Commons Club Restaurant & Bar in Edinburgh, City of

We visited in January and found the restaurant not as warm as we would have liked. However, it did not spoil our enjoyment of a lovely meal. The staff were fantastic too.

Just witnessed one of the bar staff petting a dog then going straight to carving the ice block without washing his hands or putting on the specialist glove. For the prices of the drinks in here I’d expect FAR HIGHER standards from the staff. This same person earlier had been playing with the female members hair, so unprofessional and honestly it’s utterly disgusting!

We came for dinner here on the first night at Edinburgh. Walking on the streets after visiting the castle we got an amazing smell from the outside and we just walk in to see if the had any space, BEST DECISION EVER!!! the place as all Virgin spaces is perfectly designed, our table was in the basement in the most luxurious haft light ambiance. We were welcome at our table by our waiter which service was espectacular. The menu it’s perfect size and has something for everybody. food was perfect? beef Wellington just on point, beautiful presentation. Sadly we were not drinking but they have a really complete wine list. I fully recommend this place definitely coming back

We stopped here for a couple of drinks before going out for the night. Its a small bar with limited seating which creates a nice quiet and intimate atmosphere. Drinks seemed to be a little on the expensive side for what they are but each to their own on this front. Majority of the staff were ok but a couple seemed to be a little self important and unfortunately didn't seem overly welcoming - could of just been having a bad day. Don't think we will go back.

Absolutely amazing experience. The service was outstanding, couldn't do more to be helpful, even going to make a drink as the bar was so busy Loved the theme for the tasting menu and everything was cooked to perfection. It was amazing to be able to see the chef's working so well in the small space.

I visited Commons Club Edinburgh on Saturday evening for dinner, drawn back by a previous excellent experience and the reputation of Chef Emma’s stunning cuisine. While the food was exceptional, the service left much to be desired. To start, I ordered the scallops, which were cooked to perfection—tender, flavorful, and beautifully presented. My main course, venison, was a masterclass in culinary execution, perfectly balanced with seasonal accompaniments. Dessert was a tart Tatin, which was rich, indulgent, and the ideal way to end the meal. Chef Emma’s creativity and skill truly shine, making the food the highlight of the evening. Unfortunately, the service significantly detracted from the experience. There was a 30-minute wait between the starter and main course, which disrupted the flow of the meal. With just 1.5 hours before we needed to leave, this delay meant we had to rush through dessert. In fact, we had to request the waiter to place the dessert order while still eating the main course—something that felt entirely avoidable with better time management. Adding to the disappointment, I ordered a glass of Ferrari Brut, a sparkling wine I enjoyed in Italy and was looking forward to revisiting. Instead, the waiter brought house champagne without consulting me—a substitution I found presumptuous and unprofessional. This experience was especially disheartening as my previous visit to Commons Club had been flawless. Chef Emma continues to deliver incredible food, but the service this time fell short of the high standards one would expect from a restaurant of this caliber. I hope these issues are addressed, as the talent in the kitchen deserves to be matched by attentive and seamless front-of-house service.

Very impolite behaviour in behalf of the bartender! Very arrogant!

Absolutely loved the experience of the Chefs Table, it felt very personal with Chef Emma explaining the dishes. All the staff who looked after us were knowledgable and we felt very well looked after.

We took the front row seat at the Chef Emma Hanley’s table and watched the talented Chef create extraordinary dishes in a cool and calm manner. After the dishes were served Emma would come to our table and introduce each one or the dishes personally. The whole experience was very demure and very mindful! Recommend this experience if you are looking for a extra special experience for a special occasion.

Very nice atmosphere and very tasty food

Modern Italian cuisine in high quality. Nice service and very nice atmosphere.

We went for afternoon tea. Everything was superb and although our table was under the dome it felt a bit odd sitting opposite a bedroom door. Staff were going in and out cleaning it and public walked by our table. The girl serving us was very good and nice and friendly. She explained the menu very well and was very attentive.

Cool place to dine.Great setting..Delicious food and cheerful welcoming staff.

