Cannonball Restaurant & Bar in Edinburgh, City of

A great meal with well-crafted products. Faced with this great work, you should expect to face prices that are a little high but completely justified. The service was also very pleasant. We highly recommend this restaurant for a pleasant time.

Myself and my partner came in for a quick drink before heading to the castle to look around. My partner proposed to me at the castle, and we came back for a drink after. The staff were so lovely and sorted us a free glass of fizz on the house, and were so polite and made our engagement just that bit more special. Absolutely amazing work, I didn't catch their names but they are an asset to the business! This is what customer service is about, thank you!!

We were there for my husband's 61st birthday and felt very well looked after. As a starter we had oysters, one baked and one natural. The quality was top!! The main course was haddock and a wild mushroom risotto. It was great and the service was great across the board. For my birthday there was a great dessert on the house. Thank you for the lovely evening!!!!!

Cannonball was a very good discovery in Edinburgh. The restaurant is located at the foot of the Castle, you can reach it either along Castlehill or through Royal Mile. I stumbled upon it by chance, I didn't know the place and I arrived without a reservation, if you go for lunch it's often crowded, but you can decide to have a simple aperitif or just drink. The lunch room, the one where I was, is on the top floor, super welcoming and chic, the waiters are super attentive and you will observe the chefs at work. Seeing them plated is simply fantastic! My menu was based on fish and chips, the best I have ever eaten, unique and unforgettable, crunchy and juicy throughout. 110 AND PRAISE. While the "dessert", a classic selection of Scottish cheeses, was less interesting, unfortunately they didn't excite me, which was also my fault as I thought it was a sweet dish. They definitely deserved it, for anyone who is a cheese enthusiast and connoisseur it is the right choice, for me it wasn't, therefore my opinion remains a very subjective one influenced by the absence of dessert. Bill: slightly salty, but absolutely honest, both for the service, the place and also the good food! I recommend at least having lunch or dinner here!

Perfect experience for a dinner for two. Friendly staff and tasty cuisine. Seen directly on the castle with a little luck, it is worth the price of the whole thing. Big plus for the staff who offered us a dessert free of charge for our wedding anniversary, perfectly executed.

We recently held our wedding meal at Cannonball Restaurant, and unfortunately, our experience was deeply disappointing. Despite spending nearly £3200, the service and attention to detail were severely lacking, and the communication during the planning process was extremely unprofessional and frustrating. While we have no complaints about the food (the food was actually amazing) and the room is lovely, the service was incredibly slow. We arrived at 7pm and were supposed to leave at 10pm however we were still being served teas and coffees at 11pm. There were long waits between each course and no one got to eat at the same time. The children didn't receive any food until around 9 PM and had to leave before dessert as they still hadn't been served this by 10:30 PM. We have been to many tasting menu experiences before (none of which took 3 hours) and wanted to share the experience of one with our family on our wedding day. However, due to the way it was served, it wasn't the special experience that was promised. We would have been better off opting for a normal menu with a more reliable restaurant. It's clear that Cannonball doesn't know how to handle group events, especially for their tasting menu option. They thought it was acceptable to provide only 1-2 waiting staff for 30 people, one of whom was on his first night. Although the staff were trying their best the service was painfully slow, and their attention to detail was lacking. Other issues included: Incorrect menus for vegetarian guests, including the groom. Songs stuck on repeat due to unresolved Spotify issues. Candles we paid to have set up were not lit, with no prior notice that this wasn't allowed. No staff at our private bar and no drinks menu available as promised. The staff didn't even know what the beer options were. Mishandling of champagne bottles we had pre paid for, with some nearly going to waste. When raising these concerns with the restaurant, they initially blamed the timing of our speeches for the delays (our speeches only ran 18 minutes longer than planned, however our dinner service ran 1 hour and 15 minutes over). The other issues we described collectively contributed to our disappointment and took away from the special experience we had envisioned for our wedding meal. The resturant put our experience down to an "off day" and apologised that thier staff were young and inexperienced, and that they would learn from it. They did refund our service charge after a phone conversation and offered to have us back for dinner to change our opinion of the restaurant, which we declined. We regret choosing Cannonball for such a significant event and cannot recommend it to other couples looking for a special, well-managed wedding experience.

