Pizza Pilgrims Edinburgh — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Pizza Pilgrims is a welcome new addition to Rose Street and I went mid-week with friends for the soft launch opening week.

We were swiftly welcomed and seated by enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff who made it clear straightaway that it was 50% off everything including drinks.

The first thing that struck me was the vibrant, Italian / American style that really works well.

I opted for the You've Got Maiale pizza which is described as 'one for the meat lovers. A tomato base with nduja, salsiccia, peperoni and red onions finished with burrata and a balsamic glaze (£15.95) and two pints of Camden pale ale (£6.95).

The pizza didn't disappoint and arrived with a ball of mozzarella cheese in the middle. Quite a showstopper for a pizza and it was the best pizza I've ever had (and I've had a few in my time!).

The ales are refreshing, although I'd say £6.95 a pint is a bit on the steep side. Even 0% and low alcohol drinks are expensive at £5 - £5.50 for a 330ml bottle. They do a range of soft drinks and tap water is freely available.

Portions are generous, and they do small takeaway boxes if you can't finish your pizza.

I found it strange that they don't serve chips separately and only on a pizza. Even if they served them in a small metal bucket, it would be preferable.

The lift was out of order as well, meaning those who cannot climb stairs couldn't use any toilet facilities. This was mentioned to the staff, who kept repeating that the disabled toilets were upstairs and accessible by the stairs.

The point that disabled people cannot climb stairs and relied on a (broken) lift to access the facilities was lost, although eventually the penny dropped and we were told the pub next door had toilets (which are not on the ground floor either!).

A 12.5% service charge is also a bit on the steep side. I think 10% is enough generally, although I know that's subjective. Ruby, our server, was friendly, knowledgeable, courteous and attentive throughout the evening.

The final bill was less than £100 for 6 of us including desserts and drinks with a 50% soft launch discount, which was great value for money. Would I say it's worth £200? It's questionable, but these are the times we're in.

Beware - this venue is card only and do not accept cash.

That aside, I really enjoyed my night. It's a great venue and a welcome addition to the Edinburgh food scene, and I would happily return and...

Look at the cost of this. Seriously. And I’m not interested in your explanations. I’m not interested in your overheads. We’re all living with overheards. And I’m 30 years a veteran of this industry. The gratuities I’d get I had to graft for, sweat and almost beg and if we were lucky we’d get 6-10% but we earned them. We served. We waitered. We were professionals. My daughter had a red base with pepperoni, no cheese. You charged it £15.25. You stretch them to 10” (inspite of the 270g dough ball or so) and by doing this are able to cut costs with less toppings with the excuse of making a big crust. And have the audacity to add a 12.5% gratuity for what is a completely standard level of service nothing more nothing less . Almost a tenner. I was in disbelief that I failed to notice it said it was option. I’d have left £5, tops. You wouldn’t even accept cash to save on costs and whatever your other reasons may be, what if I’d left my home with only cash?? It may have been stipulated somewhere but it wasn’t clear enough. When presented with the bill the waitress hovered over me, any decent server who’s taking a cut of 12.5% should know to give me two or three minutes to check the bill over. I paid the bill, against my will, including the gratuity, with much much hesitation.

4 pizza (2 with no cheese) 2 coke. 1 terrible pistachio ice cream 1 nice tiramisu £87.75 was the bill, £65 with the tip would have been good value.

The good bit?? Your Italian dude with the Napoli tattoos and the Pizzaioli. Your pizza was good but that should be the reality.

It’ll be the first and last time. Completely outrageous. And doing yourself and our industry a disservice. You’ll undoubtedly try to bamboozle with a response but think about it a...

I was feeling sick on the street and had to stop somewhere for water because they saw my condition. At 10 pm, I arrived at the restaurant door and an employee with short hair told me that table service closes at 10 pm. I told her it was 10 pm. She told me that it was only for takeout. I left and stood at the door. 5 minutes later, I came back and asked her: where is the information that table service closes at 10 pm?

She said it was only to take, there's no point in me insisting

I asked again: where is the information that service but tables only until 10pm?

This employee with short hair went to the other employee who was behind the counter and said something. This employee who was behind the counter came to me and said that the one with short hair said that I said: I hate you for not letting me in

It took me a while to understand, when I understood, I immediately said: she lied, why would I say that I hate her?

I came back and said I want to order takeout. Then the girl behind the counter said: you won't take anything because you said you hate her. So at that moment I understood the lie she told.

It took me so long to understand what the one with short hair said to the one behind the counter that I said three times: what did I do wrong for you to talk to me like that? Why are you mad at me? I just asked where it said that tables are no longer served at 10 pm. Because at exactly 10 pm I was at the door.

The short-haired employee came to the door and I asked her: Why did you lie? I didn't say I hate you.

I'm still feeling bad, I'm in shock. I don't know why...