Royal Mile Tavern Pub in Leith

127 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG

About This Pub

Ah, the Royal Mile Tavern – it's one of those Edinburgh gems that really pulls you in with its cosy atmosphere and friendly faces behind the bar. I've heard from mates who've popped in that the food is a standout, especially things like the Messy Pig burger, which they've raved about as one of the best they've had in ages, or that fun Deep-Fried Mars Bar for a cheeky dessert. The prices feel fair for a night out, and having WiFi on tap is a nice bonus if you're settling in for a pint. On the flip side, it's not all smooth sailing; a few folks have mentioned waiting ages for their food after a strong start to the service, and some dishes arriving a bit lukewarm, which is a shame when you're tucking into hearty options like Chicken and Haggis. Plus, with the kitchen closing early, it's worth planning ahead if you're aiming for a late supper. Overall, it's a solid choice for a relaxed catch-up, but keep expectations in check for those little niggles – it's got that classic pub charm with room for a bit more polish.

Pros and Cons

Pros

The food is really spot on, with highlights like the Messy Pig burger and that iconic Deep-Fried Mars Bar – they're proper treats that make a visit worthwhile.
The staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming, always up for a chat which adds to the cosy, inviting vibe of the place.
It's got a fantastic atmosphere, especially in the heart of Edinburgh, with a calm setting and light music that makes it perfect for a relaxed evening.
Prices are pretty reasonable for what you get – around £10-20 per person – and they've got WiFi if you need it, which is handy for a quick catch-up.

Cons

Service can be a bit hit or miss; sometimes they start off great but then forget about you, leading to long waits for your mains.
The food doesn't always arrive piping hot, like with the Scotch Egg or some dishes that could do with a bit more warmth.
Kitchen shuts early at 9 PM, so if you're out late, you might have to rush your order or miss out altogether.
It's a tad pricey for standard bar grub, and while the portions are decent, it might feel steep if you're watching the pounds.

Contact Information

127 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1SG

+441315579681

Pub

Opens at 12:00

Opening Hours

Monday	12:00 - 01:00
Tuesday (Today)	12:00 - 01:00
Wednesday	12:00 - 01:00
Thursday	12:00 - 01:00
Friday	12:00 - 01:00
Saturday	12:00 - 01:00
Sunday	12:00 - 01:00

Location

Recent Reviews

The interior was truly amazing. We ordered 2 starters, 2 main dishes and 2 beers. The service in the beginning by was good but after it felt they forgot about us, we waited super long for the main dishes and after tried to find a waiter to pay The food was good! A bit pricey as it is among the center where are a lot of tourists

Darina M

Nice evening. The staff was very friendly. The kitchen closes at 9 so we had to hurry to put in an order. Standard bar food with a pint. We did order the fried Mars bar for dessert. It was interesting but would pass in the future.

Stacy Bernard

The food was phenomenal. We had The Messy Pig burger and it was spectacular. Best burger I’ve had in a while. The atmosphere was calm with light music. The staff was incredibly friendly. Highly recommend!

Dil K

I had a delightful visit to the Royal Mile Tavern! The food was excellent, especially the Deep-Fried Mars Bar, which was an absolute treat. The prices were reasonable, and I spent around £10–20 per person, which felt like great value for the quality. The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, with lovely decor that captured the charm of the area. The service was friendly and attentive, though there’s a bit of room for improvement in speed. Overall, it’s a great spot for traditional dishes and a unique dining experience. Highly recommend!

Kseniia Feodoridi

Nice place to stop in, friendly staff, and the food was nice, though the Scotch Egg and the mains Chicken and Haggis weren't very hot/warm when they were served, and the Chips whilst nice and fresh lacked any real crunch. WiFi available if you register, which was useful because our phone data was pretty bad in this area. Nice atmosphere with lots of interesting bar decorations.

Matt Benson