The Compass Leith - Edinburgh

I didn't have a reservation, but despite being quite busy, they managed to find a great table for me. The service was attentive throughout my meal. I started with still water and a lager, along with the fried haggis bonbons, which were absolutely fabulous. I really don’t understand why haggis isn’t more popular! I also ordered a burger and fries. I requested it medium-well, but it came out medium-rare. Nevertheless, it was still very tasty. The French fries were made from real baking potatoes, not something overly fancy. The salad had an Asian flair that I didn’t particularly enjoy. To finish, I had a coffee. Overall, it’s a quiet and lovely place with friendly and efficient waitstaff. I never felt rushed, and the other diners were pleasant as well. The total for the meal was £23, with no gratuity added. The picture displayed is of the haggis bonbons.

The venue is divided into a bar area at the entrance, which can accommodate about 30 people, and a traditional-style restaurant that’s located half a floor up, perfect for larger groups. Both sections are staffed, meaning you won’t need to place your order at a till. The interior appears to have been recently renovated, featuring original plaster details on the bar ceiling that complement the warm wood and stone walls. A large hearth adds a visually appealing focal point. The restaurant is adorned with large French posters and has a wood plank ceiling, with a clear view into the kitchen where you can watch your meal being prepared. During our first visit, we had dinner in the restaurant around 9 PM. They serve food for twelve hours, from 10 AM to 10 PM daily. Compass offers a decent selection of vegetarian options on their menu. I chose the vegetarian club, a massive sandwich packed with hummus and halloumi, accompanied by a side of chips. It's a truly impressive dish that requires a hearty appetite. I also tried one of the Innis Gunn beers on tap, along with their complimentary infused tap water with cucumber and mint. The dinner service was quick and professional, and our entrees arrived promptly. We enjoyed the meal so much that we returned on our final day in Edinburgh for an 11 AM brunch. We often travel with our dog, and Compass is dog-friendly in the bar area. The bar itself has a relaxed atmosphere with cozy window booth seating and free Wi-Fi, making it an ideal place to get some work done. I ordered the small vegetarian breakfast, which was a generous plate featuring vegetarian haggis, sausage, hash browns, beans, mushrooms, toast, and more. Despite being a small portion, I was completely satisfied. It genuinely was one of the best vegetarian breakfasts I’ve had in the UK. We lingered for a while, enjoying the music and several delicious espresso drinks. Overall, Compass Bar is a fantastic neighborhood spot, offering excellent service, great prices, and delightful food all day long.

We were in Leith on holiday and our Airbnb host recommended Compass Bar as it was very close to where we were staying. It looks like Compass has undergone recent renovations to the interior and menu (something to note based on past reviews). From the outside, it has the appearance of a possible dive bar, but it is so posh and cosy inside! The interior is airy and light and beautifully decorated. We ate here twice whilst on holiday, dinner in the restaurant and brunch in the bar, and were very pleased with the service and food. Compass is dog friendly in the bar. The staff treated our dog like a rockstar when we brought her along for brunch. To set the scene: We spent all day Tuesday hiking around Lake Lomond and got back to Leith late at night. After a day of hiking and a 2 hour drive back, we were starved for something warming and filling to eat. Compass serves food from 10am 10pm, and is open for drinks until 1am. It was perfect for us For dinner, I ordered a hotdog with chips. Oh my goodness! It was a HUGE and tasty meal. It was so filling, I wasn't able to finish everything. The hotdog meat appears to be house made or locally made and is spiced somewhat like a sausage, and measures in at a foot long. The kitchen fried the dog, which I normally don't like but absolutely loved the preparation for this dog. The dog was topped with caramelized onions, yummy mustard, and crispy bacon bit. The most delicious heart attack you'll ever eat. The chips were cooked to perfection fluffy inside and crunchy outside. For brunch, I ordered the french toast topped with bacon and maple syrup. Absolutely incredible. The brioche style bread was thick cut and pan cooked to perfection. The maple syrup is thick and glossy, grade A Canadian. The bacon at Compass is the best I've had in the UK. It was lightly salted and really fresh. It was a flavorsome balance for the french toast and overall very filling. Compass is such a versatile location. It would be perfect for a date night, casual dinner, or mimosas for brunch with friends. I'd highly recommend Compass to anyone who likes good food.

I went to Compass about a year or so ago and it was great, fresh fish and chips and my boss had a 'boss looking beef sandwiches. The stylish surroundings weren 't too overpowering and the sun was lovely as it streamed through the many, many windows.. Anyway, I was down that neck of the woods recently and went back and the food was pretty poor, I don 't understand it was a world of difference. Perhaps the place had changed hands or chefs but it certainly slashed my rosey memories.

This is a nice, laidback, local establishment in Leith, which is good for some decent food and a few bevs. The red decor and brick wall beside the bar make this an attractive wee place, which feels pretty spacious and beams in lots of light. There's the traditional wooden chairs and tables thing going on, no sofas about, which makes it slightly more of a restaurant where you have to sit up straight at the table, rather than a pub and restaurant where you can lean back a bit more in comfier seating, and chill with both food and drinks. It always seems to be busy here, and it is definitely really popular with the locals. The menu is really reasonably priced too, so this is a worthwhile stop if you're drinking or eating in the Leith area.