The Devil's Advocate

Booked in advance for the Christmas menu. It was sumptuous and scintillating. The staff were very accommodating and friendly. The atmosphere was comfortable and classy. I would destroy plates of their haggis. Book your seat here for the best experience!

Great atmosphere, was busy but in a great way. Very attentive staff, the food was excellent - we had a whisky flight, a local cider along with Venison (pictured), Duck, and a charcuterie (pictured) to start. Would go back in a heartbeat!

Omg after reading the reviews I thought we have to try this place...disappointed NOT A CHANCE. It lived up to the reviews and definitely recommend the black pudding starter and the pork as a main. Hubby had soup to start and fish and chips. Sounds boring but he was loving every mouthful. Amazing experience thank you

A real hidden gem, and our evening meal here was wonderful! The exposed brickwork gives a really interesting and unique vibe to the decor, with the pleasant atmosphere keeping it cosy. If you like whisky them you’ll appreciate the bar on the ground floor, which has hundreds of options, all detailed in their huge menu book. Our table was on the top floor which felt like dining in the roof, which was great! The staff throughout the meal were all fantastic, being knowledgeable with the menu and friendly. The menu has a nice range of dishes without being excessively large, with a good focus on local ingredients. The starter of black haggis was exceptional; it’s a shame I couldn’t have it again as a main dish! Instead I opted for the venison. The meat was cooked perfectly but I have to say some of the accompanying items didn’t quite match, such as the leeks being a bit chewy. The recommended coffee cake desert was harder than I imagined it would be, but it rounded things off nicely. Overall it was a high end meal in a great setting, complete with brilliant service. I’d highly recommend to anyone wanting a memorable evening meal.

Food rating = Drinks, as we popped in for a Flight of Scotch and a pint. Great atmosphere, and the workout climbing stairs makes it even better. Scottish Road Trip Flight was amazing. Bar tenders gave sound advice on order of which to drink. Price was spot on. Pop in if you're in the area. Food is amazing as well from what I hear.

Wife and I had a great evening in here. Dog friendly in the bar area too! They brought water over immediately for our little pup. Amazing top quality cocktails with ingredients I’d never even heard of which I always enjoy. We also had a flight of 4 whiskies for £20 which we thought was good value and we enjoyed sampling them.

I dined here with my partner earlier in the week and it was by far my favourite meal in Edinburgh. The staff were polite and friendly, the atmosphere was great and the food was delicious. I highly recommend both the haggis and venison. It is a popular spot with limited seating so I also recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Overall I had a wonderful evening at The Devil’s Advocate and am keen to return next time I’m in the area!

Very nice dinner spot in the central area. Probably wise to book ahead given its usual business. A truly ridiculous whiskey selection with about 350 options. Staff was helpful and friendly. Not the cheapest option but your get what you pay for.

Great food and awesome ambiance. Make sure you book a reservation. The area is a bit touristy, but this is a nice escape.

Nestled within small alleys or as known in Edinburgh, "Closes", one can discover a world of beauty. From fascinating stories of days when residents would dump toilet waste right into these passageways to the modern day finds like The Devil's Advocate. A scotch focused food establishment, there is a vast and reasonably priced collection of bottles available here for sampling. Three hundred of them to be exact. Food is a classic Scotch selection of seafood and meats. Sure, one might find a pickled vegetable or two laying around somewhere on the plate, but they are certainly not the focus here. Excellent smoked salmon and smoked fish dip, perfectly crisped chips and beautiful main courses adore the menu. The patio is a very pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the architecture of Old Town.

Mediocre execution overshadows the amazing bones of this gastropub. Nestled within Advocate's Close, finding the place is an adventure within the Edinburgh castle walls. Upon entry, the juxtaposition of old and new further enhances the experience. The towering industrial shelf of whisky behind the bar catches the eye (in stark contrast to the more traditional pubs that line the royal mile with their ornate, carved wooden bars). The bar gives way to a converted pump house -- both a nod to the history of the area and a clever collection of multi-level stone flanked rooms, allowing the place both to accommodate larger gatherings and offer an intimate dining experience. As with any restaurant though, I am looking for decent food and, more importantly, an inviting place for the evening. The whisky menu shines here. We ordered two flights which give us interesting tours of both Scottish regions and different sherry-casked varieties. Not being a whisky drinker, however, I was looking for more exposition from the restaurant. Our server was clueless and the supposed expert that came to our table exuded exasperation at our questions. They missed an opportunity to narrate their offerings which made our group feel a bit slighted for even asking. Food is at the higher range of average. The cheese and charcuterie board was tasty but felt sourced from the local Sainsbury instead of a lean into local flavors. Similarly entrees (chicken, venison, steak) were good enough but no standouts to report. The jury is still out on restaurant groups and whether they foster mediocrity in pursuit of profit. Bon Vivant Group -- you've got some good underpinnings here -- Edinburgh deserves welcoming service and more than tourist fare!

