Makars Mash Bar

If you come to Edinburgh, you have to check out Makars Gourmet Mash Bar! We ordered the Free Range Gourmet Scotch Egg Starter, Mini Haggis, Neeps & Tatties Taster, Slow Cooked Lamb Shank, Slow Cooked Beef Shoulder and Bonnie Prince Charlie Spatcock Chicken. It was the first time I tried haggis, and I must say it blew my expectations out of the water. My personal favourite was the beef shoulder as the meat was very tender and chewy, complemented well with their horseradish infused gravy. The only mishap was that we underestimated the portion of the mash potatoes; it was huge! Because we ordered so many dishes that came with them, we got sock of potatoes for a few days after. Our bad. They do offer smaller portions, so we should’ve gone with that. Service staff were very friendly and accommodating. They always wore a smile on their faces during our visit, and were attentive to our demands. They would check in to make sure that we were enjoying our food and time at the restaurant. The space underground where we were seated was dimly lit with warm tones, complementing the wooden furniture, making it very comfortable for dining with friends and family for an hour or two. Upstairs on the ground floor, was very well lit, thanks to the large windows letting in plenty of sunlight. Walls were also decorated with murals and quotes that are pleasing to look at and inspiring to read! All in all, a unique experience dining at Makars, and am looking forward to visiting again!

Meals were excellent, both meat and vegetarian options. One meal was beef shoulder with cheddar mash whole the other was vegetarian sausage with bacon/onion mash. Equally tasty! The lion main fried bites are also a must try option. The wait was a bit long, on a Sunday night but it was worth it (we had no reservations prior). We managed desert as well, loved the clotted cream and berry mix. It's the correct amount of sweet (not very). Staff were super friendly and helpful as well. Stop in for a good warm meal!

One of the best slow-cooked lamb dishes I’ve ever had—exceptionally juicy, tender, and full of flavour. Clearly cooked with patience and care. The mashed potatoes were outstanding: creamy, comforting, and the perfect accompaniment to the lamb. It was also my first time trying haggis, and I was pleasantly surprised—it was genuinely nice and well prepared. A memorable meal that exceeded expectations and is well worth experiencing.

We weren’t sure what to expect. We thought it might be a tourist trap because of how busy it is, but we are really happy we decided to try it anyway. Book couple of weeks in advance, or be ready to wait for an hour. The service was nice and quick. The food is amazing. We ordered the lamb shank and the slow cooked beef, and for starters haggis and Scotch-egg. The meet was cooked to perfection and we really liked the gravy. We really enjoyed drinks. We have ordered Scottish lager and cider, and of course Irn Bru. It was nice to see that drinks are not some generic brands, but local to Scotland. Portions are very generous, so if you order a starter and a main, you won’t have space for a desert. Cozy atmosphere. If you want a hearty Scottish meal, this is the place. We will definitely go back.

One of the best meals I’ve had in my life. I had the chicken with the mustard mash and my partner had the beef. We also tried the haggis as a starter. It was excellent. Everything was cooked to perfection and delicious. Can’t recommend this enough, MUST GO! Our server was excellent and she helped us make good choices.

there’s a reason this is so highly rated! we were in edinburgh for just two nights and found out about this place v last minute on our last night. we headed to the walk in restaurant and found that the waitlist was closed unfortunately. we waited about 10 minutes outside to find an alternative but managed to get on the waitlist - bear in mind it was 1.5h wait. we were happy to find a pub and wait, and it was 100% worth it. the staff are lovely, the restaurant is cosy and the food is delicious. highly recommend the lamb (unsurprisingly) and the chicken. the mash is I think the best i’ve ever had and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since. best meal we had during our 2 week road trip of scotland. would also recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

We came across Makars Mash Bar online after reading rave reviews. We didn’t have a booking so we had to wait on our table. The text service was great as it allowed us to go away and get a notification when a table was available. Every single member of staff we came into contact with were so lovely, they are a real credit and should be commended for their customer service skills. The setting is super cosy and I loved the Scottish themed wall decals - it was very unique and charming and gave us something to look at/read whilst waiting on our food. The menu had lots of choice and the food arrived quickly. We chose the scotch egg and mushroom starters and the beef shoulder for our mains. The food was amazing - the beef was so tender and we loved the novelty of choosing our mash. I had the applewood smoked cheese mash and it was delicious! Portions are big, the gravy was lovely and the sides were incredible. Our only complaint is that we wanted to sleep afterwards as we felt so full! The food is total comfort food and made us feel like we were having a nice home cooked Sunday dinner. Being here felt like a warm hug - we didn’t want to leave and we felt so comfortable and at home. We can’t wait til’ the next time and we’ve already recommended this place to so many people.

