The Fat Pony Wine Bar in Edinburgh, City of

We mourn the day our favourite Edinburgh restaurant The Dogs closed. So we thought we'd check out proprietor David Ramsden's new project - a wee wine bar on Bread Street. Dogs, ponies... if you're an animal lover, you're in good company. But it's David's impeccable taste and dogged (!) commitment to quality that earned our loyalty years ago and keeps us coming back for more culinary adventures. The Fat Pony offers a range of truly hand-picked (and handmade) wines, meats and cheeses from around the world. Hand-picked but without the snobbery. There's a lot of choice, so don't be shy to ask for recommendations. The reply may be deadpan, but that's just theatrical bluffing, because this man always gets it right when I challenge him to surprise me! A stylish yet relaxed space, with good music playing in the background. A carafe of wine and a few tapas make for the perfect quick pre-theatre dinner - being just around the corner from the Lyceum, Usher Hall and Traverse. I was a bit embarrassed to ask for coffee after the beautiful Primativo, but David was ready with yet another surprise: great coffee served in the most divine Wedgwood cups! PS: Dogs welcome! PPS: Beautiful toilets!

No wonder this mans businesses keep failing, his attitude towards customer service absolutely stinks. I was refused a drink at 1630 on a Saturday afternoon because he said he was too busy. There was twenty people in his establishment, he then informed that he was closed!! At 1630 I don’t think so. I’m 62 years old was sober, casually dressed and then it hit me, I had a Scotland rugby shirt on, this was obviously not suitable attire for mr ramsdens trendy bar. Oh dear oh dear oh dear not too much I can add to that I will in that the common denominator in all his previous failed businesses is himself. You are this years winner of the worst landlord in Edinburgh 2019.

Have been several times. There was good food such as cheese, pate and cold meats. Wines are OK, but nothing really standout and a bit pricey. Went on Friday 8th February after theatre looking for something to eat. Found that most staff had been sent home at 8:00 because place ‘not busy’. So no one to do food. A bit late to be chasing round so had wine without food. Was going to go on Friday 1 March, but before concert went into check they would still be serving food this particular Friday - place does not do bookings. Patron David Ramsden - more cock and bull than rock and roll - in an offhand manner said he could not guarantee to be serving food at 9:30. When I said this hardly amounted to good customer service he acted as if he was non-plussed and said he had told my wife that there would be no guarantee of food, ie job done. Unpleasant and arrogant, and certainly no sense of trying to get customer on board. Will never be back. Certainly avoid going on speck late on. PS rest of staff very pleasant on previous occasions, but Ramsden too busy playing a contrived persona to worry about patrons.

Lovely cosy little wine bar just off the beaten track with attentive staff and reasonable prices. Well worth a visit if you want a drink in quiet surroundings.

Whoever is into organic/biodynamic/natural wines, this is the place to go! Not pretentious at all, knowledgeable staff and great selections of wines. Loved the cheese board too :) I can't wait to go back!!

This place is very cozy and they’ve got an amazing wine collection. I can highly recommend the unfiltered chardonnay in combination with a cheese platter. We will definitely come back. Very nice staff as well!

Small space well designed. Trouble can be if you want a low table, there are few. Most seats are high around the walls. Service and wines good, menu limited.

There really are not enough tables so we were perched at a shelf, the choice being to look out at passing Edinburgh or the wall. I chose a wine that was unpleasant but it was entirely my fault as, when a barman asks you, "Have you had a biodynamic wine before?' you should hesitate and change your choice. I have had such wines and I do not think I have ever enjoyed one. They may contain no traditional additives of the suspect nature but then, as with this one, the smell (I won't call it 'on the nose' or any such jargon) was distinctly feline and the taste reminiscent of vinegar. But I chose it and I was gently forewarned. The wines by the glass change, I believe, daily and are found on the blackboard. There is an extensive list by the bottle. We chose one of the bar snacks. It did seem to take a while to arrive but was worth the wait, a cheddar and leek pie with cornichons. The cheddar was not noticeable but potato and leek were in a fine, thin, crisp and crusty pastry.

