This was our first night in Edinburgh (Sept 2024), having flown all day from SFO. This delightful pub was a short walk from our B&B (check out the 23 Mayfield B&B), and we reserved a table which turned out to be a good idea. It was a Monday, and trivia night, so it was crowded. Good food and good beer, trivia was hard. (Name the fast food chain with most outlets worldwide? Name the top ten grossing Tom Hanks live action movies. That kind of thing - didn't need to be Scottish to play). A huge bonus that we didn't fully appreciate until a week into the trip - they offered skinny fries, which we yanks think of as fries, as an alternative to the thick cut chips that are included in every meal in every restaurant in all of Scotland. Okay, we have not been seeking out Michelin restaurants, but I sure long for some mashed potatoes with my chicken sandwich. Also, really friendly staff at the Old Bell (because we had literally just arrived, we didn't have two pounds in order to join trivia night; they said no worries, and just added it to our food and drink bill). And great ambience - traditional Scottish pub, with food and beer. Check it out. read more

Wonderful. Warm. Inviting. Our waiter/bartender happily helped us select beer and whiskey to start our journey into traditional Scottish cuisine. Every dish was artfully made. Smoked salmon so fresh that its firm flesh gives a good bite. The steak and ale pie is also sublime. The haggis is rich, savoury, and delicious. Finally, the sticky toffee pudding has such sweet depth and complexity that I became teary with joy, read more

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We booked a dinner reservation through Open Table (a third party booking agency) but no table was reserved for us when we arrived. The staff initially denied getting our request until we showed them our online confirmation, then (miraculously) our reservation was located in their booking database. They refused to honor the reservation saying they were fully booked event though there were several vacant tables with 7:00 "reserved signs" and it was now 7:30. The only offer was for a table in an empty events area on the second floor where several employees were lounging on their break. The whole point of going to a pub was the atmosphere not necessarily the food, right? They initially refused to call a cab for us saying they were "Too busy". Both hostesses and both bartenders were completely indifferent to our situation, and it was very obvious they were catering to their local customers since it was some kind of trivia night. 45 minutes after they grudgingly called for a cab, one of the hostesses asked us if the cab had arrived (remarkable question since we were still waiting outside the pub). Our obviously irritated response was met with a shrug and a very snippy "Fine, then get your own cab" which we managed to flag down on our own 15 minutes later. Our review is solely on the complete lack of service we received even after they acknowledged the booking error. This establishment obviously caterers to their local customers first and foremost, and good luck getting a cab after your dinner. Our warning to out-of-towners, especially Americans, avoid this place like the plague! read more

it was very nice the waiter was lovely but definitely be back again and your cajun chicken burger was absolutely amazing

Was in a party of 7 so not a lot of options for seating that large. Pretty loud, but typical for a pub. My food (chicken sandwich) wasn't great, but all my friends loved their fish and chips and Haggis balls. Overall fun place I would recommend. read more

Great traditional Scottish pub. The burger was good and servers were very friendly to wayward Texans!

Beautiful pub , great food , great staff , and great screens for the football . Cozy and warm first class pub

This is a lovely pub on Causewayside. A nice selection of ales, plenty of seating, and a pleasant atmosphere. A friend and I popped in for a couple of pints after a day of studying. The place was a busy (Friday evening), but we managed to get a seat downstairs near the bar. In case it's too full, there are also seats upstairs, so space shouldn't be an issue. The Masters Golf was on, so it was nice to be able to watch that as well. Drinks prices are fine, pretty much in line with most other places nearby. The staff are friendly and the atmosphere is warm. Didn't try any food, but will review again in future. read more

