What's happening?
Winter Warmers
We at Hamiltons are always keen to offer good value for money and with the winter months drawing in we have came up with some fab winter warmers : enjoy coffee of your choice with a delicious cake from our friends at Honeybuns for only £2.50 : or fancy something a bit more filling why not enjoy a bowl of fresh homemade soup of the day with a sandwich of yuor choice for only £5.00.
Festive
don't forget it's not late to book your Christmas event here at Hamiltons Bar & Kitchen. Check our our menu on the events page.
Hogmanay
celebrate in style, celebrate with Hamiltons! Check out are amazing Hogmanay package on the events page.
Wi-fi
free wi-fi. no catch. nothing else to say about it ... it's free !
Quiz night
pit your wits for great prizes including beer, wine and dining vouchers. Every Thursday from 8.30pm.
Live
The ever popular Sunday evening Kerbside Prophets has a great line up for the next couple of months including some special treats for August! And June is no expection in proving that Edinburgh really does have a great music scene. For more details and listings please vist the live page.
Reviews & Testimonials
Watch this space for new reviews ....
Bite Magazine - November 2007
"About three years ago I usd to work down the road from Hamiltons, we'd have meetings and after work drinks there. I used to love snuggling into the comfy leather sofas cradling a disgracefully large glass of wine. What a way to unwind!
The pub may have changed management a year and a half ago, but the best bits still remain. The comfy chairs, the kitchen open continuously 12 or more hours a day, the laid-back feel ... are all still there. Recently I visited Hamiltons one Thursday evening on a cockatil sampling mission. My other half was chuffed it was the quiz night. Strangely enough cocktails and quiz night combined perfectly.
We chatted to bar manager Scott Brown as he shook us up some speciaities. I needed a bit of perking up, so leapt at an espresso martini and quiz man opted for his favourite with a twist, a Hamiltons Bloody Mary. Both drinks were how I like my men - big and strong. At £6.20 each it is reassuring to know that you are getting value for money.
Halfway through the first drink my pal and I were seriously debating whether swerving is a greater sign of drunkeness than staggering. By the time we moved onto our second round - "keeping up with the hamiltons", a vodka ish lemongass and elderflower conconction, and a whisky-based apricot fizz for him, the quiz had started and we were feeling a bit silly so we entered.
Scott was a perfect host, and plied us with a few more including his exotic nright blue creation, agave tequilana azul, a finalist in the national diageo cocktail competition. In between saying "I'm sure I know this one" to each quiz question, my partner sampled a dry martini. Ordering a martini is our personal meathod of checking a bar tenders skill. Scott passed with flying colours, and once again we were impressed with it's size. Likewise were impressed with his descision to replace the creme de cacao (they had non behind the bar) with Kahlua for a brandy alexander. And it tasted jolly good too.
And the quiz night? We came last."
I-on Edinburgh - November 2007
taken from the "Christmas Feasts" article
"Style : A stylish PUB that takes it's food seriously - down to the local postcodes on it's seasonal produce
The menu : Go traditional with Turkey & Christmas pudding or try something different like the duck and orange pate with a Christmas cranberry chutney, followed by Scotch Beef steak with red wine jus.
The trimmings : Finish the meal with a round of refreshing pink mojitos - the normal mint and rum combo, but with a festive cranberry twist.
The cost : A three course Christmas lunch is £19.95 dinner is £24.95. Available throughout December excluding the 25th."
I-on Edinburgh - November 2007
taken from the "Know your Area, Stockbridge" article
"With a ribbon of coffee shops and cafes selling Italian, French and Scottish specialities, you can forgive the locals for abandoning their own espresso machines and getting a serious habit for eating - and drinking - out. Starbucks, Caffe Nero, and Costa Cafe have branches on the main drag and cafe Florentin's pavement terrace is a popular sun trap, weather permitting. Pubs wise Bert's Bar, Baillie's and The Antiquary are firmly established local hangsouts, while Hectors and Hamiltons draw a crowd of laidback loungers."
Edinburgh in Season - Autumn 2007
"Originally a small village that was incorporated into the city of Edinburgh as it expanded, Stockbridge is far more cosmopolitan these days, although still remains some of the bohemian air.
Much loved by residents and visitors alike, Stockbridge is colourful and vibriant, and particulary characterised by it's quality mix of bars, restaurants and specialised shops and boutiques. And being only a 15 minute walk from the city centre there's really no excuse not to wander down and enjoy the area's considerable charms.
Located alongside the Water of Leith on Hamilton Place, Hamiltons Bar & Kitchen is perfectly situated to take full advantage of the significant human traffic. A stalwart on the Edinburgh pub scene, Hamiltons has had a recent sumpuous refurbishment at the hands of it's new owners, who took the helm last year.
