The Guildford Arms — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

Without question, the best way to wait for a train in Edinburgh is at a table at the Guildford Arms.

There are at least ten pumps for cask ale with an ever changing list of beers and a well balanced mix of styles. It tends to run to more traditionally influenced real ale than new world style craft beers, but there should be more than enough variety here for anyone. They have a reasonable range of wine and gin if that is more your thing, and a decent selection of whisky by Edinburgh standards (i.e. an amazing selection by the standards of anything outside of Scotland). They do food, but I've not tried it.

The interior is full Victorian pomp: awe inspiring with its high, intricately gilded ceiling and grand windows, corners filled with the shadows of years gone by. Atmosphere-wise this is an eclectic place: there is a mix of punters, ranging from very local and very regular, to groups of tourists who have just got off the train, and everything in between. Being in the centre of town, it's mostly office workers between five and seven. Note that this is a popular place, so don't expect to find a free table straight away if you get here after five on a weekday or late afternoon on a weekend.

This is a big, busy, city pub, so the staff are a little variable, spanning the range from very knowledgeable and quietly friendly, to, and I hate to say this, but, pretty self absorbed and obnoxious. There are more of the former than the latter though, so don't let it put you off. It's definitely one of the best pubs in the top end of New Town, and going on beer alone it's easily the best thing between Princes Street and...

So the atmosphere is cozy but half the downstairs smells of the toilets. Sit near the front door. The bar service and restaurant service is great! 10/10. The wine I had was okay, better than average for a beer pub I'd say. The rioja I'd go as far as to say was impressive for the price. The food however, was one of the worst pub meals I ever had and I was devastated. It looked really promising (steak and ale pie) chips were cooked alright I suppose but the veg was underdone and the pie literally didn't taste of anything except maybe slightly vinegary? I have never had such bland food, like I I actually don't understand how steak and ale pie could be so bad?! I decided to see if a pudding could claw back the situation but that was also disappointing, STP, not sure if underdone or overdone as I never cooked a pudding like this but it's texture was almost chewy and dry at the same time? Luckily ice cream and sauce was nice enough that I...

My wife and I recently did a mini pub crawl through Edinburgh in the area we stayed (Pilrig St and Leith Walk), and we started here at The Guilford Arms. It was the best of three pubs we hit that evening.

Walking through the corner front doors, you are immediately taken by the Victorian charm of the pub; the carpeted floor, ornate ceiling, wall decor, as well as the bar itself.

I had a cask-conditioned pint of Night Porter (yum!), my wife had a pint of a tasty draught cider, and we split an order of chili nachos.

The staff, dressed in ties, were top professionals, helpful and friendly.

We briefly chatted up a few locals and the place, even on a Monday evening, was buzzing with happy folks enjoying this terrific Edinburgh pub.

Near St. Andrew's Square and Waverley Station - somewhat hidden in a back alley area - I would totally recommend this pub for anyone seeking a real Victorian gem...