Salt Horse: Craft Beer and Burgers in Old Town Edinburgh

It was my last night in Edinburgh, and I was in the mood for a beer. While there are many great pubs in Edinburgh, I wanted something different—a craft beer.

While wandering around Old Town Edinburgh, I stumbled upon Salt Horse, a beer bar off the Royal Mile known for its selection of craft beers.

Opened in 2016, Salt Horse has gained a following for its craft beer options, which includes 14 rotating taps and over 200 bottles and cans from around the United Kingdom and the world.

In addition to beer, Salt Horse is known for its creative bar fare, which includes grass-fed burgers, over-the-top chips, wings, and vegan options.

Interior of Salt Horse

The restaurant was on a quiet street, close to the Royal Mile but away from tourists. The place would be easy to miss when walking by.

Inside, it was very cozy and warm, offering an escape from the rain and cold weather outside.

The small, open dining room featured a few nooks and tall ceilings that added to the sense of space.

The decor felt modern with traditional twists, including brick and stone walls.

Tables were packed tightly in the dining room, each topped with candles that added to the ambiance.

There was also a counter for solo customers. Though alone, I sat at one of the tables as I had a better view of the bar area and the beer board.

The space was quiet, with voices and light music playing in the background.

Salt Horse Menu

The menu at Salt Horse, Edinburgh, Scotland — The menu at Salt Horse

On the menu at Salt Horse were burgers, including vegan burgers, chips, wings, and cauli bombs.

While small, the menu had some unique items, including the PB&J Burger with habanero, blackberry jam, and peanut butter and the Mega Dirty Chips with cajun chips and buffalo chicken.

While the menu was simple, all the options would pair well with beer.

The beer list on my visit, Salt Horse, Edinburgh, Scotland — The beer list on my visit

As mentioned, on the beer menu were 14 rotating taps featuring local Edinburgh beers, other Scottish brews, and selections from across the United Kingdom.

As for sizes, you could order your beer in a pint, 2/3, or 1/3, with prices ranging from £5.60 to £7.00.

While this was the beer menu on my visit, it might be different on your visit.

The Bowhouse Burger

At my server’s recommendation, I ordered The Bowhouse Burger (£14.00). It had a 5-ounce patty, Monterrey jack, brown butter, Salt Horse sauce, and lettuce.

The beef patty, sourced from a local farm, was fresh and moist with a bouncy texture. It had no pink inside but wasn’t dry.

It had a light sear with brown butter, adding a rich, caramelized, smoky flavor. However, the patty was small compared to the amount of bun.

The burger had crispy shredded lettuce, gooey, tangy Monterrey jack cheese, and a burger sauce called Salt Horse sauce, which tasted like mayonnaise.

Served on the side were cut-in-house, twice-cooked chips. Thick but not too thick, they looked beautiful. Each chip was crispy, crunchy, and golden brown on the outside and tender on the inside.

And they tasted as great as they looked, with a rich, salty flavor. Considering their great taste, they might have fried their chips in duck or bacon fat.

While the bun was large, it was airy, light, and never heavy. It tasted homemade and fresh. Though soft, it held up to the last bite and never got soggy, even when covered in butter and sauce.

Service at Salt Horse

My visit to Salt Horse was busy with customers coming in and out, whether for a beer or food.

A two-person crew ran the whole operation efficiently, which was interesting to watch.

Best of all, the workers were friendly, gave me recommendations for food and beer to try, and helped answer any questions about the beer choices.

Conclusion

Though located off the touristy Royal Mile, Salt Horse felt worlds away. The cozy, off-the-beaten-path pub was what I was looking for on a cold, rainy night in Edinburgh.

If you enjoy local craft beer like I do, then you will enjoy the selection of beers at Salt Horse. Whether on tap or from a can or bottle, there will surely be a beer for you.

Though known for its craft beer, the burger I had on my visit was delicious, and so were the cut-in-house, twice-cooked chips. I would love to return to try other items on their menu.

I recommend Salt Horse because it has a great location, cozy atmosphere, a large selection of craft beers, unique pub fare, and friendly service.