Great ambience with historic brick features Bar service was great - old fashioned highly recommended Charcuterie is a good choice read more

After seeing the high reviews on Yelp, I decided to make a reservation for this restaurant. We trekked up the steps of Advocate's Close to get there. When we arrived at noon (opening time), the restaurant wasn't too busy. There is an impressive bar downstairs with many whiskies. We were led upstairs to the dining area. There is outdoor dining too that would be nice if the weather was warmer. Cool vibe, but it is kind of dark inside the stone walls. The menu is Scottish-focused with seasonal ingredients. We didn't want to overeat, so we decided to share a starter and a main. We got the Scottish venison fritters, which were ok. We enjoyed the pappardelle pasta (roast pumpkin and pecorino sauce, wild mushrooms, spinach, bacon and poppy seed crumb, crispy sage). It was flavorful and didn't feel too heavy. Staff were friendly and it was an enjoyable lunch. read more

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I don't really understand why the ratings are so high at this restaurant. We tried going here one evening and I messed up the reservation. I'm not used to seeing it in blocks and our end time was bolded but not the start time. We showed up at the end time. We were charged obviously because you have to give a card for a guarantee. I get that. I was fine with it since it was my fault. What I wasn't fine with was the rude (dare I say bitchy?) hostess who I spoke with upon arriving. She was awful to me and looked at me like I was garbage. Even after that, I decided to rebook and pay attention to the time. The restaurant had been recommended to us by a relative as the "best place they had eaten" while in Edinburgh and I wanted to try it. I booked for lunch and when we arrived the male host was lovely. We were sat early (because I always show up to a reservation early) and then we waited almost a half an hour for the one waitress there to come and help. It was fine. I can understand they are understaffed and busy. But then the food, it was also just fine. It was decent but not great. Like a lot of things in the UK, it's understated and seasoned. My husband had the pappardelle and my two children and I had the flat iron steak. His pasta had zero flavor. It was a cream based sauce. It needed more salt. As for the steak, it was fine. It was cooked well. Mine was medium rare and the kids both had medium. It was also not seasoned well. However the steak was served with a dipping sauce (a garlic sauce, a peppercorn or lemon mint). We tried all three since we had three steaks and those were all good and kept the steak from being bland. On the plate were chips (fries), which were not salted well but we had the dipping sauces. Also on the plate was plain arugula and a couple on the vine cherry tomatoes. Nothing spectacular. The waitress didn't come back once the entire time we were eating. Overall, it just wasn't worth it for the money we paid. read more

Walking in to The Devil's Advocate in Advocate Close, just above Market St, the large bar greets you. We chose the Scottish Road trip whiskey flight. As someone who truly loved little about Scotch, it was a wonderful way to taste and compare smoky vs peaty whiskeys. Fun. Our table was upstairs and we sat next to an open door which allows for fresh cool air. It was a warm day in Edinburgh. Our server was wonderful, patient and really helpful. Our choices were truly delicious. We started with the fish board, olives, and mushroom skewer. We loved them all. I enjoyed the cod main dish, while my wife finished the starters. The side of asparagus was also excellent. The mouse dessert was delicious but very rich, it's enough for 4 people. The cost of dinner was also totally reasonable. I recommend this place highly. read more

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Great drinks and a killer location. We got a cheeseboard that was actually quite nice and large, which we were very pleased with. The one weird thing -- we were unsure when we arrived how hungry we would be, and the menu is a bit limited. We decided to order just the cheese board and see where we were after that. We were told that once we placed an order, we would not be permitted to put in any more food due to a "small kitchen." I have never heard this rule worded in quite this way. I have been to places that prefer you place everything at once, but not that you would absolutely not be allowed to order more food if you found yourself hungry. We witnessed another table leave because of this rule. The server communicated this rule quite gruffly. The restaurant was also not very busy at all, so couldn't have been crowding concerns. I would definetly recommend for drinks and apps, but, for dinner, perhaps elsewhere. read more