This dinky little place is a great spot to nibble some cheese and meat and wash it down with a great selection of wine. We ordered a charcuterie platter of cured meats, cheese, bread and olives, and some wine (including a glass of orange wine, which is tricky to find in Edinburgh) and enjoyed it so much we then ordered a cheese platter and more wine! The staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about the food and wines they offer. The space itself is an unusual shape, and wouldn't be ideal for very large groups, but would suit smaller groups of four and under. There is a big window which is excellent for people-watching. All in all, a great place to while away a few happy hours.

Lovely bar with a good choice of winesand spirits. Sit down with a platter of cheeses, meats and a great bottle of wine. Lovely.

Weary from shopping, we found a peaceful haven here to revive us. Quality wines at reasonable prices, welcoming and knowledgeable staff to help us make our choice and a range of tasty accompaniments. This will be a great place to take time out between shows at the forthcoming festivals.

Just popped by here after the cinema on way home. Friendly bar staff and great selection of wines by the glass. Will be back with friends soon. Highly recommended.

God atmosfære, men elendig akustik. Maden var ekstremt middelmådig, og jeg var ved at knække en tand på en sten i salad, som også var fuld af sand.. Kan desværre ikke anbefales, trods de fede lokaler. Betjeningen var heller ikke fantastisk..

The atmosphere is positive and “pony” – the owner decorated it with all kinds of various horses’ images. The barmen are communicative and friendly. It feels comfortable there.

This is a nice, small restaurant/bar just outside Edinburgh city centre. We only visited in the evening for a post-dinner glass of wine and were allowed to sit here for over an hour while only having one glass without being bothered by the staff about buying more. There is a good selection of wines, both by the bottle and the glass, that the staff are more than happy to talk you through.

In our short stay in Edinburgh recently, this was our favourite bar for drinks (they primarily serve wine but have other drinks). The atmosphere is stylish, eclectic and comfortable.The staff are very sociable & friendly.The toilets are well kept (I find you honesty never know). Would go back here.

A little bit of the beaten track but worth it. Everything was delicious the wine, cheese and meats. Really loved it. Looking forward to going back already!

Had been meaning to visit the Fat Pony for ages, having walked past it plenty of times and it looking really lovely. We finally got round to going last Sunday evening and were so happy we finally made it there! It's quite unique for Edinburgh, perhaps it was being there on a Sunday but was incredibly relaxed inside. The staff were really friendly and chilled, there was good music playing, not too loud. The ambience was really relaxed and we both just felt really comfortable and content from the moment we sat down. The food was absolutely incredible. We opted for a charcuterie board, a lamb curry with sour dough and some squid on sticky rice. They were all incredible dishes. Clearly a lot of thought and effort put in to the flavours and the combinations and the results really paid off. The prices were all very reasonable as well, especially for the quality of the food. Between two of us we shared those three things and were very content hunger-wise post finishing (every last bite) of our meal.I couldn't recommend this place enough! Although I almost want to keep it as our little secret so it doesn't end up getting really busy and overpriced! But we will definitely be coming back here and recommending to one and all for sure.Thanks very much for having us.Enjoy food lovers!

The wine and the meat plate that we ordered were both very good. The atmosphere was very pleasant and we had a great evening with some friends at the fat pony.

After celebrating Hogmanay on Princes Street we came back to the fat pony for New Year Drinks. The atmosphere was fantastic and the guys looked after us so well! Thanks for making our first drinks of 2018 so great!!!

The Sauvignon was the best glass of wine I’ve had in a bar in years. It was well chilled and was strong and not sipid. Staff were very interested... both of us finished our drink, I guess for £3 I wouldn’t have known better!Everyone seemed to be in authority and several members of staff were interested in demonstrating their interest in my partner. It was brilliant!

We had 4 different wines and 4 different starters so we could give the place a good once over.Everything was excellent.The people behind the bar and the chef had plenty of light friendly chat. Went back two weeks later and they remembered us and asked us if our holiday was nice!It's the small things like that make a place. Is tho the best place for a 'grown up' drink on the south side of the burgh? Most probably.

I was very excited to try out this place after passing and loving the look of it. I was seated as soon as I arrived, and the staff were very attentive. The decor and ambience was just right for a wine bar in town. The drinks list is a great size and really varied, ill definitely be having a cocktail next time too. To my surprise the wine prices were so reasonable! I was in shock. I'm really hoping that the prices stay this way so I can definitely make this my local on any occasion. The food menu sounded good too, looking forward to going back

This is a super wee find. Wasn't too packed early on a Friday evening and staff were helpful. The food - tapas and sharing plates - was excellent and good value too although a wee bit more choice would have been welcome.