A great experience. The team were fantastic and the food was delish! Would highly recommend

Organised a private dinner for my client recently. What a beautiful venue and the food and service was outstanding! Highly recommend for your next group gathering .

Very nice atmosphere right next to the castle. Excellent wine and smoked trout. Go for the experience!

Really fantastic food (but not the Haggis Cannonballs, I like my Haggis spicy and for me they were a bit tasteless). We had a strange experience when booking, we were told that only one table for 2 was left, we got there just after 19.30 and it was very very quiet! Lots of tables remaining. We did have a lovely table but due to the emptiness of the restaurant it was cold and very un-atmospheric. That said, the food and service was excellent and glad we went.

Didn't have food had a drink staff very friendly reasonably priced

Buzzing on a Monday night for the new season tasting menu. Incredible bread and salted butter to start and then tasty morsels that left us quite stuffed by the end!

Fantastic restaurant with a romantic vibe. Service is excellent, very welcoming. Would highly recommend!

Very yum! The brisket and chocolate mousse cannonball were our favs!

We had lunch here after our tour of Edinburgh Castle. The cocktails and food were incredible! The service was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxing. I had the risotto, which was creamy and delicious!

Mr Continini and his wife together with staff are doing a good job, hospitality nr.1 , local product changed into good quality tasty dishes. Flamboyant and passionate introduction, history, facts and entertainment by Maestro himself. We sincerely enjoyed the place, diner and staff at the diner package prior Tattoo. Unfortunatly next day we returned for lunch downstairs and while it was not busy, half full we could not order barfood, while we saw others going through the bar menu. Must have been an Off day for a staff member.

Had the pre-Tattoo drinks and starters and enjoyed it very much. Hope to back for dinner before our stay in Scotland is over.

We had the most wonderful dinner at the Cannonball Restaurant before the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The restaurant is beautiful and clean, the staff so helpful and happy and the owner welcomed us with such enthusiasm. The food was fabulous! Every course was delicious and plated in such a lovely way. We came away with very happy memories of our meal there. I would highly recommend the Cannonball.

The dinner isn't quite over but I didn't want to gorget to let you know this has been a fabulous evening! The staff is very courteous and sweet. The food incredible. Looking forward to desert and the show!

The food here was absolutely amazing. Everything complimented so well with each other. Savory and sweet all in one! Staff was incredible too!

It was a wonderful experience. The food was truly delicious and the atmosphere was quite private and intimate.

Great service and food. Very close to the castle. Loved our experience there.

Lovely dining experience.Service is very good.

Probably the best smoked trout ever!!

So for the price of their cocktails you would think when you ask for another very small serving of crisps they would be ok but NO, I honestly can’t believe it I’m talking 5 crisps total 🤦‍♀️

Went there on Thursday for dinner and have booked well in advance. Everything was absolutely fabulous. Location is amazing, staff was super friendly. July cocktail as aperitif and starters (Haggis Cannonballs and pickled mackerel) were excellent, mains were a dream (ox cheek and cod), and the desserts (chocolate cannonball, apricot tarte, lemon curd and cheese selection) were the perfect finish of an excellent dinner. We'll be back. ;-)

Excellent food, very efficient and friendly service in beautiful surroundings.

Lovely atmosphere today at lunchtime . Looked after by Olivia. Soup was delicious just what I needed with the Scottish weather

We were on a girls day out for their tasting menu and wine pairing. The staff were knowledgable and very friendly. The food was outstanding. The restaurant was charming with incredible view of the castle.

We had a fantastic dinner here. Food was interesting and delicious, great blend of classics and innovative dishes.

Lovely place, right outside the castle and it feels royal. Had the Brisket, Best meal I've had in Scotland. Great service great food, great calm atmosphere.

