The Fountain

On our last day in Edinburgh as we had a late evening train, we decided to go to this area of the city to go to the Genting casino. So we decided to have lunch at the Fountain which is across the road.
It’s a nice bar restaurant, nice décor and lovely staff. We ordered our drinks and just had main meals.
I had the hake which came with a wonton style dumpling but it was a very light dish so I wished I had the beef dish which my friend enjoyed.
If you are visiting the Casino or cinema /​bowling on this side of town then this place is worth a visit.

We were over for a family birthday, and need somewhere to seat 13 people at relatively short notice, The Fountain was recommended to us and it did not disappoint. Lovely cosy and relaxed atmosphere, with excellent attentive service. They had a great selection of ales/​wine and gin, I opted for the Hendricks, elder-​flour tonic and cucumber, cheap at only £5.
We had a meats, breads, dips and olive board and it was enough to share between 3 of us. For my main I went for the beef shin pie, it was huge! Big lumps of tender beef in gravy, it looked like something desperate Dan would eat.
A couple of the party had the sticky toffee pudding for dessert, I was feeling full and stuck with an Irish coffee, some would say too much coffee and not enough whisky but I think this was perfect for me!

Living in Slateford, my choice of local but nice pubs is pretty limited, but thankfully The Fountain is just a 15 minute walk away.
Originally a dodgy old mans pub, it was refurbished a few years ago, and is now a lovely bright and welcoming bar.
It has a good beer selection, serves good pub food, and the staff are friendly. Pretty much all the things you are looking for in a local!
The décor is nice, a quirky mix of big tables, Chesterfield sofas and interesting cobblers tools on the walls.
The Fountain also has nice loos! Not something often commented on, but makes a trip to the pub that bit nicer!

I love this bar, my favourite local. Bright, welcoming with great food and a good selection of drinks. Very relaxed crowd, with often a cute dog or two. Only downfall is that it has become a little expensive in the last few months. Worth a visit for Sunday grub or a post-​cinema debrief pint.

Seriously the best Beef pie I’ve ever had, by a long shot!
I seriously doubt you could get quality like this in a 5 star resturant. I don’t believe I’ll have any as good as that ever again, either, unless I return to Edinburgh.
I’ll be coming back for the fish and chips later for sure.
Super nice and friendly staff too, BTW.

I just ate there with my girlfriend… and we both darted to the toilet straight afterwards. I shit so hard I think I may have sprained my asshole. The food was ok, but too pricy for the quality.
On the plus side, they’ve got nice atmosphere and a great bottled beer selection… though I’ll never eat there again.

I tend to avoid negative reviews, but myself and my girlfriend visited The Fountain for dinner a couple of weeks ago as we had heard good things about it — The previous people writing 5 Star Reviews definitely did not eat the same dish we did! We both ordered the beef with seasonal veg and potatoes, which looked like my ideal meal on paper! Sadly not. The veg was over seasoned with what tasted like a sour vinegar dressing — not pleasant. The Yorkshire was cremated, as was the beef and roast potatoes. The gravy also suffered the same over seasoned fate of the seasonal veg. Nothing in this main course worked and it certainly did not merit the price tag.
The only redeeming factor would be that the starters weren’t terrible, certainly nothing incredible but they did not taste bad.
I personally would not eat here again.

This place was a nice surprise. While walking from our guest house to the train station, we passed a handsome corner pub, complete with chalk sign that warned crossers to «RESPECT THE PIE.» One of our group was determined to make the trip his personal beef pie tour, so I recommended it as our dinner destination.
So we went, and my friend challenged himself to revere the pie, with every intention to devour it before, during or after. The beef pie was a handsome one. The shank bone stood tall, covered in pie crust, the entire thing baked until the meat fell off the bone. And delicious. Best pub pie of the trip!
I, meanwhile, stuck with soup, bread, and steamed veg, plus a scotch. We shared a cheese board for dessert, which darn near put us over the top, but then the pie king tucked into a sticky toffee ice cream.
The servers were SO friendly.