The Devil's Advocate is undoubtedly a treasure to find in Old Town Edinburgh, especially if you accidentally take the News Steps to get there, only to realize you should have simply taken the steps up Advocate's Close from Cockburn Street. But they call these lessons, "character building," apparently. No matter, the Devil's Advocate is worth the search. Located in an old Victorian pump house halfway up (or down) Advocate's Close, the Devil's Advocate is known for a killer whisky shelf of more than 300 different bottles from various distilleries across the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Campbelltown, the Islands, and Islay. I finally sipped on a 15-year Tamdu that has convinced me to keep a bottle at home. Then there's the Clydeside 2024 Limited Edition Cask Strength that was wicked impressive. The bartenders are class at making and serving seasonal and regular cocktails that have their spin and character. My wife enjoyed gin-based cocktails such as the Clean Slate (with St-Germain, citrus, and sugar), Rose Garden (with Yellow Chartreuse, Cocchi Rosa, apple, lemon, and mint), and Bee's Knees (honey and lemon). I went full speed ahead with the scotch cocktails, which are essentially classics with a scotch-substituted twist. The Double Shot is an Espresso Martini with Dalmore 12 in addition to Kahlua, espresso, and demerara -- quite smooth without being too sweet. The Scotzia is a Negroni with Fettercairn 12, while the Boxcar is a Sidecar only with Aberfeldy 12. We enjoyed the bar for a few hours, watching the bartenders make magic while sipping on cocktails, while listening to 80s pop tunes. A great evening indeed. read more

A hidden bar tucked away with a small sign saying Devil's Advocate and an arrow pointing toward a small cement corridor with an uneven stone walkway. Finally found this bar behind huge black barn doors to the entrance. It was busy inside and decided to try one of their ciders. Thistly Cross is a Scottish Cider on tap at 4.4% and was poured in a tall 16oz glass. It was very different from a beer in taste including no foamy head. It was ok but I'm sticking with beer. They have a great bar bites deal for 5£ which includes Cajun Crab Cakes, Chicken & Inverloch, and Haggis Bon Bons. The bathroom was in a tight room without any toilet paper. The dark gothic theme was cool. Basically, spent a short time here and left. read more

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Great food and service near the Royal Mile.sevice was good and great drinks.try the honey scotch old faishon.

Chill place to hang that tends to get wildly busy in the evening. We tried the burger (okay) and the duck leg (yummy). Would come back but might not get the burger again. Duck was delicious though! read more

The Devil's Advocate - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Make Sure to Make Reservations for Upstairs Showed up 3 Hours Before Close on a Weekday and was Unable to be Seated Did Enjoy Some Lovely Drinks Though read more

The Devil's Advocate - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Went in with high hopes. Meal service started out well. But steaks came out tough (like, we could not cut them with the knives we were given) and server did not even deliver the right temperatures to the right guests. When we mentioned the bad result, the manager tried to shame us for "wanting free stuff." We had not asked for anything free; we had simply given feedback that the food was inadequate. Completely rude and condescending, even from the manager. Long story short: we advocate finding another restaurant in Edinburgh. The devil is in control of this one. read more

Great place in Edinburgh and I'd love to come back again. Food and drink were lovely and staff very friendly. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Bar area - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This is a really popular spot and one I had bookmarked before our trip. We were being pretty spontaneous other than the soccer match we had booked, so wasn't sure when we would explore Old town. We ended up popping in for lunch on a Sunday and we lucked out that there was a table available! The ambiance is super cute, a nice dining room up top, an outdoor bar area, and downstairs an indoor bar area with some enclosed booths tucked in the hallway. The fish I had was cooked spectacularly --battered perfectly; and my husband really enjoyed his pork dish. I would definitely recommend this place and if you can, book your reservation in advance to guarantee your table. read more