Had an eventful visit to the Cannonball - partly by mistake, haha! My mum fainted outside the restaurant and Peter stayed with us until she got better. We then got the watercress soup and some bread and butter to regain some strength. Top service from the team and I guess if you're finding it difficult to get a table, just faint outside 🫠

The staff were super rude, sitting at the bar area laughing at the people I came with and then have the nerve to ask for a 10% tip. Food is overpriced for what it is and staff were not educated on the history of the building. Don’t waste your time or money

We had a very lovely night at Contini! Simone gave us a warm welcome and then Alex took care of us during the dinner. The deer was amazing and the pork filet as well. Really recommended!

The taster menu was spectacular. Love the effort put in to sourcing locally and reducing waste too. Friendly staff (super attentive to allergies) - our waiter was James, he was lovely.

One of the best places to eat, really good food and drinks. Hazel did an awesome job with us as a waitress, definitely would repeat

We stopped in for a snack and a light bite and found the younger bartender rather surly, including to other patrons. But what was truly off putting is when we ordered bread to go with a cheese plate, it was a staggering 6£ for one single roll and 20£ for what turned out to be 6 minuscule slices of cheese. Very very overpriced.

Outstanding experience and excellent service by Hazel. Highly recommend this restaurant. Well worth the walk up towards the castle!

Sophisticated, quality traditional dishes. Very attentive and professional staff. The room is, however, quite noisy.

Fantastic and one of the top romantic restaurants in Scotland. Located in the old school house with windows directly looking over the Edinburgh castle makes a great dining experience. We treated ourselves to the delicious caviar that was so buttery it melted in your mouth and then had the delicious egg and duck. Then topped off with the local filet steak. Made for one of my wife’s favorite birthday dinners. Highly recommend

The view of the castle next to the restaurant is particularly unbeatable. The food is very good and offers a modern interpretation of Scottish dishes. However, you won't find anything unusual on the menu. The service is attentive and offers little cause for criticism. The prices are appropriate for the location and the quality of the food.

Not so much people, but a nice place

Signature food, very good. Fantastic service!

Coffee break just before going to the castle for a liter coffee with cream. Nice decor.

Their vegetarian/vegan option was a barely cooked leak wrapped in seaweed… served with butter knife. I literally couldn’t cut through it.

Amazing service. You must try “The Outlaw” drink. Fantastic.

The food is fantastic, the service is outstanding & the staff are well versed in the history of the building. If we get back to Edinburgh we’ll definitely eat here again.

Me n my husband love it. The staffs were friendly. Food is delicious

Lovely young enthusiastic staff and a delicious menu in a great venue. Terrific value for money, will definitely be back.

Lovely restaurant situated in an old school building at the foot of the Castle Esplanade. I tried Cannonball's tasting menu for the first time the other day. It was first class with perfectly matched wines. Portion sizes were extremely generous. Great value for money. Staff were lovely, in particular Sierra and James. I would highly recommend and will most definitely be back.

This was the first restaurant we came across on the royal mile with it being right by the castle and it was delicious! The atmosphere was great and views from our table on the second story were great as well! My 7 year old loved her fish and chips and it was a very comfortable dining experience.

Great view of the castle very elegant and oh so yummy. Must have the pear crepe Suzette with spiced rum flambé.

We had a fantastic night out with the team. The restaurant views are beautiful and the food was delicious. Since Cannonball has an excellent seafood and wine menu (including oysters from the Pacific Ocean) the combinations are endless and delicious. The cannonball desert is also something quite theatrical and fun to try (fire included). Overall, an amazing restaurant with great food / wine and memorable views of the castle.

Unfortunately, there were a couple of large groups ahead of us in the restaurant, which resulted in slow service. The food was rich and extremely tasty, but I left hungry because it wasn't substantial and missed carbohydrates and vegetables in any quantity other than mere garnish.

Excellent 5 course taster menu. Lovely historic building with views of the castle and esplanade and not ruined by modernisation.

Great location, and very good food! We would go back again upon return to Edinburgh.

We stopped in to get a late lunch after walking down Royal Mile all afternoon. The service here was absolutely amazing, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere was cozy. We both got the potato and Brie soup as a starter which came with bread and butter. The soup was so delicious and filling. The portion size is bigger than we expected which is a plus. I got the steak sandwich, it was delicious. I wasn’t able to finish all of it on account of the starter but, it was so delicious! The bread and butter that came with the soup was perfect. It came to the table nice and warm ☺️ My husband got the haggis and enjoyed it so much that he was able to eat all of it. I literally can not wait to come back to Edinburgh and eat at this restaurant again.