Old Bell Inn - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The Old Bell is a traditional Scottish pub, it feels like a country pub has misplaced itself and got stuck in the city. It's got a homely atmosphere, the kind you'd expect from an old school pub, but it is lively as well. The people inside range from students to the older generation and it has a good communal feel, everyone is happy to chat to you which makes a nice change from most pubs. The pints are good, they do a fine Guinness here and there is a wide selection of booze - the ales are especially good, as they should be in any self respecting traditional pub. The prices are not cheap, but this is not the place where people go in to get wasted, just to have a quiet few and a but of a chat. This lends itself to the atmosphere; it is always friendly and you never have to worry about drunken louts runing your evening. Upstairs is the New Bell, the restaurant part of the pub. Again, very traditionally decked out it serves excellent Scottish cuisine. The menu is based on pub food but they have clearly made an effort to raise the bar. For starters the salmon and haddock fish cakes are great, and the steak pie was a well cooked main meal. Again not particularly cheap but you get what you pay for read more

Old Bell Inn - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

My fiance and I were starving and wanted a good quick dinner after arriving in Edinburgh from London. This pub was recommended by our B&B host and we were extremely pleased. The interior was cozy like a typical pub you would find in London only cleaner. It was clear as soon as we walked in that it was frequented by locals, which is always a good sign. We started off with mussels in a white sauce--big entree-sized portion for a very cheap price! I ordered a sandwich with chips and the portion again was very generous. The sandwich was stacked. I seriously asked the waiter how to eat the sandwich because I didn't know if I should eat the two stacks of sandwiches as 2 slices or four. It was even tastier when I dipped it in my fiance's leftover gravy from his meat pie. That was also amazing. The plating for all our dishes was also on point. My only grievance is that my rum and cokes were a bit weak (but that's what I get for ordering that drink in Scotland, am I right?) And that the waiters messed up our bill twice, though their actual service was very professional and prompt. Tldr; excellent choice for a pub, delicious food, good atmosphere, and prompt service. Just double check your bill. read more

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For any visitor to Edinburgh wanting to take in a bit of traditional Scotland, I cannot make any greater recommendation than to visit The Old Bell Inn. This pub is the quintessential traditional pub. When you walk in, the sheer atmosphere of this pub will envelope you; at the bar you'll hear local banter between long time residents and the decor cannot be faulted. It may not be the cheapest pub in town and I wouldn't start adding it to any pub crawls or start you're night out here, but if you want a chat over a quiet drink this might be the ideal place to go. Worth the extra prices for the atmosphere advantage over the cheaper pubs which can have negative atmospheres at times - if you go out for drink you want to enjoy yourself and enjoy your surroundings. This pub will let you do both. read more

Old Bell Inn - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This is a great, traditional pub in Causewayside and, although it doesn't offer the most exciting night of your life, it's a great place to relax. The decor both inside and outside feels classy, polished and almost antique, giving it an amazing, cosy atmosphere. The staff are friendly and seem to get on well with the loacals. The drinks aren't the cheapest you'll find in Edinburgh and they certainly aren't trying to reign in the students. Of course, there's nothing wrong with this and the setting and clientele are both sufficient to provide a fun, relaxed evening down the pub. read more

Old Bell Inn - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Oh, yes, I've been here several times over the past couple weeks, had a lot of the menu at this point. Haven't had a disappointing meal thus far. This is a must-go place to meet the locals and become a regular yourself. The bartenders have a good time, the patrons have a great time. You can reserve seats if you've got a large group as well. read more

The highlight of a weekend in Edinburgh - the atmosphere, food, ale selection, hospitality, and warm locals was simply intoxicating. By far our favorite drinking and dining experience in comparison to the less intimate, tourist laden spots that adorn the Royal Mile. All the food we tried was divine - lamb shank, haggis tatties and neeps, beef cheeks. The food quality and presentation exceeded any expectation I had for a neighborhood pub - rich, decadent sauces - made with love! Generous selection of cask ales. I could go on... If you're yearning for an authentic Scottish experience away for the tourist circuit, Old Bell Inn is your pub. read more

