Devil's Advocate in Edinburgh, City of

I adored the atmosphere here! The food was cooked perfectly, and I would highly recommend the pork belly!

Terrible place for a drink, beers or cocktails. Haven't eaten yet but will do next time

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!

If you’re in Edinburgh and seeking an atmospheric spot with a unique character, Devil’s Advocate is a must-visit! Nestled in the heart of the Old Town, this bar combines rustic charm with a vibrant ambiance that feels both historic and modern. The exposed brick walls and dim lighting create a cozy, inviting space, perfect for a night out or a casual drink. Their whisky selection is truly impressive, with a variety of both Scottish and international options to satisfy connoisseurs and newcomers alike. And if whisky isn’t your thing, the cocktail menu is just as exciting—creative, balanced, and always served with flair. The staff here are genuinely welcoming and knowledgeable. They’re more than happy to recommend a drink or share a bit of background about the spirits they serve, adding a personal touch to the experience. It’s clear they care about the craft and want to make your visit memorable. Overall, Devil’s Advocate is a fantastic place to unwind, discover new flavors, and soak up the historic Edinburgh vibe. Highly recommend for anyone looking to experience the city’s bar scene at its finest!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5/5 Stars After dinner, my friends and I stopped by The Devil's Advocate Bar for drinks, and it was the perfect way to end the evening! 🍻🥃 The bar has a cozy atmosphere and an impressive selection of beers and whiskeys. The staff were friendly and kept the vibe lively. I especially appreciated the late-night café macchiato—cheers to them for keeping the coffee machine warm late into the night! ☕️✨ Highly recommend for a post-dinner drink spot.

Top location in one of the narrow, dark streets, downhill from the old town! Stylish, trendy and highly coveted. Reservation essential for dinner.

Great restaurant, was seen on social media recommended by a guide for Edinburgh, it did not disappoint. The place has a lovely rustic feel to it, great atmosphere yet without erling cramped or rushed. The food was delicious, my wife had the venison steak, I opted for the smaller sharing plater after discussing with the very helpful staff. We didn't try any of the whiskeys as neither of us drink alcohol but I'd imagine would be worth it for those with taste for it.

Just popped in for 1 drink. I had a really lovely glass of chardonnay. Nice atmosphere and nice staff.

Only stopped in for a drink, had a couple glasses of wine. The service was quick and friendly, The menu was small but had everything we wanted. Slightly on the expensive side but it's a nice place in central Edinburgh and expected. Would return to try the food and cocktails next time.

We didn’t eat but will most definitely will be back for food. We arrived as two fellow hospitality workers from Shropshire seeking a slice of quiet and no bull. Jarred (spelling?) gave us instant cheer and one of the most outstanding levels of customer service known to gods green earth. Spot on no bull recommendations on drinks - informative and just genuinely kind hearted service. Came for one - left reluctantly after 6. We’ll be bothering you soon.

I loved it here the first time I went. The food and service were excellent. The atmosphere is great and the place has a lot of character. I was less impressed on my recent visit. The food was ok and the service was both good and bad depending on who served us. One staff member was very friendly and efficient but the others didn’t seem interested.

We booked here for lunch prior to a show. We found the service to be good with the and food although being a limited menu to be excellent. We will be back

Waited 10 minutes but no one came to seat us.

We came with 3 adults and a child. While all Scottish people are so kind to children, this establishment decided to refuse our son - and therefore us too. We wanted to have a glass from their famous whiskey list and we were politely told that we could not enter with our son unless we were eating there. Which we accepted. We were then told that there was no more room for us with a knowing smile. We will not come back. I didn't think I'd find a place in Scotland where children weren't welcome.

Nice atmosphere, attentive service

Such a shame as visited the bar for a cocktail on a lovely October evening. They have a great terrace which would have been perfect to sit and enjoy a drink on but host decided he wanted to close this at 9.00pm so had to stand at the small bar area instead.

I went with a group of friends to have some drinks, so I can’t comment about the food, but the drinks were great and the atmosphere was really nice.

Super cool bartender, lovely ambiance. Terribly rude host lady who was just unfriendly, rude and had no clue what she was doing. Very disappointing as drinks were nice!

Jared is amazing! Very knowledgeable, friendly honest service. Solid member of the core team.