We had dinner this evening in this elegant restaurant, excellent dishes and the staff (especially Dan) was super friendly. Dan recommended us excellent dishes and excellent wine that went together and matched amazingly. The restaurant is beautiful, right in the middle of the Old Town of Edinburgh, and it’s situated in an old building that conserves all the features of when it was originally built. So the experience was perfect, I would definitely do it again! Lucia e Chiara from Veneto

What a wonderful evening we had at the Commons Club Restaurant and Bar in Edinburgh. We began in the bar sharing a bottle of wine in a vibrant atmosphere, The service and friendliness was exceptional. We then headed downstairs for a delicious meal. Everything was cooked to perfection along with being beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The staff was attentive and knowledgeable helping to create a memorable experience. Thank you! We had a wonderful evening.

Remember when service was good in the world? It still is here. The guest comes first. Staff accommodating. The design is incredible. Go upstairs for the bar, downstairs for the restaurant in an intimate setting. The coffee is very deep and flavorful. The tea is unique and also flavorful. Can't say enough about the attentive staff.

Wonderful dinner! We dined near the Chef's Table and were delighted to watch the action in the kitchen from our beautiful table. Service and food were lovely! We also liked that it's kid friendly yet upscale.

Lovely & stylish interior however extremely expensive for drinks & very small wine menu. Whilst staff were not unfriendly they weren't very welcoming. Maybe a bit of style over substance. There are better cocktail bars in Edinburgh so not sure would return.

The tuna starter the halibut, and that chocolate pear dessert were the closest things to heaven. We were also greatly impressed with the kindness of service from Dan and from David. We plan to go back tomorrow!

Excelente servicio y deliciosa comida. La atención de Dan fue impecable! La pasta con lobster y la carne a la mantequilla calificación de 9.5

One of the most delicious meals we’ve ever had. Took my daughter as a special treat while we’re in Edinburgh to see Taylor Swift. Superb service from the lovely Dan. Very stylish but also cosy and comfortable decor and my favourite wine was on the list. What more could you want? Will bring my husband and son next time.

Had the côte de boeuf. For 95£ I expect better quality. An uacceptabel large part was simply just a chunk of fat. Sides were small and tasting ok, but nothing more. Went elsewhere for dessert as we deemed the place unworthy of additional time and money.

"Absolutely beautiful menu put together by chief Emma. I especially enjoyed the first two dishes (tuna ceviche and sushi style salmon). The menue in May inspired by Peru hence it may not be the same next time. However, I have confidence that she will create something as magnificent next time we visits. The service at the restaurant is definitely a 5 start experience and everyone was very accommodating. We’ll be back next time when visit Edinburgh!

We stopped at this restaurant by chance while walking along Vitoria Street and.. what a pleasant surprise!! Starting with reception, even though there were just a few minutes left before the kitchen closed, they were ready to set us up a table. We ordered several starters, all of which were impeccable! We ordered the salmon, scallop, steak tartare (wonderful!)! Excellent drinks! As for the service… this was incredible!! From beginning to end! Thank you for the incredible experience you gave us tonight! Your team is incredible!

Beautiful bar. Wine and whisky selection was excellent. The cocktails were disappointing though. Very expensive but underwhelming. Also be aware that there is a 12% service charge on your bar bill. This was one of the most expensive places we visited for drinks so were hoping for the cocktails to match the surroundings but they didn't.

Only went there for drinks so probably cannot comment on the quality of the food, but strongly suggest any Asians to visit as you might be treated with sub-par services. We visited the bar tonight thinking of trying out the drink menu as it had such stellar reviews. However, the bar waitress was so busy chatting with other customers that we received no attention at all. Eventually the bartender had to step in and showed us a table. When she was finally done chatting up with the other table after 5-10 minutes, we were finally shown the menu (“accidentally” thrown at us) and a really quick walkthrough of our options. Then she disappeared again for another 10minutes chatting up with someone else. I would have understood if it’s a busy night with many tables to serve only one waitress running around, but the attitude shown to us makes me question the reason why we are the only group left with no attention at all. If you do not mind the endless waiting for ordering just one drink I would say it might be the place for you, but otherwise I would strongly suggest you reconsider your choice, especially if you are of certain ethnic background.

We had a great time and the service was very pleasant.

And amazing culinary highlight in Edinburgh

Very good food, atmosphere, and service. The only downside is that you can barely call the drinks cocktails and charge them 15-20£ when they are simple alcohol and soda.