Be warned: If there's football on you can not move in the place!! This used to be a stop off for me on the way home (in another lifetime) but my visits have become quite infrequent. The Old Bell is nice pub with friendly staff, fun clientele and a decent selection. It's a good spot to watch some sports Rugby was my poison back in the day (well, still is...but when I went here that's what it was for!) and the place doesn't fill up quite so much for that as for soccer! I recently came here for a meal and was pleasantly surprised with the quality of the food and the upstairs dining area. The dining area is lovely! I had fish and chips and it was a massive piece of fish, I almost couldn't finish it (lies, I always finish fish). Overall worth a visit if you're nearby or if you stay close, otherwise I wouldn't seek it out. read more

I was put on the task of finding a older pub with good food for our large group of 17 for our first nite together. I hit the jackpot when I found this establishment. The downstairs is where you want to be. Fun local pub with locals who enjoy their drinks and their rugby. We were setup upstairs due to large group which worked out well for conversation and accommodating us. The food was excellent. This is not only a pub but a true restaurant with wonderful food. I highly recommend making an effort to get over here while in Edinburgh. read more

Came here to watch the rugby with a friend and discovered a new pub I like :-) The Old Bell is on Causewayside and perfect for Newington, Grange and Sciennes. It is very traditional with stained glass, lower ceilings and dark wood. I had a couple of drinks here and some sweet potato fries. The fries were good - chunky and I would have liked them crispier but didn't stop me from eating them all. The menu looks good - some pub stuff but also other things which can be made gluten free and is reasonably priced. Staff are cheery, efficient and friendly, even though the pub was heaving due to the rugby being on. There's lots of screens for watching games and even an upstairs I believe too but I liked the atmosphere in the bar. It is a nice pub and even though I don't live in this part of town, I'll be back here I'm sure to meet friends and have some food and drinks :-) read more

My new local! And a lovely, wood-lined olde worlde place it is, with good beer, too. It feels like a country pub because you get such a range of people in - young couples, old geezers in flat caps, clusters of golf fans in strange golfy clothes ... everyone and anyone seems to fit in here. It has wifi, too, though the connection can be a bit flaky. And it shows sports, though be warned if you're a cricket fan: the staff really don't 'get' cricket and keep trying to change the channel, thinking 'nothing's happening, it must be finished...' read more

One of the cosiest and welcoming pubs in Edinburgh? It would seem so. Made a deliberate effort to call in for the first time on Easter Sunday and took to the place immediately. Low ceilinged, dark panelled and a pleasant level of customer chatter (the tv did get turned up when the Man U. game came on later though). Good quality ales were well served by the friendly and seemingly knowledgeable bar staff and a happy couple of hours were spent. One to return to. read more

Comfort food Scottish style. If you're looking for good food at a great price and friendly staff look no further than the Old Bell. Although this is a pub there was a variety of items on the menu to choose from and everything tastes great. This a place to go to again and again. read more

Excellent traditional pub located on Causwayside on southside of Edinburgh near Newington. The atmosphere is extremely cosy, with a low ceiling and wood pannelled walls. There are screens for the sport and excellent food available too. Very comfortable seating, and a very relaxed ambience. I would assume by the quality decor and general ambience that the Old Bell is aiming to attract a discerning type of clientelle. This is a quality pub and a must if you are in the Causwayside/Newington area. read more

While in Edinburgh we were told that this pub was a good place to eat and it did not disappoint. We ate the lamb shank and the Scottish pie both were very well prepared. Drinks were good and the atmosphere was very fun. I would suggest trying this place if you are in the area. read more

in agreement with the prior reviews this is a great local pub with good food, good ales and a couple of decent wines by the glass. Although I have been here quite often, I had never done their quiz before until tonight (sunday) and I must say that it was pretty good.well paced and the right level of challenge. Just a note-they stop serving bar food at 7or so, but if you want a fancier, later dinner, the new bell upstairs was well with it last time I went. Ineed to go again and review it! read more

