The Conan Doyle

You'll walk into The Conan Doyle expecting Holmes references and won't be disappointed—the place leans into its literary namesake with Victorian flourishes and dark wood panelling that's genuinely atmospheric rather than try-hard. It's the kind of pub where locals actually drink, not just tourists, though you'll find plenty of both propping up the bar on York Place. The food is honest pub grub at reasonable prices (mains around £12-16), the ales rotate properly, and there's always something on the telly. It's got that comfortable, well-worn quality that comes from being somewhere people actually want to spend their evenings—no gimmicks, just a proper Edinburgh pub that happens to have a brilliant theme.