We loved it. The food was as good and not better than almost any restaurant in North Carolina. And certainly the best I’ve had in this city. The service was impeccable. Really personal, lots of privacy, but lots of attentiveness too. Great even the trip to the restrooms was amazing, once you’ve been there and you take the trip you’ll know what I mean. It’s not what you expect. Can’t wait to be back when I come back.

Terrific experience. Went there with the whole family for Mother’s Day lunch.

I booked the Chefs table for 2 of us, was very exclusive and in its own separate part from the main restaurant. Great for a special occasion. Maximum of 8 people can be at Chefs table at one time (had a slight Nordic feel to it , decoration wise) but it’s only us and another couple and still felt very private away from our meal. All 6 courses were very unique and bursting with flavour & we could watch them cook & prepare in front of us. Experience lasted for about 2.5 hours, we were not rushed and could have stayed for additional drinks at the bar. Nice ambient music playing throughout :) Emma Hanley explained the courses she prepared really well and was passionate about her craft. Melanie our waitress is a lovely lady and looked after us very well :) & very personable and attentive, if not already she would be a great manager, lots of world hospitality experience and makes you feel like an individual and special. My specific dietary requirements were catered to perfectly. You feel a nice feeling of full at the end but not bloated, the courses are not massive but lots of flavour and effort has gone into each one. Would book again, really exclusive experience :)

Great staff, classy bar. Few things off the menu but they were lovely about it.

Excellent food, service, and atmosphere! Notably, I want to mention that, because my friend was recovering from food poisoning, he had to only eat bland foods and asked if he could have fried eggs and toasts. Not only did the chef accommodate the special request, my friend said the eggs and toasts were amazing. Compliments to the chef!

January Supper Club ( great value ) 3 course meal on Friday night. Not busy, only a few tables dining but we loved our Evening. Super stylish and romantic basement restaurant with great service , very good food and wine selection. Recommended as a date restaurant. We followed with cocktails upstairs in the equally stylish bar.

Absolutely divine food- you can tell a lot of thought and care has gone into the menu. My husband said the roast chicken was the best chicken dish he’s ever had. I’m vegetarian so ordered the wild mushrooms barley risotto- comparing it to your average restaurant mushroom risotto is a travesty. On the higher end price-wise, but it’s completely worth it. Also very attentive and polite service. If I could give it six stars I would!

Only visited the bar area - but what an excellent place!

Just come for a cocktail. On the first day, I had an old-fashioned cocktail. I don’t know what it was called, but the waiter recommended it. It was £24. On the second day, I wanted to try some differences, and I looked at the menu and chose William Wallace. The price is similar to the others, which is £15. But when I sign the bill, it is £50 plus £6.75 service fee. It was the most expensive cocktail I have ever drunk in my life. Good ranking.

A brilliant date night. Superb food and excellent service. My husband had some Oysters, then trout and (as it was Christmas) a turkey Ballantine which was very moist. My food was vegetarian: an artichoke with truffle and an outstanding comte tart. I was super impressed by this restaurant. What more can you ask for? Brilliant food, brilliant service, an outstanding evening. We needed our evening upstairs in the bar which was an enhancement to the evening. Thanks Commons Club. You made a special night, extra special.

Jaw droppingly stylish bar. The bartenders were standouts. Kyle, Matthew (Lurch) and Ollie were superb. So friendly, knowledgable, chatty and skilled at their craft. Easy to talk to and mix a mean drink. Pay a visit to the commons club and you will leave feeling like Winston Churchill after just having won the war. Highly recommend.

Attentive and courteous service, soft and relaxing atmosphere, well-executed dishes, correct cooking

Excellent à tous points de vue, un sans faute ! Raffiné, innovant. 2 jours d’affilée même qualité de nourriture & service

Great ambience and efficient service and a fine food . Beef tartare was as good as any I have ever had and the iberico ham was genuinely different and superior to the usual . Hake was todays market fish and it was deliciously fresh and served with a side of dauphinois potatoes . Perhaps a little too heavily seasoned but on the whole a lovely plate of food . Beautiful meringue and a pan a cotta to finish . Decent wines , a good Cotes Du Rhone and a Gavi were reasonably priced and whilst not a cheap night it was cheaper than other high end restaurants in Edinburgh and in my opinion better surroundings than some and better food than many .

