The Bonnington Leith, Edinburgh : A Proper Local Serving Comfort, Cocktails & Community
Carlo Carozzi, the force behind The Bonnington Leith and The Peruvian at Edinburgh Street Food, is an absolute icon. He’s been woven into the fabric of Edinburgh’s food scene for as long as I can remember, and catching up with him over a pint, a cocktail, and some proper hearty fare at his neighbourhood, family‑friendly (including dogs) hang‑out was a joy. The Bonnington Leith really is his chill‑out spot made local.
The Bonnington Leith sits right on Bonnington Road, perfectly placed between Canonmills and Leith, and it genuinely feels like your local the moment you step inside. The team are incredibly friendly and welcoming, the kind of folk who make you feel like you’ve known them for years by the time you leave.
The pub is split over two levels, with the bar holding court upstairs and the dining space tucked downstairs. Both floors have their own entrance and exit, making the whole place fully accessible. Seating is a relaxed mix of booths and tables, giving you options whether you’re settling in for a meal or just popping by for a pint.
There’s absolutely no faff here. No over‑the‑top décor, no busy walls fighting for attention. It’s understated in the best way, letting the staff, the food, and the easygoing atmosphere do all the talking.
Peruvian Roots & Edinburgh’s Largest Pisco Selection
The Bonnington’s bar is well-stocked without being flashy. A solid selection of beers, a few crowd-pleasing wines, and spirits that cover all the bases. It’s the kind of place where you settle in for “just one” and find yourself still there an hour later, chatting away. With Carlo’s Peruvian roots, you’ll spot those influences woven through both the food and drink menus. The Bonnington Leith proudly boasts the capital’s largest selection of Pisco, from the classic Pisco Sour to the bold, punchy Margarito (Barsol Quebranta, Ancho Reyes, lime and Tajín). They even stock Inca Kola, Peru’s answer to Irn‑Bru, a bright, nostalgic hit that ties the whole experience back to Carlo’s heritage.
They’ve just launched their winter menu, an inviting line‑up of elevated pub classics built around hyperlocal ingredients and proper comfort cooking.
You’ll find hearty favourites like Bangers & Mash, a juicy Wagyu Beef Patty, and Haggis, Neeps & Tatties drenched in a warming whisky sauce. The comfort‑food icons are all there too: creamy Mac & Cheese and crisp‑battered Fish & Chips with mushy peas that taste exactly as they should. Everything is sourced from trusted local suppliers such as Findlay’s of Portobello and Welch Fishmongers, giving each dish that sense of place and provenance The Bonnington Leith does so well.
Alongside the home‑cooked mains, the menu leans into easy‑to‑love snacks and small plates, think plump Gordal olives, proper pork scratchings and fishcakes. Prices are kept deliberately sensible, making The Bonnington Leith the kind of accessible, cosy home‑from‑home you can return to all winter long.
Small Plates to Start : Bon Bons, Wings & More
To kick things off, we dove into the Haggis Bon Bons with HP sauce (£5) - six generous, peppery bites that are far more filling than they look, and absolutely made for that tangy hit of HP Sauce. They are so soft and comforting on the inside with a crispy crunchy shell. The Korean fried chicken wings (£6) followed, properly saucy with a satisfying kick. A cracking start to the meal. We couldn’t resist Chips (£5) and had to have them with parmesan and truffle mayo!
Hearty Mains : Burgers, Bangers & Proper Pub Classics
The menu is refreshingly straightforward, no over‑complication, no endless lists to wade through. For mains, you’ve got a choice of burgers (a wagyu beef patty or vegan patties) and five dishes under the Large Plates section. We went for the 6oz Wagyu Beef Patty (£15)stacked with American cheese, pickles, lettuce and tomato. A proper chunky number, packed with that deep, savoury wagyu umami.
Then came the Bacon Chop with eggs and chips (£15), simple, hearty fare done exactly as it should be. Perfectly fried eggs begging for a chip dooking, and a soft, succulent pork chop that hit every comfort note.
But the standout for me was the Bangers and Mash with onions and gravy (£15). Pure, unashamed comfort food. Big, juicy sausages resting on a cloud of creamy mash with generous lashings of rich gravy. It warmed me from the inside out.
The menu leans into comfort, proper pub dishes, done with care rather than complication. It’s the sort of cooking that doesn’t need to reinvent anything; it just needs to taste great, and it does. Portions are on the satisfying side, you won’t leave hungry and there’s a confidence in the seasoning: enough to wake the palate without overwhelming it.
There’s no pretence here, just a cosy, neighbourhood feel. Warm lighting, comfortable seating, and a gentle hum of conversation. It’s the sort of pub where you can bring your pals, your parents, or your dog and feel equally at home.
The Bonnington Leith isn’t trying to be the next big thing and that’s exactly why it works. It’s reliable, comforting, and quietly proud of what it does. If you’re after a solid meal in a friendly local with proper portions and no nonsense, this is a spot worth returning to.
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE BONNINGTON LEITH
They are dog friendly
They have disabled access and plenty of space for a wheelchair
You do not have to eat, you can just pop in for a drink
There is plenty of on street parking
They have limited vegan dishes on their menu
The Bonnington Leith, 284 Bonnington Road, Edinburgh, EH6 5BE www.thebonningtonleith.com
My Spoon Award : Silver Spoon 8/10
I was invited by The Bonnington to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
The Bonnington Edinburgh, Edinburgh pub review, Edinburgh comfort food, Pisco Edinburgh, Carlo Carozzi, Leith restaurants, Edinburgh neighbourhood pubs, Peruvian cocktails Edinburgh, Edinburgh winter menu, Dog‑friendly pubs Edinburgh, Accessible restaurants Edinburgh