Hamiltons is split in two, with a buzzing bar on one side, where you can enjoy an expertly mixed cocktail, and a more intimate dining area occupying the other that served lunch, dinnerand renowned weekend (and bank holiday) brunches. Lured by a menu promising gastro pub food with a contempoary Scottish twist, we enjoyed a lunch that rose well above the usual pub grub offered in lowlier establishments.
With quality dishes featuring freshly prepared local produce wherever possible (cheese by IJ Mellis and sausages from The Store, for instance) there is much to whet the sppetite. The Haggis Spring Roills with Sweet Chilli Dipping Sauce (small £4.95, large £6.35) sounded intriguing, and tasted, my diing companion assured me, wonderful - the filo pastry was light and crispy, the haggis perfectly spiced and the chilli sauce proved an ideal compliment. I opted for the Seafood Chowder (small £3.95, large £4.95) which was fresh, yet filling with plentiful chunks of fish and succulent mussels and prawns.
Vegetarians are well catered for and the Spinach & Ricotta Ravioli (£7.25), in a delicious sage butter sauce with parmesan shavings and juicy sun dried tomatoes, was an absolute delight. Don't be folled that the Hamiltons Club Sandwich (£6.50) is a snack - the enormous grilled chicken and bacon triple-decker with fabulous home cut chunky chipss is a generous meal in itself. The chicken was tender and cooked to perfection and, as is often all too common, it wasn't drenched in mayonnaise - perfect. Unable to contemplate sopmething for afters (although the Chocolate and Hazelnut Bread & Butter Pudding sounded seriously tempting!), we rounded off our faultless meal with a latte.
Hamiltons has an impressive and well thought out wine list, with the Chilean Tierra by Veramonte (bottle £12.50) particulary worth a mention.
Worthy of mention too, is that only are vegetarian well looked after, Hamiltons offer a wide variety of gluten free and wheat free options, together with a selection of honeybuns gluten free cakes to compliment afternoon coffee.
For ambient, relaxed dining, or drinks in a lively convivial atmosphere, not to mention the Sunday acoustic sessions, Hamiltons has an all-round winning formula that ensures you won't be disappointed."
I-on Edinburgh - July 2007
"Watching the mixologist measure the sprits, add the secret ingredients, muddle, pour then garnish our cocktails, I could have been in one of my favourite George Street bars. Ten minutes further down the road, Hamiltons Bar & Kitchen has all the style of such haunts, but here they serve their drinks with a big difference ... no dash of pretentiousness. "
"The Stockbridge venue was taken over by new owners late last year, after a refurb of deep purple walls, comfy leather sofas and trendy furnishings, the result is a laid back bar that welcomes after work suits, pre-clubbers and students. After revamping the food and drinks menu and introducing live Sunday acoustic sessions, the new look bar ticks all the boxes - a welcoming atmosphere, good location and great drinks variety."
"As far as booze is concerned, Hamiltons gets it bang on, it stocks a wide and impressive selection of beers on draught, a reasonably priced wine by the glass (from £3.15) and a list of tempting and bloke-friendly cocktails (all £6.20). Following the recommendation of Scott, our barman, we ordered a tasty Pink Mojito with cranberry and the signature cocktail 'Keeping up with the Hamiltons' - a delicious mix of lemongrass infused Smirnoff Black with lemon juice and elderflower."
The food here is also worthy of a mention and Hamilton's has gained a good reputation for its gastropub cooking. On our visit, we tucked into the bar snacks. Instead of the usual unhealthy pub snacks saturated with fat and salt, we were pleased to find these had all the taste and none of the bad stuff. Nachos (£4.25) came served with sour cream, freshly made guacamole and salsa, and our healthier option of homemade hummus came served with pita bread, carrots and celery (£3.95)."
"Hamiltons may seem slightly off the beaten track for die-hard city centre addicts but nearby Stockbridge is a great alternative when you want to catch up properly with friends for a drink and a chat. The bar is also a hotspot at the weekend for a full Scottish breakfast and a read of the Sunday newspapers. Hamiltons successfully mixes style with charisma - and you won't need to venture into George Street in all your finery to find it."
