The Hermitage is a longstanding gastropub on Comiston Road in Morningside. It is a friendly, traditional bar with contemporary flourishes such as the eye-catching, wildlife-themed wallpaper on a feature wall. Live music and a regular pub quiz keep it all lively while the outdoor seating area is always much sought after when the sun comes out.
The Hermitage serves the sort of no nonsense, hearty food that you wish you got at home. Popular starters include the haggis spring rolls with brown sauce; Shetland mussels in a cider and bacon sauce plus sharing options such as nachos or the Italian deli board.
The main courses range from pub classics such as the beer-battered haddock with skin in chips to the Scottish beef burger. The menu changes regularly but typical dishes might be the Thai spiced pork belly; the chickpea and butternut squash tagine or the duck breast with fondant potatoes, buttered fine beans and a plum jus.
Desserts such as the chocolate hazelnut cheese cake with vanilla ice cream would not look out of place in a restaurant. The Sunday roast is always popular. Who could say no to roast beef with duck fat roast potatoes, honey and rosemary roast carrots and parsnips plus Yorkshire pudding and real beef jus?
The Hermitage is on Comiston Road in Morningside. There is limited on-street parking and several bus routes run past the pub to and from the city centre. The nearest train station is at Waverley, a fifteen minute drive.