Reviews of The Compass

This place is wonderful. A nice roomy atmosphere with cool jazz playing in the background. You are greeted with a warm welcome and lead to your table to settle into relaxing armchairs and given time to scrutinise the menu. On offer are scrumptious snacks including all day breakfasts and delightful pancakes. There's also veggie options. The staff are very attentive and accommodating. We will be returning to this place again and again.

We spent a few days in Edinburgh last weekend with our group of friends and booked this restaurant in advance. If you look from outside the restaurant, I initially had my doubts but nothing turns out to be less true. Super cozy decorated restaurant with a 2nd floor that is not visible from outside. Food was excellent and an absolute must to visit this restaurant. The staff was also super friendly. Thanks for the excellent diner. Greetings René (The Netherlands)

We have used the Compass on several occasions over the last few months. Each time the staff have been professional and attentive. We have introduced several different parties to this fabulous Gastro Pub and everyone has enthused about the quality of the food and the ambience of the Compass. We were going to come into the Compass this afternoon but sadly it was closed. We wish all the staff the very best over the next 12 weeks(?) and look forward to seeing you all when you re-open.

Neat, modern place with great food to boot! The staff is genuinely lovely and welcoming, you instantly understand why this gem of a place is popular. We found our way here the first evening of our stay in Edinburgh. We were encouraged to participate in the weekly quiz and had such a blast that we came back the next day for dinner. You should definitely look it up if you stay here.

Lovely friendly place, super clean and the decor is fantastic! Staff are chatty and attentive but not overbearing. I really like the menu, something for everyone. Special mention for the Halloumi fries.... gorgeous!! Sticky toffee pudding.... sweet but not too much!! And homemade gingerbeer.... delicious!! Good value for money too.

Simply Wonderful<br/><br/>I absolutely loved The Compass. The decor was breathtaking, so classy, oozed welcoming atmosphere! There was a roaring open fire, fairy lights giving off soft lighting and real flame candles on all tables.<br/><br/>The staff were the best in the business, they loved their job and that’s a testament to the owners. I had a lovely chat with the owner, what a lovely lady. All staff made us feel welcome, looked after us perfectly and really did go above and beyond.<br/><br/>The food was so fresh, full of flavours and served piping hot. The menu was an array of different foods to please all tastebuds. And the pudding......Devine! Hand made by the owner himself - compliments to the chef!!<br/><br/>I don’t live local to Leith at all, but I will be back!!

I've visited the Compass Bar a few times in the past but this was the first time since their expansion into the building next door (formerly Credo Restaurant) and their refurbishment. The bar area has the same feel - light and airy with a well stocked bar area running the width of the space.<br/>However I think the addition of the restaurant eating area hasn't quite married itself to the older bar area very well. There is a ramp from the bar leading onto a staircase which leads you upstairs to the restaurant. The restaurant area looks lovely. A nice mix of small tables and a few large tables for groups. There is a very open and clear view of the kitchen and serving area. <br/>We ordered the antipasti platter, but the waitress had to find out what meats where served first. It was nice enough. The chorizo was quite spicy, the salami wasn't to my taste but the ham was lovely. The  crisp toast, dipping oils and olives were great. <br/>Next up we ordered the beef burgers. I had the burger with haggis and my guest the burger with cheese. <br/>The overall presentation of the dishes are good, but I'm afraid that the burgers were terribly dry. We needed ALOT of tomato sauce just to make it more palatable. The chips were nice - super hot and crunchy. <br/>The service was fine but we never had the same waitress - they were all very friendly though. <br/>The Leith Jazz and Blues festival was in full swing when we made our way back out of the place - might be worth considering an alternative exit from the restaurant than having to make your way back through the bar.

Living pretty close to The Compass means it's sometimes our go to place if we want to eat out. It has an ever changing menu which covers all bases from fish, game to a good steak and includes seasonal produce.<br/>The staff are always friendly and look after you well. Some of our favourite dishes include the fish cakes, steak and mussels. If you whether you're heading out with the family or on a date The Compass is the perfect place for either. It has a lovely warm welcoming feel which is something others places just can't seem to grasp.

