Spylaw Tavern

What the Spylaw Tavern wins at is food. I came here for a lunch after a bike ride with a big group of people and all 25 odd of us were served really quickly and efficiently, and with absolutely massive portion sizes. So definitely a proper thumbs up for the logistics of catering for a group of hungry and muddy cyclists.
I ordered the mac and cheese and when it arrived the entire table leaned over to look at its sheer heft and comment on whether I would finish it. I could only eat half and it was less than £9. It was good mac and cheese, but the addition of sweetcorn, peas, carrots and chips made it a bit of a struggle!
I would kill the fourth star though at the pub looked a bit tired. It didn’t have that warm, cozy traditional feel inside and neither a modern look. From the outside it looks like a proper lovely local, but as soon as I came through the door I felt a bit let down. But hey, some folk will like the décor I’m sure.

The Spylaw Tavern is set on Spylaw Street just off Colinton Bridge, not ‘right up that road hen’ as directed to by a passerby. Once doubling back I found a decent enough local pub with its own little dining section in the back.
I was here for a colleagues leaving do but I didn’t eat here so can’t comment on that. I get the impression that it would be homely, pub grub served, but there is nothing wrong with that. The pub itself, looks just like a local pub — bar and lounge area at the side, nothing fancy but homely on a wet and windy Friday night.
Drinks are reasonably priced — £3.60 for a small glass sauvignon blanc and around £2.80 for gin and mixer. Wine sometimes is something that traditional pubs struggle with (another glass of vinegar, eh, no thanks!) but this wasn’t the case as the sauvignon blanc had just the right amount of zesty, refreshing bite and there were several choices for non sauv blanc drinkers on offer. Pub munchies with post work drinks are another danger, but a good range of crisps and nuts on offer and not weighed down by a huge markup.
All in all a fairly decent local pub and I probably will return, given its proximity to work.

I am not normally a fan of ‘pub grub’ but this place is different. For a start the staff are excellent and go out of their way to accommodate your needs. For instance we turned up on a Friday evening at 6.10pm, desperate for food but very short of time, even though they were fully booked they managed to find us a table, provided we were done quickly which we had to do as we had to get to the airport. Then the food well it’s not Michelin star stuff but that is not what we were looking for. It was good, basic but imaginative, food and we were very please, in fact so pleased that in the week we were in the area, we went there three times! The price is really reasonable and the atmosphere super so I truly recommend you go there you will not be disappointed and you will be genuinely welcomed which is more than could be said for McKenzies just up the road wow what a miserable lot!

love this place!!! great staff, huge home cooked menu!
been to this little friendly pub/​restaurant loads.
The staff are great and the beer garden is a great place to spend a sunny day with friends and family.
have the pies, the haggis pie is amazing but huge, so go when your hungry.

As pubs go, this is a great find with great food.
Great village bar. Great food and the place was very busy. We just turned up at 12 noon sharp without booking. We were asked if we had booked as they were maxed out. We managed to get a table and we had great food. The service was excellent and very friendly.
Mum is going to take her friends back. So if she is impressed, then it must be all good…

Nice village bar which serves large selection of good food and drinks. Nice large clean beer garden which is great in summer days. A mixture of locals and walkers in bar as seems to be very popular with walkers of all ages.

The Spylaw Tavern isn’t the most breathtaking pub you will ever drink in, but its location in the beautiful setting of Colinton village makes it an interesting proposition.
It is the perfect watering hole for any walkers thirsting for a pint after an excursion in the Pentland Hills or in the beautiful greenery of Colinton Dell.
Whilst the selection of drinks and general décor could be better, the beer garden, good value lunch menu and fantastic pub quiz are real plus points.
However, a word of warning: if you do intend to take on the challenge of the quiz, just make sure you’ve brought your thinking cap as the regulars are notoriously well-​read in this leafy Edinburgh suburb! Well, you wouldn’t want to embarrass yourself, would you?