The ambiance of the place is cozy and welcoming, making it a perfect spot for a relaxed meal. The food was absolutely tasty, with the delicious duck being a standout for me. Additionally, as a dog owner, I really appreciated the dog-friendly environment. It's a great place to enjoy a good meal in a comfortable setting.

Impressive ingredients with a breathtaking view over Edinburgh Castle.

10/10 fantastic service, food and environment - can't fault a single thing. The staff made it a brilliant night (thank you James!) and we were sat by what is surely the absolute best view in Edinburgh.

My partner and I had dinner here when we were in Edinburgh around NYE. Everything about the experience was perfect. We were seated by the window with an amazing view of the castle. I had the pigeon, the beef cheek and the Lanark Blue cheese. My partner had terrine, duck and sticky toffee pudding. Everything was cooked to perfection and beautifully presented, with generous portions. The wine was very reasonably priced as well for a restaurant of this quality. The service was also excellent, the staff were very friendly and attentive. We'll definitely be coming back when we're next in Edinburgh.

Cannonball is a great way to end the tour of Edinburgh castle! Eilidh was very attentive, funny, and helpful in recommending dishes for us to try. The smoked trout was absolutely wonderful and Shepherd's pie is as authentic Albanac.

A disappointing lunch. The service was poor, the menu limited and the food overseasoned , poorly presented and uninspired.

Read reviews and went early before the Castle Light Show. Appetizers of smoked trout along with lobster and crab on a biscuit. Food and service fantastic.

Haggis wird hier als kleine Bälle frittiert. Schöner ironischer Verweis auf den Restaurantnamen. Macht kulinarisch aber keinen Sinn, weil es den Geschmack nivelliert.

Very positive experience, would go again. Gluten free breads are amazing and probably the unexpected highlight of the meal.

Great food and Oysters was lovely

Muy buen lugar y buen servicio.

No lo recomiendo, el servicio malísimo. Te obligan a pedirte lo que ellos quieren.

Excellent meal, right beside Castle. A group of 20 of us were looked after very well.

We went early and it was, A) quite cold and B) totally empty. I quite like the emptiness, cold less so but it did get better by the time we left, a "quirk" of the incredible location in the Edinburgh Castle grounds, the witchery next door had better atmosphere but the staff here win out, as for food, Oysters were unavailable and so the choice was salmon for appetizer and it was lovely but a little too much sauce. Next potato soup, was okay but rather thick and it could be peppered. For the main a stone bass that was, Amazing, presentation was top notch and there was skin unlike the halibut which is something I love, mussels well done and all the best flavours and textures from the veggies and garnish. Only complaint slightly too wet. And then for my favorite, a unique take on sticky toffee pudding, a flattened out hard outter shell with awesome hard candy encased nut biscuits. A must have if you come here.

Great atmosphere and service. Great location next to Edinburgh Castle on the Royal Mile. Food menu limited, but was presented immaculately.

I ordered the scallop starter, priced at £18, and was astonished when the plate arrived with a pile of salt, a scallop shell on the salt, and one (yes ONE) scallop. Disappointed doesn't cover it. Rest of the meal was ok, but nothing that I'd need to write home about.

Cosy restaurant/bar, Stopped in for drinks when visiting the castle and was expecting to pay through the nose but found it reasonably priced.

Amazing! Try the wine pairing!!

The cannonball restaurant is namelijk after a cannonball in the wall. Take a good look and you will find it although it is quite hard if you do not know where to look. We found it only after reading the hints. That makes it just the more fun to do. The restaurant inside is worth the visit. The atmosphere is vibrant

Cuisine excellente, dans un cadre chic et cosy. Nous avons été pris sous l'aile d'Imogen qui a été agréable et professionnelle du début à la fin. Je recommande les yeux fermés. Ce restaurant fera partie de nos meilleurs souvenirs d'Ecosse ! 😊

Nice food. Good service. But, a bit overpriced and very lacking in atmosphere. We went on a Saturday night and the place was very cold and quiet.