The great: location and ambiance. The so-so: the food. The bad: customer service. This was one of the pricier meals for the most mediocre meal. Would not go back.

This is a really popular spot and one I had bookmarked before our trip. We were being pretty spontaneous other than the soccer match we had booked, so wasn't sure when we would explore Old town. We ended up popping in for lunch on a Sunday and we lucked out that there was a table available! The ambiance is super cute, a nice dining room up top, an outdoor bar area, and downstairs an indoor bar area with some enclosed booths tucked in the hallway. The fish I had was cooked spectacularly --battered perfectly; and my husband really enjoyed his pork dish. I would definitely recommend this place and if you can, book your reservation in advance to guarantee your table.

The Devil's Advocate lived up to the hype!! I booked reservations well in advance (could only get a later dinner at 8:30pm) since it is a popular spot in Edinburgh. The ambiance is so unique - you feel like you are in an old world restaurant hidden away from the city. The service was superb with constant drink refills and quick service for our appetizer and entrees. I am a huge steak person and thought the meat was cooked perfectly, and paired well with the chips. The arancini was almost the star of the show as the starter - definitely recommend!! The cocktails were also well crafted and delicious. All in all, 10/10 rating from me.

Nice delicious meal in Old Town, took a bit of finding in a hidden alley. Service and ambiance was great. It was a slow Tuesday night, no reservation was required, the place was 1/3 full. Will come back again when I walk the Royal Mile.

Nice bar but they will only sit you to eat unless you have a paid reservation from their web site. The place had all kinds of tables free at the time we walked in, and even though we would have been 30 minutes for a quick bite, the rude hostess refused to help us, even for the entire afternoon. Wow, talk about unwelcoming!

We ate here on our vacation in September and overall it was a great experience. The ambiance could best be described as sedated chic-not too rowdy, but still happening. There was a snafu with our reservation, they had us in their books for an hour later, but I had my confirmation and after a brief wait, we were seated. (Note: definitely make a reservation or prepare to be disappointed because they're always booked.) The service was attentive but not intrusive and everyone was very friendly and polite. We had a bit of a surreal moment as a random server came over at one point to ask if there was anything they could do for us...in the sense of why were we sitting there...she was unaware we'd been there for over an hour enjoying our meal, but it was straightened out by our assigned server and no harm no foul. The food was well seasoned, creative, and delicious. See pictures below. We started with the soup of the day and the samosa. Mouth watering divine! I had the ribeye, which was juicy and tasty, but a little tough. I can't remember my wife's entree (either the chicken or fish), but she did enjoy it very much. I also enjoyed the Scottish Road Trip, their whisky tasting, which included a sampling from each of Scotland's key regions. They were all divine and I highly recommend it if you're a whisky drinker. My favorite was the Raasay Single Malt.

A friend recommended this place so we decided to stop by on our last day in Edinburgh. The restaurant doesn't open until 12 noon. We didn't have reservations, but we got there right around noon and they were able to seat us immediately. We did a whiskey tasting, and our server was great and curated local whiskeys for our flight. We also ordered a charcuterie board (although it included pate and I'm not a huge fan but the cheese selection was good) and garlic fries, fries were nice and crispy so we ordered a second. We didnt order meals but people around us ordered burgers which looked delish. The place is a bit ticket away in Old Town but if you have a chance to, would recommend checking it out

Found this place on Yelp and the reviews were right on point. This is a great place very different from typical pubs. Great food, great service, great atmosphere. Only sad I found it on my last night in town.the charcuterie Platter was outstanding and a great value

Stopped in for a quick after dinner cocktail. I sat at the bar and I ordered a cosmopolitan, it was refreshing and crisp! The atmosphere was dark yet cozy. Service was prompt and friendly. Would definitely go back to try the food!