Edinburgh restaurant in the heart of the city, typical food without equal. Very DELICIOUS food

A little pricey but worth every penny! Exquisite food, friendly service and great atmosphere. Highly recommend

Visited here for food with friends on a Sunday, and was hugely disappointed by the service and quality of food. The pub itself looks great and has a good ambiance however the dining experience was sadly lacking. We chose a £28 meat and cheese platter which was disappointing both in quantity and quality, and a salad which again was totally forgettable. The waiter was attentive but we noticed tables served after us getting cooked food before our cold and minimal preparation choices. Left feeling disappointed and totally underwhelmed, wishing we had eaten elsewhere

It is a fantastic place to meet with friends and have a few delicious beverages. A good range of beers and other drinks!

Amazing cocktails, excellent gin selection and a truly knowledgeable barman. The food honestly less, definitely less. What you read on the menu often doesn't even appear on the dishes. Friendly and friendly sal staff

Nice restaurant and bar. I was relying on a bigger selection for gin and whisky, but everything was good and food too. We needed reservations because the first time we stop by it was sold out.

We only drank a few whiskeys outside under the patio heater. Inside, the interior is modern but very attractively decorated.

Sunday evening, not too busy. Waited to be seated and was ignored by 4 members of staff. 3 guys at the bar way more interested in chatting than customers. Walked out and went somewhere friendlier.

Packed house on a Thursday night. Slow service and expensive drinks. Bartenders were polite but overall service was below average.

Enjoyed our evening meal here, good service, nice atmosphere and food was great. Was a little dark so needed phone torch to read menus! More of a bar downstairs, which looked nice too.

Was an amazing xperience, we really enjoyed, friendly staff, fast, and creat decoration.

The service and atmosphere were great. Unfortunately the food wasn't as good as you'd expect. Poor choice of vegetarian options; a bit overpriced for the quality you get. I had the cod and although the dish was well thought out it lacked balance; the cod itself was bland. Cocktail menu interesting, but they could focus a bit more on the whiskies rather than other spirits. But overall a good experience for the first time.

The Devil's Advocate is a pub located in an alleyway in the city center of Edinburgh. It's one of those places you have to go to, eat some food, drink a good Scotch whiskey, a beer or martinis. It was my last day in Scotland before returning home to the United States, and a Scottish cousin of mine invited me to spend a few hours there to chat in a relaxed and fun place. I highly recommend it!

Great food, great Old Fashioned!

Ross and staff were lovely. Drinks came out almost instantly. Heater outside made a cozy atmosphere. Lots of big tables available for big groups and spacious smoking area

Big whisky choice but the list they have via a QR code on the menu is not kept up to date. Came here in June and in October but the same drinks were still unavailable. One of the better priced bars for whisky. Nice outside seating with heating. Not tried the food but it certainly looks nice when I see staff carrying it past my table.

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.

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.

Amazing place, had such a great time here.

Great atmosphere, service was excellent and the food was very nice. Charcuterie starter was amazing.

I booked a table for 7 people, noting that this would be a very special occasion. Upon arrival, we were given a table for 6. When I asked for an extra chair, I was told it wasn’t possible due to it blocking the emergency exit, which I completely understand. However, we were then offered a separate table instead of combining them, meaning we had to sit back-to-back, which made the experience uncomfortable. When I asked why we received a smaller table than what was booked, no one could provide an explanation. I also mentioned to our server that my two sisters were celebrating their birthdays, and he offered to bring two glasses of Prosecco. I made it clear that we didn’t need alcohol or anything for free, but he still brought them while we were eating our main course, which felt poorly timed and awkward. While the food was delicious, the overall experience left us disappointed. My family had traveled from afar to reunite and celebrate, and we couldn't even sit together. I’ve always enjoyed this restaurant during my visits to Scotland, but after this experience, I don’t think I will be returning.

