![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com\/images.edinburgh-reviews.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/09224514\/the-gruff-goat-shakshuka-scaled.jpg?ssl=1\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe defining characteristic of The Gruff Goat is the sheer breadth of the offering. It is not just hot drinks and soft drinks; the bar is surprisingly well-stocked. You can order everything from a Cosmopolitan to a Negroni. They stock Monkey Shoulder whisky, a variety of rums, gins, shots, bourbons, brandies, tequilas, and vermouth.<\/p>\n
I tried their signature cocktail, which I believe is the Gruff Goat. It is a dangerous, fruity drink made with Absolut Vodka, Chambord raspberry liqueur, champagne, and fresh raspberry. You cannot necessarily tell you are drinking alcohol, which is often the mark of a well-mixed, if perilous, drink.<\/p>\n
The food menu is equally expansive, offering everything from full Scottish breakfasts (including a \u201cGruff Goat\u201d version with Cumberland sausage) to DIY omelettes.<\/p>\n
However, if you are visiting, I specifically recommend the egg shakshouka<\/strong>. It is hands down the best thing on the menu \u2013 a rich mixture of Middle Eastern spiced tomato, onions, peppers, and loads of feta cheese, served with two poached eggs. It costs around \u00a311.95 and feels like a proper meal compared to the lighter cafe bites.<\/p>\n Dining With My Biggest Fan<\/p>\n The service at The Gruff Goat is generally attentive, though it can be inconsistent. On one occasion, I had to signal quite aggressively that I had finished eating and was ready for the bill. To their credit, once the signal was received, there was no faffing around; the bill and the card machine arrived promptly.<\/p>\n The atmosphere, however, provided the highlight of the year\u2019s comedy. I was seated at a table for two, but my dinner date was unusual: a large industrial heating fan placed on the chair opposite me.<\/p>\n The staff did offer to move it or turn it off, but I didn\u2019t want to be the guy who froze the entire restaurant. So, I sat there, making polite conversation with the heater. It was a bizarre experience, but at least I can say I\u2019ve finally had dinner with my biggest fan. Boom, boom.<\/p>\n Things to do in the Old Town<\/p>\n Teviot Place is perfectly situated for exploring the historic university district of Edinburgh. You are only minutes away from the National Museum of Scotland<\/strong> on Chambers Street, where you can spend hours exploring for free.<\/p>\n For those visiting the city, accommodation in this area is plentiful. You can find competitive rates on rooms via Booking.com<\/a>, which often has options ranging from hostels to apartments in the Quartermile. If you are looking for budget-friendly chains, Britannia Hotels<\/strong> often have availability in the wider city area.<\/p>\n If you are travelling to Edinburgh for a show or a day out, the venue is a short walk from Waverley Station. You can check times and book tickets in advance using The Trainline<\/a>.<\/p>\n For those staying in nearby self-catering accommodation, you might want to stock up on essentials or treats. If you need gym supplements to work off the mezze, MyProtein <\/a>delivers to the area, or you can grab last-minute gifts from IWOOT<\/a> (I Want One Of Those)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Overall<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n