I’m often asked for a traditional pub recommendation, specifically one that serves food. Truth be told, I don’t often gravitate towards pubs for lunch or dinner as any experiences I have had in the past have been very mixed.

The Queens Arms is hidden away off the cobbled streets of Frederick Street, I didn’t even know it existed until I was invited to try out the menu. Stepping inside is like stepping back in time in terms of decor, it reminded me very much of the descriptions of an Inn in Hogsmeade or Diagon Alley. I wonder if J.K. Rowling has been here and taken inspiration!

We took up residence in one of the cute little booths complete with gate! This is a pub with a lot of character and charm, I found myself looking around, keen to explore my surroundings.

We started off with a couple of hearty bowls of Leek & Potato Soup. This was served with a good hit of mustard, and plenty of granary bread.

For main we’d decided to share one of the platters, a Meat Platter (£17). This featured Aberdeen Angus Steak, a really tasty Confit Duck Salad with little cubes of heavily fried black pudding (inspired!), Haggis Lollipops, an Apple Caramel, a Homemade Brown Sauce, and another pile of that Toasted Granary Bread. My god it was good, a definite for next year’s ‘Things I’d Like To Eat Again‘ list! All the flavours worked really well together, and look at the size of those lollipops – they’re like the ones you get at DisneyWorld!

A Coconut Slice with Lemon Sorbet was a refreshing dessert, I really enjoyed the sorbet as a opposed to the usual custard or ice cream pairing. The real stand out dessert and highlight was the Panna Cotta with Rhubarb and Almond Shortbread. I can’t recall eating a better Panna Cotta than this…

The Queens Arms is a great little find: central location, reasonably priced, great food, and bags of charm. We’ve already recommended it to family visiting from Wales during the festival, I just hope it’s not fully booked!

Heads up, The Queens Arms are doing a new offer on a Wednesday evening – Wednesday Meat Up includes a meaty sharing platter for two and a glass of wine or pint for just £20! (£10 per person). The meat offering changes weekly and varies from Cumberland sausage with egg and chips, wings, ribs, steak etc.

The Queens Arms
Location: 49 Frederick Street
Price: Starters £4.50-£7.50, Mains £11-£22, Desserts £5-£7.50
Good for: Traditional Scottish pub atmosphere. Good service and high quality food.