The Old Bell Inn is one of those pubs you walk by and think "man that place looks cool, I really need to check that out some day" and then you forget and never end up going. Fortunately for me, Newington is now local-ish for me and The Man and I decided to start exploring. The Old Bell is just as cool on the inside as it looks from outside. The walls are wood panneled, the ceiling is interesting, and the seating is plentiful and comfortable. I think I even recall a fireplace in the back. It has an average selection of beers (though another reviewer mentioned that it hosts a beer festival which will have to be a must-visit for me next time it's on) and some wobbly tables, but it's a great wee pub with a lot of character. I was immensely hungry when we were there and the kitchen was producing some seriously impressive looking food, but we decided we wanted to visit a proper restaurant for the evening so all I was able to do was look, and decide that next time we're here I'm definitely going to try the grub. read more

Traditional pub, lively on a Saturday night, good range of ales and the food looked alright too. I used to live round that part of town and didn't venture in as often as I should - now I'm further away I relished the chance to visit again. (And an excellent restaurant upstairs.) read more

While not the pub that is closest to where I live, the Old Bell Inn is certainly my 'local' - and I'm very pleased that it is. Most certainly a classic pub, with lots of leather, wood and comfy darkness the Old Bell is a fine drinking establishment for a night where the thought of loud music and dancing is a bad one. Drinks are well priced, but dont expect to find a million different flavoured vodkas and fruity cocktails - thats just not the style of the Old Bell, sticking to draught lagers, ales and ciders - as well as the odd wine or spirit. The Old Bell has a quiz night on Mondays, and at other times shows sports drawing in a crowd of loyal regulars with an age range from 20 - 80 years old. Dont let this put you off however, as the Old Bell Inn is a welcoming and excellent place for a quiet drink. read more

Old Bell Inn - Old Bell Inn - Pubs Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I don't know why I am always surprised when I see this place: I sort of forget that it's here because it's out of the "beaten path" but this pub is tres cool and is certainly under the category of "traditional pub". It has an random mix of clientele- of the regulars and then the students or postgraduates/staff of the relatively close by Kings Buildings (aka as the Science campus). I would suggest this pub to anyone after a quiet pub and good chat. I have only ever been here for a drink and I found the whole establishment quite pleasing with a warm atmosphere to it. There is a restaurant upstairs but I have yet to try it as it closes far too early for me (7pm). read more

Some nice pub. They're currently in the middle of a beer festival, and they've a load of cask ales on tap as well as super reasonable prices. Friendly service, cheap set menus, and solid pub favourites. This place could be anywhere and it would scream "Scottish Pub". It's just a nice old place to eat, drink, and while away an afternoon, watching the SNP rack up seat after seat after seat, taking on a clear majority in the Scottish Parliament. And a nice place to do it, too. They do have The Great Evil of pubs-- Fruit machines-- but it's hidden round a corner next to the loos. So that's all right. Sorta. read more

We just arrived in Edinburgh and this was our first stop! It was walking distance from the B&B we're staying in. Enjoyed a couple of pints and some featured scotch. Had lots of nice conversations with the locals and bar patrons. We gathered a lot of good information about what to see and do while we're in town. Hope to get back here again before we leave! read more

I think if I conjured up an image of an old mans pub in my head it would be the Auld Bell. The bar has a nice selection of ales on tap and staff the know to keep their beer. I think every time I have been in we have had some friendly banter with the folks on the other side of the counter either to do with their latest ales or just good natured chat. This is always a good sign, staff that seem to genuinely like working in a place. The decor is great low ceilings with wooden beams. Thumbs up here. read more

The Old Bell is a lively traditional pub situated in the nicer part of Edinburgh's south side. It seems to attract a good mix of students, old timers and adventurous touristy types (adventurous because they've managed to venture this far south of the city centre). There's a great selection of whisky and the bar food is fantastic. The menu is made by the same chefs that cook for the fancy restaurant upstairs, unfortunately they stop serving quite early (around 7pm) in order to devote their efforts to the feeding the restaurant's punters. However, if you do manage to make it in time for some food, you'll find it hard to get a better pub meal anywhere else in the city. read more