I died and went to heaven here. Had a three course meal with the banana espresso martini. The thing that upsets me the most is the fact that I live on the other side of the world so coming back will be difficult.

Our friends told us to check this place out, and we did for a late lunch. We sat upstairs, which was bright and not too crowded. We started with some tasty cocktails, the haggis cannonballs, and the squash soup. The mac n cheese with bacon and Cullen skink were delicous too. The staff were nice, portions were big, and the bread was amazing. We couldn't fit in dessert, but we'll be back for sure! 🍸🍽️🥓

It’s a lovely building and airy atmosphere. Be prepared, lots of steps but beautiful seating upstairs. We had pumpkin soup and chicken Caesar salad. The bread is baked in house and has a wonderful texture

Had a meal prior to military tattoo food and drinks exceptional. Service spot on.

Imogen was a wonderfully and thoroughly professional host with the exquisite food providing for a great dining experience

A really nice restaurant right next to the castle entrance on the mile. Fantastic non alcoholic cocktails. So good that I’m going to make at home. Great service and lovely food

Excellent food and wine. Highly recommend.

Diner au top : plats savoureux, accueil charmant, lieu agréable

A wonderful family-owned restaurant that had one of the best meals I've had in a long time.

Lovely food and drinks with exceptional service

I visited this bar back in June. The young South African gentleman behind the bar was extremely courteous and knowledgeable about the beers on offer. Service was exceptional. Drinks were expensive but very tasty.

We attended as apart of the hospitality package for the Edinburgh Tattoo and it was a fantastic night, Victor and Carina were lovely. The front of house staff were very knowledgeable and pleasant, the food was incredible both the normal menu and the vegetarian menu and the cocktails were great

At the foot of the Castle Esplanade Cannonball Restaurant is steeped in history. The staff are great & dealt with a small incident during our meal impeccably. Celebrating an 80th birthday here recently they surprised my dad with a very special pud! Photo below. The food was especially tasty & locally sourced making it even more scrumptious. If you are celebrating a special event or just looking for great food in a lovely setting I can highly recommend the Cannonball Restaurant.

Zu empfehlen den RosenblätterCocktail

Good food, nice vibe, friendly staff, very very expensive food and drink.

Menu is fine, but if you're a solo traveler, stay away. Half of it is appetizers that they don't let you order by themselves, so if you want something that looks good, they'll ask you to buy a main course as well. Kind of stupid, makes it much more expensive. Food is pretty okay. Proximity to the castle is its main strength.

Ottima cena con servizio eccellente

James was world-class. Great cocktails with an excellent atmosphere.

Très bon restaurant à 2 pas du château. Il s'agit d'une ancienne école et le lieu est bien plus grand qu'il n'y paraît de l'extérieur, la salle du restaurant se situe à l'étage dans une pièce à haut plafond, donc un peu bruyante mais on s'habitue assez vite. Le service est agréable, rapide et de bon conseil. Les plats étaient tous très bons, leur carte des vins est intéressante, nous y avons passé une très bonne soirée.

The ambience is spectacular, the drinks are really, really good, - but the service makes this place not as worthy as its atmosphere. It’s supposed to be tableservice, but we finally had to go to the bar, and then, after 20 minutes, when the drinks were finally made, they sat on the bar for quite a while until someone decided to bring them to us. There were many other tables in the same situation that we were. Obviously, the bar is just too busy, because they are making drinks for the restaurant. DO NOT come here for drinks unless you have an hour or more.

Sehr lecker, sehr schöne Atmosphäre. Es war sehr voll und Bedienung hat lange gedauert.

Very inattentive staff, we followed in a larger group and despite over half the tables being empty none of the 3 members of staff on front of house spoke to anyone in the larger group or us for 15 minutes, I also tried calling out for attention to be ignored. The larger group left first and we then left 5 minutes later as noone else bothered to engage us. Awful service and well below expectations. The food may be nice but we'll never know.