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Nestled within small alleys or as known in Edinburgh, "Closes", one can discover a world of beauty. From fascinating stories of days when residents would dump toilet waste right into these passageways to the modern day finds like The Devil's Advocate. A scotch focused food establishment, there is a vast and reasonably priced collection of bottles available here for sampling. Three hundred of them to be exact. Food is a classic Scotch selection of seafood and meats. Sure, one might find a pickled vegetable or two laying around somewhere on the plate, but they are certainly not the focus here. Excellent smoked salmon and smoked fish dip, perfectly crisped chips and beautiful main courses adore the menu. The patio is a very pleasant spot to sit and enjoy the architecture of Old Town. read more

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Marta was fantastic - always a smile and a laugh despite how busy it was. Inside is a bit dark but outside was lovely. Everything we ordered was delicious and cooked to perfection. If there is one thing I'd skip, it'd be the desserts. They were ok, nothing wrong with them, but so many other great options in Edinburgh. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Pork chops - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Conveniently located off the Royal Mile, the atmosphere was modern and upscale. The food and drinks were great. Service was excellent.

After a long walk down a stone path I found this isolated bar called The Devil's Advocate. It had an old tavern feel and was two stories with a bar counter and two bartenders. My hubby ordered drinks and I went straight to the bathroom. After a few minutes I realized there was NO toilet paper in one stall and switched to the next stall which unfortunately did not flush. Cmon people get it together. Frustrated, I left and the hubby had to guzzle his drink. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Just an awesome, rockin' final meal in Edinburgh - fantastic food, good service and energized local vibe! Absolute must to get reservations! We tried on our first week in Edinburgh and failed, but were able to make reservations 3 weeks out for our last night in Scotland, and we are glad we did. Pork cracklins were a bit hard and crunchy, but everything else was perfect. We had fresh bread and langostinis for starters, along with a smokey whiskey cocktail, the Smoked Indiscretion! For mains we enjoyed the poached Cod, and the Pork with Barley. Service was very good, and wine selection was extensive. Atmosphere was loud with music and locals' chatter in the bar below, but dark tables and heavy wood panels made it a perfect place for a couple celebrating 3 weeks of travel. Highly recommend a visit to the Devil's Advocate, if you can book a table in advance. read more

The Devil's Advocate lived up to the hype!! I booked reservations well in advance (could only get a later dinner at 8:30pm) since it is a popular spot in Edinburgh. The ambiance is so unique - you feel like you are in an old world restaurant hidden away from the city. The service was superb with constant drink refills and quick service for our appetizer and entrees. I am a huge steak person and thought the meat was cooked perfectly, and paired well with the chips. The arancini was almost the star of the show as the starter - definitely recommend!! The cocktails were also well crafted and delicious. All in all, 10/10 rating from me. read more

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I visited on 08/29/2025, for pre-dinner drinks with a friend. The whisky selection was vast, and the staff (both waitresses and bartenders) were very friendly. The atmosphere was both dark and warm; very easy to relax. read more

I love to be reminded that there is kindness in the world and I love spoiling businesses with reviews but this is going to be my first negative review and only because the hostess treated my mum so horribly. I will take responsibility for not making reservations. I do a lot of research on restaurants before I leave on a trip so I was excited to try this place but as we were driving in from Langley and were unsure of stops and traffic I did not make a reservation (tip: make a reservation so you aren't treated rudely by the hostess). There are a lot of reasons why people become mean and can treat people rudely but as the first point of contact for a business I love encountering kindness as a first impression. I feel bad for you hostess that you feel the need to treat people awfully and I hope one day that you learn that kindness makes the world a better place to live. I wish your restaurant the best because I know how hard it is to create the art that is a great city restaurant. Please remember that how people are treated is important in that creation. FYI we went on Wednesday evening June 24, 2026 read more