The ambiance of the restaurant is incredibly cool, making for a unique dining experience. We ordered a chicken dish with broccolini, which was absolutely delicious. However, finding the place felt like navigating a maze, involving a descent down several flights of stairs. We had reservations for 9:15 PM, expecting a leisurely meal since Yelp indicated the restaurant closed at 11 PM. Unfortunately, upon arrival, we were informed that the kitchen would be closing at 9:30 PM, giving us just 15 minutes to order. This limited our choices significantly, as we couldn't order appetizers and many main dishes were already unavailable. It was a disappointing experience, and the restaurant's website should clearly state that while it remains open until 11 PM, the kitchen closes at 9:30 PM.

Place a must to have a drink. Made reservations on a recommendation from a friend and glad we came to enjoy this historic establishment. Drinks were great was the food was hit and miss. The steak and fries were well seasoned and quality of meat came through. As fir the halibut, it was mushy and the curry flavor made the whole thing sweet and one note. Good to try since it's a historic place.

We did not have reservation but luckily they were able to accommodate us. The place is small so I really suggest making a reservation. The food was really tasty, had a lot of flavor. We enjoyed the appetizer, main course and dessert. Highly recommend trying this restaurant if you are in Edinburgh.

Gorgeous setting for a drink or a meal. I had the burger and it smelled so good I completely forgot to grab a pic. It was totally worth it. The only thing for Americans, no mustard only ketchup or Mayo. They have an outstanding selection of whiskys and their cocktails are spectacular. They know how to bring out the best flavors. Highly recommend a visit when in Edinburg

The Devils Advocate is nestled in the heart of Edinburgh down a narrow alley way. We popped in for a spot of lunch without reservation and were lucky to get a table. The food was a little underwhelming. I ordered the pork belly which I thought was overcooked and didn't pair well with the mustard mayo. The mushroom linguine tasted great and could have fed two as the portion size was generous. The best dish was the cauliflower soup which my wife ordered. I can't recall how much we paid but I remember it being reasonable.

We love the food options. Our party of three ordered the rib-eye, pork chop and the venison. We each shared the meat offerings. All were fantastic. What we really loved was all that the sides were so interesting and well done. We didn't have a reservation but were early enough that we could be seated. We highly recommend The Devil's Advocate.

I recently traveled solo in Edinburgh, and knew that this had to be one of my food stops! I had the lamb couscous and it was *divine*. Ambience is definitely hip / hotspot, so be prepared for some noise and definitely make a reservation. They also have a bar in the downstairs if you're just looking for drinks. Either way - if you're in Edinburgh definitely add this to your list!

This is a quaint pub located in one of Edinburgh's side streets. I found the food to be fair tasting but nothing special, I also found this pub to be overpriced. The service was wonderful and staff friendly, but would I return no. In my opinion there are more reasonably priced pubs with better food and drink.

Popular spot for popular reasons. Very delicious cocktails and the food isn't far from bad as well. I would def recommend booking a reservation if you are going there for dinner. The service was efficient. The ambiance is dark and more of a dim setting.

Best dinner all week in Edinburgh! Great service, delicious food and lovely cocktails! I wish they would sell the t-shirts. It was the perfect cap off for our week in Scotland.

We came at lunchtime. They gave us a hard time about not having a reservation, but the restaurant had plenty of open tables. It's a neat building. I ordered the Tweed Valley beef burger, and it's probably the worst burger I've ever had. I did not like the patty, and I had to scrape the tomato relish off because it wasn't good. All in all, I was not not impressed with our experience.

Food was amazing. Vibe is dark and moody, servers and host were attentive enough that we got our food and drinks on time and just aloof enough so that you're not feeling overwhelmed by attention. Get reservations - it will help. Otherwise, I think you can have drinks while waiting for a table, but I don't know how long the wait would be. The point is, make a real effort to go, it's worth it.

My friend was just refused service because they refused to detail all twenty food allergies they joked about having. They apparently ask if people have food allergies before ordering. My friend joked oh, yeah, I've got like twenty. But then my friend couldn't actually list twenty allergies, none of which are life-threatening......so they refused my friend service and kicked them out!

Great bar/restaurant. Atmosphere is awesome. Food and drinks were excellent. Highly recommend!

We came here to taste some whiskies, and as you can tel from the pics, taste whiskies we did. The bar staff was very helpful in making selections, especially those we can't get on our side of the pond. The vibe here was upbeat and very energetic. It looked to be a great place for a date.

