I Moved to Scotland for Pubs Like This: The Bonnington, Leith

From Korean ketchup wings and blaggis bon bons to textbook bangers and mash, The Bonnington delivers everything you'd hope to find in a great Edinburgh local.

Half the reason I moved to Scotland was for the epic pubs, so I was thrilled to be invited to sample the menu at The Bonnington, a well-kent local in the Leith area of Edinburgh with the Peruvian Carlo Carozzi at the helm.

Riley and I arrive ready to feast. Our lovely server has only been working there three days, but he tells us that he was a regular well before joining the ranks. He gives us his personal tips for both the drink and food menus, and we heed his advice when it comes to taking full advantage of Wings Wednesday!

We unashamedly over-order and know our food needs to be staggered, as our booth for four is not big enough. The second I take a bite of the spicy and juicy Famous Korean Ketchup Chicken Wings, I know we’ve ordered right. The menu has a wonderfully varied range, and I take pleasure in flitting between the dense and powerful Blaggis Bon Bons (that’s Black Pudding x Haggis – a Scottish staple), and the fresh zing of the Bruschetta with fresh pesto, Pico de Gallo and shaved parmesan.

There are at least four mains that catch my eye straight away, but Riley makes a good point: we must sample the pub classics. So, we order two such dishes: the Steak and Ale Pie and the Bangers and Mash.

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The pie arrives with a golden pastry lid giving way to a deeply savoury filling, while the flavoursome snags from Findlays of Portobello are paired with exceptionally creamy, buttery mash on a bed of rich onion gravy. Now, my dad is English and, while his cooking repertoire is somewhat limited, pub classics are his speciality. My standards are high going in, but these more than win my approval. Sorry Dad, you have some competition. Judging by the lack of complaints from across the table, Riley is equally impressed.

Nearly in a meat-coma by the end of our meal, we both clock the Summer Pavlova on the dessert menu. A perfectly refreshing way to end our dining experience, almost as if the cook knew exactly what we’d need.

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It’s always overwhelming when people ask for pub recommendations in Edinburgh. The city is blessed with no shortage of great boozers, each with its own loyal following. But after just one evening at The Bonnington, I can confidently say it has earned a place near the top of my list. Great food, warm service and an atmosphere that feels instantly familiar make it the kind of pub you'll return to time and again.

The Bonnington - 284 Bonnington Rd, Edinburgh EH6 5BE

Open Fri – Sat 12pm – 1am

Open Sun 12pm – 12am

Open Mon – Thurs 3pm – 12am