Looks very cool inside- but don’t be fooled service is awful even with 3 waiters and about 5 tables to wait on. Not attentive at all. Waited 30min just for bread and butter, no drinks meanwhile couples who came in after us got bread and butter within 5min of sitting. Once we got our drinks they were completely overpriced for just juice. No alcohol in it whatsoever. Much better bars elsewhere don’t come here.

Service and food was just perfection and when getting this, you can’t say anything else but, perfect evening, the food is truly amazing, so many unique flavors, great combinations and perfect presentation. The chef is phenomenal and she and her team just know how to deliver the perfect meal. Service in restaurant was spot on, so happy we went and we’ll DEF come back

Perfect service, a pleasant place to sit even for demanding people, good cuisine.

ristorante di aspetto interessante, ben arredato. ambiente caldo. servizio molto gentile e sollecito. menù non molto vasto. prezzi leggermente sopra la media . piatti ben presentati e buoni

Really good food. Especially enjoyed the fresh flavours of the mackerel dish and lobster. Peanut parfait was rich and indulgent to finish. Fernando and his team looked after us very well and I would have no hesitation in dining here again.

Well worth paying a few more pounds for a great food experience. The daily fish was delicious and their wine selection is superb. The staff are fun and very friendly.

The food was excellent and service very attentive on a weekend evening. I can highly recommend the Scottish beef and the peanut butter parfait. I also had the Oysters as a starter which seems like a more seasonal dish. Though I was a solo diner, they did well with families with small children too.

Spent the evening here with some friends for my birthday. The food and service were exceptional. While it is a high end restaurant, it does not feel stuffy or uncomfortable. I highly suggest the jamón ibérico starter. Also, the bar upstairs has a fantastic selection of unique cocktails to choose from. Thank you for the memorable experience. Keep up the great work.

Nice bar in the old registrars office. Will give 4 star as nice returb and Decor is great. Couple of cocktails, quite average but at £15 each, it’s same price as Balmoral hotel and there is no contest in quality. Also HAVE to pay by card. Should have been told this before ordering as would not have stayed. Won’t be back

Beautiful bar, lovely service from Charlie, but almost collapsed at the bill. 2 Secret Garden Lemon Verbena gin + 2 bottles of soda...£42.75. For a bottle of gin that costs £35.95 on Masters of Malt, this is painful. I know it's a lovely bar and don't expect to pay £5 a gin, but come on, how can you charge £16 per measure! Not even a wee bar snack to go with it. They've a cocktail menu with prices, plus beer + wines, but of course they've no menu with spirits prices...probably because people would walk right out again. Was nice to try, but won't be back unless we win the lottery jackpot

Bel endroit, très cosy, bon service et cuisine de qualité avec des assiettes bien présentées et avec des goûts harmonieux.

ottimo ristorante in atmosfera accogliente e attuale . cibo molto buono , materia prima fresca e di qualità , camerieri professionali cordiali e allo stesso momento rilassati. ci tornerei subito!

The cocktails were good if not a tad pricey.

Inside the new Virgin Hotel the Commons Club looks like the Hyena of restaurants. The in-cohesive mess has stone cellar arches that could be quite nice yet nothing else ties into them. You have dated modern furnishings from the 80’s, wood ceiling slats used in office buildings and a color scheme so bad one would hope they were still laying down samples. The food is average hotel faire with an uninspiring wine list. The whole experience was topped off by the worst music playlist this side of trying too hard I’ve ever heard played just loud enough you can’t ignore it. I will say all our servers were great and we appreciated that very much. Sadly it didn’t make up for the rest and I would give this place a hard pass.

Excellent service and foods, nice environment

Excellent in All Ways .. Restaurant was fantastic and I am not sure if there is better food in Edinburgh .. Decor is great .. What we saw The Hotel Bar is a Special place and Hotel Also .. Plus being on Victoria Street .. will definitely return

Love it here...staff brilliant, great atmosphere

What a beautiful, beautiful bar. Such great interior and such tasty drinks. Variety is off the chain. Perfect service with cute and extremely friendly bartenders. I would come back in a heart beat

Siamo stati prima per un cocktail al bar e poi al ristorante a cena. Il bar bellissimo, elegante, il servizio curato nei minimi dettagli: il ghiaccio tagliato a mano ed inciso con logo su ogni cubetto, i cocktail che abbiamo provato tutti deliziosi. La cena, al ristorante al piano di sotto veramente ottima, l ambiente molto raffinato, le luci soffuse, il cibo di grande qualità. Per finire siamo scesi al lounge bar, con musica dal vivo, più animato e divertente, è stata una esperienza unica ed esclusiva. Grazie a Victor e Lianna per questa bellissima scoperta!

