Review: The Ox, a gastropub on London/Broughton Street

The Ox is a gastropub on the corner of London Street and Broughton Street, and it’s a place I’ve been to many times over the last few years. Weirdly, I don’t go frequently. There are big gaps between my visits, and the reason for this, I think, is because The Ox tends to be an impulse destination for me.

It seems to be an impulse visit for many other people as well. Whenever I fancy popping in, it’s busy. But it’s busy in a lovely, vibrant, friendly, and wholesome community way. It has that pleasant glow, that feeling of a proper local.

For some reason, when I’m not passing, when it’s not raining, or when I’m not craving some wholesome, hearty, pie-level food, The Ox doesn’t always spring to mind as a planned destination. I need to do better because, having been there again this week, it was amazing. That’s a 100% success record from literally dozens of visits.

The Food

I have never been upstairs at The Ox, always finding a spot at the bar or one of the small tables downstairs. As a solo diner, this works perfectly, but I do think the pub is better suited to couples or small groups of three or four. I don’t think this is the place to take the whole rugby team, though it could definitely feed them.

The menu changes infrequently, but it isn’t static. There’s a Guinness pie that takes about 20 minutes to prepare, and I’ve made a note to give them a heads-up that’s what I want next time—perhaps even book a table for it.

Most recently, I had the fish finger burger, and I had previously tried the Ox burger. I’m a hard person to satisfy, food-wise; my stomach is a bottomless pit. Yet, The Ox is one of those rare places that “manages to take the edge off my ravenous hunger.” The portions are generous and the quality is consistently high. They also have a fantastic wine list and a decent range of spirits and beers, featuring well-known national brands alongside some excellent local brews.

The Vibe

The staff are friendly, capable, and well-trained. On every visit, the service has been swift and welcoming, even when the place is packed. If you did turn up en masse, assuming they had the table capacity, I’m sure they’d be able to look after you.

Broughton Street is not an area where substandard food destinations survive. You have to be class, or you just don’t make it here. The Ox gets no exceptions just because it’s on that corner. If anything, its location makes survival harder because people have to walk past some fantastic venues to get there.

The Ox is a great spot for a date or a perfect place to take your mother-in-law. It’s just a fantastic, reliable pub.

Things to do in Broughton Street (or nearby)

Broughton Street is a vibrant area located at the eastern end of the city centre, featuring a mix of independent shops, galleries, and bars. It’s a short walk from the main transport hubs, including Edinburgh Waverley railway station and the tram stop at York Place, which offers a direct link to Edinburgh Airport.

If you’re making a day of it, the Edinburgh Playhouse is just around the corner, offering a host of West End shows. For a dose of spooky history, The Edinburgh Dungeon is a short walk away and just beyond Princes Street. If you need to drop your bags, services like Radical Storage have locations nearby.

For those staying in the city, there are numerous accommodation options available on sites like Expedia and Hotels.com to suit all budgets.

Overall

As you can tell, this is a glowing review. The Ox is a consistently excellent gastropub that delivers on food, atmosphere, and service every single time. If you’re ever in the area and spoiled for choice, definitely consider The Ox. You won’t be disappointed.