The Pear Tree House

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The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.

As befits something of an Edinburgh institution, the Pear Tree ticks all the old-school pub standards: wood panelling, leather chairs and sofas, dim lighting and worn carpet are all in place. While a few of the punters look like they come with the fittings there is also large student crowd resulting both from its proximity to George Square and the several long tables that are often commandeered by large groups. On a sunny day you can expect to find all Edinburgh and its dog here, enjoying one of the city’s larger beer gardens. Food offerings are mostly limited to pies, pasties and crisps although summer may bring barbecues in the beer garden and the Counting House upstairs sometimes offers cheap lunchtime buffets of chilli and casseroles. Overall though this is a drinking pub with three hand pumps and a couple of draught continental beers complementing the otherwise fairly standard drinks list. It is when the sun shines that the Pear Tree really comes into its own; just be sure to get there early.

• High point: Heading to the beer garden on a sunny day
• Low point: Realising how many other people have had the same idea