The Ensign Ewart
521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PE
$$
Pizza
Welcome to The Ensign Ewart Pub, on Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
The highest pub in Edinburgh, and the closest to Edinburgh Castle, The Ensign Ewart has a rich history dating back to 1680, when the pub was first established on it's current site. It has changed a bit since then, but it still retains much of its original charm, and always has a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
We have local Cask Ales, a dynamic and ever changing whisky list, live Scottish Folk music, a fresh and locally sourced food menu and, of course, the best in Scottish hospitality!
Reservations
Booking Notes:
Under 18s must be accompanied by an adult and having a meal.
Please note, due to staff shortages, we will be running a reduced food menu every Monday & Tuesday throughout September.
Business Info
- Address: 521-523 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PE
- Cross Street: Lawnmarket
- Cuisine: Pizza |
- Cost: | Inexpensive
- Category: Pub
- Star Rating:
- Reservations: Recommended
- Dress Code: Casual
- Meals Served: Lunch | Dinner |
- Parking: Street |
- Payment Options: VISA | Amex | MasterCard | Cash | Apple Pay | Google Pay | Debit |
- Corkage Fee: N/A
- Website: www.ensignewartpub.co.uk
- Phone: 01312257440
- Features: Full Bar, Live Entertainment, Takeout Available, Free Wi-Fi, Gay / Lesbian,
- Occasion: Child Friendly, Romantic Dining, Meet for a Drink, Quiet Conversation, Dog Friendly, Quick Bite,
Photos
Business Hours
Reservations Available
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Closed
- Wednesday
- Closed
- Thursday
- Closed
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Customer Reviews & Ratings
4.85 out of 5 stars based on 278 votes
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 13, 2022
Carolyn A.
Lovely place, lovely staff & lovely food! Very happy
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 13, 2022
andrea m.
Favourite pub in Edinburgh
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 07, 2022
Emma G.
Staff were great helping us choose ale and whisky. Would recommend!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Apr 11, 2022
Friederike M.
It was by far one of our loveliest, tastiest evenings in Edinburgh. Definitely come back! Thanks for everything - greetings from Germany
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 10, 2022
Linda P.
It was a great experience, people are lovely and the music fits the place just perfect!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Mar 04, 2022
Anne G.
A great bar with great music and vibes.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Feb 20, 2022
Natalie B.
What a great place for lunch! Cosy, very friendly staff, great sound track and delicious food. Would highly recommend this place to anyone.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Feb 05, 2022
Paul G.
Brilliant as usual. Great staff and always a good atmosphere.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 25, 2021
Kieron C.
My favourite drinking establishment, great for military history, whisky and folk music.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Dec 24, 2021
Tom A.
Really good experience. Didn’t require food but were offered it, despite kitchen being on the point of closing post lunch. Good range of beers and whiskies. Very friendly staff and attentive service. Would certainly return. Happy Christmas
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 14, 2021
andrea M.
Absolutely amazing bar, staff are truly fantastic, they never stop and always great service. we go everytime we visit Edinburgh, often more than once!
Cant wait to return
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 13, 2021
Linda F.
Lovely little pub with great food. Guys are really friendly and helpful
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 11, 2021
Clare M.
We had a fantastic evening here! Didn’t eat here though the food did look good. Love music from 9 with really talented musicians. Met a lovely couple from Oregon.
You need to book a table as its only a small place. The 2 guys behind bar were fab. Really quick efficient service. Would definitely recommend for a great evening.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 04, 2021
Tom W.
Ensign's has always been a favourite pub of mine and every visit is always excellent. Food was great, staff are great and friendly and I'll be coming back as often as they'll have me.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 03, 2021
Katie B.
It was a lovely atmosphere, I was treated extremely well and the service was fantastic. The staff very knowledgeable and made me feel like I wasn’t alone. The food looked great, I had the whiskey cheese pairing and it was amazing, I would definitely try the chocolate one next time. The live music was not obtrusive but fantastic. I’ll definitely recommend and go back.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Dec 02, 2021
Iain W.
Friendly staff and a great experience plus live music! Would definately go back
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 18, 2021
Paul A.
Great place made very welcome. Would recommend
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Oct 13, 2021
Leigh D.
Outstanding staff, brilliant live music, reeeaaally tasty pizza
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 27, 2021
Julia D.
The music was great. Especially the fiddle player ;-) ;-)
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 21, 2021
Samantha L.
Absolutely lovely experience!! The live music was wonderful and the over atmosphere was fantastic!! Thanks so much for a lovely night
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 14, 2021
Samantha M.
This was by far the best pub that we visited. The 2 members of staff were fantastic especially the one with the amazing beard haha. He went above and beyond with customer service even when I had a bad case of acid reflux he helped me. Absolutely the best pub in Edinburgh, the Live music was fantastic also
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Sep 12, 2021
Jonathan W.
The 2 guys working were fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble! They were knowledgable and made us feel very welcome!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Sep 04, 2021
Neha C.
Lovely pub, music and staff!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 18, 2021
Tracy C.
We did not have food, but booked for drinks and the entertainment on Sunday night.
The bar staff were so friendly and attentive, and kept our table as we called to say we would be a wee bit late.
We were on holiday from Aberdeen and really enjoyed the music the folk band played.
Had such a lovely night, and would definitely recommend!
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 0/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 17, 2021
Flora L.
Excellent experience. We had no food so cannot rate it but everything else was super.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Aug 09, 2021
Gladys S.
Absolutely love coming here, was here a few weeks ago the service is excellent staff are so friendly & helpful, my friend & I were there for 5 hours on Saturday and made to feel so welcome, booked in again on September 4th with my daughter & friend, can’t wait! ♥️
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jul 26, 2021
Katie C.
A lovely pub. Friendly staff and lovely atmosphere. Visited twice on our weekend in Edinburgh.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 8/10
Jun 26, 2021
Todd M.
A cosy and welcoming, very old pub in the centre of Edinburgh. Nice people, nice beer, nice time. Won't be disappointed if you decided to go in. Promise!
Todd
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 8/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 10, 2021
James B.
Really great small pub, with really friendly and fast service. 50% off pizzas when buying a drink is a great deal- making it essentially £10 for a drink and a big pizza. Would definitely recommend and will be coming back :)
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
Jun 09, 2021
Oleg V.
Great whisky selection, nice food and excellent service.
- Overall: 10/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 10/10
- Value: 10/10
May 24, 2021
Anita M.
Great service, fantastic cocktails and a brilliant atmosphere
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Mar 22, 2022
Jane L.
Great pub, great food welcoming and hospitable staff.
- Overall: 9/10
- Food: 10/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 9/10
- Value: 9/10
Dec 04, 2021
Joyce C.
Fabulous pub, great music and friendly staff.
- Overall: 8/10
- Food: 7/10
- Service: 9/10
- Ambience: 8/10
- Value: 7/10
Aug 12, 2022
Andrea B.
We were booked for 6pm but got there early so they let us eat then. They only serve sandwiches and soup but what we got was ok nothing spectacular but it filled our bellies. Great location for the castle ad we were attending the Edinburgh Tattoo.
- Overall: 7/10
- Food: 9/10
- Service: 10/10
- Ambience: 6/10
- Value: 7/10
Aug 18, 2022
Ian M.
Our reserved seats were fading and next to the toilets… not nice for eating so we only had the cheeseboard