I heard a good anecdote about stubbornness, the other day, to effect that it’s one of the few absolutely universal “qualities” that everyone recognises in themselves, in one way or another. I’m a pretty easy going to sort of chap, but I do sometimes have a stubborn refusal to follow extremely sound advice.<br/><br/>Many people, not least Edinburgh Etiquette’s Katey, have been telling me that the Compass, on the corner of Queen Charlotte and Constitution Street, was worth a visit, but somehow I never managed to find the time until today.<br/><br/>The interior is warmly welcoming in the pub style, but with touches of real elegance including some lovely cornicing. The friendly barman-waiter did a good job of matching the air of conviviality, with a jovial and accommodating approach to service throughout.<br/><br/>Their menu features a number of tasty sounding seafood options, but I was in soup and sandwich mood, so started with the beetroot soup then followed with the steak sandwich.<br/><br/>A monster portion of the soup soon arrived looking eye-catching bright and wafting a really appealing aroma. It proved to be very good eating, with the distinctive sweet earthiness of the beetroot really hitting the spot. The accompanying bread was very good, too.<br/><br/>The main course maintained the standard with a succulent piece of steak topped with a generous amount of softly caramelized onions encased in more of their excellent bread. The accompanying chips and salad were very good, as well.<br/><br/>So overall, it was a resounding thumbs up for the Compass. I was really impressed with the quality on offer and look forward to visiting again. Next time I’ll definitely give one or two of their seafood options a go. I’d heartily recommend a visit.<br/><br/>Scores<br/>Blythe scores the Compass<br/>4/5 for food<br/>3.5/5 for presentation<br/>4/5 for service<br/>4/5 for setting<br/>giving an overall 15.5/20<br/><br/>I ate: beetroot soup, steak sandwich<br/><br/>I drank: water<br/><br/>I wore: black and red<br/><br/>Total bill: £11.90

The Compass Leith - Magic. My friend and I recently visited The Compass in Leith and can't help but rave about it, as we enjoyed it so much. A very welcoming and cosy atmosphere awaited us, and the staff were very friendly.<br/><br/>We ordered mussels with white wine and garlic to share, I ordered the special of the day which was fillet of hake with mash, roasted vegetables and pesto dressing. <br/><br/>After ordering we were given glasses of water with cucumber and a bowl of mixed bread. The waitress then appeared with little cups of warm water with lemon to refresh our hands whilst eating the mussels. After that a large bowl of mussels were served, which were actually the smallest portion on the menu. They were very tasty.<br/><br/>My main course can only be described as beautiful. The fillet of hake was cooked just right. The fish flaked as soon I touched it and it went down a treat. After that I was left well and truly stuffed and had to pass on dessert.<br/><br/>Well worth a visit and you will be amazed at the price

Cosy comfort food. Occasionally I just want to kick back whilst someone else cooks delicious food for me. On just such a night Mr Bite and I headed to Compass Bar in Leith where the laidback tunes, soft candlelight and rustic wooden tables all create a vibe as relaxed as if you were curled up on your sofa. <br/><br/>As we settled, friendly staff bought us oil, balsamic, bread and water; always nice to have something to nibble on whilst you peruse the menu!<br/><br/>I ordered the chicken liver pate (£4.50) and Mr Bite decided on the smoked salmon, haddock and dill fishcakes with lemon aioli (£4.50). He is becoming a bit of an expert on fishcakes and all those preceding tonight's offering were immediately relegated. This one oozed fishy aroma and was large, round and plump as a bun. He loved the mix of creamy, smoky flavours and the über - lemony aioli provided piquancy. Meanwhile I tucked into my pâté which was deep, intense and primal in flavour with a pleasantly grainy texture; plenty of oatcakes, leaves and sweet onion marmalade completed the plate and Mr Bite thought his pint of Black Cuillen from the Isle of Skye complemented the pâté perfectly. <br/><br/>Next I chose a bargain from the specials board; hake fillet with bacon and chive mash and a white wine cream sauce (£8.95) and Mr Bite had the venison pie with green beans and mash (£9.25). My hake was creamy and well seasoned and the balance of flavours on my plate was well considered; salty bacon, silky cream, lemon and aromatic chive. Mr Bite's plate of food was indulgent but unfortunately the mammoth chunks of meat were in gravy that lacked depth and the mash really needed flavour and seasoning. A shame as it is the only criticism of our evening. <br/><br/>Dessert was two spoons and chocolate truffle with raspberry coulis (£4.25). Dark cocoa flavours, tart scarlet sauce and buttery melt in the mouth texture had us 'spoon-fencing'.<br/><br/>The Compass Bar has been serving great food for several years now. Prices have remained very keen and service is good. It has too often been overlooked by eating guides but locals are in the know and it remains very popular; the perfect place fore a weekday supper.

This may be sacrelige to fellow fans of the King's Wark but I think this is the best breakfast in Leith! Great produce well cooked, just the right size potions (huge but not obscene!). If only they did constant free refills of filter coffee like the Kingsit would be perfect! served til 5 on a Sunday, which is a bonus. The normal menu is great too, pub grub with a flourish and the staff are great. Highly recommend.