A wonderful experience. Food was delicious. The atmosphere was high end pub/restaurant. Waitstaff was very helpful and kind.

I absolutely adore this place, and have for so many years now Located well down Advocate's close (if you're coming from the high street) is a not so well kept secret. The ambiance on a early fall or winters night when there is a crisp in the air is the reason I think I love Edinburgh so much (besides family). Walking to this place is almost like going back in time, especially if the lights in the apartments are out and its off season and quiet. Walking in is always a treat as I love the industrial look of the bar and the intimacy of the downstairs booths. Upstairs is more traditional feel, and if its warm enough or you are OK with a heating lamp, the outside is a great space as well. The staff is always incredible, and if you don't have a reservation they'll do their absolute best to squeeze you in (I was surprised how busy it was in November when I was here for my birthday). The food is also constantly rotating, and I like to go without looking ahead of time to see what's on (I am in town infrequently enough that its always new, or newish). This past November it was a mix of meats and fish, and while I was going to go with a filet, the incredible and kind waiter we had recommended the chickpea fish curry. It was truly incredible, as it was essentially a serving of fish and chips over a delightfully spicey (and somewhat healthy) chickpea curry. Honestly this is why I love being in Scotland so much. The food is so fresh, and you can tell that whoever made this dish did so with ingredients that weren't preserved or frozen in anyway. If you're looking for a good meal, or a place for a date night, then Devil's Advocate should be high on your list.

Presumably it was just me, as I was an American traveling solo, but the service at this place was not nearly as welcoming as it should be. I suppose, since they are always so busy they don't have to be, but it took away from the overall experience. My main waitress was very inattentive, but seemingly only to me. Other staff were personable and pleasant, but when your main waitress is short and unhelpful the experience looses its luster. The food was good and very flavorful and obviously the whisky and drinks were top notch.

Funky location. Great atmosphere. Good pints and whiskey . I highly recommend as a pub.

This was a great find in Edinburgh. It is tucked away, but is worth searching out. It can be a little loud, as it is a two story bar. But the food is worth it. We sat upstairs, so it wasn't quite as loud. We sat right next to the dumb-waiter and got to see all the food which came out. It probably made us hungrier seeing all the delicious looking food come up! I had the venison atop peas, bacon, and broccoli. It was very good, and I would recommend it. I got a side of the truffle and parmesan fries, which were very good. The drinks were also good, and I'd recommend them. I had one which combined red wine and whiskey, which was surprisingly good.

Good food and reservations are a must, perhaps a week in advance if not more. Great ambience and friendly staff.

This restaurant has a beautiful walk down to the bottom alleyway. We had the dinner menu, the closest thing to fish and chips was this fish and curry and the curry was AMAZING.

We have come to Edinburgh 3 times in the last 5 years and made sure we ate here every time. Food is off the rails delicious!! Fantastic staff! Service is impeccable and you cannot beat the cool old town vibe! Highly recommend reservations because it's slammed all the time.

Very cool vibe with indoor and outdoor seating (with heaters!). There's certainly no lack of entertainment when you sit outside with the drunk singing passers-by. Service was friendly and they checked on us regularly even though we sat all the way at the end corner. The food and drink options are great but I settled on the lamb. It came out perfectly medium rare with delicious sauce and couscous.

What I cozy little spot tucked in a stairwell alley. Nice spot for a nice warm lunch. Ordered the fish and chips. The fish was absolutely perfect. So delicious! Great staff, small, warm, cozy with outstanding food. A must go in Edinburgh...

This place was amazing! You need a reservation so make sure to come at least a day before if not more. Great spot. I had to come back during my trip

Secreted down the narrow Advocate's Close between St Giles Cathedral on The Royal Mile to the south and Cockburn St to the north, The Devil's Advocate is an incredible gem of a pub in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Thanks to the scheduling and logistical expertise of Victoria, their Sales and Events Executive, our group of American golfers was fabulously warmly welcomed. Their doors enter from the Close into a warmly-lit airy room of rough brick and wood, the bar itself equipped with rows of beer taps and backed by a wall of shelves exhibiting their extensive collection of whiskies and other liquors. We dined on the spacious mezzanine, treated to spectacular attention - particularly from our server Zoe and General Manager Declan. The music was tremendous, adding a special dimension to the atmosphere, curated by Declan himself. After enjoying a few rounds of beers and several of their signature cocktails as our crew assembled, we feasted on their many dinner offerings. Favorite starters included their black haggis and smoked mackerel pâté; mains of pan-fried cod, venison, honey cider pork chop, and of course their superb steaks. We very enthusiastically recommend The Devil's Advocate for their charming ambiance, delicious beverages and foods, and superb service.

