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. read more

Loved this restaurant! The food was fresh and delicious and the drinks were great! Service was amazing and it's located in a nice location. read more

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

Five stars for ambiance and staff- everyone was great! We all loved our fun cocktails and the food was delicious. The seating is a wee bit packed in but once seated it was fine and wasn't too noisy for table conversation. Definitely worth checking out and make a reservation!! read more

A wonderful experience. Food was delicious. The atmosphere was high end pub/restaurant. Waitstaff was very helpful and kind.

Funky location. Great atmosphere. Good pints and whiskey . I highly recommend as a pub.

Gorgeous setting. Good service. Food was a bit hit and miss unfortunately. Haggis starter was fabulous, great pairing with sauces and pickled veg...also presented beautifully. The lamb rump was ordered medium and came blue...it was raw and cold in the middle, not good. Cod with chickpea curry was ok, the curry had more whole baby onions in it than chickpeas which was odd and the onions did not taste good. read more

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Stopped in first night in Edinburgh. Located down Advocate Close. Got a table, even though we didn't make reservations. Friendly staff, fun whiskey flight, stout, and cider were all great. We also ordered the Smoked ham hock & brie croquettes and the charcuterie board. All delicious! read more

The Devil's Advocate - Scottish Road-trip (aka whiskey flight) - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Recessed right off the royal mile, small stair walk down (great pic opportunity) to the restaurant. Indoor (warm and cozy) and out door (covered w/ heating) options. We tried 5 difference dishes, made to perfection. read more

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The food and the cocktails are great, but the showstopper is the sticky toffee pudding. Hands down, the BEST thing I've had in Edinburgh. I would post a photo, but it would only be of an empty jar. Amazing. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Sun dried tomato and spinach chicken roulade - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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We found this place on Yelp on our first night in Edinburgh and my family agreed it was the best meal that we had while in Scotland. My husband had the venison, I had the salmon, my daughter had the duck. My husband said it was like eating fine filet mignon, my daughter adored the duck, and I thought the salmon was cooked very well. We tried different whiskeys recommended by the bartender and honestly it was the first time I really actually enjoyed whiskey. Highly recommend and hopefully we will be back someday read more

Good food and reservations are a must, perhaps a week in advance if not more. Great ambience and friendly staff.

Went to Devil's Advocate in 2017 and loved it. Unfortunately, our return trip was extremely disappointing - specifically in terms of service. We were seated in the area overlooking the bar (approx. 8 tables), which seemed to be assigned to one server. We were there for over 20 min, before we had to flag her down to even acknowledge our presence. She was bussing other tables before even greeting us. She took our drink orders and a request for water. Ten min later we tried to get her attention to request the water again, when another server noticed and brought us a bottle. It seemed that we were invisible as she hurried around our table - purposely ignoring us. After 40 minutes, still waiting for our drinks, we flagged the other server who explained that there had been an issue at the bar that was delaying the drinks. 20 minutes after the order and no one swung by to let us know. And instead of an apology, he made us feel unreasonable for being a bit frustrated with the delay. I understand that restaurants get busy and problems come up but there is no excuse for ignoring customers. read more

We only had drinks here but they were delicious and full of so much flavor. Would highly recommend the food looked amazing! read more

The Devil's Advocate - Pina colada - with a peaty whisky so good! - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

When we travel, we try not to return to places multiple times so as to get as many places as possible. Well, we broke that rule for Devil's Advocate. We got a couple cocktails the first day. Unfortunately I've forgotten specific names but one was a smokey whisky with some chocolate bitters and it was fantastic. We also got a mint whisky cocktail that tasted like thin mint girl scout cookies. The vibe is perfect, some barrels and a huge back bar of liquours. Great interior and great service. We didn't try the food, but it looked great. Superb cocktail options. Creative menu, will definitely be back read more

The Devil's Advocate - Mint/whisky cocktail and a smokey whisky cocktail - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The steak here was fantastic. One of the best steaks I ever had- made to perfection. We ordered it medium rare, and it had the perfect amount of pink. We also ordered a whisky flight and the Scottish plate appetizer which really lets you try a bit of everything scotch- aka hot and cold salmon, smoked mussels, and pickles. This place is nothing short of spectacular. We hope to be back one day. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Scottish Plate (Appetizer) - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Really good taste of Mexico style fusion food and good service. Love it, strongly recommend. read more

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Fancy and classy, wind your way down Advocate Alley to find this aptly named spot. Get the large charcuterie board with Blue Murder- Blur's former bassist's passion project. The pickled carrots and fresh radishes round out the richness of the cheeses. I don't remember anything else because the wine and atmosphere combined with good grub to intoxicate all my senses. read more

This place was amazing! You need a reservation so make sure to come at least a day before if not more. Great spot. I had to come back during my trip read more

Secreted down the narrow Advocate's Close between St Giles Cathedral on The Royal Mile to the south and Cockburn St to the north, The Devil's Advocate is an incredible gem of a pub in the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town. Thanks to the scheduling and logistical expertise of Victoria, their Sales and Events Executive, our group of American golfers was fabulously warmly welcomed. Their doors enter from the Close into a warmly-lit airy room of rough brick and wood, the bar itself equipped with rows of beer taps and backed by a wall of shelves exhibiting their extensive collection of whiskies and other liquors. We dined on the spacious mezzanine, treated to spectacular attention - particularly from our server Zoe and General Manager Declan. The music was tremendous, adding a special dimension to the atmosphere, curated by Declan himself. After enjoying a few rounds of beers and several of their signature cocktails as our crew assembled, we feasted on their many dinner offerings. Favorite starters included their black haggis and smoked mackerel pâté; mains of pan-fried cod, venison, honey cider pork chop, and of course their superb steaks. We very enthusiastically recommend The Devil's Advocate for their charming ambiance, delicious beverages and foods, and superb service. read more

An old favorite that has become soooooo popular. Got to reserve or get in early now. Go down the atmospheric stairs to the bar doors. There is a bouncer on duty at busy times. Pretty much and beer or booze you want. Patio is the best option. Also, very loud. read more

We came to the we came to deviled advocate twice during my trip to Edinburgh once for lunch and wants just to have a couple drinks at the bar. For lunch we opted for the "burger and beer for £16.5" special which was perfect after a long morning of walking (nay, hiking) thru the city. I got the Tweed Valley beef burger with cheddar, bacon, tomato relish, pickles and Mayo and a side of chips (fries) with the truffle sauce. As an American I know the stereotype is that we just eat cheeseburgers all the time, but I have to say the burgers that I had in Scotland were better than any burger I've ever had in the US. Something about that Scottish beef... it's just next level. I practically inhaled my burger. The truffle sauce was the perfect condiment to have with my fries and I'm sad this isn't some thing places offer in the US. My friend opted for the sweet potato and chickpea burger which was surprisingly delightful. The special comes with the Pilot Vienna Pale Ale which was very drinkable and paired well with the burger. All in all we quite enjoyed our meal and I would recommend DA to anyone visiting or living in Edinburgh. read more

The Devil's Advocate - Beef Burger with Parmesan truffle chips (front) and sweet potato burger with garlic sauce chips - Wine Bars Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

Walked in today solo at 2:20pm to an 80% empty restaurant. Was first told that they're only accepting reservations right now, I pointed out that the place was empty, then hostess added that they were having technical issues with their kitchen. So one statement is true and one is not. Which one? These people seem to love having their asses sniffed for a table. I'm not that guy, save your elitist bullshit for others.z read more

Ate here on my first night visiting Edinburgh and what a good meal! Steak was cooked just the way I liked it and the drinks were delicious. Make sure to reserve before coming! read more

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

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We had no reservation but were fortunate to be admitted as result of a cancelation. The service and the food were excellent. The location too and the ambiance upstairs were really nice. We enjoyed a mic of things, steak, beef and venison pie, and pork belly!! We loved the food and highly recommend!! read more

We honestly wouldn't have even known about this spot had my brother and his girlfriend not suggested it as our post-Arthur's Seat hike lunch spot. They'd had trouble finding it on their own a couple days before, so they figured four heads were better than two, and we found the restaurant in no time at all. It was quite busy when we arrived, sweaty, hungry and thirsty. We hung out at the bar while we waited for our table (they said it'd be a 5-minute wait). The bartenders were friendly and handled the crush of people well. The thing that stunk was that of the 5 or 6 beers on tap, only three were available. And of course, the ones that we wanted to try were the ones that were sold out. The wait was significantly longer than 5 minutes, which wasn't terrible because we had good beer and good company to while away the time. We were squeezed into a small table for four at the top of the stairs. It was cozy, but at least we had a place to get our food on. Our waitress was also friendly, but it felt like she was a bit overrun with the number of people on that second floor. We ordered their meat and cheese platter (what they called the "Ploughman's"). I ordered the Highland Park 12 Ribs, and my husband ordered the Cashew & Chickpea Curry. My brother and his girlfriend had eaten a late breakfast, so they decided to share the fish and chips. We all shared and loved the meat and cheese platter. It offered a good variety of cheese and pickles, as well as bread and meats. The ribs were good, but I didn't taste the whisky; it was definitely overpowered by the BBQ flavor and didn't shine through. The sauce also overpowered the flavor of the meat, which was disappointing. My husband actually ordered the curry because he wanted a vegetarian and non-fried-food meal. He said the curry was delicious, but the plate actually came with two large deep-fried pieces of squash, which he didn't end up eating. My brother and his girlfriend seemed to enjoy their shared meal - my brother cleared his plate, her plate, the meat and cheese plate and some of the ribs off of my plate. He didn't touch the deep-fried squash because "it's vegetables", haha. We did enjoy our time there, though it took much longer for us to get our drinks, eat and get out of there than we had hoped and planned on. We would go back if we visit the city again. We'd at least go back to see their draft beer selection. read more

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Overall, highly recommended. Food and service was excellent. The only negative is something they can't really control but future customers should know ahead of time: in summer, it gets BUSY. Most seating is upstairs and it got HOT and cramped. The noise level is extremely loud, so I wouldn't recommend for elderly folks or people who don't like tight spaces where you're sat very closely to other tables. I'd definitely come again but request a table downstairs. read more

It's a nice ambience inside with good music and lighting. The bartenders are kind and have very cool leather aprons. The drinks however are expensive and it is usually busy, often making it hard to find a seat. Good location however. read more

We really enjoyed this restaurant. The food was great, the service was great, and the atmosphere was great. We sat on the outdoor covered patio that had fantastic heaters. It didn't even feel like sitting outside even though it was cold and rainy outside. read more

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

The Advocate was recommended by a friend & they didn't disappoint! Between the steps (with great views if you turn around) & dark, mysterious alleys, the walk here was an adventure. You walk into the bar area which is an open floor with some high top tables. Most of the dining tables are on the second level. Great atmosphere (loud with great tunes) on a Friday night! I arrived around 9 pm so seated right away but would recommend reservations during peak meal times. The kitchen does close at 9:30 although they are open late. I decided to go with a couple of starters vs getting an entree. Started with the Crispy Haggis which was exceptional! The Advocate's version with The roasted red pepper jam balanced perfectly with the salty of the Haggis. Second starter was the small (perfect for one) Smoked Fish Board. A nice mix of Lax, Smoked Salmon & Mussels with beet relish and pickles. Excellent! The Parmesan Truffle chips are a must try! Paired it all with The Vienna Lager (local). Service was also excellent with my servers providing extra details on the menu & drink options! Will return to try some of the Mains! read more

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I'm hesitant to leave such a good review because it's already hard enough to get a seat at the Devil's Advocate. But honestly the food is so delicious! It's a lot of traditional Scottish cuisine, but used in a more modern way. I've tried about half of the menu so far and I can't wait to try it all. Wait staff is very friendly and knowledgeable enough about their huge Scottish Whiskey selection to help you find something perfect for your tastes. The location couldn't be more ideal, just off the Royal Mile but also tucked away down a little alley so that you get away from the hustle and bustle for a quiet dinner before getting back to the excitement. In the summer you will definitely need to call ahead for a recommendation, as I've had very little luck with walk-ins. I usually just call the morning of and have had pretty good success. Any time I'm in Edinburgh for work this is the place, hands down. read more

Edinburgh, Scotland, has a fantastic dining experience to offer and The Devil's Advocate is a must try. Incredible delicious food beautifully plated with a very attentive and courteous staff. read more

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Didn't eat here, but the cocktail selection was good, staff was great and the ambience was worth the visit.

Really enjoyed the Haggis. The atmosphere was very cozy and the service was excellent. read more

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

We are unsure if the older reviews were made prior to a buyout or before a chef changed or what, but they are no longer true-to-life. We had the lamb rump with couscous, the soup of the day (tomato and Oregano with chipotle) with sourdough, the small smoked salmon board, and the roasted cauliflower dish. Of those. The only portion of positive note was the couscous. Anything else was a little off at best - the lamb was tough and the actual meat dry; the tomato soup was so oregano-forward that any other flavors were overpowered; the sourdough was mostly crust and difficult to use for the salmon charcuterie (it was included with both appetizers), leaving us with only the partial fixings; and the cauliflower was somehow simultaneously oversalted and underseasoned. We don't mean to say any dish was inedible, as both our mains were saved by the sauces they were served in, showing the cooks know how to season, and leaving us only more disappointed in the stars of each entree. read more

I expected a lot based on the reviews. Unfortunately it didn't really come close. Our server was not the most friendly person and when we asked if we could make a substitution on one of the side dishes she said they do not allow them. She added that she could bring me the dish as described and we could purchase the side we wanted separately. When the food arrived it was mediocre at best. My wife had the fish and chips and the fish was overcooked. I had the pork belly dish that was described as "slow cooked" but it was the toughest pork belly I have ever eaten. Our waitress also never came back with our second round of drinks. We were seated outside on a patio which was the nicest part of the restaurant. read more

Wonderful respite near the Mile, something for everyone on the menu. I had the sweet potatoe lentil burger with chips and it was wonderful. We also had the fish and chips, exactly what you'd expect. They had burger and a beer deals for £15, which are actually a good deal. The interior is under lit and I'm finding that ubiquitous in Edinburgh. It's also loud when full. We got lucky and several parties cleared out, giving us a quiet space. There is also a patio. You have to walk up some stairs in one of those winding passages to get here. Don't give up! It's worth it. read more

First of all, I really wanted to go to this place because of the reviews. It was packed so glad we made reservations as they were turning people away. The ambience was great. It looked like an old, pub and dining from the 1800s. The staff is sparse but that's to be expected in this day. We placed our orders for entrees and asked for a large antipasto plate to share. The waitress asked me what I wanted to drink but did not ask my husband, even when they brought out the antipasto which was enormous. There was enough food to feed 8 people. We remarked about the size. I finally called 1 of the 3 waitresses standing around to the table so my husband could order some whisky. We ate as much of the antipasto plate as we could but 45 minutes later, no entrees, no refills of water and no one coming to the table to ask if we wanted another drink. Finally a different waitress comes to the table to ask if we r finished with the appetizer. By this time we r so pissed, we ask for the check. Another waitress comes to the table and wants us to know we ordered entrees. Yes we did but since we have been completely ignored for the last hour I really don't care to wait any longer for more food nor does my husband. He told her we've had to ask for drinks, water and had obviously had plenty of the first order. If the 3 of them had been overly busy I could have understood the negligence. But they were just hanging around doing nothing. Enough of this! It was plainly obvious we had enough of the appetizer, one of them, if they gave a damn could have come to the table to ask. So I can't tell u if the food was any good. When the staff is so rude and clearly don't give a damn about the service it really doesn't matter how good the food is. read more

One of our favorite dinners on our Scotland trip. Be aware the serving sizes are very big. read more

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

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The food was superb! We both had a lamb and couscous dish that was to die for! The lamb was so tender you could cut it with a fork! Our specialty cocktails were divine! The service was spot on and the atmosphere and ambiance are fun and relaxing. Try to be seated outside (on a good day) it was delightful! read more

Cool vibe at this restaurant and great use of their outdoor space - looked to be easily utilized and warm even if it's raining. The food was good - I split the large charcuterie and the ham and Brie croquettes with my son and that was plenty for both of us. The croquettes were very good but served a little cool. I would say I missed a bit of cracker crunch on the charcuterie. Great cocktails and an extensive drink menu. The soup and board were all served with bread but no butter and when we asked for butter it was brought as a cold wedge which was hard to spread. Little things like that set this place a little lower on the "would I return" list as compared to other places we enjoyed in Glasgow/Edinburgh. This was also one of the only places we dined at that added the automatic service charge and it felt like the staff knew it and responded accordingly. It is a team approach and some were decidedly less friendly. As you are likely a US citizen reading this review, look into the tipping practice in Scotland if you've not been before; it took us a few days to realize what was standard practice as new travelers to the country! read more