Mediocre execution overshadows the amazing bones of this gastropub. Nestled within Advocate's Close, finding the place is an adventure within the Edinburgh castle walls. Upon entry, the juxtaposition of old and new further enhances the experience. The towering industrial shelf of whisky behind the bar catches the eye (in stark contrast to the more traditional pubs that line the royal mile with their ornate, carved wooden bars). The bar gives way to a converted pump house -- both a nod to the history of the area and a clever collection of multi-level stone flanked rooms, allowing the place both to accommodate larger gatherings and offer an intimate dining experience. As with any restaurant though, I am looking for decent food and, more importantly, an inviting place for the evening. The whisky menu shines here. We ordered two flights which give us interesting tours of both Scottish regions and different sherry-casked varieties. Not being a whisky drinker, however, I was looking for more exposition from the restaurant. Our server was clueless and the supposed expert that came to our table exuded exasperation at our questions. They missed an opportunity to narrate their offerings which made our group feel a bit slighted for even asking. Food is at the higher range of average. The cheese and charcuterie board was tasty but felt sourced from the local Sainsbury instead of a lean into local flavors. Similarly entrees (chicken, venison, steak) were good enough but no standouts to report. The jury is still out on restaurant groups and whether they foster mediocrity in pursuit of profit. Bon Vivant Group -- you've got some good underpinnings here -- Edinburgh deserves welcoming service and more than tourist fare! read more

The Devil's Advocate - Whisky flights - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

This is a tourist centric restaurant with international staff. More upscale and out of the way from the Royal Mile. Indoor and outdoor seating. Food menu is the usual fair, nothing that stands out as uniquely Scottish. Food was cooked to our liking. Portions were European size, not American. I had the pork chop (6-7oz), and it was good, but I wanted more. Beef was good, but only 8oz. I would come back as the ambiance was good, and as the night goes on, it turns into more pub/bar atmosphere. read more

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Reservations are a must. Having a lunch reservation in hand, we entered. Immediate service. Attentive. We were three people and they got all orders right. Food was very flavorful and didn't need to season at all. garlic and asparagus pappardellle with salmon. OMG. Duck confit. Amazing. And one burger with fries. Quite possibly best fries I've ever had. No ketchup required, that would have ruined them. And the burger was pretty freakin good too. Just a few short steps off the Royal Mile, and well worth it. read more

The bar was ok. The bartender was excellent with recommendations but the restaurant itself was booked so I couldn't say.

We chose The Devil's Advocate Bar & Kitchen for a special celebration and clearly noted this on our reservation. Unfortunately, from the moment we arrived, it was obvious that this information was either ignored or simply didn't matter to them. There was no acknowledgment whatsoever, no welcome, no recognition, nothing to suggest they valued that we had chosen their restaurant for an important occasion. The service set the tone: standoffish, snooty, and bordering on dismissive. Rather than feeling hosted, we felt tolerated. It was an unwelcoming atmosphere that only worsened as the evening went on. The drinks were fine, acceptable, but entirely forgettable and certainly nothing worth recommending. The food was mediocre at best, lacking both flavor and any sense of care or finesse. Overall, this was a deeply disappointing dining experience, especially given that it was meant to be a celebration. Between the indifferent service and underwhelming food, this is not a place we would return to or recommend to others looking for a special night out. read more

Booked a reservation, they sent us an email saying "thanks for your booking" in subject line then the whole email said we will inquiry it. If you cant take a booking, don't send an email saying we will think about it. Second night in a row trying to get in, definitely not worth the hype. read more

Good food. Good atmosphere and wood recommend for no others to drink and eat when in Edinburgh

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! read more

The Devil's Advocate - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Honestly, the food was really amazing. Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor, and you could tell a lot of care went into making each dish. The presentation was nice but not over the top, just right. I especially loved how well everything was cooked and seasoned. There were plenty of options on the menu, so it felt easy to find something you'd enjoy. Overall, it was a great experience, and I'd definitely go back again without thinking twice read more

Great food and awesome ambiance. Make sure you book a reservation. The area is a bit touristy, but this is a nice escape. read more