Nicky Howden, I-on Edinburgh Magazine
The List 2007
In a prime position in Stockbridge, with a well-healed middle-class market on it's doorstep, the relatively new owners of Hamiltons should be onto a winner. Their productt plays pretty well to it's potential customers. There are high chairs and an accommodating attitide for ladies who lunch (or latte) with tiny diners in tow. West end workers throng the grown-up style bar area for cocktails. A continential cafe menu (mussels, chilli prawns and so on) is promising, and the slightly steep prices reflect the commendable efforts of he owners to source locally where they can. The Iain Mellis goat's cheese in a warm salad with pine nuts and roasted beetroot is a nice example of this. Effort is also evident in presentation, such as a tower of haggis, neeps and tatties. Spot-on Seabass with a generous asparagus accompaniment sits on incogruous couscous, bur delicate dauphinoise potatoes are a perfect for for a fine fillet of beef. As dor afters, cranachan doesn't quite live up to expectations, and, at six quid, the chocolate & raspberry gateau by Plaisir Du Chocolat ought to smash the stars, but is sensuous all the same.
The Skinny Mag - March / April 2007
High quality traditional fare and confident modern flavours
Hamilton's has a strong reputation as one of the best pubs for dining in the capital, and on the evidence of this visit, there is no reason to expect that kudos will disperse. Dishes here tend to showcase either high quality traditional fare, or a confident blend of modern contrasting flavours. The parsnip soup is fresh and hearty, whereas goats cheese and beetroot salad offers a tangy opener. Following this, gorgonzola and walnut are used to liven up chicken, and a thick cut of Scottish steak is confidently and perfectly done. Too often in British restaurants I have asked for medium rare steak, only to be brought medium or even well done steak, as if I couldn't possibly have known what I meant. Not here. The desserts of cranachan and apple crumble fit firmly into the traditional category, but are a hearty end to a recommended, restaurant-like meal.
And of course the most important reviews we get ... our comment cards !!
"Very enjoyable and excellent table service. Nice Kilt!!" anon 21 July 07
"Great food, excellent service. Good value, will recommend this restaurant" anon 21 July 07
"Very nice service, good atmosphere and friendly especially with kids. Would definately come back." anon 21 July 07
"We have come to Hamiltons quite a few times over the last two years. We've noticed that in the past that the restaurant section has been quite quiet and laking in atmosphere - bit not so tonight. The food was lovely and the menu simple - as it should be - without needing to order veg on the side. A very welcome refuge fromour DIY stricken home! Thank you." Anon 21 July 07
"The staff were extremely charming and wonderful. The food was delicious except the raspeberry jelly thing." anon 21 July 07
"Working backwards - the fudge was great. Coffee a tad hot!! Salmon needed some veg or something. Starters were great and the waiter was magic." anon 21 July 07
"Excelent meal - delightful waiter. Thank you. PS. Apple Crumble - very good!!!" anon 21 July 07
"The whole lunch was excellent if somewhat generous in portion size. We will spread the word and we will be back." anon 21 July 07
"We are happy of our choice via 5pm.com. Good oppertunity to know your restaurant, even for foreigners!" Graeme & Susy from Italy 20 July 07
"The staff & chef were most accommodation & very friendly - great thanks." 20 July 07
"Had a lovely meal thanks - staff very helpfull and accommodation with my dierty requirements. Great Pizza. Thanks!." anon 19 July 07
"Brilliant Apple Crumble, we enjoyed it." anon 19 July 07
"It's so nice to enjoy a meal where there is so much wheat free choice. Staff really helpful & friendly. Was admiring the decor too - really modern and comfortable. Will be back and will spread the word about the wheat free choices." the mother & daughter that just bought a wedding dress. 18 July 07
"Very good value for money. Fantastic & friendly service. Brilliant presentation of starters. Main salmon course could do with a bit more seasoning. Really enjoyed it and will definately recommend to friends." anon 14 July 07
"Yummy sundried tomatoes in the spinach & ricotta ravoli - where did you get them? Maybe a bit too much butter - made it a touch oily - still delicious though. Very generous helping of dessert, great for two to share. Excellent. Delicious meal, better than expected - will def come again x x x." anon 14 July 07
"Service excellent - thanks. Asparagus very over cooked with salmon meal - was surprised the chef served it like that! But not a major issue so no problem. Bangers and mash for the other meal went down well." Jonny & Nic 13 July 07
"Have not eaten here before, but very good food, very attentive, will definately be back." anon 13 July 07
"Waiter fantastic, food tasty & atmosphere mega comfortable! 10 out of 10. Cheers!" anon 13 July 07
"Ace breckie! Excellent value. Cheery staff as always - thanks." anon 13 July 07
"The food & service were excellent." anon 11 July 07
"Our first time here - Sunday brunch. I was really impressed by the look of the outside (looks more pricey than it is) and by the feel of the inside. I like to decor - and the lighting really suits the place. The loos were good - stylish and not dingy. Oyr waiter was friendly and attentive - but not in your face. Probably just right. I'll be back for brunch, and maybe dsinner some time. It'll be interesting to try to evening menu." anon 8 July 07
"Quality ingredients in breakfast, Good Customer service and nice, quality extras (fudge, biscuits and flake etc) Good value too- salad with morning rolls was unexpected at the price charges - would have been better with dressing. Improvements: Air circulation could be better." anon 8 July 07
"As you welcome children to the bar maybe consider a childrens menu, otherwise excellent food and service.
