A lively Portobello pub with food that can genuinely impress, especially Sunday roasts, burgers, fish and chips, and the outdoor hut setup, but service and consistency have enough wobble that it’s not an automatic slam dunk.
Foresters Guild delivers strong food quality anchored by reliably praised burgers, fish and chips, and roasts, but inconsistent execution across plates prevents a higher grade. The seaside-adjacent setting with outdoor huts creates genuine appeal, while warm service and good value mostly compensate for occasional lapses in consistency and staff knowledge.
Foresters Guild feels like the sort of Portobello pub people build routines around: roasts, burgers, fish and chips, drinks in the garden huts, and the occasional celebratory dinner. The strongest reviews sound delighted rather than merely satisfied, with people raving about the Sunday roast, the outdoor beach-hut seating, and staff who are warm, quick, and genuinely helpful. One reviewer summed up the mood nicely by describing the place as a surprise worth the detour rather than just another pub stop. The cooking leans sturdy and crowd-pleasing rather than flashy: classic pub food with Scottish touches, a few creative twists, and enough vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options to keep groups moving. The menu suggests a kitchen that knows its lane and mostly plays it well, especially with roasts, burgers, fish, and comfort-food sides. It is not a fine-dining destination, but it does have enough personality to feel a bit more deliberate than the average pub. Families should do well here. The menu includes easy kid-friendly options like mac and cheese, burgers, fries, fish and chips, and even a kids’ hot dog mentioned in reviews, while several diners explicitly say children were welcomed. That said, the outdoor area can get chaotic at busy times, and a few reviews mention crowded weekends, so it is better as a relaxed lunch or early dinner than a stressful peak-hour outing.
Area vibe: Seaside suburb known for its beach, prom and independent shops.
Safety: Generally safe and family-friendly with good evening lighting along the high street and promenade.
What's nearby: Seafront promenade, Portobello Beach, local high street shops, cafés and bars; bus links to city centre.