The haggis with mashed potatoes and gravy was rich and comforting. The smoked bacon sauce was smooth and full of flavour, and the mash was creamy. It felt like real Scottish comfort food. The Scotch eggs were excellent. The outside was crispy, the meat was tasty, and the egg inside was soft and runny. They came with a nice creamy garlic sauce that worked very well. The lamb shank was the highlight. The meat was very tender and fell off the bone. The gravy was deep and delicious, and it went perfectly with the mashed potatoes and vegetables on the side. Overall, the food was hearty, well cooked, and full of flavour. A great choice if you want to try classic Scottish food in Edinburgh. The staff were friendly, welcoming, and helpful, making the whole dining experience relaxed and enjoyable.

Absolutely, 100% come here on your trip to Edinburgh. There are two restaurants. One for walk ins and the other for those with reservations so there is no excuse for not coming. We almost didn't come and that would've been such a mistake. The food here was my favorite of the entire trip. We got the lamb shank and mini haggis taster. I would get both again but definitely the lamb shank. It was perfection. I just wished it had the gravy from the mini haggis. You get to choose among a wide variety of mashed potatoes. We chose the bacon and spring onion. The mini haggis was super filling, tastes a bit like super savory pate. We saw the entree size and the size looked similar. I say get the mini so you can try other dishes. The lion manes bites were surprisingly good! I wasn't sure what to expect but this got me interested in doing their mushroom farm tour... We ended the meal with the sticky toffee pudding. This is our favorite dessert so we had to try it. It's much more lighter than we're used to, but delicious nonetheless. highly recommend!!

This would be an amazing place for date night if I lived here. It's cool because when you walk in you get this classy casual decor. Which makes the vibes feel really fun and loose but the food itself is top notch. It's hard to describe but really any one of all ages would enjoy this place, provided you made a reservation. This particular night I ordered the Beef Shoulder w/ Horseradish Gravy over Creamed Horseradish Mashed Potatoes and I truly think I had to best meal at the table. The beef was tender and had a lot of flavor with the gravy. But then you could take a bite with the potatoes and then a bite with the potatoes that also have a little of gravy. And before anyone is like, "Ew. That sounds like way too much horseradish." No homie. The spice is pretty mild. As someone who eats a lot when it's available, I think the potatoes were supposed to be more about infusing the flavor versus the heat. After all, they are supposed to be creamy too. I also gotta give a shoutout to the Scotch Eggs too. They definitely hit the spot as well. Overall I would recommend Makars to anyone staying in Edinburgh or nearby. The service was also amazing. We had questions about what to drink according to our dishes and our server helped each one of us. I also think it's cool how they have some decent veggie options too.

My spouse and I found ourselves with an open afternoon for lunch, so he swung by and was able to snag a same-day reservation. My only regret is that we didn't discover this spot sooner - I loved my meal and wish I'd had time to explore more of the menu. We ordered the chicken over cheddar mash, and everything was outstanding. It wasn't just the comfort-food factor or the potatoes (arguably the most perfect of foods); the care in preparation was obvious, and the flavors were truly fantastic. I'm wishing Makar's every success so they'll be around long enough for me to come back.

Came here especially for the gluten free scotch eggs and it delivered! Great space to hang out and grab a drink

Made a reservation a month and a half in advance due to the popularity. We arrived early and were able to get seated right away. The staff was friendly and the food came out promptly. I got rhubarb soda, scotch egg, and lamb shank with black pudding mash. I love anything rhubarb, and the soda hit the spot. I found the scotch egg to be warm, not hot, but the creamy sauce and egg were still delicious. The tender lamb shank fell off the bone and was huge. I couldn't finish, especially after eating the whole scotch egg. The mashed potatoes were creamy and had chunks of black pudding throughout. The gravy was savory and flavorful. The pickled veg that came with were disappointing and dry, however. My vegetarian friend got a smaller portion of the fried mushrooms. I tried one and thought they were a bit dry but worked with the cheesy mashed potatoes and sauce. She doesn't normally like mashed potatoes but really liked these.

Food is good! Service is ok. They're very popular so expect a really long wait. For a party of 6, we waited for less than an hour. Was notified through text or you can monitor status through the link they sent via text message. We ordered the following: * slow cooked lamb shank with an infused with port of leith tawny wine, rosemary & tomato sauce accompanied by mature Scottish cheddar cheese mash potato. * free range gourmet scotch egg starter * home grown lion's mane bites starter * a coke and ginger kombucha * sticky toffee pudding - super yummy We were seated outside, people waiting to be seated may be smoking so it's kind of annoying. There is a sign no smoking or vaping in the dining area though. Located close to the National Galleries Museum and the Royal Mile. A must try when in Edinburgh.