I agree with the above comments, excellent meal and excellent service. will definately be back." anon 8 July 07
NB. on the strenght of the above comment card and one of two other verbal comments we have now introduced a childrens menu to Hamiltons Bar & Kitchen.
"Everything very good, only food took a bit longer than expected. Staff very good & firendly." anon 8 July 07
"Food was lovely
"Good service, enjoyable food/drink" anon 7 July 07
"Servoce excellent. Food very good. Top marks to the barman." anon 7 July 07
"Food Good - staff very nice" anon 7 July 07
"Love the Kilts! Scottish food with Scottish Ingredients ... just what is needed. Keep it up." anon 7 July 07
"Very good value for money. And excellent fudge! Thank you. x" anon 7 July 07
"Wonderful meal enjoyed by all. Thank you." anon 7 July 07
"Hello, thankyou for a fantastic supper." anon 7 July 07
"We enjoyed the meal very much, it was all perfect. Thank you very much. We will come back again!" anon 7 July 07
"The service was exce;;ent. Our venison steaks were overdone and our waitress reacted perfectly. They were very good second time. Cheeseboard amazing. Lamb Burger very good. House wine was also very good. We will definately be back" anon 7 July 07
"Meal was delight as usual! Haggis starter was lovely, as was the ravoli. Was surprised to find that the chocolate & chilli sauce went so well with the venison. Thank you for an enjoyable meal." anon 3 July 07
"Very Good :-)" anon 3 July 07
"Burger was amazing. It was a huge portion & couldn't finish it, Sorry - I am little tho!. Good choice on menu." anon 3 July 07
"The Scottish Salmon Fillet with coconut and lemongrass was excellent. Good range of dishes on menu but would suggest one more vegetarian option." anon 3 July 07
"Very Nice. Pleased that you serve food a bit later than some." anon 3 July 07
"Friendly & efficient service - thank you. Good food - appreciated Gluten Free. Atmosphere & surroundings - conducive to a very pleasant meal." anon 2 July 07
"Service and food good - thank you! But ... slightly more jack daniels and slightly more toffee sauce would make this yummy dessert out of this world!" anon 2 july 07
"A very enjoyable meal was had by all. Service was good too." anon 29 June 07
"Very Good. Mushroom Soup was a bit peppery and hot (minor point!)." anon 29 June 07
"Really like the atmosphere of the bar & restaurant. Glad to help with Streetwork." anon 29 June 07
"Steak expected to be medium rare but came a bit well done. Otherwise all great. Lovely Meal. Thank you" Clare Graham 29 June 07
"First time visit - food was excellent. Obliging serice. Definately be back." anon 25 June 07
"Really enjoyed the experience. The only thing I was not sure about was they chocolate sauce with the venison otherwise fantastic." anon 23 June 07
"Many thanks - our complimentary meal was very nice, good soup and well cooked tasty vegetables, as well as tasty main courses. Puddings good. Wine Excellent. Hopefully we will return!" Jan Mettaffie - 23 June 07
"The food was really very good, we were both impressed. Service was good. Nicer pens for writing on the comment cards would be more fiting with the atmosphere of the restaurant." anon 22 June 07
"Meal & service was first class thank you so much." anon 22 June 07
"Nice ambience, good food & good fudge. Very relaxing." anon 21 June 07
"Food was good but sauce for venison was a bit thick." anon 21 June 07
"Very much enjoyed our dinner on a rainy Saturday evening - we were just passing with no expectations and look forward to a return visit." anon 15 June 07
"Very nice atmosphere and good food well presented by friendly." anon 15 june 07
"Good food - mains need more accompaniments. Excellent Puddings and Friendly staff." anon 15 June 07
"Friendly staff, lovely food, good timing between couses - will come back again." anon 15 June 07
"Loved it - great service - great food - relaxing - and you do a good service for the homeless." anon 7 june 07
"Starter of Haggis spring rolls sounded an unusual combination but tasted amazing. Steak was cooked to perfection - melted in the mouth. We will certainly be back! Our compliments to the chef & staff." anon 2 June 07
"Food & Service (in particular) were very very good." S - June 07
"Great envirnonment. Fantastic Fillet Steak. Excellent Sea bass. Mellis Cheese was out of this world." anon May 07
"Very pleasing. Good helpful Service - thanks." anon May 07
"Lovely meal - will be back again. Great service. anon May 07
"very nice food
very friendly service" anon May 07
