The Holyrood 9A Reviews Summary

Service

Pros:

• "Service was fast and accurate. Very polite staff and great food."
• "The staff is very nice and friendly."
• "The staff were very friendly and effective."
• "Always amazing service alongside great range of craft beers and delicious food."
• "The staff 'bent over backwards' to accommodate the party I was with on my most recent visit."
• "Staff is very friendly, the place has a good vibe."
• "Staff was friendly, quick and very knowledgeable."

Cons:

• "Slow service. Main was brought out while still eating starter."
• "waited 45 minutes for food (and had to ask them about it), very slow service."
• "Great food, terrible service. I had to go and tell the bar staff I was ready to order food after the waiting staff ignored me."
• "Worse though, the service was painfully slow."
• "Terrible customer service. Sat for about 20 minutes after asking to be given a menu, nothing."
• "Service was extremely slow!"
• "Slow service, they were rude when we went to the bar to order because they didn't take any orders at our table."

Food

Pros:

• "Great haggis burger and a good selection of craft beers."
• "Best veggie breakfast I have ever had, no wild ingredients but everything made with care and attention to detail."
• "Best burger we had in Scotland."
• "Gourmet burgers and craft beers = my kind of pub."
• "Had the BBQ burger, and it was delicious, absolutely loved it."
• "Really tasty burger."
• "The burgers are very filling and beautifully presented."

Cons:

• "The food was bland... specifically I got the chicken sandwich with bacon and blue cheese. The chicken was a tiny piece, dry... the bacon was one small piece... the blue cheese was barely existent."
• "The burger itself was overcooked and under-seasoned, which is a bad combo."
• "We waited an hour for distinctly average burgers which cost over £13. Dry, over cooked patties and slap-dash preparation."
• "BUT the burgers were disappointing! The bun was cold and the beef was definitely not homemade."
• "The patty is a little too thick and was brown through (no hint of pink in the middle)."
• "I don't understand why they put a moist piece of boiled courgette on the top of the burger!"
• "Ordered Chipotle Chicken Burger. It was way too dry."

Atmosphere

Pros:

• "Now my favourite haunt in Edinburgh."
• "In summer, this place is a cool refuge with an impressive beer and cocktail lineup."
• "Nice atmosphere inside, not too loud."
• "The Holyrood 9A is a high-ceilinged, candle-flickering, deceptively spacious, wooden floored, gorgeous looking pub."
• "The atmosphere is cosy and welcoming."
• "A really nice place, and very dog friendly!"
• "It's a cool, atmospheric place to go for a daytime pint or dinner."

Cons:

• "The place is so dark almost catatonic. Music was too loud to have a conversation with your friends."
• "It can be quite noisy so not the best place for a close conversation."
• "I'd give it five but for the fact that it's always swelteringly hot and they don't seem to be able to do much about it."
• "Not far from the Royal Mile but not exactly a picturesque location."
• "It was relaxing and peaceful at 3:00pm."
• "Also a nice laid back atmosphere."

Price

Pros:

• "Prices are a bit high for my wallet but definitely not too much and it is well worth it."
• "Compared to the others bars and restaurants around royal mile it’s a bit cheaper and not as crowded, which is really nice."
• "They’re on Eat Out to Help Out scheme so extra good value if you visit Monday-Wednesday."

Cons:

• "I wouldn't rush back here as the prices are pretty steep for what you get and there seemed to be a lot of better alternatives for a fraction of the cost."
• "read some reviews was glad to see an honest person saying the price of the burger £16 for one."
• "Beer prices vary considerably so watch yourself!"
• "The drink prices may be a bit higher than average, and the food prices -- as compared to other hangs in the area -- may be a bit steep."
• "Has its little issue though, like a can of juice costing £2.45 but being served warm from a shelf in a short spirit glass."
• "The only downside are the prices, which are a touch steep - but for an occasional indulgence, this place is excellent."

Drinks

Pros:

• "Good selection of well kept ales matched by an impressive choice of spirits."
• "If you’re in the Holyrood area near the Scottish Parliament and you want an Actual Pub, Holyrood 9A just off the Royal Mile has a great selection of around 20 craft beers."
• "A huge selection of local beers."
• "Great beer selection on tap too."
• "Holyrood 9A has a fantastic selection of real ales and craft beers."
• "Extensive selection of Scottish craft beers and a few ciders as well."
• "Great selection of drinks, even if you prefer cider, wine, or G&T!"

Cons:

• "Selection of beer is ok."
• "Stick to the beer which is expensive but good and arrives in less than 58 minutes."
• "Got a flat beer, I did tell the guy behind the bar it was flat and usually a crisp bubbly pint."
• "The beer my Dad wanted wasn’t available even though listed as one of the regular draft brews."
• "Beer selection changed since last visit 2.5 years ago."