This place is absolutely wonderful! Make your reservation well in advance! Jake, our server, started off by letting me know that nearly everything is always GF! Woohoo! He has a wonderful personality and was terrifically helpful with helping my husband get over the "Haggis, Neeps and Tatties" hurdle, and boy, were we glad he did! The dish is absolutely delicious, and no American or Canadian should be afraid to try it! The scotch eggs? GF!! I haven't had a Scotch Egg in so long, and they were delicious - crunchy exterior, and perfectly cooked egg. Now for the main dish -- spatchcocked chicken with gravy over the smoked cheddar potatoes . . . absolutely spectacular. Our only downfall was that we got full! The diner next to us had the lamb shank, which he said was melt in your mouth quality, and paired it with the horseradish mash, which he said was outstanding. The ambiance of the place is great -- not really traditional "pub," but exposed brick . . . it does get a little loud, but they are very, very busy. The only downside was Hannah, the hostess, who was quite snippy with us because we were 5 minutes late to our reservation - she actually said "well, you're late, so I've given away your table." We almost left, but I am so glad we didn't. Ask for Jake -- he saved our evening!

When I went they weren't taking reservations but it was a 1hr wait. We waited since this was a must try on our vacation. The space was a little small and loud but we didn't mind. The wait staff were all very nice. We were blown away by our food. I was practically licking the plate. I highly recommend visiting here!

Soooo good! This non-franchise restaurant has a big reputation (as seen by the lines and crowds around the entrances) and deserves it. The food is very hearty and filling. Essentially Sunday Roast type meals sans the Yorkshire Pudding. We tried the Slow cooked Lamb Shank and the Crown of slow cooked Beef Shoulder meals and were very full at the end. The meals allow you the choice of mashed potatoes and the menu descriptions of all their dishes are mouth-watering (see my menu photos). For our mashed potato choices we had the Smoked Bacon and Spring Onion on one and the Stornoway Black Pudding on the other. I definitely loved the Spring Onion mashed potatoes. The meat was so tender and flavorful as well. Makars also has some great meat-free meal options and boast of a "Mushroom Emporium" in a downstairs cellar that you can visit (I did). This place is impressive and is likely the most popular restaurant in all of Edinburgh. Great food and service. That's what all restaurants should stive towards.

Two words: Delicious offerings! Two more words: Good Service! Started with the Scotch Egg, the only "not excellent" element of the meal. Good flavor, but it seemed like it was prepared hours earlier, so not hot. Being a bit timid (and mostly because I don't like lamb) I tried the veggie Haggis. Mind Blown! So many good flavors and textures, simply amazing! Had it with the sautéed broccoli instead of the mash, which was a good choice. The whisky peppercorn sauce was rich with a "lick your plate" vibe. The Mrs had the beef shank and classic buttery mash. The beef was fall off the bone tender and excellent! Desert was a mix of wonderful sorbets which was a perfect way to finish up!

We came here around 4pm without reservations and got added to their waitlist, estimated around an hour and a half. We came back around an hour and fifteen and they were able to seat us early! It smells like an absolute dream upon walking into this restaurant. There are other options on the menu if you don't want the classic mashed potatoes and meat, but I don't know why you would skip them! I got the classic mashed potatoes with a smaller portion of the chicken. It was FANTASTIC! My husband got the applewood mashed potatoes with the slow cooked beef and it was phenomenal. I did taste the horseradish faintly, so I was glad I got the chicken. The portions are huge, so I was grateful for the smaller portion option. The service was amazing, quick, and so friendly! Make reservations in advance, but know that the wait is in fact worth

Fantastic food. Just the type of hearty meal I expected to find in Scotland. Went to the Edinburgh under the castle location service was good. But not amazing. Prolly just due to the location being so over crowded. Had both the beef and the lamb shank on different occasions. Both amazing!!!! The scotch eggs kinda fell flat. Had better in Portland Maine. The mushroom weren't up to the hype either.

This place should be on your dining experience if you are visiting Edinburgh. Reservation is needed or you will put in a waiting list that can ruin your plan for the rest of the day. They have 2 restaurants adjacent to each other with a bit of different ambience between them. OK, the food? The famous lamb shank doesn't disappoint, the Scottish Egg is so delicious and the Sticky Toffee Pudding to end our dinner is to die for. Definitely one of my favorite choices to dine in the city.