A wonderful, atmospheric, cosy local pub with cheerful, friendly and welcoming staff. Bookings not required but it can get busy so if you are intending to visit at peak times or you have a large group 6 or more, maybe book ahead. I really appreciated that our waitress gave us comfy seats (being 50++) We ate here for lunch twice on our recent trip to Scotland as it was so good! Because Europe is 23 hrs flying from Australia we research everything including cafes and pubs so we get the most out of our holidays. The Devils Advocate actually exceeded our expectations. We felt welcomed almost like beloved regulars. For pub food it's very good and portions are very generous. Our 1st lunch we shared the smoked fish plate with hot and cold smoked salmon, mackerel pate, fresh pickles and satisfyingly chewy bread. It's worth visiting for this taste of Scotland alone. My husband enjoyed the fish and chips; fresh, moist inside, beautifully crisp batter, great chips. I chose the linguine with parsley lemon pesto, broad beans and crispy capers. The pasta was perfectly Al dente, the delicious pesto sauce perfectly balanced and the serving enormous. It defeated me! Our waitress told me it's rare anyone finishes a serve. This dish equaled pasta I've enjoyed in good trattorias in Italy. Wine pours were generous, and enjoyable. It's not a restaurant so it's good honest wine amazingly reasonably prced but don't expect fabulous. Our 2nd visit was a late lunch where we shared entrees; deep fried crumbed Haggis; my husband is a big haggis convert!soup of the day and a side dish which should be listed as a dish in its own right it's that good - tempura brocoli with miso and toasted seeds. Again serves so huge I didn't finish. Like everywhere in Edinburgh you will have to climb up and down steps to get to this place but it's absolutely worth it. Staff won't rush you here; you can linger comfortably over your pint, whisky ( good selection available) or food. Highly recommended. Would definitely go back if ever in Edinburgh again.

Service was terrible. Girl with red hair was extremely rude to me when I asked a simple question if they had any tables available.

Sorry but the head waitress that “welcomed “ us was the most unpolite, blasé, tired person we ever met. We waited in the bar (kind staff) for a table that she had promised. After one and a half hour when we finally asked her for the table she told us the kitchen was closed!!!!! When we asked her why she wouldn’t tell us. But she put the blame on us. She told us, in her world reminded us thatfrom the beginning they were fully booked. She insisted. This was a complete lie! She said nothing of the sort! From the beginning she put us at the bar, telling us to wait. This whole conversation ended when she l turned away and left…. Omg, never this place again;( and I thought I would spend my 30th birthday here. I am so naive. The costumer is not always right at this restaurant. Sad.

Sorry but the head waitress that “welcomed “ us was the most unpolite, blasé, tired person we ever met. We waited in the bar(perfect personal) for a table that she had promised us and after one and a half hour when we finally asked her for the table she told us the kitchen was closed!!!!! And when we asked her why she couldn’t told us from the beginning that it was fully booked she just turned away and left…. Omg, never this place again;(

Dramatic. Just waiting for beer. Lot's of Personal, but no beer. Shame.

Very limited assortiment of beers. After we had ordered, we had to wait for more than half an hour and there were still no drinks after which we left.

We stopped in for a dram of whiskey and a quick bite; what a hidden gem!

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.

Great evenings spent here. Gorgeous food, superb selection of starters and mains. Good well.priced selections of wine. Cracking 'Flighht of Whiskey and Cheese' for pudding. Amazing selection of Whiskey's for the connoisseur Lively venue on a Friday evening. Would recommend

Excellent place for good fare. The drinks were amazing. Had the venison as a main and the meat was perfect but the plate could have done with more in the way of sides -- I think it was just two slices of eggplant. Some roast potatoes would have been welcome and shouldn't have been an "extra," especially at the price. The service was a bit confused. There were a few times drink or food orders were placed and then another server approached to ask if everything was good or we needed more.

Tough to get in for dinner but came the next day for an early dinner. A fine time with my friend enjoying a delicious pasta dinner.

Necessarily!!! Great whisky, very good Bloody Mary.

Flavorful food, good drinks and delicious dessert. Service was fast, and everyone was very nice.

Wow! Stunning food, calm atmosphere and great background music. The pomegranate molasses was my favourite sauce (from the starters menu), I kept it for my steak and it was a perfect combo. Lovely staff too!

We didn't eat inside Devils Advocate but the place looks very adequate. We arrived after dinner to have some beers and drinks and it was truly an excellent option. They treated us very well when it came to ordering a drink and gave you recommendations. Besides, the service is very good. Of the drinks, all of them were very good, from beers with a very normal flavor to being very light. Even some with a good house flavor, being a little more citrusy and tangy but retaining a very good flavor. In general the atmosphere is good, preserving those customs of the region which makes it a good place to visit.