I asked for the bartenders to choose a drink for me. A delicious mezcal and Aperol based cocktail arrived that I loved. I recommend hanging here in the afternoon, sitting at the long bar, admiring the art on the walls and the enjoying the award winning crew of mixologist.

Matthew is an outstanding barman. Whatever the occasion this place is a MUST for the finest Whiskey, amazing cocktails and of course our American favourite Tito’s vodka!

Had the Chefs table experience our first evening in Edinburgh. Delicious food, attentive waiters and so wonderful to be able to observe the chefs at work. Party for the palate. Will be back.

Excellent service and food. Highly recommend

The bar at Commons club is an aesthetically pleasing spot for cocktails in old town. I only give this place a 3 stars because the service could be a bit better. We did sit around for about 40 minutes waiting for our bill when we were finished (and we were sitting at the bar…).

J’ai pris les pâtes aux linguines et truffes, truffes inexistantes et quantité de pâte beaucoup trop faible!

The bar is beautifully appointed and keeps many of the original features. Unfortunately, two of the cocktails I asked for they were unable to make, not good for a Cocktail Bar. Whilst the drinks were ok, the huge lumps of ice in the glass made it difficult to drink, causing spillage. Obviously a new bar which with time will no doubt become excellent, but needs time to develop.

A lovely place with great atmosphere and excellent service. The food was very good. The oysters with the Champaign sauce, the signature caesar's salad, the wine, the main courses...but...when we entered nobody was there to guide us where to go. The restaurant is downstairs FYI. Also the bathroom is sparkling clean, the hand soap and the hand lotion were expensive and amazing and the total decoration of the place was exceptional.

This venue oozes class and historic character! We loved the plush decor and vibrant ambiance. The staff is amicable, and the dishes are finished to an exquisite standard. We made a quick visit to the bar after dinner and were made welcomed by a very cool duo of bartenders. The bar is a sight to behold with some quirky vibes and suggestive posters. The art is worth mentioning too. I'd recommend you have a sneak peak at the library for some eye candy. Really enjoyed seeing so much Jonathan Adler all over the place.

Lovely hotel nice staff pitty about the noise till three am from nightclub at rear rooms.

We were two, new to the restaurant. But we were welcomed like old clients. We were lucky to enjoy a complimentary glass of decent champagne. We were served by charming and engaging staff. We ate some of the best halibut we have ever had, its cooking timed to perfection, and served on a delicately satisfying mussel sauce and vegetables. We ate precisely served and fastidiously prepared puddings. The wine was good with only a reasonable markup. The room is characterful, beautifully decorated with great sense of place. A wonderful discovery. Very good value indeed.

Oh how I wish I could be as positive as the many reviews published here. We visited on the basis of a review published in a national newspaper. How wrong we were. The starter of Caesar salad was good but the main course of brill with a dry crumble topping and no moisture anywhere in the dish, coupled with the slightly overcooked fish, was so disappointing, especially at a cost of over £30. Given the training chefs go through, why do so many manage to overcook fish? To be frank, I cook better fish at home. Needless to say we sent it back. Furthermore, as the restaurant was not at all busy it was also disappointing that the chef couldn’t be bothered to come out of the kitchen to talk to us about the dish. Big mistake - such poor customer service that needs to be addressed. The wine list was fine but with a big mark up so choose carefully. The service by a pleasant and understandable waitress, was good. Would we visit again? No.

Came here for NYE dinner. Food was really good! All four of us enjoyed it. Drinks were fine too. Friendly & helpful staff. Would definitely recommend

Amazing place! Brilliant food & drinks, very friendly staff. Definitely recommend

Super expérience au Commons Club, les plats étaient originaux et excellents. L'endroit est soigné, le service était au top et un grand merci à Daniele notre serveur. Je recommande ce restaurant pour une découverte culinaire plus que parfaite ! Happy New Year à toute l'équipe !