Mr S had to try haggis! Our food here was good and the portions are huge! Friendly staff and very quick! Lamb was amazing and they have kids portions of a couple of menu items. Wait was only about 30 minutes and worth it.

Sometimes the internet famous places don't live up to expectations but let me tell you that the hype is real! The premise is interesting. You pick a base dish (like lamb or haggis or chicken) and then you select a mash (like cheddar are garlic) for it to sit atop. However, the execution is done well and the flavors are delicious. I got the lamb shank that was infused with port and it literally was falling off the bone. I also got a scotch egg and it was literally the best scotch egg I had all week. Be sure to make reservations as this place is popular but it did seem like there is a small offshoot around the corner for standby when we walked by.

Visited on 08/29/2025. The main restaurant has a long wait, but the "no reservations" area (a couple of doors down) was able to sit us on the patio right away. I got the lamb shank, and my friend got the sausage. Everything was very tasty, but nothing that made me rave either. I also ordered the scotch egg appetizer, which was flavorful, but the yolk was way too hard. Our waiter was very friendly and accommodating, and everything was neat and clean. I'd have no problem returning if others wanted to go, but with so many options near the royal mile, it is unlikely that a visit back here would be my first choice.

If you are seeking a potato based meal, Mash Bar is for you. Even if you are not, it might still be a solid restaurant to consider. Service is friendly and patient. Options, while not extensive, are far from what I would consider limited. Basically you pick a protein to be stacked on top of mash potatoes with your choice of sauce. I did the mustard grain mash and really dug them. The lamb was also fall off the bone good. They have a decent drink selection and enough room that you don't feel like you are piled on top of each other. A reservation is recommended, however, they have a small spot for walk-ins should you not have one. Enjoy!

A little off the main road but easy to find. The place does get very busy. We were sat outside and the Scottish weather did its thing and it started to lightly rain. Our tables umbrella didn't work and there were any other seats available right away which was a bummer. We were moved as soon as a seat opened. We ordered the mini haggis as we had been in Scotland for over three weeks and had yet to try it. We also ordered a plate with sausages and one with the chicken. The chicken had to be my favorite but all were good.

So easy to see why this restaurant is ranked high - they do what they do very well! Can't go wrong with any of the combinations - choose your meat and your mash, and DEF get the desserts. Have to stop here in Edinburgh.

I made reservations for almost every night in Edinburgh except the day I arrived via train. After a quick Yelp search, I landed on Makars Mash, and I'm so glad I gave it a go. I don't know what I was expecting but the food blew my mind! Since I'm too chicken to try real haggis, I ordered the vegetarian knock-off with creamed horseradish mash in a peppercorn sauce (I asked for extra spicy), and the combination was exceptional! The dish was intense and full of flavor, and it was a fantastic introduction to Scottish comfort food. I also tried the Scottish cider brand Thistly Cross for the first time here, and it was one of the best ciders I've ever had! Seriously, I've been searching high and low, trying to find the cider stateside now that I'm back home, and I'm sad to say I haven't had any luck :( Anyways, I highly recommend Makars Mash for anyone visiting Edinburgh. Keep in mind though, it's a pretty popular spot so you'll have to deal with a waitlist - but trust me, it's worth it!

Amazing food! Friendly service and smells amazing inside. Every meat we tried was delicious!

This is absolutely a MUST visit, especially for the meatless eaters among us! Holy crap, their vegan haggis is absolutely epic. As soon as I had my first bite, I wanted to ask for the recipe. The combination of textures from the seeds and chestnuts makes it incredibly satisfying to eat, paired with the creamy mash of your choice for an unbeatable full plate. I got the mustard mash which had a nice bite to it, offsetting the heaviness a bit. Super comforting and cozy, it's the perfect sort of thing for a chilly day, which seems to be most around here. Also, the lion's mane mushroom bites are excellent, too! Simple but crispy and meaty, served with a subtle vegan aioli for dipping, they're great for sharing with friends while having a pint. I happened to enjoy them alongside a locally brewed ginger kombucha. 11/10, absolutely phenomenal.

