Review: Innis & Gunn Tap Room, Lothian Road

The Innis & Gunn Taproom on Lothian Road is a large, modern bar that’s become a staple in an area busy with cinemas and theatres. It’s a prime spot for a pre-show pint or a quick meal.

While it’s the Innis & Gunn name over the door, the venue offers more than just its own-brand beers.

It’s a spacious pub, but it operates with full table service. We’ve always been shown to a seat quickly, and this is its main advantage: it’s fast. If you’re pushed for time before a film at the Cameo or Filmhouse, the staff are efficient at getting menus out and orders in.

The Food

The menu leans heavily into hearty pub grub, with a focus on burgers and steaks. I’m personally still nostalgic for a fantastic chilli burger from a visit long ago, which has never made a reappearance on the menu.

That said, the Taproom has other draws. The Steak Frites deal is a standout. The initial price might seem steep, but it comes with a fantastic offer a free second course and unlimited frites. This is a great touch that avoids food waste and helps with portion control. The first serving is generous, the steak is high quality, and the second course or the frites (if you can manage) makes it a genuinely good value meal.

(First and second course of steak frites)

The Drinks and Atmosphere

As the name suggests, the full range of Innis & Gunn beers is present. But if you’re not a fan, there’s good news. The taproom boasts a large collection of guest beers, often featuring local Edinburgh breweries. It’s always good to see support for the local scene.

The venue itself is clean, including the toilets. It’s well-lit during the day, but the lights are dimmed as the evening progresses. This once caught our group out when we tried to finish a board game. While people do play games, it isn’t an ideal spot for it.

Be warned: it’s a popular, busy pub. On a Friday night, it can get quite loud, but that’s all part of the expected buzz for a city-centre location.

Things to do around Lothian Road

Lothian Road is a key artery in the city, connecting the West End to the Southside. It’s a short walk from Haymarket Station and not much further from Edinburgh Waverley, making it easily accessible for visitors.

The area is an entertainment hub. You have the historic Cameo Cinema and the nearby Filmhouse for movie buffs. For live shows, the Usher Hall is just around the corner for concerts, and the Traverse Theatre offers a world-class selection of new plays.

For accommodation, the area has plenty of options. You can find many hotels and rented holiday accommodation on sites like booking.com, which are perfect for a city break. And if you get back to your room late, many local restaurants use food delivery services to bring food right to your door.

Overall

All in all, the Innis & Gunn Taproom on Lothian Road is a reliable and solid choice. It’s a safe bet. You can expect to spend around £20 per person on food, and perhaps the same again on a few pints of craft beer.

It delivers on its promise of hearty pub food and a quality beer selection, served efficiently. It’s an excellent pit-stop if you’re in the area for a show or a film and need a dependable, quick meal. Recommended.