When in Ediburgh, I seem to have found myself in Fountainpark all too often, passing by The Fountain thinking ‘Oooh!’ Whilst I’d never had the chance to pop in and fulfill my increasing curiosity, I finally seized the opportunity and popped in for lunch when I was next headed for that pretty city.
The Fountain is quaint and quirky. It stands out in the street, calling you in with its large retro typeface sign and bright blue exterior. Upon entering, I couldn’t help but drool over the bar with its large selection, including a quirky bright green ladder for climbing. (Yes, the bar is that big that it needs a ladder. Excuse me while I work my way through the gin collection.)
We were given a warm, friendly welcome. Whilst the menu of main meals looked a little pricey for an off the cuff lunch, it looked perfect for a special lunch or dinnertime meal and had a variety of delicious options. I opted for the Leek and Potato soup which was a starter but perfect for a lunchtime meal. It was wholesome and rich, perfectly comforting on a cold winter afternoon. We also got a cheese platter to share which came with a variety of dipping oils and sauces and a generous portion of bread. Lovely!
On a side note, I love quirky little restaurants and cafes and I feel a little sad when the bathroom is left behind with the theme… so the kitsch Fountain ladies room with its wooden cabinet stocked with an eclectic mix of beauty bits and bobs totally made me smile!
All in all, The Fountain was a delicious stop for lunch and as the waitress lit the candles on our table whilst the dark night drew in, I’d no doubt that the ambiance would carry through in to a lovely evening.

It was a Sunday. My brother was visiting. What else do you do with family on a Sunday… it was time for Sunday Roast! The Fountain having some good roast reviews here on Unilocal,we decided to check it out. Muted sage-​teal walls make a fresh but homely atmosphere and we were greeted immediately with swift and bright service. We hadn’t booked ahead but we had a drink at the stylish yet cosy bar while a table came free (which was surprisingly quick — less than ten minutes — but we were there at six-​ish so quite early).
When we ordered, there was only one pork belly left. (Sunday roast sold out by 6 on a Sunday? Really?) My brother opted instead for the shoulder of lamb. Our food arrived fairly quickly and at first it didn’t look like there was very much there, but the vegetables joined us later. The pork was amazing — really juicy and tender — and there was a really well-​proportioned Yorkshire pudding. Peas and carrots were served separately and to be honest, I thought the bowl they arrived in was just for one person, until another didn’t follow and I realised we were sharing. The peas were great and lots of beetroot but the carrot mash was slightly on the cold side. However, everything tasted delicious.
Because the portions were slightly on the small side, we did decide to have dessert. I say «because the portions were small» but who am I kidding? I almost always have dessert regardless… Anyway, we both ordered the cheesecake and we decided to push the boat out and also get a cheeseboard to share. But alas! There was also only one cheesecake left! My brother, ever the gentleman, once again switched his choice, and plumped for the sticky toffee pudding at the waitress’s recommendation.
Good gracious. GOOD GRACIOUS. Such a cheesecake shall I dream about in years to come. It was so good I had to give my brother some to try, and so good that I grieved to part with a forkful when I did so. His pudding was also excellent; sticky toffee pudding can so often come out either stodgy and chewy or loose and partly dissolved. This was neither; sticky toffee perfection. But back to my cheesecake… unfff. The base was crumbly and biscuity and full of flavour. The top was sturdy and creamy without being gelatinous. The berries and compote gracing that heavenly cake were round and piquant. This is definitely the best cheesecake I have ever had in a restaurant, and possibly anywhere.
The cheeseboard was just the right size for two people as a rounding-​off course after dessert, with oatcakes and a selection of cheeses including brie, Stilton and cheddar. There was also a small tub of frozen grapes, which I’ve never encountered before, but which were rather delightful.
Following a coffee for him and a lavender rooibos for me, we toddled over to the cinema across the road. «I think I’m going to need another coffee before the film,» my brother confided, trailing off to find one. «Otherwise, sitting in a comfy chair in a warm, dark room can only lead to immediate sleep after a great meal like that.» A great meal it sure was.

