Edinburgh pubs are some of the UK's oldest — the 10 below run from Old Town hush to Leith waterfront.
Part of our 20 Best Pubs in the World listThis article is one chapter in our larger global guide. See the full pillar with every featured city.
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The 10 best pubs in Edinburgh
01 · Edinburgh
Old Town
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Iconic · Whisky pub
Iconic Old Town whisky pub.
Order: A dram of Islay and a half-pint
02 · Edinburgh
Morningside
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Iconic 1871
Iconic 1871 Morningside whisky pub.
Order: A dram of Speyside
03 · Edinburgh
New Town
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic New Town whisky pub.
Order: A dram of Highland
04 · Edinburgh
New Town
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic New Town whisky pub.
Order: A dram of Islay
05 · Edinburgh
Old Town
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Iconic · Whisky
Iconic Old Town hidden close pub.
Order: A dram of Speyside
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06 · Edinburgh
New Town
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Iconic 1862 · Victorian
Iconic 1862 New Town Victorian pub.
Order: A pint of cask ale
07 · Edinburgh
New Town
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Iconic · Inspector Rebus
Iconic New Town pub — Ian Rankin's Inspector Rebus drinks here.
Order: A pint of bitter
08 · Edinburgh
New Town
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Iconic · Grand
Iconic grand New Town pub in a former bank.
Order: A pint of bitter under the dome
09 · Edinburgh
Forrest Road
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Iconic · Trad music
Iconic Forrest Road trad music pub.
Order: A pint and the late session
10 · Edinburgh
Royal Mile
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Iconic · Historic
Iconic Royal Mile pub named after Deacon Brodie.
Order: A pint of cask ale
How Edinburgh drinks in a pub
The 10 above are where Edinburgh actually drinks in pubs — proper cask ale, regulars who know the staff, the kind of room that earns the word.
