The Conan Doyle is a Nicholson’s pub at 71–73 York Place in central Edinburgh. Its name honours Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who was born nearby at Picardy Place, and the pub uses that local literary connection without claiming that the author lived or drank on the premises. The traditional room offers a comfortable stop for lunch, dinner or drinks close to the city centre.
The food follows a classic British and Scottish pub format. Nicholson’s fish and chips uses haddock in pale ale batter, while pies, burgers and other substantial mains provide familiar comfort food. Smoked Scottish salmon with oatcakes brings a regional ingredient to the starters, and rotating seasonal choices add variety around the core menu.
Vegetarian and vegan filters help diners identify suitable dishes, and sides and desserts make it easy to expand a simple main course. The broad menu works for mixed groups who want anything from a snack to a full pub meal. Guests with allergies should use the current allergen information and speak with staff, as recipes and shared preparation areas can change.
Cask ale, craft beer, whisky, wine and other pub drinks are central to the experience. The relaxed service and literary setting make The Conan Doyle useful for visitors exploring Edinburgh as well as local diners meeting after work. It combines the consistency of a Nicholson’s food menu with a location and identity that belong specifically to York Place.
Address: 71–73 York Place, Edinburgh EH1 3JD, United Kingdom
The Conan Doyle Menu
Starters
Lightly Dusted Calamari
Mango & sweet chilli salsa
Cullen Skink
Soft-flaked smoked haddock in a creamy velouté sauce with potatoes and parsley. With farmhouse bread and butter.
Vegetable Scotch Broth (V)
With farmhouse bread and butter
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties
Traditional Scottish dish of lamb and hearty oatmeal with aromatic mixed spices, with mashed swede, potatoes and gravy.
Hand – Cut Nachos (V) – Small
Hand-cut tortilla chips, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. Add pulled beef brisket
Beef Brisket Nachos – Small
Hand-cut tortillas chips , pulled beef brisket, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños.
Hand – Cut Nachos (V) – Large
Hand-cut tortilla chips, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños. Add pulled beef brisket
Beef Brisket Nachos
Hand-cut tortilla chips, pulled beef brisket, cheese sauce, guacamole, salsa, sour cream and jalapeños.
Roasted Garlic Mushrooms on Rustic Toast (VE)
In a creamy garlic & spinach sauce. On toasted rustic ciabatta.
Pulled Beef Rib Croquettes*
Gochujang mayo, watercress & pickled pink onion salad.
King Prawn & Smoked Scottish Salmon Cocktail*
With toasted ciabatta, little gem lettuce and a bloody Marie Rose sauce.
Our Pie Collection
We pride ourselves on serving the very best traditional pies. Our pies are served with buttery mashed potato, thyme roasted carrots and a rich gravy.
Beef Rib, Shin & Brisket Pie
Cooked in a rich red wine sauce, topped with light pastry.
British Steak & Nicholson's Pale Ale Pie
Awarded gold at the British Pie Awards. Blade of beef in Nicholson’s Pale Ale gravy in a thyme pastry pie.
Chicken, Leek & Tarragon Pie
In a creamy white wine and tarragon sauce. Topped with golden puff pastry.
Fish Pie
Cod, salmon & king prawns in a creamy white wine sauce, topped with thyme & mature Cheddar mash. With long-stem broccoli and thyme roasted carrots.
Crofter's Pie
Pulled lamb topped with haggis mash, with thyme roasted carrots and long-stem broccoli.
Mushroom & Spinach Suet Pie (V)
In a rich red wine and tarragon sauce. Vegan alternative available.
MUSHROOM & SPINACH SUET PIE (VE)
In a rich red wine and tarragon sauce. With long-stem broccoli, thyme roasted carrors and a rich gravy with baby potatoes.
Mains
8Oz Chargrilled Sirloin Steak
21-day-aged sirloin steak with watercress and chunky chips. With your choice of peppercorn*, bone marrow béarnaise, or whisky sauce.
