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The Cambridge Bar

The Cambridge Bar
20 Young Street
Edinburgh, EH2 4JB
Phone: 0131 226 2120
Email:
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  • Food served: Mon–Sun noon–9pm
  • Bar open: Sun–Wed noon–11pm; Thu noon–midnight; Fri/Sat noon–1am
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 6
  • Private dining: Up to 40 covers
  • Also offers: Gluten-free options, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
  • Music on stereo: Coldplay
  • Opening times: Mon–Wed noon–11pm; Thu noon–midnight; Fri/Sat noon–1am; Sun noon–11pm
  • Capacity: 50
  • Largest group: 25
  • Open since: 2003
View larger map of EH2 4JB
  • Average price:
     £11 (lunch)
     £11 (evening meal)
  • House wine: £13.95 per bottle

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Eating & Drinking Guide

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.

The Cambridge Bar has long been known for its fine ales, and continues to offer more than 30 from around the world, together with guest beers from Scottish micro breweries. Tucked away in a cobbled thoroughfare running parallel to George Street and Queen Street, with entrances from front and rear, the L-shaped, split-level bar attracts regulars from the surrounding offices, and tourists drawn by its reputation as a place to sample a good pint or an interesting bottled beer. And, in recent years, the Cambridge has also forged a reputation for its food. The menu is dominated by burgers, with an option to suit every diner. All rely heavily on locally sourced produce and are served in a bun baked that day by a local artisan. The 'Australian' is a feast of a burger featuring bacon, pineapple, cheese and beetroot. Or for a non-meat alternative, the 'Portabella' consists of a bun layered with a massive mushroom, sun-dried tomatoes, melted mozzarella and peppers. And there’s also a home-made flavour to the desserts, where the undisputed highlight is the chocolate brownie.

  • High point: A burger for all tastes
  • Low point: Uninspiring view from the rear

Reviews of The Cambridge Bar (20 Young Street, Edinburgh)

5. NK, Ediburgh – 8 September 2011, 5:54pm5 starsThe Cambridge BarReport

My favourite pub to eat in Edinburgh, and almost the only place where I and my vegetarian friend can agree to eat..

The review says it - the burgers are DELICIOUS. I don't know why it is not hitlisted - it is definitely on my hitlist for places to eat in Edinburgh!

4. Lellrua – 14 January 2010, 10:35amThe Cambridge BarReport

The Cambridge burgers are magnificent! Especially for vegetarians, who have a choice of bean burger, haloumi or portabella mushroom as their base burger - a far cry from some veggie burger options I've seen elsewhere in town.

The staff are nothing but helpful and polite - nothing like what "G Unit" describes in his comments above.

The overall atmosphere is cosy, convivial and welcoming, especially in winter with the fire blazing. But do beware the portion sizes - one order of chips between two is more than enough!

3. G Unit, Edinburgh – 22 June 2009, 4:12pmThe Cambridge BarReport

Food and drink fab. Unfortunately the hoops (and sometimes - more often than not the rudeness) you have to go through to attempt to book a table not the best at all!

Staff not consistent as to whether they will take a booking ahead of a busy day or not, short to the point of rudeness with you or sure what they are doing, therefore not customer friendly - which is a big no, no and ' off putter ' for me. I would have thought in current times they would be thankful to take a booking - clearly they don't have or want to. Given that I'd recommend instead The Gourmet Burger place on George Street, no problems on booking with them and that's where I'll be going till The Cambrideg bar sort their booking, staff doing booking and customer service on booking situation out once and for all.

2. Outnumbered & Eating It, Linlithgow – 22 June 2009, 12:02pm5 starsThe Cambridge BarReport

Best burgers in Edinburgh & while the reviewer may have problem with the size, I don't! It really is a great example of what pub food should be, don't try to be all things to all men, just pick a couple of things and do them superbly & consistently well.

1. Claire, Edinburgh – 4 October 2008, 1:30pm5 starsThe Cambridge BarReport

Brilliant, great food, attentive service. Simple menu sticking to burgers but they do it well. Excellent

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