Avoid at all costs. Overpriced slow service compiled by underaged uneducated staff. Had our first course spilled all over us without an apology by the staff member that did it, but was able to witness her expletive filled self pity. Asked to pay 3 times before even being acknowledged and then yelled at by the staff and asked to never come back. Terrible experience. In top of waiting an hour and a half for our meals. Worst hospitality I’ve ever experienced in many travels to the UK. Must be the Scottish charm. Absolutely terrible. I could go on but this place doesn’t deserve the time.

Came by with partner on a buzzin Tuesday night. Staff were extremely polite and managed to source us a lovely table outside, which is ideal because we are both rampant chain-smokers. Whisky recommendation was absolutely phenomenal, really fulfilled the Scottish charm of this bar. Would absolutely be back again in an instant. Thanks guys x

Great food, great service. Had the best seat in the house! Make sure you make a reservation.

Just went in for a drink. Great atmosphere. Excellent location in the Old Town.

Very knowledgeable bar staff, they'll make sure you're well taken care of.

Even if you book in advance and have made additional requests, make sure to check beforehand that they have actually read it if the request is important for you. They hadn't read mine when I specifically asked just for a table NOT in the middle of the room as I am hard of hearing , yet it was what we were given. When I made note of the request I'd made during the reservation, the waitress was surprised; she had no knowledge of it at all. Then there was no other table available except for one outside, which we chose because it was much much quieter. They did have outside heating, but the evening was cold enough for us to still be uncomfortable the whole time -- however we heavily preferred this way of being uncomfortable than the (non-)hearing way inside. Then when we ordered fries on the side but it wasn't served until almost half an hour after we'd gotten our main dishes (and finished those). They therefore comped the fries from the bill for us though, so that was nice of them.

Great atmosphere - very well attended. Impossible to get a table on Saturday without a reservation.

Good food and service in an old building in Advocates Close. Very good atmosphere. Will go again. Be mindful lots of steps in the Close

Amazing restaurant and bar down Advocates Close. The food was incredible and large portions and the staff was wonderful!

Great foods & cocktails. Staff was very helpful and kind.

The burgers are excellent and were cooked just as ordered. Great atmosphere too. We loved the place.

Great place tucked away from royal mile good food and pleasant staff would recommend

Very good restaurant in Edinburgh's old town. Refined cuisine. Remember to book.

Nice bar and pleasant music - nothing more. We went there on Tuesday evening and wanted to sit upstairs, where there were a few tables free. The waitress refused in a rude tone, saying that if we just wanted to drink, we would have to stand at the bar. Strange, at that time of day no food was being served there anymore and later there were other guests sitting at the tables who were also just drinking. But what was completely unacceptable: one of the bartenders was ill, had a bad sniffle and sneezed frequently into his hands and then dried the glasses and prepared drinks. Why would someone work in the catering industry in this condition? 2 days later, I'm now ill. Thanks for nothing.

Food was terrible - Arranchini tasted like card board, the venison really was overcooked, and the chutney on the charcuterie board was literally just a bowl of raisins. Service was also poor, we ordered a bottle of wine which was dumped on our table unopened with a warm cooling basket, at least it was a screw off bottle. Total tourist trap, so many better places to eat great food in edinburgh.

Food was really bad. I never ate that bad food before in my life.

Whisky is a bit lost on me, but my partner assured me it was very good. I opted for a cocktail which was very good. Friendly atmosphere and nice staff. We just went for a few drinks on a Monday evening in August and liked what we saw.

Overpriced. We ordered two coctails and nothing was special. They tasted more like fruit juice !

Excellent food. I had the pork chop. H had the burger. Good quality food. Tasty, and not excessive price for what you got.

Very nice service, delicious food. And the atmosphere and decor complement everything else.

A great stop, out of the way of the main street. Food was outstanding and the beer was delicious. Didn't know we should have made reservations so we sat on the patio. It was a bit chilly and breezy, but there was a heater and blankets. A recommend for sure.

I recommend calling to see if they’re open because the hours online weren’t accurate. No biggie at all, but worth a call if you’re walking far for a stop in!

Was here with a smaller group where the food was pre-ordered. The place itself is cozy, but they need to practice ordering wine as all the wines we chose were sold out. The food was really good, but when you can't get the wine you want, it can't be top notch.

We found this restaurant by chance. Following the advocate close, we saw it and decided to have lunch. Great food and service, and we enjoyed some rock music from the bar.