Balmoral Chicken
Roasted chicken breast and haggis, wrapped in smoked back bacon with a whisky sauce. Buttery mash, long-stem broccoli, thyme roasted carrots.
Garlic Chicken Schnitzel
Schnitzel smothered in garlic butter, skin-on-fries, watercress and pickled red onion salad.
Haggis, Neeps & Tatties
Traditional Scottish dish of lamb and hearty oatmeal with aromatic mixed spices, with mashed swede, potatoes and gravy.
Nicholson's Fish & Chips
Hand-battered haddock in Nicholson’s Pale Ale. Chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. Add curry sauce.
Nicholson's Fish & Chips (Large)
Nourish Bowl Salad ▲ (VE)
Kale, brown rice & quinoa salad, with cherry tomatoes and mango, long-stem broccoli and pumpkin seeds.
Ocean Fish & Chips
Hand-battered* haddock & breaded wholetail Scottish scampi, Chunky chips, mushy peas and tartare sauce. Add curry sauce.
Pesto, Cheese & Spinach Gnocchi with Chicken
Basil pesto, creamy garlic & spinach sauce, thyme panko breadcrumbs, rustic garlic ciabatta. Add Chicken.
Pesto, Cheese & Spinach Gnocchi (V)
Basil pesto, creamy garlic & spinach sauce, thyme panko breadcrumbs, rustic garlic ciabatta.
Sausage & Mash
Pork & haggis sausages on buttery mash, rich caramelised onion gravy & crispy onions.
Vegetarian Sausage & Mash (V)
Vegetarian sausages served on a bed of creamy mash and topped with gravy.
Pan-Roasted Salmon Fillet
Crushed baby potatoes, long-stem broccoli and Scottish mussels with a white wine butter sauce.
Chicken Caesar Salad
With crisp lettuce, cherry tomatoes, smoked bacon, Parmesan, croutons, and a classic Caesar dressing.
Extra Sauces
Peppercorn Sauce*
Bone Marrow Béarnaise Sauce
Add On Whiskey Sauce
Add On Curry Sauce (VE)
Burgers
Our mouth-watering burgers come with lettuce, gherkin, tomato and mayonnaise on a brioche bun and are served with skin-on fries.
Classic Cheese & Bacon Burger
Chargrilled beef patty, smoked back bacon, Cheddar cheese.
Spinach & Falafel Burger (V)
Pink pickled onions, plant-based slice, baked mushroom, tomato salsa. Vegan alternative available.
Beef Brisket Burger
Chargrilled beef patty, hand-pulled BBQ beef brisket, cheese sauce.
Buttermilk Chicken Burger
Crispy buttermilk chicken breast, smoked bacon, Cheddar cheese, guacamole.
The Nicholson's Burger
Double beef patty, cheese sauce, smoked back bacon, crispy onions, hash brown.
Spinach & Falafel Burger (VE)
Pink pickled onions, plant-based slice, baked mushroom, tomato salsa. Vegan alternative available.
Add a Burger Topping
Pulled Beef Brisket
Smoked Cheddar Cheese (V)
Smoked Back Bacon
Sides
Halloumi Fries (V)
Sweet chilli mayonnaise.
Chunky Chips (V)
Skin-On Fries (V)
Long-Stem Broccoli (VE)
Truffle & Parmesan Fries
House Salad (VE)
Tomatoes, cucumber and mixed leaves in a pineapple & lemongrass dressing.
Garlic Ciabatta (V)
Puddings
Cranachan (V)
Traditional Scottish dish of smooth whipped cream, sweet honey, a dash of whisky, raspberries and golden toasted oats.
Sticky Toffee Pudding (V)
Bourbon vanilla ice cream.
Zesty Lemon Tart (V)
With berry coulis and freshly whipped cream.
Apple & Cinnamon Crumble Pie (VE)
Mixed berry coulis and indulgent custard.
Double Chocolate Brownie (V)
With bourbon vanilla ice cream.