Review: The King’s Wark, a gastropub in Leith

The King’s Wark is a landmark on The Shore in Leith, and a pub I’ve visited dozens of times over the last few decades. I know this famous pub very well, and four times out of five, it does not let me down.

It’s a place steeped in history that has the vibe of a traditional, classic pub. While it’s often full of people visiting the area, it retains that authentic feel. It is a gastro pub that, four times out of five, is absolutely amazing.

It’s a personal favourite and a reliable spot for meeting friends… most of the time. As you might be sensing, it has let me down once or twice. These stick in my memory because they tend to be the times I invite friends, saying, “You’ve got to check out The King’s Wark!”

However, the fact that The King’s Wark is almost consistently brilliant for such a long period, under hard trading conditions and with a never-ending stream of diverse visitors, is truly impressive.

The Food and Drink

The food here is, as I said, four times out of five, absolutely amazing. It’s food “to be praised, to be delighted over, and to be enjoyed.”

This is classic gastro pub food done very well. If you love pies, chips, and fish, this is your place. The Classic Beer Battered Fish and Chips is a standout, and a perfect example of what they do best.

On my visits, I’ve also been impressed by the Flat Iron Steak and the Seafood Curry, which brings a welcome touch of spice to the menu. No wonder I like it there so often.

Go to The King’s Wark if you like beer. I personally wish it had a better range of indie beers, but it has a good range of recognisable brands. It also has a good range of wine and an adequate selection of spirits and other drinks.

The Venue and Atmosphere

To this day, if I am meeting somebody down on The Shore, especially somebody with an interest in history, I will recommend The King’s Wark.

You see, the building itself is fantastic and deeply rooted in the history of Leith. It is a building of Royal construction and was, true fact, put there to help spark the local economy.

Inside, the pub can be a little dark, but the views through the small windows are really quite awesome. I find them very relaxing.

The pub is best suited for tables of two to four. If you are a large coach of tourists, you will struggle to fit in. As a solo diner, I sometimes feel I’m taking up a whole table when the wee place could be making more profit, but it’s generally a welcoming spot.

Things to do in Leith

Leith is a vibrant part of the city, easily reachable from the city centre via the new tram line or numerous Lothian Buses. If you’re travelling to the capital, booking a train to Edinburgh Waverley is a simple way to arrive.

The main attraction is undoubtedly The Royal Yacht Britannia, docked at Ocean Terminal, which also offers a wide range of high-street shopping. If you’re visiting from abroad, it’s always wise to arrange travel insurance before you arrive.

For accommodation, Leith has many boutique hotels and self-catering apartments, offering a different feel to the Old Town. You can find a wide range of options on sites like Booking.com. And if you need to store your luggage while you explore, services like Radical Storage have locations nearby.

Overall

Despite my one-time-out-of-five disappointment, I highly recommend The King’s Wark. It’s a pub with character, history, and fantastic food.

Give The King’s Wark a go, especially if you’re visiting the city and want a true taste of historic Leith.