Over the years, this address has seen a succession of ventures that have failed to pull in office workers or Lothian Road’s weekend revellers, but then along came Red Squirrel. Owned by Fuller
Thomson, which runs a small group of bars and cafés around Edinburgh, it works to a winning formula that combines modern pub vibes with decent beer and international grub (especially burgers).
Guest ales such as East IPA from the Brooklyn Brewery in New York or Dark Star’s Hophead supplement Scottish regulars from the Black Isle Brewery, Brewdog, Harviestoun and West. Food-wise, the
place does breakfast (healthy or traditional), small dishes (piri-piri chicken sticks etc), favourites like fish and chips or macaroni cheese, plus the aforementioned burgers – including the
eponymous Red Squirrel (with beer mustard, Hereford Hop cheese, rocket and caramelised onion mayo).