Magnifique expérience, j’aurai mis plus d’étoiles si c’était possible. N’hésitez pas à franchir la porte, ça peut paraître compliqué d’accès mais une fois à l’intérieur vous ne serez pas déçus! Les cocktails sont délicieux ! Vous pouvez leur demander ce que vous voulez, merci à Léon !

This is a really gorgeous cocktail bar. Beautiful interiors and excellent service. It’s at the more expensive end but feels appropriately priced given the quality. Highly recommended!

Absolutely outstanding food and service! Hands down one of the best meals I’ve had! Highly recommend!

Booked here on the strength of reviews. Lovely bar. Expensive. We spent a lot of money. Our table was booked for 2 hours. After less than an hour, we were told that we needed to leave the table by 4pm even though the booking said till 4.15pm. By 3.45pm we were brought the bill. 5 minutes after that the manager arrived with a card machine. We felt really uncomfortable at the pressure to leave. Really quite an unpleasant experience. Disappointed. We wouldn’t go back.

My friends and I came across the Commons Club and from the outside, it looked like a gorgeous bar. We went in, got a table and were told it was table service. We were then completely ignored and the staff continually served other people, even customers who came in after us. We ended up walking out before spending our money. Wouldn’t even give this place one star and will be telling everyone to avoid.

We had such great time at the Commons Club. Beautiful restaurant with great atmosphere. Emma and Giulio prepared delicious food for us and Caesar looked after as very well. Thank you!

We dropped in unplanned on an early evening and were delighted to get two seats at the bar. From here we got to watch the amazing mixologists in action and wow, they work hard! It was fascinating watching them and they were good fun to...

We visited tonight the Commons Club. We booked Chefs Table..which is a must try experience. The dishes were absolutely beautiful presented and delicious. The cocktails as well. All staff was extremely attentive and delivered a personalised service which made our experience even better, from host...

Wonderful service, beautiful setting, tasteful and high spec interiors, delicious drinks. A special evening spent here, thank you.

we came for my brothers birthday and had a great experience. The food was incredible as were the wines. The waitress serving us couldn’t have been more lovely and accommodating. The place -although a maze- is stylish with every room having its own personality. We...

We went to the restaurant. Very expensive but excellent food, great ambience, lovely Sicilian white wine and terrific service, so on balance worth the cost.

Bar super sympathique, par contre le bar man n'avait aucune idée comment préparer un "Dry Martini" shaken not stired.

Restaurant is OK, it seems to have good hygiene levels, and polite staff, but be prepared to pay a lot for laughable small sized meals that are just OK. Also the waiting time between the starters and main course was around 35min... + Although the risotto was one of the best I've ever eaten.

Top local... very stylish... top level

There is absolutely nothing in this bar that could be made more perfect, from the beautiful interior, the well-stocked bar, the imaginative and delicious cocktails on the menu to the friendly, kind, knowledgeable and charming service. This is a place to enjoy you company and...

Among the loveliest experiences you will have had anywhere, thanks to the people working here

Super cozy bar and amazing food. Highly recommended.

Popped in for a drink what a beautiful bar and the hotel is very stylish right down to the fabulously decorated toilets! Staff were lovely and helpful especially Lee who was very attentive and friendly. Only negative is small choice of gin and cocktails available...

Beautiful atmosphere and cocktails

My friends and I stayed 3 nights at the Virgin Edinburgh in September. The first night we ate in the restaurant and the food choices and quality were outstanding. Matched by a really clever, well priced, new and interesting selection of wines from places I...

What a treat. Ate here and let the accommodating staff guide us. Food was a delicious. Wine equivalently so. Lots of varied interesting food. Same buzzy cool Vibe in the hotel in all the eating and drink areas. Very stylish place. Can totally see why...

Exactly the spot you want to finish at after a long (tricky) day on the golf courses in the area. We ate at the commons club and drank in the bar and both were a success. The menu offered plenty of choice in the restaurant...

We had a truly sumptuous dinner in the Commons Club. The perfect way to end a day on the golf course. The menu is varied and delicious and the wine list exceptional. Not least the German Pinot Noir which was a it with us all!!...