It’s a five star review: this place has what it takes to knock it out the park and I hope they meet your expectations of a swanky gastropub if you should pay them a visit. Some of the beers are a little pricey, but supply and demand is what it is and I’m only referring to some of the bottled offerings there. On tap is a good range and you won’t go thirsty.
A lot of new student accommodation has recently opened up just feet away — the prices may help maintain the ambience and slightly exclusive nature of The Fountain, but only time will tell.
The food is the star of the show though. Pick yourself a beef shin pie and that’s what you’ll be getting: a whole lotta beef, with a bit of shin in there too (surprisingly heavy is cow bone). No carrot filler, all bovine killer, in a delightful sauce that you can soak up with your mashed potato side.
The battered fish and chips will keep you filled up for days, but beware the starters for they are mighty in their proportions and may prevent you finishing your battered treat.
The staff are generally great too. This place is an asset to all Edinburgh, particularly on this side of town.

After a few more visits post Unilocal event — I found that the atmosphere wasn’t all that.
I also felt the service was lacking attention and efficiency.
It was a little disappointing to experience this as I was so willing to like it and it just fell flat.
The chairs are little to hard and uncomfortable. The sofas too low. The wifi keeps dropping and the sought cosiness was missing on more than just one occasion.
I can’t put my finger on it and I am generally able to relax and find comfort in the weirdest of places, but here I just couldn’t ‘put my feet up’.
I still prefer this over the McGowan’s across the road, but only just.

I was here recently for a Unilocal Elite Event and was bowled over by the pie we were served so much that I insisted my partner and I go here for an impromptu sunday lunch.
I called in advance to make sure we could get a table and were assured that we could. The place was dead when we arrived (1pm on a sunday I expected it to be heaving!). Anyway the service was pretty good, although we didn’t really order much. After perusing the menu it was a case of 2 cokes and 2 pies please :)
The pies were huge and served with Chive mash. First off the mash was D-​licious! I really enjoyed it. The pies were very large in size although not so consistent. Whilst we had the same size dishes I lucked out completely. My boyfriends pie had lots of puff pastry on top (which I love btw) whilst mine was miserly. In terms of the contents, his had lots of meat and a thick rich gravy whilst mine had little meat and the majority a thin gravy. I was upset at this as the pie we had at the Unilocal event was thick, rich and packed full of filling. It had a creaminess to it that the one I had on Sunday failed to resemble. I’m hoping the pie I received was a one off. My partners looked nice and he enjoyed it hence the 3 star review.
I was spying what other tables were receiving and I think we’ll be back here if we’re this side of town again as it all looked well presented. I don’t think I’ll be making a specific trip in again though :-S

I used to live in Fountainbridge and when I moved in I was told, to under no circumstances go to The Fountain. As I recently learned they used to call it Vietnam (on account of the bloodshed…)
BUT NOT NO MORE!
Ahem, sorry, I lost my grammar. The Fountain was revamped over a year ago now, but those not in the know may not realise that this has not been a lick and spit polish, oh no, this is complete tear it out and build it up from scratch revamp (or as I like to call it, The Miley Cyrus)
The Fountain is now a proper eaterie and drinkerie. Where halfway decent folk will come before and after a film, or for a bite on special night. The staff are charmers, the lot of them. The drinks are varied and the food delicious.
The innards are airy, wooden floors, big tables, potted plants, various knick-​knacks, there’s a bit of a nautical thing going on I think… They’ve put thought into how they present everything from the food on wooden boards and in terracotta pots to the cutlery in an old tin.
As a newly inaugurated Leither I won’t be heading up here too often but I am well impressed and after seeing the quality on display I’ve got my eye on one of their sisters up my way… well, that sounded wrong…