"food & service great, you should put a "tip" option on your Visa machine" anon May 07
"Pheasant special was lovely but I think it could have been improved with a just around the edge of the plate - needed a pheasant sauce. Service and food were excellent" anon May 07
"Excellent wine recommended by the waitress - Well Done! And HP sauce too !!" anon May 07
"food & service excellent
nice relaxing atmosphere - not too busy
Will definately recommend to friends" anon May 07
"Excellent food as usual - we shall come back again. V.Good value for money too!" A&N 4 May 07
"All the staff I dealt with were most pleasant and lovely, the other customers were beautifully behaved. Food was all delicious and drinks (non-alcoholic) refreshing. Altogether a super experience. Josh (Jesus) my giraffe toy enjoyed it too. Thank you very much. Yours Truely. Miss Hazel (Beresford)" April 07
"Excellent Service with infinate patience catering to all my 'funny' dietary needs added up to a very good meal" anon April 07
"It was excellent here" Tourist from the Netherlands, April 07
"Excellent Service
Food V Good
Price OK
Wi-Fi Very Handy" anon March 07
"It was very nice ..... Ginsengsational !!" anon March 07
"Visiting from Winnipeg, Canada. On the advice of friends that used to live on Eyre Cresent - A great ambience with friendly and kind staff - Although we came just after 5 for a light bite, when the kitchen was closed we were accommodated. The soup was excellent, and it didn't matter that I was hoping for muchroom soup and the soup of the day was leek & potato - Definately will be back for something more substantial next time". A lovely Canadian couple. March 07
"Thank you for this lovely relaxing place where I can take my wee one, great thing! Cheers Emma" March 07
"Great Coffee Machine, Great Staff, Cool uniforms, Great atmosphere." C&F March 07
"Your cous cous was "lush" Thank you" anon March 07
"Was lovely to come to a restaurant where I felt my children were welcome. So impressed with the wheat free options on your menu. It was so good to be able to have a club sandwich out! We’ll definitely be back soon!!" anon 28.03.07
"Very nice food and service, we will be back again!". anon 18.03.07
"It was well good". anon 17.03.07
"very good service, thanks" "first time here, lovely relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff. Excellent!" anon March 07
"Really helpful service, friendly, creative, relaxed atmosphere". anon March 07
"Very happy with the child friendlyness of Hamiltons. My toddler actually had a good time! Love the monster breakfast too" anon 11.03.07
"We've enjoyed our food very much. Very well done. Service was good aswell. We'll definately come back". anon 08.02.07
"Please tell me where you get your gluten free rolls they’re great, I haven’t been able to find any that don’t crumble". anon 02.02.07
"Great food, Very friendly and good service". anon February 07
"Fantastic meal, great service - will be back soon...!". anon February 07
"The bar staff were pleasant and efficient. The atmosphere in the bar in general was inviting and warm. A wonderful visit was enjoyed by all." anon 26.01.07
"We think Hamiltons is one of the best places in Stockbridge / New Town for a drink / coffee / read. The decor looks great. The staff are very helpful is choosing wines and food. The seating is comfortable. The music is genreally good - and we've enjoyed the meals we have had here. Congratulations! We think you've got it pretty right." Barbara Absolon & Greg Huntley 02.01.07
“Thank you very much for my dessert, very much appreciated! Service was great, food was fantastic, delight to find such personal service. Thank you again. Enjoy Christmas and New Year. Don’t work too hard.” anon 08.12.06
“What a delightful atmosphere – so contemporary but so cosy and great service. Long may this venture continue!” anon 24.11.06
“Would love a fire that works… smells of paint!..., but looks rather nice!” anon 24.11.06
“Absolutely cracking. Great night. Great bar. Just need to keep it busy. Had a great time xxx. P.s. Man in black Kilt! Xxx.” anon 24.11.06
“There weren’t enough single women!! But the bar looks the t**s.” Dave 24.110.06
“I concur with Dave’s findings.” Mikey 24.11.06
“Great night! All the very best with your new venture. We intend to contribut greatly!” Susan, Nick, Neily, Hanna, Soph, Lou, Alan
“A very nice welcome. Very warm and friendly. Finger food was gorgeous. Will definitely be doing lunch. Good luck in your new venture.” Mary McLeod 24.11.06
“Loving your work” anon, although we suspect a certain Mr Davison! 24.11.06