Deacon Brodies Tavern — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

I came here during my visit to edinburgh with my family. We sought out this restaurant because of our wonderful experience with Nicholsons pubs and thought it would be consistent with the rest. We had to wait over an hour despite them telling us 20 minutes but they were very busy so we understood. We waited upstairs and decided to get drinks in the bar. Unfortunately the bartender ignored me even though the bar was not busy. I was clearly waiting but he was serving people as they walked up after me. I eventually had to get the attention of someone else to pour our 4 drinks and take them upstairs... Once seated, things got better and our waitress was nice. They got better for a few minutes at least... all of our food came except mine ( I was the main one in the group who was starving and needing food too) I waited patiently but eventually contacted the waitress. She apologized and said she forgot to put the burger in, but would fast track it. Okay I'm fine at this point mistakes happen... another 30 minutes go by and still no burger and we are ready to pay, I talked to the waitress again and was told it still hadn't been made. I was pretty much done and wanted to leave but then the burger came ( over an hour after we ordered) the waitress did apologize profusely and offered me a discount which would have risen the rating to 2 stars, but the experience in the bar was too pathetic.

I am sure that this was a standalone experience, based on their other locations quality, and the other reviews here, but this was our experience.

I would give this place another shot when I go back to scotland.

Update 2025. I came back here 3 years later and it was the exact same type of experience as listed above. People who were sat well after us got our food and had left before we got ours, it took over an hour for the food to come, and they were severely under staffed. The food was good but the restaurant needs to figure out their...

There is nothing personal about the review but only serious concerns are voiced to a reputable establishment.

Pros: Gluten free (gf), vegan Pale Ale. Kind enough to take a dish off from the bill because I would not touch it. The dish was drizzled with balsamic vinegar and was therefore not certain to be gf and dairy free (df). Haggis was reportedly good to taste (tasted and ordered by someone who did not have diet restrictions) but looked different the way it was served. Cons: The staff is not aware of what dishes are gf and df and it has to be stressed that you will be in serious trouble unless the server finds out for sure abt the dish and its dietary components. The staff (not just the server but also the cooks/chefs/ people who work there) were NOT aware of common foods that are labeled as gf but are aged in grain-barrels that cause gluten contamination to a harmless product. Balsamic vinegar has to be used from companies that certify their product as gf and df or else do not use it for troubled folks. Offer olive oil drizzle and lemon instead. The reviewer went hungry for dinner except chips and beer as a result. Dietary restrictions need to be taken seriously and simply posting info online in a app to patrons who might visit casually is NOT enough. Hopefully the chips were safe and really had a dedicated fryer. But the entire episode makes me mistrustful of what was reported or in posted...

Sadly disappointed & I say this as a repeat customer who brings visiting tourist friends/colleagues here due to the usually consistent quality & interesting namesake I share with the famous character.

Essentially the pie I ordered was I would estimate 70% thick pastry & very little filling. There was so much I left a good chunk of pastry & I never leave food. It was made worse by the filling being average tasting & quite low quality, even including the largest bone I've ever been served inside food. This was a stark contrast to the last time I had the pie there, which was excellent.

Had I to score the food based on my meal alone, it would have been a 1. I do acknowledge though my friends fish and chips was tasty & bone free, but not special so would be a 3/5, I have also found the fish & chips decent in the past, so would recommend it as a safe option. Bringing the overall food score up to 2/5.

The atmosphere is still good & staff were friendly, although I don't recall being asked how the food was at the end (as I would have said) and certainly no-one commented on the large bone or significant amount of pastry left.

I've genuinely brought over 60 visiting friends/colleagues here over the last 10 years & based on this experience am not as inclined to come back. Even with the atmosphere & amusing shared name. Time will tell if I give it another go. Happy to engage with management if you wish...