Walked in today solo at 2:20pm to an 80% empty restaurant. Was first told that they're only accepting reservations right now, I pointed out that the place was empty, then hostess added that they were having technical issues with their kitchen. So one statement is true and one is not. Which one? These people seem to love having their asses sniffed for a table. I'm not that guy, save your elitist bullshit for others.z

Great bar and floor staff. Delicious charcuterie. The pork belly was divine. I had some great cocktails as well.

This was one of our top meals from our month-long trip. Everything we tried was absolutely stellar. First off, the location is super magical. Located down the cutest cobblestone alleyway you've ever seen, this place sits up on the hill and offers both indoor and covered outdoor dining on their balconies. We walked in and were greeted with cool, dim lighting, and a trendy interior. The hostess instantly brought us to our table and everything was very smooth. We ordered a few different whisky cocktails and loved each of them. The De Quincy cocktail with the oolong tea was my favorite. We also ordered the soup of the day, corn fritters, and confit pork belly starters. We all tried all of them and all loved all of them. The favorite was probably the pork belly. I ordered the "rump of lamb with aubergine compote, basil, slow roast cherry tomato & garlic puree." It melted in your mouth and was cooked perfectly. My husband said that it was the best lamb he's had in his entire life and everyone agreed that my entree was the winner of the night. ORDER THE LAMB! Our table also loved the steak, puy lentils, and baked butternut squash (they have great vegetarian options!). We ended the night with a sticky toffee pudding that came piping hot in a jar. It was delicious and the perfect size to end a filling meal. I would HIGHLY recommend this spot to anyone visiting, as the location is both stunning and central, and the food and drinks are truly perfection!

It's a nice ambience inside with good music and lighting. The bartenders are kind and have very cool leather aprons. The drinks however are expensive and it is usually busy, often making it hard to find a seat. Good location however.

An old favorite that has become soooooo popular. Got to reserve or get in early now. Go down the atmospheric stairs to the bar doors. There is a bouncer on duty at busy times. Pretty much and beer or booze you want. Patio is the best option. Also, very loud.

Cool bar in a nice location. Was there enjoying a pint and needed to walk outside to answer a call from my daughter. Dude at the door squared up on me and said no drinks outside (ok, but not the norm for this area). He was pretty aggressive about it without any context. Didn't press the subject, I just took my pint back inside, left it there and rolled out to take my call. It's ok to have rules, but how you manage them within the client experience is the differentiator. To be fair, the girl behind the bar was very kind and topped me off after I paid. Plus for that.

I'm hesitant to leave such a good review because it's already hard enough to get a seat at the Devil's Advocate. But honestly the food is so delicious! It's a lot of traditional Scottish cuisine, but used in a more modern way. I've tried about half of the menu so far and I can't wait to try it all. Wait staff is very friendly and knowledgeable enough about their huge Scottish Whiskey selection to help you find something perfect for your tastes. The location couldn't be more ideal, just off the Royal Mile but also tucked away down a little alley so that you get away from the hustle and bustle for a quiet dinner before getting back to the excitement. In the summer you will definitely need to call ahead for a recommendation, as I've had very little luck with walk-ins. I usually just call the morning of and have had pretty good success. Any time I'm in Edinburgh for work this is the place, hands down.

One of the best meals we had in Scotland by far. Started with a draft at the bar and then went upstairs where the decor is intimate and quaint. I started with the pork belly confit which was super tender with a crispy skin. The remoulade was a perfect accompaniment. For my entrée I opted for the smoked fish platter which was huge. it came with hot and cold smoked salmon, Arbroath smokey pâté, smoked mussels, caper berries, tartar sauce, sourdough, oat cakes and pickles. I could barely finish. The staff was super friendly and the prices for the portions and quality you receive were great.

Really good taste of Mexico style fusion food and good service. Love it, strongly recommend.

I'm so glad we made reservations at this place. I thought it would be more like a pub but it's actually a cute bar with limited seating in the loft and on the outdoor deck. Our service was stellar. There was always someone right there to take an empty plate or glass. I wanted to try one of their amazing cocktails but decided it wasn't a good idea after our whisky tasting (the waitress was incredibly knowledgable).