Place a must to have a drink. Made reservations on a recommendation from a friend and glad we came to enjoy this historic establishment. Drinks were great was the food was hit and miss. The steak and fries were well seasoned and quality of meat came through. As fir the halibut, it was mushy and the curry flavor made the whole thing sweet and one note. Good to try since it's a historic place. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Steak and fries - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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We came here to taste some whiskies, and as you can tel from the pics, taste whiskies we did. The bar staff was very helpful in making selections, especially those we can't get on our side of the pond. The vibe here was upbeat and very energetic. It looked to be a great place for a date. read more

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A friend recommended this place so we decided to stop by on our last day in Edinburgh. The restaurant doesn't open until 12 noon. We didn't have reservations, but we got there right around noon and they were able to seat us immediately. We did a whiskey tasting, and our server was great and curated local whiskeys for our flight. We also ordered a charcuterie board (although it included pate and I'm not a huge fan but the cheese selection was good) and garlic fries, fries were nice and crispy so we ordered a second. We didnt order meals but people around us ordered burgers which looked delish. The place is a bit ticket away in Old Town but if you have a chance to, would recommend checking it out read more

The Devil's Advocate - Whiskey flight tastings - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Stopped in for a quick after dinner cocktail. I sat at the bar and I ordered a cosmopolitan, it was refreshing and crisp! The atmosphere was dark yet cozy. Service was prompt and friendly. Would definitely go back to try the food! read more

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This place is not allergy friendly!! Not only did they rush us walking in, but they were constantly making us feel like a bother. We were late by 5 min (under the no-show period) and they asked us what we wanted before everyone in our party had a menu. With no understanding or warning they said "order in 2min or we can't serve you." There was a lack of communication, grace, and kindness that was honestly disappointing. Someone in our party has a serious allergy and they warned us about cross contamination, but did not warn us about what she could and could not eat. This allergy was also specified on our booking! She left hungry and with a slight allergic reaction. We felt like we had to leave as soon as we ate because they were acting as though we weren't paying customers. Two members of our party heard them allow another table to order food when they told us we could not get anything else... even the bar snacks on the drink menu that are available until 2am. The food was fine and the ambiance is what we expected. It is a very cool location! At the end of the day, we get the kitchen was closing, but we were rushed in and out in a 50min period, which was rude and unnecessary. If they warned us about the strict kitchen closing time before hand it would have been fine! We were heavily dissatisfied in how we were treated and that outweighed the positives for our party. Do not recommend unless you don't have allergies and want to be rushed out like a bother in under 60min read more

The Devil's Advocate - Drinks (which were messed up and the waiter made us feel guilty for it!) - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Nice delicious meal in Old Town, took a bit of finding in a hidden alley. Service and ambiance was great. It was a slow Tuesday night, no reservation was required, the place was 1/3 full. Will come back again when I walk the Royal Mile. read more

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Gorgeous setting for a drink or a meal. I had the burger and it smelled so good I completely forgot to grab a pic. It was totally worth it. The only thing for Americans, no mustard only ketchup or Mayo. They have an outstanding selection of whiskys and their cocktails are spectacular. They know how to bring out the best flavors. Highly recommend a visit when in Edinburg read more

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I recently traveled solo in Edinburgh, and knew that this had to be one of my food stops! I had the lamb couscous and it was *divine*. Ambience is definitely hip / hotspot, so be prepared for some noise and definitely make a reservation. They also have a bar in the downstairs if you're just looking for drinks. Either way - if you're in Edinburgh definitely add this to your list! read more

The Devil's Advocate - Lamb Couscous - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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We came at lunchtime. They gave us a hard time about not having a reservation, but the restaurant had plenty of open tables. It's a neat building. I ordered the Tweed Valley beef burger, and it's probably the worst burger I've ever had. I did not like the patty, and I had to scrape the tomato relish off because it wasn't good. All in all, I was not not impressed with our experience. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Tweed Valley Beef Burger - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH