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    The Fountain

    3.7 (46 reviews)
    ModeratePubs, British
    Open 10:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)

    The Fountain Photos

    THE FOUNTAIN ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Trendy
    Moderate noise
    Good for kids
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - The Fountain

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    Cold town beer IPA
    Abby S.

    Great pub experience. We were squeezed in on no notice, which was great of the staff to accommodate us. Loved the vibe inside, friendly and dog-friendly. Loved the selection of beers available, and great prices. Food was decent as well, the steak and ale pie being the winner of the night. Goat cheese tart was quite good as well. Would come visit again.

    Beer battered haddock and chips
    Cressida F.

    It was a Sunday. My brother was visiting. What else do you do with family on a Sunday... it was time for Sunday Roast! The Fountain having some good roast reviews here on Yelp, we decided to check it out. Muted sage-teal walls make a fresh but homely atmosphere and we were greeted immediately with swift and bright service. We hadn't booked ahead but we had a drink at the stylish yet cosy bar while a table came free (which was surprisingly quick - less than ten minutes - but we were there at six-ish so quite early). When we ordered, there was only one pork belly left. (Sunday roast sold out by 6 on a Sunday? Really?) My brother opted instead for the shoulder of lamb. Our food arrived fairly quickly and at first it didn't look like there was very much there, but the vegetables joined us later. The pork was amazing - really juicy and tender - and there was a really well-proportioned Yorkshire pudding. Peas and carrots were served separately and to be honest, I thought the bowl they arrived in was just for one person, until another didn't follow and I realised we were sharing. The peas were great and lots of beetroot but the carrot mash was slightly on the cold side. However, everything tasted delicious. Because the portions were slightly on the small side, we did decide to have dessert. I say "because the portions were small" but who am I kidding? I almost always have dessert regardless... Anyway, we both ordered the cheesecake and we decided to push the boat out and also get a cheeseboard to share. But alas! There was also only one cheesecake left! My brother, ever the gentleman, once again switched his choice, and plumped for the sticky toffee pudding at the waitress's recommendation. Good gracious. GOOD GRACIOUS. Such a cheesecake shall I dream about in years to come. It was so good I had to give my brother some to try, and so good that I grieved to part with a forkful when I did so. His pudding was also excellent; sticky toffee pudding can so often come out either stodgy and chewy or loose and partly dissolved. This was neither; sticky toffee perfection. But back to my cheesecake... unfff. The base was crumbly and biscuity and full of flavour. The top was sturdy and creamy without being gelatinous. The berries and compote gracing that heavenly cake were round and piquant. This is definitely the best cheesecake I have ever had in a restaurant, and possibly anywhere. The cheeseboard was just the right size for two people as a rounding-off course after dessert, with oatcakes and a selection of cheeses including brie, Stilton and cheddar. There was also a small tub of frozen grapes, which I've never encountered before, but which were rather delightful. Following a coffee for him and a lavender rooibos for me, we toddled over to the cinema across the road. "I think I'm going to need another coffee before the film," my brother confided, trailing off to find one. "Otherwise, sitting in a comfy chair in a warm, dark room can only lead to immediate sleep after a great meal like that." A great meal it sure was.

    The newly renovated front
    Katie N.

    Wow. What a difference. This pub, in my opinion, used to be a raggedy, dirty, scary, oldman pub, with a constant screening of footy and rugby. This week, I have seen with my very own eyes that this place has transformed. The beers on tap are fab, the bar is spacious, the seating is cool, and the place feels airy. They have beautiful light colours around the rooms with posh hard wood floors. The seating is interesting too, with old school chairs used at the tables. Oh! and the music playlist is really good! There are all sorts of quirky/cool designs around the bar. For instance, I love the doors to the bathrooms, they look like front doors with glossy bold colours, and unique knockers. PLUS the bathrooms are WARM and CLEAN and have those thick disposible paper towels that feel really nice. How posh. The menu also looked good and smelt nice. The prices are average, about 7-12 pounds for a main, but it seems as though the quality is very good. I will have to try soon. Recommend to check this place out before or after a movie date at the cinema across the road.

    Beef pie
    Kenny B.

    Seriously the best Beef pie I've ever had, by a long shot! I seriously doubt you could get quality like this in a 5 star resturant. I don't believe I'll have any as good as that ever again, either, unless I return to Edinburgh. I'll be coming back for the fish and chips later for sure. Super nice and friendly staff too, BTW.

    Last dinner on my Edinburgh trip.
    Kevin K.

    This is a wonderful place. Wait staff is incredible, friendly and courteous. Meat pie was wonderful. The fish and chips are as good as you can get anywhere. I highly recommend this place for any one visiting or local.

    Ellen M.

    This place was a nice surprise. While walking from our guest house to the train station, we passed a handsome corner pub, complete with chalk sign that warned crossers to "RESPECT THE PIE." One of our group was determined to make the trip his personal beef pie tour, so I recommended it as our dinner destination. So we went, and my friend challenged himself to revere the pie, with every intention to devour it before, during or after. The beef pie was a handsome one. The shank bone stood tall, covered in pie crust, the entire thing baked until the meat fell off the bone. And delicious. Best pub pie of the trip! I, meanwhile, stuck with soup, bread, and steamed veg, plus a scotch. We shared a cheese board for dessert, which darn near put us over the top, but then the pie king tucked into a sticky toffee ice cream. The servers were SO friendly.

    Ling Y.

    On our last day in Edinburgh as we had a late evening train, we decided to go to this area of the city to go to the Genting casino. So we decided to have lunch at the Fountain which is across the road. It's a nice bar restaurant, nice decor and lovely staff. We ordered our drinks and just had main meals. I had the hake which came with a wonton style dumpling but it was a very light dish so I wished I had the beef dish which my friend enjoyed. If you are visiting the Casino or cinema /bowling on this side of town then this place is worth a visit.

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    Delicious dinner, great ambiance, and very friendly staff! Loved the colorful, fun picture in the Ladies loo!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Review Highlights - The Fountain

    I used to live in Fountainbridge and when I moved in I was told, to under no circumstances go to The Fountain.

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    Tynecastle Arms

    Tynecastle Arms

    3.3(8 reviews)
    0.5 mi
    ££

    Situated literally 50 metres from Tynecastle stadium, it's an obvious hotspot with the Hearts…read moresupporters and all around the pub you will find Hearts memorabilia as well as signed Scottish football shirts and the like. The decor of the pub is pretty old, but in all honesty this is probably what gives the pub so much character I came here just before a Hearts game versus Rangers and it was very packed, but the bar staff were very fast in taking orders. The vast majority who venture into the Tynecastle Arms are Hearts supporters with away fans opting to frequent other venues. I would come back here, but only if I were going to see Hearts play.

    This pub, for decade's was a great pub. When Stevie was…read morerightly removed and Sharon was hired as manager, it became a pub to avoid ( except, of course on a matchday, at Tynecastle ). She ( Sharon, the manager) is an ignorant, arrogant, condescending, disgusting individual. The pub no longer has any kind of atmosphere. She constantly slags off staff to the regular punters and other members of staff. And overall she lacks any kind of personality and has killed this once great public house. As someone who has worked and managed all over Edinburgh, from five star hotels to pubs with questionable reputations, I've never met such an ignorant individual or someone with such poor people skills. Take away her customer service skills ( or lack of ) she knows how to work a bar, that's not in question, it's her disgusting personality that's destroyed this pub.

    Photos
    Tynecastle Arms

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    The Diggers - What you see... is what you...

    The Diggers

    4.0(12 reviews)
    0.2 mi
    £

    They're now called The Athletic Arms, not Diggers, but you can still buy Diggers t-shirts. :-)…read more This was the only pub we've visited twice cause we liked the local vibe, assortment of drinks, and small menu of food. Service both times was friendly as well. It's a local place so nothing fancy. Just a good pub with real people. It was close to where we were staying to. I recommend if you're in the area and want a drink or just a place to chill,

    I worked full time at the Diggers in 1969 under the legendary Bill Farmer. I was only 18 and had…read morejust returned from travels in India and Nepal. I was so broke I had to be repatriated by the British government, and the Diggers was my first job on my return to Edinburgh enabling me to pay back the government at £5 a week. Bill didn't let me pour a pint for a month, until I had practised bringing hot water through the pipes. And yes - it was a skill in those days. Bill was a great boss, but never tolerated any nonsense from the staff. There was Charlie, the head barman (a very miserable man), John (from Leith), and part-timers Wullie, Stewart and Jimmy. There was a cleaner who never spoke to me again after an argument. In those days there was a small 'Jug Bar', and I always wondered why it was called a Jug Bar - until one day an old lady in a shawl entered through the Jug Bar entrance carrying a ceramic quart jug. "Fill that up son" she said, and then left the pub. I remember no women were allowed in the main bar (other than the Jug Bar accompanied by a man). Singing was prohibited (no music licence). On match days at Tynecastle in the sixties pubs opened and closed at 11 am - 2-30 pm and 5 pm - 10 pm. If it was a big game the bar staff never went home - some went to the game - others just returned at 5 pm., for the big rush! Thirteen barmen were standing at the ready behind the bar while fans thumped and hammered on the door. Minutes before opening we would fill the top of the horseshoe bar with pints of heavy (the pub only had one lager tap) at least 6 deep! Then we tossed a coin between us all - the loser had the joy of opening the doors to the screaming fans!!! Allan Foster edinburghbooktour.com

    Photos
    The Diggers
    The Diggers - Got a small nachos at the pub. Hit the spot.

    Got a small nachos at the pub. Hit the spot.

    The Diggers - Dugs welcome!

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    Dugs welcome!

    Robertsons Bar

    Robertsons Bar

    1.8(5 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    £

    I was instantly put off by this bar since they are apparently quite fascist in how they filter out…read moretheir clientele. "Home Support Only" is hardly a welcoming sign to be given when you're visiting a pub for the first time. The plan may be to eliminate violence by keeping it for Hearts fans, but it's hardly a great message for anyone else, including visiting away fans. If anyone has read Irvine Welsh or have at least seen Trainspotting, they may romanticise his visualisation of Edinburgh. They may want to go on a tour to capture the essence of the city, the place where the real people go. If that is the case, I regretably advise against visiting here. In case you're not familiar, Scottish cities are fanatical about their football, and although thousands of people can have an adult debate about it, you get those who like to frequent the football bars and would pan you in if you declare yourself a Hibs fan. There used to be a history of football casuals in Edinburgh. Some of the ideology has been carried forward from the 80s into this century, so pubs dedicated to one team should not be frequented unless you are local, love Hearts or can play clueless enough for the punters to think you're endearing. I had my eyes down in here during a week day just to see what it was like, and while I experienced no trouble it's easier for girls. I sound sexist, maybe, but it's sadly true. The clients were really nice to me but they might not be as nice to guys. As Stuart experienced it was not the same for him, and as Amy said it's best avoided unless you live around here. That's my bit of street smart education done for the day. By all means try it out - you might meet a nice local. But there are plenty other pubs up town which are more accomodating. It's right by Tynecastle so it's not a ridiculous notion that it's home support only, but even though it may be to prevent arguments from forming, it's still a bit offputting.

    Although Robertsons Bar is one of many many pubs in Edinburgh, it is unique in that it maintains a…read morepretty old-fashioned premise about it. It looks like something from the 1960s, but not in an old and tatty way, in a cute wee cosy way. Robertsons sells a good selection of different beers, ales, wines and the usual standard spirits. The prices are really reasonable here with a spirit and mixer costing about £2.50 and a large glass of house wine costs about five pounds. There is limited food available, which I was pretty disappointed with as I was here drinking for several hours and was hungry and had to go to another pub to get a meal there. Robertsons pretty much just sells crisps, peanuts and pies. There is a really lovely and fun atmosphere in here and the staff are always friendly, but when it gets busy it can be really difficult to get the attention of the bar staff to get a drink. A cosy little pub which is great for a drink, but not so great for food.

    Photos
    Robertsons Bar - Photo. June 2011.

    Photo. June 2011.

    Robertsons Bar
    Robertsons Bar

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    The Caley Sample Room - Arbroath Smokie Fishcake

    The Caley Sample Room

    3.8(24 reviews)
    0.4 mi
    ££

    I mean, we had walked a lot that day, we were a little bit lost, and we were very hungry. Found…read morethis online and decided to stop in and give it a try. The place was probably the least clean of all places that we had found in Edinburgh, but at least they had tennis on the TV. The staff we're not super happy and really when you're on vacation a smile and a welcome word goes a long way Husband enjoyed the fish and chips, my pasta was a little weird, but you know what it's a sports bar and I didn't have high expectations. We just had to get off the road. I think the higher ratings came from many years ago because this place may have gone past its prime.

    We came here for our tours farewell dinner. It's always difficult to say goodbye, especially to…read morepeople you bond very closely within the course of a week, but the Caley did a great job of supporting and celebrating with us. They brought out a ton of appetizers, from haggis bonbons, bread, hummus, olives... literally something for everyone. We had pre-ordered our entree and dessert but I only managed a few bites of my burger as I had been so filled with the appetizers. Plus, I had also been hamming it up with some coos earlier in the day and who really has a heart to chow down on some beef after that? I can say this, the bun was really stellar. I had previously ordered the raspberry cheesecake. It wasn't bad but I live in a place surrounded by world-class cheesecakes so there wasn't any competition coming from it. We also celebrated one of our group's birthdays and the restaurant was happy to keep the drinks flowing for the birthday girl. Kate, one of our servers/bartenders was MVP.

    Photos
    The Caley Sample Room - The Caley Burger

    The Caley Burger

    The Caley Sample Room - Knickerbocker Glory

    Knickerbocker Glory

    The Caley Sample Room

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    The Devil's Advocate - Smoked fish plate

    The Devil's Advocate

    4.3(630 reviews)
    1.2 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    Just an awesome, rockin' final meal in Edinburgh - fantastic food, good service and energized local…read morevibe! 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.

    The Devil's Advocate is undoubtedly a treasure to find in Old Town Edinburgh, especially if you…read moreaccidentally 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.

    Photos
    The Devil's Advocate - Whiskey flight tastings

    Whiskey flight tastings

    The Devil's Advocate - Fish Filet

    Fish Filet

    The Devil's Advocate - Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

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    Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

    The Fountain - pubs - Updated May 2026

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