Great food and service. Price of the food is very reasonable for the quality. One of my favorite restaurants in Edinburgh!

A restaurant where we had a very pleasant experience, the staff was kind, the service was fast, the food to our taste.

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.

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.

First time eating here. I chose the cod main dish and i went home hungry. There was not enough cod and there was no accompanying carbs such as potatoes, pasta or rice, only vegetables. I even ordred a portion of chips to go with it and I was still hungry as the chips was a very small portion. Therefore i felt i had been ripped off. The cod was very tasty but the veg that went with it was not generally good. The fennel was too hard and i couldnt even cut though it, sugar snap peas were nice but too stringy and the 'Thai broth' was not a broth but a tomato sauce favoured with ginger which was pleasant enough but not what was stated on the menu. I had creme brulee for dessert which was absolutely delicious but much too small a portion which felt very mean. The french red wine was pleasant but i had two glasses of what was allegedly the same wine but they tasted totally different. Service was acceptable , waitress was slightly awkward, not that friendly but not too slow. However The waiting staff were standing behind us at the water station and serving hatch chatting a nd swearing which i thought was very unprofessional. The noise level in the restaurant was high due to the sheer number of americans in there and they do not make an effort to talk quietly do they! The choice of music in the bar/restaurant was cheesy (70's disco) and not particularly relaxing or well chosen for dining. The best thing about the night was one of the young male waters wished us a hearty good evening and was very friendly as we were leaving. Overall a mixed bag but I have decided I wouldnt go back there for food only for drinks.

Superb and pleasant setting Wide choice of whiskey and cocktails Big disappointment from Irish Coffee. Cold not well served and crème fraîche too thick and served "with a ladle" and with your finger... I do it better than that!!! Very disappointed...irish Coffee poorly served....cream too strong...impossible to drink...Coffee cold....I do not recommend it I told it but no reaction

Cute place in the midst of Advocates Close. Wonderful foods and desserts

Great restaurant and whiskey bar. The service was great and the food was also really tasty. The price is a little higher, but it's worth it. The atmosphere is nice and rustic. Reservations are recommended, but we were able to get a table even without a reservation. Whiskey tasting is also possible here. We tried the Scottish Road Trip. We can also recommend the steak.

Because this trip happened to coincide with the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, many popular restaurants had no seats. I happened to pass by this bar and there was some food, so I came in to try it and ordered a chicken dish (including Haggis). The chicken was very moist and the potatoes were delicious. The puree is also delicious with the gravy, and the haggis wrapped in the meat is acceptable because the portion is not large; the Caesar salad is just so-so, and the wine is okay. If you are passing by and don't want to wait, you can come in for a drink and a meal.

Staff were lovely. Though, it was genuinely the worst meal I’ve eaten in years. Fish was tough and 90% batter with barely any flesh in it. Both the fish and chips were overcooked to the point of being inedible. £19, with a £7.50 pint on top to wash it down. mindblowing.

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!

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!

Amazing food Friendly staff Great vibes

It is VERY hard to find even when you’re looking for it but it’s the perfect hidden gem to enjoy drams of scotch, unique drinks and different ciders

Bar, ristorante e moltissimi whisky. Nn è un ristorante stellato. Ma se cerchi l’atmosfera dei vicoli della old town di Edimburgo e ami il buon whisky, allora regalati un serata indimenticabile.

One of the best places to take visitors and one of the least touristy feeling places in Old town. Decor is a perfect balance of old and new. Bartenders are great at helping you understand the whiskey selections and make great cocktails. Good to book in advance but I usually manage to find some standing room in the bar area - where we recently got some light bites that were all delicious.

We just drank. Must book well in advance. We waited a long time as instructed but in the end we were left without dinner.

I tried to “ Please wait to be seated” but was totally ignored. Left.

Excellent food in a rustic atmosphere with a great service team

Great place, food was fantastic!!!

There was a good amount of food options here when we came for lunch on a Wednesday. It was somewhat busy but there was still plenty of room for us to sit at a table. The food took a little while, so don’t go here as a quick option, especially if you order the chicken, which is delicious but takes a little longer than the other dishes. The burger had good sauces and toppings, but was slightly overcooked. They didn’t ask us how we wanted it cooked, but it was definitely medium well, which we are not used to, but could be normal in Scotland. The location and atmosphere, especially outside are really good and interesting because of the location inside the Advocate’s Close.