The Fountain has become my regular pre /​post cinema stop. When I first encountered it, I was enamoured. In this out-​of-​town spot, with the Fountainpark Complex of chains, and not much else, I was inspired to find such a modern, freshly-​painted gastropub serving really nice food in such homely bar.
I’ve been here quite regularly, mainly when going on a Unilocal Movie Night Out with other Unilocalers, but also for dinner with friends, and I have to say that whilst I do still like it a lot, it’s maybe no longer love.
The staff are friendly, but I find the service a little patchy. I waited for 10 minutes at the bar to ask for more water. A girl could see me standing with the empty water bottle, and I did once or twice ask her ‘excuse me’ as she was waiting for her colleague to ring something through the till (so she was standing doing nothing waiting to process an order) as I did think asking for a fresh bottle of water that I could see in the fridge wouldn’t be an inconvenience… and she just ignored me. It does make you feel stupid to politely call out «excuse me» serveral times across a relatively quiet bar to get nothing back. Blanked. The shame.
I was most disappointed, though, in my most recent meal here. I had the scallops, as I love scallops, in the cauliflour sauce. Now. When I saw this on the menu I thought «hmm cauliflour sauce. That doesnt sound too tasty but hopefully it won’t be much, it’ll just be on the side, and I can ignore it.» But now, a huge plate of the sauce came with three scallops in the middle. The scallops were cooked really nicely, but the sauce was just… not nice. It wasn’t foul or inedible. And maybe it’s just a taste thing. But first off, I don’t think cauliflour is well paired with fish, unless it was in a creamy sauce (the sauce wasn’t creamy). And cauliflour isn’t exactly the best-​loved vegetable of our nation. It’s going out on a limb to do something so unusual, and unless you know you’re doing it well with lots of great taste-​test feedback, why do it? I really didn’t enjoy the sauce.
I do still like it here, and would happily stop in for a drink and maybe some chips. It’ll still probalby be the pre-​cinema spot for a drink. But given it’s out-​of-​town location it’s not good enough to make me trek over town to get here, there isn’t that «Cheers”-vibe of super friendly staff where people want to get to know your name at least, and the food was patchy. And given that there are so many other nice bars in Edinburgh, serving great food, it maybe needs to up its game a little?

I had pretty high hopes for The Fountain. I’ve heard people raving about the quality of the food, the selection of beers and the excellent revamp given to a once scrummy pub.
I can get on board with the revamp. I never frequented The Fountain in its previous incarnation, but a coworker tells me it used to be nicknamed Vietnam. That says enough. The paint job, the super cool old light bulbs, the general decoration of this place is pretty sweet. I imagine that coming here on a week night or weekend during the day would give me an even better impression of the place, but unfortunately my first visit here was for dinner on a Friday night, which proved to be a less than stellar experience.
In food terms — I opted for the fish and chips which was well cooked but had to be drenched in various sauces to give it any flavour as the batter was quite bland. I’d heard people raving about the chips which were also nice but indeed, just about exactly how I make chips at home so again nothing I’m going to write home about. The portion was huge however, so it was good value for money. Other members of my party enjoyed their meals though we had a bit of confusion with the kitchen which informed our waitress that the veggie haggis parcels had only haggis in them, which wasn’t actually the case, resulting in the meal being sent back.
Flip side to that was the fact that the manager/​chef devised a special vegan meal for the vegan in our party. The meal was raved about and it was especially appreciated as many places will just give the vegan a salad.
Our waitress was incredibly friendly and lovely as well, and she handled quite a few tables like a pro.
The drinks — first of all, the beer menu had no prices on it. As a result I ended up ordering one beer at £5 and two at just about £4. These weren’t high percentage beers, just expensive ones. The £4 beers usually cost me £2.50 at Montpelliers which is not exactly a bar known for inexpensive pricing, so I have no idea why The Fountain had to charge so much for them. Sure I could have asked the price and had the waitress running back and forth, or they could just publish the prices?
I was also not terribly impressed with the fact that our table eventually just stopped being served. We never received extra water, we had to flag someone down to get a cheese plate, and there was no danger of getting anyone to bring any more drinks. Considering our bill came to nearly £200 for one course with three rounds of drinks and cheese, I was rather surprised at the ultimate lack of service.
The verdict — I don’t see myself returning in a hurry.

Popped in here earlier this evening for a post bowling pint. I’d heard good things about this place but find a few things disappointing. The place has a fairly meager selection of beers. Tons of wine if that’s your thing but I prefer a more balanced bar. On top of that my pint of rekorderlig cost me a fiver. unnecessary mark up in my opinion. If that’s how they’re pricing then i’m happy to be priced out. My desert of distinctly below par, out of a packet, tiny fucking slice, banoffee pie was also totally over priced for what i got at a fiver. No thanks The Fountain.