A polished, reservation-worthy Edinburgh dining room with strong modern-Scottish cooking, especially roasts, seafood, and steak tartare, though a few diners find portions small and prices a bit steep.
The Broughton delivers exceptional food quality anchored by standout roasts, steak, and seafood, paired with notably attentive service that consistently exceeds expectations. A polished, photogenic setting and reliable execution across most dimensions support its standing, though modest inconsistencies in portions and occasional seasoning missteps keep it just short of the very top tier.
The Broughton feels like one of those Edinburgh places that has outgrown the “just a pub” label. Reviews keep circling back to a warm, busy room, attentive staff, and a menu that lands somewhere between polished bistro and elevated Scottish comfort food. One diner summed up the mood neatly: the room was lively, welcoming, and clearly popular enough that you should book ahead. On the plate, the cooking is strongest when it stays close to its lane: roasts, steak tartare, fish and chips, crab, and desserts all draw repeat praise. The kitchen seems happy to add a little flair without turning everything into a stunt, so it suits people who want familiar dishes done with more care than average. A few guests do feel some portions are on the modest side, and the occasional roast or fish dish misses the mark, but the overall pattern is much more “worth a special trip” than “why did we come here?”. For families, the reality check is mixed. The menu has a few approachable items like fish and chips, chips, focaccia, and roast beef, but this is not a dedicated kids’ place and one reviewer flatly said children are not allowed later in the evening. So yes, a child might happily eat the chips or roast potatoes, but The Broughton works better for adults, older kids, or a grown-up family meal than for a casual all-ages outing.
Area vibe: Historic, tourist-focused district with strong culinary and cultural offerings.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit in evenings around main streets; quieter lanes can be dim and less busy.
What's nearby: Close to Royal Mile, Waverley Station, Calton Hill, theatres and numerous restaurants and pubs.