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Come to La Garrigue and sample the flavours of the Languedoc, in the South of France. Beat the credit crunch with our special offers. From 6.30pm on Monday to Friday enjoy 3 courses for the price of 2 (£24.50), or only pay £18.50 for 2 courses. Sample the deep South's food, its terroir wines and the warmth of its welcome.

The Doric Tavern

The Doric Tavern
15/16 Market Street
Edinburgh, EH1 1DE
Phone: 0131 225 1084
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  • Food served: Mon–Sun noon–10pm
  • Pre-theatre times: Mon–Fri 5–6pm
  • Bar open: Mon–Sat noon–1am; Sun 12.00pm–1am
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 7
  • Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's high chairs, Pre-theatre menu
  • Music on stereo: Soul and pop.
  • Capacity: 48
  • Largest group: 100 (including bar space)
  • Open since: At least since 1978
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  • Average price 2 courses:
     £9.95 (set lunch)
     £19 (evening meal)
  • Pre-theatre price: £9.95
  • House wine: £12.50 per bottle
Nominate this restaurant for
The List Reader Award 2010
Eating & Drinking Guide 2009

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2009 – in the shops now or buy online.

Wedged between two bustling pubs and sitting atop another in the heart of tourist Edinburgh, the Doric could get away with just dishing up by-the-book pub grub. Thankfully they have chosen to aim their sights a touch higher with solid Scottish cooking and a creditable attempt at local sourcing. A quartet of chunky Islay king scallops is a bargain at £6.95, though the policy of charging extra for side dishes brings up the cost of the mains. Set lunches and pre-theatre meals are better value. International cameos include a spicy pasta dish and the ‘Doric chicken curry’, though the kitchen does best when turning out the likes of properly rare Borders beef steaks and chicken stuffed with Lothians haggis in a mushroom and cream sauce. Desserts play it safe, too, with a fruit crumble and a cheesecake of the day, though the cheeseboard surprises with an excellent Dunsyre blue. The wine list is limited, but offers one of the cheapest house bottles in the city centre. The worst of the tartan décor excesses have been curbed lately, too, but the Doric is definitely more old school than en vogue, matching its similarly conservative clientele.

  • High point: Superior pub grub Scottish cooking in the heart of tourist Edinburgh
  • Low point: Charging for side dishes

Comments for The Doric Tavern (15/16 Market Street, Edinburgh)

1. W. Burke, Edinburgh – 13 January 2009, 9:03pm(1)Report

This just wasn't good enough. Whilst we were a largish party of Edinburgh residents looking for a decent meal out at one of the City's longer established eateries, the restaurant was not overly busy. Menu a bit pricey but promising. Wine list sensible and varied. However, the food arrived. Service was disjointed leaving plates to cool as courteous diners waited for friends to be served before starting. Portions were erratic in scale of content leaving those ill-done by to seek a late 'chippie' on the way home... and with a whopping £500 bill including £45 'service charge' added. For what service? There wasn't even the offer of a top up on coffees to finish. We even had to hang up and retrieve our own coats!!! The Doric had been recommended to us (!) but we must have missed the joke. There are better places and better value to be had in Edinburgh than this! Never again!

2. AlBoy, Doric Market Street – 8 June 2009, 9:06pmReport

Used to be one of the most welcoming howffs in the city, with its [very] hot pies and well-poured Guinness. But that was 1970! Oh for the ould days!

3. malcolm j, edinburgh – 23 July 2009, 10:03am(5s)Report

My partner and I went for dinner on a friend's reccomendation and what a good one it turned out to be. Being a chef I am highly critical anywhere I go, particularly as this friend of mine once worked at The Doric (albeit a long time ago!). We both had 3 very good courses of freshly cooked food (the cullen skink and Doric curry were mine, followed by an extremely good sticky toffee, Mary had haggis filo, seabass and cheesecake). The service was very friendly, helpful and efficient. I would highly reccomend The Doric as the prices were also very reasonable, especially as all the food does appear to be freshly prepared on the premises. The only slight downfall was the size of the gents toilets but maybe this can't be helped.

4. Dallaghan, U.S.A. – 24 July 2009, 3:32pm(4s)Report

My partner, myself and a friend came to Edinburgh for a meeting and where looking for a pub with food. We asked a woman on the street where would she go for good food and she told us of the Doric. We all had great service and the food was out of this world. Every thing was hot and the staff where right at our table when ever we needed anything. We all had the sticky toffee pudding which was to die for. Great Place. We can't wait to come back to Edinburgh and the Doric.

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