Three of us shared the cheese board and the charcuterie board. Both were very good. The staff were explained the items and made suggestions on good combinations.

The Sauvignon was the worst glass of wine I’ve had in a bar in years . It wasn’t well chilled and was weak and insipid . Staff seemed disinterested .... neither of us finished our drink but I guess for £3 I should have known better . There seemed to be nobody in authority and one member of staff was more interested in demonstrating his interest in my partner than anything else . Avoid !

Popped in with some friends for some drinks before heading off to dinner. The atmosphere was nice and relaxed. The drinks lists wasn't overwhelming and there was a manageable selection of wine with decent prices. Didn't try the food, so can't speak to its quality. Service was prompt and friendly!

Visited last night with some friends for some post work drinks. Think this place is better for small groups/couples, but would definitely go back. Nice range of wines and cocktails. The food all looked great- so will have to try that next time. Looking forward to it!

It's a stylish looking bar, and it is popular. But we had a service problem, and so did everyone else the night we were in. Three clueless staff for the entire place, and no one was in charge. No one to greet you on arrival. Endless waiting for 'service' which only appeared when we flapped our arms. People at tables coming up to the bar to order multiple times. Every time we looked toward the til, all three staff were crowded around it looking perplexed. , Dumplings were tough, with way too much coriander. Tongues and hearts on the menu? I do not want to eat those with wine. Or ever. We came here because we had heard it needed support. No wonder. No one is running The Fat Pony. No one. It's days are numbered, and it's because of a complete lack of management and hospitality. Buh bye.

Good range of wines, a little pricey. Nice food and very helpful staff. Not the most comfortable of seating, though. A wine bar should be about comfort shouldn't it?

Wish I had known about this place before now - cracking little bar serving lovely cocktails (highly recommend the apreol spritz) and a fantastic, varied wine menu. Excellent food selection too with lots of interesting little dishes to share and try. We went for a charcuterie board which had some delicious meats, ham hock, olives, bread and other delights. The bar interior is decked out fabulously, great service and I'm already looking forward to returning to try out more of their cocktail list.

We stopped here one evening for wine after a show.The staff know every one of their wines well, and are able to make solid recommendations. The range of options is huge.Very pleasant. We requested a custom cheese plate - off menu - which was delightful.

Good selection of wines. Good tapas. A good addition to bread street. A good place for pre-timberyard?

This place is primarily a wine bar and the selection is incredible. Don't let that fool you though. The tapas style food is worth a visit even if you're not a wine drinker. The menu is constantly changing so the food is seasonal and fresh. The best part? They don't even have a kitchen! All their cooking is done on George Foremans and the like, right next to the bar for all to see. This place really is excellent and the welcome is warm and friendly. I would recommend arriving before the main crowds (about 5-6) as it's pretty busy and they don't take table bookings. Definitely a must visit, you will not be disappointed!

Only 5 weeks old, this innovative wine bar and small plates restaurant is definitely worth a visit! Torched salmon, dumplings, duck and a great wine list. Slightly off the main tourist track yet only 5 minutes from castle, princess street and the EICC. Highly recommended.

The best thing about the Fat Pony is the staff. Truly friendly, without being brash or 'in your face'. Very knowledgeable about the myriad of wines in stock too. Well worth a visit to while away a lazy evening with good company in a chilled atmosphere.

Had wine and tapas with 3 friends on Monday night. Without a booking, service was sharp and friendly throughout, as we all awkwardly ordered food at differing times, which to be fair does sit well with the tapas vibe. Wine incredible, and atmosphere controls and music excellent. Will be back!

Snuck in here with daughter and had glass of delicious Bourgogne Rosé fizz. Returned following day for quick bite. Chose squid but it had run out so the chef improvised and brought ( amongst other delicious morsels) a dish of razor clams in coconut, chili yum sauce. Still makes me drool. On second visit, required to be alcohol free so barman contrived a dry, long cocktail that exceeded expectations. Early days but full of promise. Lovely staff- I missed that crab ravioli ( my kids scoffed) and the waiter looked so concerned on my behalf! Please go!

