Review: Coal Yard Tap, a pub on Ferry Road

Coal Yard Tap brings fresh life, craft beer, and stonebaked pizza to 145 Ferry Road, breathing new energy into a site formerly occupied by the Oceana Sports Bar. That previous venue carried a local reputation that was enough to keep me well clear, whether deserved or not. Standing inside now, the building feels completely transformed. The persistent urban myth of a secret bowling alley stretching into the back of the premises has surely been debunked. Instead of hidden lanes, the room is warm, airy, open, and clearly mapped out.

It is a proper neighbourhood local that fills up quickly on a Friday night with a sociable crowd. Owned and operated by Midlothian outfit Cross Borders Brewing, Coal Yard Tap is the newest addition to their Edinburgh taproom stable, joining the Portobello Tap on Portobello High Street and the Old Eastway Tap on Easter Road. Outdoor pavement tables and chairs line the front along Trafalgar Street, offering compact seating for warmer days. Inside, the space is thoroughly dog-friendly. Having visited half a dozen times now, there has been more than one well-behaved dog soaking up the atmosphere on every single trip.

Beer Lines and Knowledgeable Bar Chat

Cross Borders beers naturally take pride of place across the taps, but the brewery avoids running a closed shop. Alongside core pints like Braw and Wee Braw, the draught taps feature guest independent breweries, including Leith neighbours Moonwake Beer Co, rotating Scottish cask ales, and everyday lager. The back bar also carries a considered collection of whiskies and simple cocktails for non-beer drinkers.

The staff know their craft and care about what they pour. Listening to the team talk over the bar about independent IPAs, Scottish microbreweries, and cask selections gives immediate reassurance that you are dealing with folk who love good drink. Service is prompt, attentive, and unfussy, keeping table turnaround smooth even during peak Friday evening rushes.

Artisan Pizzas and the Food Menu

While the Portobello Tap focuses on smash burgers, Coal Yard Tap makes stonebaked 12-inch artisan pizzas its culinary speciality. Value is front and centre with their £15 pizza and pint deal, which pairs any full pizza with selected pints such as Cross Borders Wee Braw, session cask, or Tennent’s. It stands out as one of the best casual dining bargains along this stretch of North Edinburgh.

The kitchen handles both traditional and adventurous toppings with confidence. Options cover a classic margherita at £12 and garlic mushroom at £13.50, alongside inventive combinations like the lemon and pepper ricotta pizza at £14, which balances capers, red onion, and balsamic glaze across a white mozzarella base. The menu highlight is the nduja, hot honey, and ricotta pizza (£14.50), pairing rich, spicy sausage with soothing cheese and sweet heat. For anyone skipping dough, the Not Pizza section includes a burrata salad with freshly baked dough strips for £10, a single antipasti board for £11.50, garlic pizza bread for £8.50, and a trio of pickles for £7.

Things to do in Leith

The western end of Ferry Road places you within easy reach of Leith and Newhaven. A short stroll south along North Junction Street leads to the scenic Water of Leith Walkway and the bustling bars of the Shore. Community theatre and live performances regularly take over the historic Leith Theatre on Ferry Road, while maritime history sits nearby at Ocean Terminal with the Royal Yacht Britannia. Victoria Park is just a brief walk away, making the taproom an ideal refreshment stop after an afternoon walk.

Public transport links are direct, with Lothian Buses routes 7, 14, and 21 dropping passengers right on Ferry Road, while the Edinburgh Tram line terminus at Newhaven is a fifteen-minute walk down the hill. Visitors arriving from elsewhere in the UK can take direct rail connections to Edinburgh Waverley via Trainline. Those planning an extended stay near the waterfront can compare local holiday apartments on TripAdvisor or reserve boutique rooms through Booking.com.

Overall

Ferry Road is not always an easy trading strip for Edinburgh hospitality, but Coal Yard Tap gets the formula spot on. It turns a formerly troubled spot into an unpretentious, welcoming, and dog-friendly craft beer hub with unbeatable pizza value. It gives this stretch of Ferry Road the high-quality neighbourhood pub it genuinely needed.