Moonwake. Prices range from about £5 to £7 a pint; you can see on the wall exactly how much you are going to pay in advance. It is really about average for Edinburgh, rather than average for Portobello, which can sometimes go up a little bit in cost.
The Pecking Order
I have been to The Rusty Seagull several times, but only ever during “The Pecking Order” menu residency. The pub is one of those wee places with a small kitchenette area rented out to specialist caterers. For the last couple of months, it has been The Pecking Order serving burgers and fries.
These burgers are good enough to be a candidate for an Edinburgh Reviews “Best Burgers in Edinburgh” top 10 list, though they are possibly not physically big enough to make the page. However, if we ever did a “Best Halloumi Fries” review, I am sure The Pecking Order at The Rusty Seagull would come top. Note that The Pecking Order will be back later in 2026.
There are a couple of foibles you should know about. You do not order your beer and food at the same place; there are separate, albeit adjacent, ordering points. This can present a conundrum, especially if you are a solo diner and the place is busy. My solution is to put my bag and coat on a stool to guard my space, as the food queue tends to be shorter. Once I have ordered food, I step to the right into the bar queue. This gives me enough time to study the interesting range of independent drinks and make my choice.
Things to do in Portobello
Portobello is best known for its beach and promenade, perfect for a sunny day out. The local library or town hall are sometimes used for events, and there are loads of lovely local shops. It also has Scotland’s last surviving bottle-shaped kilns.
From the city centre, the number 26 bus is a reliable way to get to the seaside. For day trips, consider booking a tour through GetYourGuide.
Overall
The Rusty Seagull is a dog-friendly pub, and I don’t think I have ever visited without seeing a charismatic dog being the centre of attention. It is equally welcoming to families. Although I am not based in Portobello anymore, this pub is good enough to lure me back.
It opens seven days a week: from 3pm to 11pm on weekdays, and noon to midnight on weekends. This is not bad for Portobello, though it doesn’t quite match the hours of Rose Street pubs. I absolutely recommend booking a table in advance, given how busy it can get.
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Review: The Rusty Seagull
The Rusty Seagull is a compact and lively dog-friendly pub on Portobello High Street known for its excellent rotation of independent craft beers and pop-up food residencies.
Summary
The Rusty Seagull cures Portobello’s lack of decent High St pubs. Small, busy, and dog-friendly, it serves excellent independent beers like Moonwake. The food, currently by The Pecking Order, offers top-tier burgers and halloumi fries. Booking is essential.
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