The Orchard Bar Restaurant

The Orchard had long been on our list for a visit when we were reminded of it, recently, when asked if we knew places that served Cockburn’s of Dingwall haggis. As far as we could work out, this is the only place to do so, in Edinburgh, so if that’s your haggis of choice, this is the place for you. The Orchard’s interior is lovely, with elegant stained glass windows, delightful cornicing, and stylish lighting features. It’s a lovely pub environment. Their menu is in gastropub territory. Their version of steak pie is steak and merlot, for example. I opted for their soup of the day, which was cauliflower, parsnip and honey, then followed with a pork and chorizo burger. I’d been toying with the idea of cauliflower and parsnip as a combination, the other day, but shied away from it, as I really liked both flavours, separately. This soup was very well made, but I’m not sold on the flavour combination. Still, this was accomplished cooking. The main course burger was similarly good. For a chorizo burger it lacked the expected punch, but it was lovely and juicy and the roll had good integrity. The accompanying cheese and salad were a bit of a non-event, but again, it was a good quality item. The accompanying chips, in the chip shop style, were the highlight of the meal, with just the right balance between crispness and softness. So overall, The Orchard was rather good. It didn’t quite wow me, as I couldn’t help but feel that some of the corners had been unnecessarily smoothed, bringing refinement where gutsy boldness would have been a better fit. Only with the chips, where flavours were left to run free, untrammelled, did things really hit home. But I admire what they’re doing, though, so I’d be happy to point you in their direction, next time you’re looking for a good pub feed. Scores Blythe scores the Orchard 3.5/5 for food 3.5/5 for presentation 4/5 for setting 3.5/5 for service giving an overall 14.5/20 I ate: cauliflower, parsnip and honey soup; chorizo burger I drank: Schiehallion I wore: rainwear Total bill: £15.65

First time I 've been for food having been just for drinks before. Service was great and really friendly. I had the fish chips: fish was crispy, tasty and not greasy and the chips were next level skin-on 'rooster ' ones. Only minor thing was it was a wee bit on the chilly side even with the radiator on but we were right at the window. I also got a taste of the steak pie (helped with the leftovers) it was also really good. Oh and couldn 't resist the sticky toffee pudding and glad I didn 't. Will definitely be back!

The best food in Edinburgh! The Orchard is hands down my favorite restaurant in the city, and I encourage everyone to give it a try. The dining experience is exceptional, featuring everything from modern brat dinners to soufflés, and even venison with chocolate and cherry sauce — all presented with a contemporary twist and absolutely delicious. The staff is incredibly helpful, and the atmosphere is wonderful, relaxed, and inviting. There's also a great selection of spirits, beers, and more. The restaurant itself is bright and cheerful, but for me, the standout aspect is undoubtedly the food. In a city filled with fantastic dining options, The Orchard truly ranks among the best. I hesitate to share such an amazing find, as it might draw in more crowds, but it absolutely deserves the recognition. Every guest I've brought there has left thoroughly impressed. It's truly a hidden gem!

What I truly appreciate about the Orchard is that you can stay seated throughout your meal (except for bathroom breaks) as everything, including drinks, is delivered to your table. We were in no hurry the day we dined, having left the car at home, and we were ready for a three-course meal. After placing our orders, we noticed a nearby table being served one of the sandwiches on a slate plate, which looked appetizing, making it a great option for a quick business lunch. For starters, my dining companion chose the Arbroath smokie pate with seasonal leaves and toast (£6), while I opted for the grilled goats cheese on toasted brioche accompanied by seasonal leaves, red onions, confit, and pesto dressing (£5). Both starters were beautifully presented, a consistent theme throughout our meal. The pate was packed with flavor, and the toast complemented it perfectly alongside the salad. The goats cheese melted beautifully over the warm brioche, with the red onions creating a delightful contrast. I enjoyed a lovely glass of pinot grigio for £3.75, while my friend sampled a few ales and lagers from the menu. For the main course, we both chose the Cockburn’s black pudding served with Ayrshire bacon, a poached egg, and hollandaise sauce (£10). The black pudding was rich in flavor, and the combination of bacon, salad, and poached egg was delightful. During our meal, the service was attentive; the staff checked in to ensure everything was to our liking, to which we responded, "yes, it’s delicious." Our drinks were promptly refilled, and there was just the right amount of time left between courses. For dessert, we selected the chocolate and mascarpone cheesecake with Baileys ice cream and the pear and almond tart with vanilla pod ice cream, both priced at £5. Once again, both dishes were beautifully presented and tasted equally as good. The cheesecake was simply perfect, and the ice cream accompanied by fruit compote offered a refreshing contrast to the rich chocolate. The warm pear and almond tart was exquisitely baked, with a wonderful almond flavor. Both desserts were absolutely divine, and the others on the menu looked just as tempting. We continued to enjoy drinks after dessert without feeling rushed to leave. I cannot recommend the service and food quality at the Orchard enough; in my opinion, it surpasses its sister restaurant, Avoca.

This delightful little pub is located near the Botanical Gardens. The food was relatively average, but I was happy with their gluten-free options (they offered...