Dalriada
Portobello
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–3pm, 5–7pm; Sun noon–7pm
- Bar open: (Spring & Summer) Mon-Thu noon-11pm; Fri/Sat noon-midnight; Sun 12.30-11pm. (Autumn & Winter) Mon/Tue Closed; Wed/Thu noon-11pm; Fri/Sat noon-midnight; Sun 12.30-11pm.
- Private dining: Up to 30 covers
- Also offers: Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables, Live music
- Opening times: (Spring & Summer) Mon–Thu noon–11pm; Fri/Sat noon–midnight; Sun 12.30–11pm. (Autumn & Winter) Mon/Tue Closed; Wed/Thu noon–11pm; Fri/Sat noon–midnight; Sun 12.30–11pm.
- Capacity: 80
- Largest group: 30
- Open since: 2004
Tell us more about this place.
- House wine: £11.50 per bottle
The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
Situated in an imposing building at the Joppa end of the Portobello Promenade, Dalriada is a fantastic bar-cum-café that's just perfect for an afternoon coffee and cake while you watch the waves roll in, or an evening drink as the sun sets over the River Forth. In winter, a log fire adds to the warm atmosphere and keeps the cavernous room feeling cosy, while, in summer, outside seating means you can enjoy a drink overlooking the Portobello shore. Those searching for a modest repast will be glad to find a good selection of tasty bar snacks on offer in the form of 'Scottish tapas'. Generous portions of Scottish fare are way above your usual chips-in-a-basket-style pub food. The substantial venison pâté is full-flavoured and comes served with a cranberry relish and oatcakes, while the delicious smoked salmon is a cut above some of the flabbier versions around these days. The place is transformed into a lively bar in the evenings, with live folk, jazz and bluegrass music every weekend and award-winning ales on tap. Catering to all comers, from families and day-trippers to local regulars, Dalriada has found itself a winning formula and is a lovely place to while away a few hours.
- High point: That view
- Low point: Food not available after 7pm
The rough guide to Portobello, Edinburgh's seaside
Neighbourhood Watch: The best bits by the beach
24 Mar 2011
Reviews of Dalriada (77 Promenade, Portobello, Edinburgh)
- 4. Queen Marie of Romania, Edinburgh – 18 September 2010, 8:07pm
DalriadaReport -
The Dalriada is a cut above most other Portobello boozers and has good beers and some decent live accoustic music on. I am not surprised by the comments of other reviewers, though, as the chap, who I take to be the owner, made me feel very unwelcome on my first couple of visits, eyeing me suspiciously . He reminded me a bit of Rigsby from "Rising damp" but with less people skills.
- 3. Lennie the lion., Joppa – 15 July 2009, 9:48pmDalriadaReport
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I agree with Goldenfoot. When you look at the multitude of notices of dos and donts all over the place you soon realise you've entered the domain of a control freak. As soon as drinking up time starts you're made to feel about as welcome as a fart in a space suit . The whole place desperately tries to pretend its something a cut above, but fails miserably.
- 2. portyma, portobello – 23 May 2009, 10:07pmDalriadaReport
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The Dalriada is usually a favourite with parents because as well as the beach being on it's door step, folk have being able to sit out the front on the grass while their children had fun on the climbing frame. For some reason just a the busy summer season is about to begin this has been taken away to make way for seating. I know from being there myself and knowing lots of local parents that this area will be sadly missed. Perhaps the Dalriada are hoping that parents will sit on the beach and still purchase there drinks from there? I think they will find that with nothing for the children to do (especially younger children) parents will not bother going as much. Also is it not better to have the kids all in one area rather than tearing around the place. Perhaps the Dalriada don't want as many children running around. Maybe it's not so family friendly after all!
- 1. Goldenfool, Edinburgh – 25 April 2009, 1:45pm
DalriadaReport -
This is a pub with a lovely view, but that's about the only thing it's got going for it. Don't expect to have a nice loungey Sunday afternoon here - it's more like "have your drink and leave" territory if the management have anything to say about it! I was here with my friend, and we were playing cards over a beer or two before we were made to feel very unwelcome - my friend went up to the bar to get another drink and we were asked to leave because we'd been there too long. I could have understood it if there were people waiting for a table, but there were lots of spare tables, and we were buying drinks.
What's more, it's not even a very nice pub, aside from the view. The whole place has a look that is obviously trying for relaxed and slightly rustic, but instead merely comes across as tatty and unfinished. The bar area's a total mess, and the vibe just feels dead.
After being thrown out on a quiet Sunday afternoon, we trundled on to the Sheeps Heid - by far a more welcoming, friendly pub with a lovely vibe. I'd recommend everything about it.
Compared to the Sheeps Heid or any other pub I've visited in Edinburgh, The Dalriada gets the lowest mark. Not going back there in a hurry, and nor are any of my friends after hearing of our experience there.
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