Cannonball Restaurant & Bar in Edinburgh, City of

The food was wonderful, the view stunning but our server made the meal. The creme brulee was the beat I've ever tasted

We were seated in the bar area, it was very quiet that night that was perfect for us. We shared a lot of plates and everything was very good

This was an unplanned gem! We finished the Scotch Whisky Experience next door and wanted a bite. Next door is Contini Cannonball with a gorgeous interior and view of the Castle. The food was amazing! We had the duck terrine, cod, and lamb rump roast, and everything was a 10/10, or 11/10 if I could go higher! Our waitress, Safia, was amazing with her service and recommendations, including wines! Definitely don’t skip this spot if you go to Edinburgh!

This was our first visit after a recommendation from a friend and we were definitely not disappointed. The restaurant was an old schoolhouse and has been refurbished sympathetically to its history. As a table of 4 we had the booth that looked out through a small window to Edinburgh Castle which we loved. The food was excellent, every course was amazing, particularly the 2 flambéed desserts we had! We did a mixture of a la carte and the set menu per person which was exceptionally good value for the standard of food we received. We are looking forward to returning!

Rude staff, sufficient but very expensive food and minimal portions. They have no consideration of the customer.

First time went for a private event with tasting menu and it was great. Second time went for dinner and was underwhelmed with the food, at best it was ok. Unfortunately would say it’s not worth the price on this occasion. Service was great and location is of course great but the food was a let down.

Top location with all nice and great bartenders downstairs. We got to know 4 different bartenders over 2 days. Love the Joker IPA there. Their rating is 5 stars!! Of course, it's in a great location right next to the castle. We had made a reservation at the restaurant 3 days in advance, but they couldn't find the reservation anymore. No matter, the boys solved it and we got a great table. It took quite a long time to order. Sooo... no bread beforehand, no “greetings from the kitchen”, I would have expected given the restaurant’s standards, not bad. We had delicious oysters with a chutney first, 5 stars! 🌟 My leg of lamb was also delicious and the look and feel were also right. 5 stars. OK at €37, but not suitable if you're very hungry. All good, right??? Actually, yes. My wife ordered trout. The waiter asked for Trout or Cod. But salmon came. Also very tasty (4 stars). There was no question during the meal whether everything was OK. After eating we asked why there was salmon and not trout!? It came out sloppy, it was trout and not salmon. Maybe a misunderstanding or translation problem, the way of communication didn't work at all!! The good mood was suddenly gone. Apparently our waitress did too. We waited another 15 minutes for the bill. Without the incident, unreserved recommendation. Everyone has to evaluate that for themselves.

Great service and great food, really beautiful restaurant

I wish we could give Cannonball Contini a 10! We hosted our wedding reception here and it has been wonderful! Impeccable service and professionalism, delicious food, stunning venue. Special thanks to Guillermo and Esteban! We couldn’t wish for anything better, it was just perfect.

We recently had out wedding reception at the Cannonball restaurant. Where 24 of our family and friends enjoyed the use of the function room. The staff were extremely welcoming, caring and attentive with all of our guests, at one point even zipping the brides dress back up at she had become unknowingly unzipped. 🤭 I would highly recommend this venue to anyone wanting to celebrate any occasion, though we found as a wedding venue it was absolutely the right choice for look and location. The meal was 10/10. The father of the bride declared it was the best meal he had had in his life and at that point he had only eating the starters, the butter people spoke about for days! Still have no idea how they made butter taste so good. 😂 Will definitely be making a return visit on our anniversary’s. James & Laura McDougall

Located in Old Town on the Royal Mile, Cannonball Restaurant and Bar is one of my favourite restaurants in all of Edinburgh. This historical landmark was originally built in the 17th century and has unique views of the castle with an old meets new interior. The restaurant is clean and offers a relaxed atmosphere which offers comfort food meets fine dining experience, and plenty of seating options on three different levels – bar, restaurant and private dining area. We happened to stop in after a visit to Edinburgh Castle and I am so glad we did - this place is a gem! We were greeted and seated immediately upon arrival. The customer service was 5-star with friendly and attentive staff. The price was very reasonable for what we got: the portion sizes good, the presentation amazing, and the food was fresh and prepared to perfection. They offer a comprehensive menu with different dining options and were able to accommodate a reduced salt diet. Everything on the menu that we had was incredible delicious including: fresh homemade bread and whipped butter, creamy potato soup, smoked trout with creme fraiche, battered haddock with hand cut fries, pan seared cod with spinach and Beurre Blanc, Chocolate Cannonball and crème brulée. They also had an extensive bar and selection of wines to choose from. Two unique features of this restaurant are the cannonball lodged in the wall, the namesake of the restaurant, and an old school desk and ode to its history as a schoolhouse and the resident ghost they call “Alice”. It is also wheelchair accessible with entrance from the courtyard, a lift that accesses all levels including the bathrooms, and plenty of seating options that can easily accommodate a wheelchair. Overall, we were extremely satisfied with the food, service and experience. I highly recommend this restaurant and will return to it time and again!