During uni I lived right up the road from Old Bell and it was my local. The pub is the same: beautiful interior, great fellow drinkers, a classic 'old mans' pub that doesn't try to be anything other than what it is. The reason why this gets three stars is because we decided to head upstairs and eat the other week and that's where things got disappointing, but I don't want to hurt the pub itself because having a drink here is so classic. Old Bell used to serve pub food, and I remember it being really tasty. But they've changed to an Italian menu, which is fine. However it doesn't seem to..... fit, with the low-key relaxed feel of the bar downstairs. The restaurant was completely empty when we arrived on a Friday night, which made me a little sad because I really do love the Old Bell and wish I went more often. The food was fine. We started with a small portion of the meat platter and it was HUGE! So glad we ordered the small portion. For the mains we went with a small portion of the lobster ravioli and the small portion of the mushroom risotto. The mains were tasty, looked beautiful, again glad we ordered the small. It was good but nothing really jumped out at me in terms of taste, which again is fine for pub food but this was, fancy pub food. It was kind of odd to be honest. The service was terrible. The woman who served us was rude, defiant, bored, etc. She was not interested. It was when my partner and I couldn't seem to go out to eat anywhere and get good service, which happens from time to time I guess. Would I recommend it? The pub- oh yes. If you've never been go now, enjoy a good pint in good company in a classic pub. The food? Meh. Best to just go for the pint read more

Disappointed. Quinoa avocado salad had black nasty inedible avocado. Medium rare steak was cooked well- though at least they refunded this charge. Fries for kids were okay. Wouldn't go again. read more

Really nice neighborhood Pub always charming and friendly bartenders and staff. Great selection of Scotchs and locals love watching the current sports on a nice cozy area.. ! read more

Walking into the Old Bell is like taking a step back in time. It is your traditional 'old man pub' and it is completely unashamed of this. And so it should be. The Old Bell offers lovely ramshackle, atmospheric surroundings - a place that is always stooped in darkness and makes you feel fireside-cosy. It almost feels wrong to visit here in any other month than December. However, I would also advise you to take a trip upstairs to the New Bell - their restaurant. It has a very different feel and has gathered quite a cult of worshippers. Make sure to book well in advance for this one, as their hearty and interesting food sees it often booked out. Start with the Old Bell, then explore the New. and get the best of both worlds. read more

Great Edinburghh pub with friendly staff. A nice place to sit and drink on a cold Scottish night.

Never been here before - didn't even know it was there - but hubby passed it a few times and, as we were looking for somewhere to meet friends after a meal, we thought we'd try it. Nice, old fashioned, traditional kind of place, nice relaxed atmosphere. Mixed age crowd in on the Saturday night we were there - TV at one end was showing the Eurovision and the other end was showing tennis! Reasonable prices. Would go back again as nice place to just chill out and chat without having to scream over the sound of ear-bleeding music all around you. One small thing - beware of the barmaid who doesn't give change! Our friend was "ripped off" by this woman a few times that night. Not handing back 50p or 60p once is once thing but if she's doing that with every customer she's walking away with a lot of money! Try as he might, our friend couldn't catch this woman's eye again to get his change and 4 times is not an accident! It would be nice to be given the option of whether to tip or not, not just have a tip taken. read more

Nice to end the night here after the hell of the Beehive in Grassmarket. Good street corner local with good selection of ales. A pub that has stood the test of time, long may it continue. read more

On holiday from us. Have eaten at three other pubs in Edinburgh and this is by far the best. Great pub atmosphere, great food, great service, and reasonable prices. Noise levels were low enough to easily carry on a conversation. read more

Genuinely the worst customer service I have ever experienced. The atmosphere is great, unfortunately the service is blasphemous. Despite an empty pub, waited ages for service to the point where my partner was late returning to work. The waitress was a pure idiot and we ended up paying for a dessert that was not even remotely what we had ordered, but since we were now running late due to her laziness, we did not have time to exchange it. This place would be great if they hired staff who are not pure daft idiots. read more