Albanach Reviews Summary

Ambiance and Decor

Pros:

• "It's a beautiful old fashioned bar with a wide variety of whiskies, beers, wine, gins and more!!"
• "The place is very well laid out and the decor is homely yet sophisticated with lots of bare stone and is a good mix of the traditional and the modern."
• "Such a cosy beautiful pub."
• "The ambiance was fantastic."
• "Unbeatable location at the beginning of the Royal Mile."
• "The ambience is old Victorian with wooden furniture."
• "Enjoyable traditional Scottish Pub in the middle of the Golden Mile, close to Giles Cathedral on the corner of Cockburn St."

Cons:

• "We were seated by the door which often stuck open letting in a blast of cold air."
• "The only reason i gave it a three was the toilets were down a huge flight of stairs."
• "This is a place that trades on its history rather than current merit."

Service

Pros:

• "The crew that works here are beyond lovely and treat you like you’ve just come home."
• "the bar staff were friendly and the service was just as quick when you needed a refill"
• "Had the Fish and Chips. Food was extremely good, very fair price, and attentive staff."
• "The staff were very friendly and efficient."
• "Great service, such lovely staff and the food was superb."
• "Staff always lovely and you are always made welcome"
• "The staff were very welcoming and friendly."

Cons:

• "Phoned up and got very stressed person who said she couldn't speak as she was serving and very busy."
• "Rude and inhospitable staff."
• "Wow, one guy behind the bar was rude to several people while we were here."
• "The long haired guy at the counter was very very rude."
• "struggled to get served as the bar staff were huddled at the other end of the bar talking to each other"
• "The waiters are not friendly"
• "Being constantly ignored by wait staff as we sat with empty glasses and table throughout the 3 hour experience."

Food and Drink

Pros:

• "delicious food"
• "The steak and ale pie was not only delicious and plenty, it arrived amazingly fast."
• "The food is good and filling."
• "the food is good and offers a range of Scottish meals ideal for visitors or those who just love haggis"
• "Food well what can I say prompt service and a good menu reasonably priced."
• "Great Whisky collection. Very reasonably priced."
• "Food was really good. We had the steak and ale pie."

Cons:

• "The Christmas meal was the most awful meal we have ever had"
• "Terrible, overpriced rubbish!"
• "it wasn’t good"
• "Too expensive for the little food they bring!"
• "Terrible food and terrible service!! Had to send our breakfasts back twice as they were cold."
• "The food took over half an hour to arrive."
• "The food was quite disappointing"

Management and Policy

Pros:

• "Had a great day with my father in law here."
• "Definitely a place worth visiting."
• "Highly recommended pub!"
• "Must visit if visiting Edinburgh."
• "Highly recommended for visitors (or locals) to Edinburgh. Many whiskey options for the rookies or the professional."
• "Brilliant pub in the heart of Edinburgh city wouldn't hesitate to recommend this pub to everyone lovely warm atmosphere."
• "Albanah is in the prime location of Edinburgh."

Cons:

• "Now owned & run by Greene King, and frankly, ripped the heart out of this place. Gone is the 4 page whisky menu, yes they have some whisky for sale but nowhere near what they used to have."
• "Very disappointed to get settled, after checking table outside was free, in a group of 5, including my heavily pregnant daughter and 2y old grandson...we were stunned to be asked to leave as they can't allow under 5s in."
• "Didn't have steak or calamari that was on the menu so I left."
• "The beer was pricey too and the day I visited, none of the cask beers were available."
• "manager hasn't got a clue young girl with no customer skills at all"
• "Management is offhand."
• "Booked festive menu online paid a deposit, turned up and they had no record of my booking even though I had a confirmation on my phone."