Excellent food and service at Cannonball last night. Would highly recommend if you looking for dinner. They have a great event space for groups, and chef prepared some tasty local produce.

For international visitors service quality is not good, folks in BAR have lots of attitude.

It took them 2 hours to bring us fish and chips

One of my top experiences in Edinburgh. Weary, cold and damp, my wife and I came in after a full day of traveling and hiking around. As couples do, we could not decide on a place to eat until she told me she would murder me if we did not stop soon. She recalled noticing Cannonball as we were at the castle earlier in the afternoon. We had no reservation, on a Friday night, and they accommodated us with no fuss whatsoever. It was a warm environment and incredibly friendly waitstaff. We started with a couple of cocktails and the haggis cannonballs which were incredible. My wife decided on the pork belly and loved every bit of it (I myself snuck a couple of bites and it was fantastic.) I decided on the saddles that were on special that evening and to tell you the truth, someone could have run me in with a spear right there and I would have died at my happiest. The presentation was phenomenal and the flavors were on point with the presentation. I have already started planning and booking my return trip to Scotland and I have already carved out a night to dine once again at Cannonball. Thank you so much for the hospitality and experience!

Popped in for a small break from a long walking day. Expert and friendly staff. Very knowledgeable, friendly and kind. Tremendous selection of whisky and gin. Very nice but not pretentious. Though I did not eat there, the dishes coming out looked and smelled amazing with a really banger menu and fair pricing. Worth a stop in!

What a fabulous restaurant, food, service, drinks all fantastic and the location is outstanding, particularly if you manage to get a table with a view of Edinburgh Castle!

Lovely staff, food was amazing. Didn't book but managed to accommodate us.

We visited Cannonball Restaurant to celebrate our engagement, and it was an incredible dining experience. The views of Edinburgh Castle from our table were stunning, and the staff, especially Courtney & the host, made the night extra special with wine and a thoughtful dessert. The food was excellent & the service was top-notch, and they really made us feel welcome. If you’re in Edinburgh for a special occasion, Cannonball is a must.

Wonderful meal, staff all very friendly & helpful. Will look forward to returning on our next visit!

Stopped in for a late lunch post-Castle hoping it wasn't a touristy eatery. Happy to report...so far from it! Quiet and, as others note, unhurried. Outstanding food and service. In town for a few more days and plan to return "just to make sure" our experience wasn't a one off!

Nice varied menu and a nice introduction to Old Town. The staff are very friendly and helpful. I was alone and had a beautiful table by the window. Highly recommended for the tourist who is not looking for burgers 👍

It is a great option to eat delicious and good food in the center of Edinburgh

Came to Edinburgh for the day and visited this wonderful restaurant. The staff were polite and attentive however the real winner was the food. I had the haggis starter then beef, my partner the smoked trout then risotto. Would very highly recommend the smoked trout and the beef. We were sat by the window with lovely views of the castle. Thank you for rounding off a lovely trip

Took 35 guests here for a dinner and very impressed with the food and service. Very accommodating with last minute changes. James and Co were top notch.

Restaurant is located in a picturesque corner of the Edinburgh Castle entrance. We had one of the best seats in the house with a beautiful view of the castle in the evening. Three different menu options in terms of portions and settings, all of our dinner choices were excellent, and nicely prepared, and nicely presented. The restaurant was not terribly crowded in January, but the staff is very pleasant and it was an enjoyable experience. Being so close to a major tourist attraction one would’ve expected a hurried in and hurried out atmosphere, this was just the opposite. Lovely fine dining experience.

High end restaurant, portion sizes are small but oh so tasty. Prices are reflective of both the quality and the location (just by the castle) but I would certainly recommend this restaurant. There is an open kitchen so really loved being able to see the dishes plated up. Staff were polite and very professional.

Thank you for the wonderful food. It was a blissful time at our last Edinburgh dinner. I ordered a mix of raw and baked oysters. It was fresh. The taste of the bake complemented the oysters just right and I enjoyed it with the scotch. Ordered Glenfidfich 12 year, Glengoyne 10 year. The 12 year old had a deep, smoky flavor, and the 10 year old was also delicious. The food at COD is so delicious that you wonder how the surrounding garnishes are fried so lightly. Fish and chips (different name) is something I've always wanted to try. The bean puree that went with the tartare was also perfect. Best taste! I'm glad I found something delicious. The customer service was great and they happily answered all my questions and had a wonderful smile.

Overall poor food, significantly overpriced. The server was very good, but let down by slow bar (drinks took 20+ minutes from order). It was some of the worst food we've had in a long time.

For somewhere that is a ‘captured market’ this place did a great job. Friendly staff with great service and high standards. We really enjoyed our lunch today.

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.

Probably the best smoked trout ever!!

Lovely dining experience.Service is very good.

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

Not so much people, but a nice place

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.

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.