Thank you to the amazing staff at fat pony. I was there tonight with my friend and we were charmed by the brilliant service and delicious food. It is going to be our go to "set the world to rights" place from now on.

Visited on 9/8/17 with a group of friends before going to a concert nearby. This wine bar is fairly new so we thought we'd check it out. The bar is quite modern in style, with exposed brickwork etc. Great selection of drinks, really vast wine list, with quite a few unusual styles of wine. They also offer tapas style plates to nibble on. Staff were really friendly and knowledgeable and made us feel welcome. We opted for a couple of bottles of Valpolicella for about £15 each. We ordered all the dishes on the menu for 4 of us to share. Highlights being Asian Pork Belly, Beetroot Gazpacho, Gyoza. Prices range from about £4 to £6 a dish. The dishes are presented very well. The charcuterie board was expensive @ £14 but delicious. The cheeseboard was nice too but again overpriced at £12 in my option, for what was there. Portions are fairly small, so don't rely on this place for dinner. Think snacks whilst you drink. It is a wine bar after all. Worth visiting and makes a nice change compared to other drinks venues nearby. I'd definitely return.

Visited here at weekend and was impressed with the decor and attentive staff. Sadly we were let down by the overpriced and poor value charcuterie board. Board consisted 3 small pieces of dried bread, 4 olives, 1 cherry tomato (halved), small amount of cured meat and small wedge of manchego = £14 (served on a plate not a board). Manager asked for feedback but wasn't happy to hear negative review! Sadly we wont be returning, shame because we live across the road and this could have been our go to bar. Drinks and service we couldn't fault.

We just came in for a nice wine, but stayed over for food as well. The small dishes they serve are excellent. From a pork belly to salmon combined with beet root. Everything is very tasty. Staff is very friendly, so you should pay a visit.If you like Portuguese wines, you for sure need to pay a visit. High quality wines at really decent prices.

We visited the Fat Pony on July 6th 2017, the day after it opened. Wife and I were staying at Doubletree across the street, and it looked like a fun place. When we went in, it turned out to be great. Staff aided me in my continuing survey of single malts, and their cheese platter balanced the peat in the Caol Ila (my favorite).If you're in the neighborhood, give these guys a shot - you'll get a warm welcome.

We we walking away from some reasonable if a little touristy pubs on the Grassmarket when we stumbled upon this little gem. The guys behind the bar were super friendly and engaged with myself and my partner immediately. A lovely varied drinks selection to choose from meant we were soon enjoying the view, supping some yummy gins. 'One drink as we were passing' turned into 'a little bite to eat' as the specials board caught my foodie girlfriends eye. We ordered a sharing platter and a small bite each. She has eaten all over the world and claimed her small plate was one of the tastiest things she has ever eaten...high praise indeed. My relatively uncultured taste buds agreed but clearly she had to taste mine too and pronounced it another triumph.This is not the cheapest by any means but boy you get what you pay for here, high end delicious food in a lovely relaxed, eclectic surrounding.Try it....if you don't like it just turn back to the grassmarket or keep walking to princess street..you're never far from a pub in Edinburgh.

It's mainly a wine bar with a great choice of spirits too. Very modern and nice place for a pre meal drink. Limited cocktail menu but all the ones we had were really nice! The seating I felt could of been a little more comfortable but hardly a reason to moan. 6x cocktails was £44.

Myself and my partner walked in to this small place by chance during our few days in Edinburgh. What a find-only open 2 weeks at the time and everything was wonderful. Friendly staff, good knowledge of the drinks and food. We were enjoying the ambience so much we decided to order a couple of tapas dishes and a meat board. The charcuterie was excellent but the stand out was the pork and prawn bao- this dish was probably one of the best things I have ever tasted. It was expensive for the size of the dishes but when it tasted that good I didn't care! People of Edinburgh, go there and give it a chance!

Tapas style dishes with the wow factor. I think we had all the dishes on the menu (there were 5 of us) and they were all fantastic. My particular favourite was the pork belly. We also had a couple of desserts and the cheeseboard. The chocolate deice accompanied by a glass of px was amazing. And the beetroot and orange combo that came with the cheese was spot on (but I am a real beetroot fan!). I will go back there for sure.

Amazing wee place that just opened up. Really friendly staff, amazing wines specially the Pinot Noir by the glass. The food is just poppin' with flavour small portions so would get more than one. Will be back!!