3 Old Monks is a pub in Leith, Edinburgh. Rated 4.3 stars from 908 Google reviews. Known for food that tastes like someone's cooking, not reheating and staff who actually engage, not just serve. Best for group dinner and sunday roast. Ranked #16 of 16 in Leith. Price range: £20–30.
Rankings updated April 2026
3 Old Monks
Zone Ranking
Ranked weekly from live Google review data
in Leith
Holding steady
Quick Verdict
Locals are already coming back. It's busy most nights, the food quality punches above pub weight, and the staff actually care—that's rare enough to notice.
You want a proper pub meal with real drinks and staff who treat you like you belong, not like you're a transaction.
About 3 Old Monks
3 Old Monks is a pub on Commercial Street in Leith that's recently changed hands and picked up momentum fast. It's small but deceptive—the space stretches back further than you'd expect from the street frontage, with quieter seating areas near the screens and a main bar where the energy concentrates. The menu's tight (not huge, as one reviewer noted) but rotates 3 specials daily alongside core dishes, which means there's usually something for everyone. Food comes hot and well-presented—the Nduja Mac and Cheese lands with creamy cheese balanced against spicy meat, and the beef Sunday roast is new enough that early adopters are still raving about it. The bar stocks a serious range of beers and wines (£3 Tennants on draft, craft selection, proper whisky list), and cocktails like the Barologist are pulling people in. Staff are consistently described as friendly, welcoming, and genuinely helpful—even when a function's coming in, they don't rush you. Dogs are welcome, kids eat everything here, and it's wheelchair-accessible. The vibe is cosy and quirky without trying too hard—steampunk touches, casual atmosphere, the kind of place where you feel at home.
What Stands Out
Food that tastes like someone's cooking, not reheating
Reviewers consistently praised food quality: 'Came in for a quick bite and was blown away with the food.' The beef Sunday roast is described as 'fabulous' and 'absolutely worth the price,' and the Nduja Mac and Cheese delivers 'a lovely balance between the creamy cheese and the spicy Nduja meat.' Food arrives 'hot, well presented and tasted delicious.'
Staff who actually engage, not just serve
'Really friendly and really helpful' and 'genuinely amazing' even when managing a function. One reviewer with a struggling parent noted: 'They were genuinely amazing. I would definitely recommend for food, service and value.' Service is described as 'efficient from start to finish' and staff deliver 'a beautiful smile' paired with attentive ordering and delivery.
Serious drinks range without the pretension
Reviewers highlight 'great selection of beers and wines,' a 'lovely carte de whiskys,' and 'excellent selection of drinks.' Cocktails like the Barologist are 'delightful,' and there's £3 Tennants on tap for people who just want a pint. The range means 'something for everyone.'
What Customers Say
Wasn’t a huge menu, but 3 specials and still something for everyone.
Great selection of beers and wines and friendly staff make for an enjoyable visit.
This looked a good pub bar area places to eat and also comfy chat like your at home .Really good range of drinks something for everyone .
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions about 3 Old Monks
Proper pub food that tastes cooked, not frozen. The beef Sunday roast is new and worth trying (reviewers say it's 'absolutely worth the price'), and the Nduja Mac and Cheese balances creamy cheese with spicy meat. Menu's small but rotates 3 specials daily, so there's usually something that fits. Everything arrives hot and well-presented.
Yes, they accept reservations. No online booking system, so ring ahead or walk in early (one reviewer noted they were surprised it was quiet on a Friday night arriving before peak time). Groups of 20–40 are welcome—they've hosted functions and handled them without rushing other diners.
Serious range. £3 Tennants on draft, craft beers, proper whisky list, and cocktails (the Barologist is worth trying). Reviewers mention 'great selection of beers and wines and friendly staff,' so if you're not sure what to order, ask—they'll point you right.
Yes, dogs are allowed. One reviewer specifically called it out as a reason to return: 'Beautiful place and dog friendly.'
Cosy, quirky, and casual without trying too hard. The space is smaller than it looks from the street, with quieter seating areas at the back near the screens and a livelier bar area. Steampunk touches, rugby on the telly, and it fills up by evening—but there's always a corner where you can have a proper chat. One reviewer summed it: 'comfy chat like you're at home.'
Also in Leith
View all15 venues changed rank in Leith this week → See full zone ranking
How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated weekly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this week.
How our weekly rankings work