There is a reason why this has become one of the most popular restaurants in Edinburgh. It's not the fanciest place, but serves up delicious meat / mashed potato combos. They are also one of the few places (supposedly) that mades its haggis in-house. And so, I had to order the homemade beef-lamb haggis with mild smoked applewood cheese mash (18.50 GBP). The way it works is you pick your meat (or vegetarian option) + your mash option. The haggis was indeed delicious and so was the mash. There was also a nice peppercorn and cream sauce to go along with the haggis and mash. It might not look like it from the photo, but the portion size was actually quite big, so the price was justified. Because it's so popular, there is almost always a wait to get a table unless you line up before it opens at noon (which is what I did and would recommend). The interior is not particularly big, but there is comfortable seating with a wooden, homey environment. When trying to find the bathroom, I also happened to discover a (not so) secret underground level where they have their "mushroom emporium" (where they grow their own mushrooms) - this was very cool to see. My waiter was super friendly and the service was both attentive and quick. Overall, I really don't have any complaints about Makars Gourmet Mash Bar. If you are looking for some good meat (real or vegetarian) + mash, then this is the place to go!

My favorite food is mashed potatoes, so what could be better than a mash bar? We did not make a reservation, which in hindsight would have been a good idea, we walked in and they were able to us on a list. We went to a bar nearby for around an hour and then were able to be seated. Most of the seating is downstairs. The environment is relaxed, some fun decor on the walls. The service is relaxed and friendly as well. We started with a scotch egg, which I love and wanted to try in Scotland. This was the only disappointment we had, I thought their version was just ok, a bit dry and not seasoned as well as I'd like. My friend and I split the lamb and the bacon and chive mash. They have several options for the mash you can choose from. The lamb and the mash were fantastic, the lamb was flavorful and fell off the bone. The mash had good flavor and texture. A great option in old town Edinburgh!

Hands down one of the best restaurants around! We didn't have an appointment, but we're seated within 30 minutes. The service was great, quick and super friendly. Ambiance was adorable whether you sat upstairs or down stairs. Food hands down was some of the best I've had. I don't usually like lamb but decided to try it. WOW! That and the beef shoulder were super tender, the sauce was packed with flavor and their mash is delish. Even though we were running out of room, we had to try the toffee pudding and it was worth every bite!

We were seated downstairs near the stairs that led to mushroom emporium. Decor was eclectic with a mixture of bench and chair seating. Our server was friendly and helpful. She explained the concept of the mains which revolved around 9 different flavors of mash (mashed potatoes). She also highlighted their mushroom dishes which were grown and harvested on site. The lions mane mushroom bites were fried and crispy in a savory whisky cream sauce. The mash was smooth and creamy with bits of bacon and green onions. The lamb shank was size-able with a good amount of tender meat. It was served on top of stornoway black pudding mash which was even richer. I went down to the mushroom emporium to take a peek. It was dark with luminescent paints and little lighting to get around. There were some displays of mushrooms and explanations printed on paper. By the time we wrapped up our meal the place was full. Nice filling meal overall. Too full to get desserts.

People are crazy about this place in the Facebook groups on Scottish travel and after eating here, I would say rightly so. I couldn't get a reservation several weeks before our trip, but then I lucked out at 6 p.m. on a Saturday night, no less, and an empty table opened up outside just as I walked in. Heaters weren't operating and it was cold and windy but still worth it. We started with the mini haggis and neeps and tatties taster. We ordered it vegan and thought the haggis was much better than the non-vegan haggis we tried the night before. The neeps and tatties (mash and turnips in peppercorn sauce I believe) tasted like Thanksgiving to me, which was a good thing. My son and I shared a smoked bacon and spring onion mash with beef and horseradish gravy. It was as yummy as it sounds. My husband and daughter shared some meat and mash that didn't have bacon or horseradish (they're missing out) but I think had mushrooms. Everyone loved their food. Somehow we found room for dessert. I seem to recall it was an excellent crumble. There appear to be two storefronts for this place in the same block so if you can't get into one, try the other!

Delicious!!! There was a long queue with average waiting hour being about an hour. We were able to get someone else's reservation and waited for 30 minutes instead. Had a table in their basement seating area. The food is definitely worth the wait. Love the spice. I started with scotch egg, haggis, had the Mushroom as entree, and ended with the Scottish dessert. I'm so full now but very happy and satisfied.

Roman, my waiter, was very friendly and helpful. They let me drink my cider without rushing. Casual spot on the corner with a steady stream of clientele. Started off with a scotch egg. It was pretty good. Ordered the beef with mild cheese mash and a side of lions mane. I recommend this place for a casual dinner, a nice date, students, elderly, middle-aged people, really anyone at all. If you plan to go for dinner, I recommend very strongly having a reservation! Give me plenty of complementary water, and I also had a nice local cider. I was way too full for dessert! The puddings menu looked good, and they do not have a fried Mars bar. If I lived anywhere near here, I would definitely venture back soon and can see why this is so highly rated.

We enjoyed our neef dish here with the standard mash dish. It was very tasty and reminded me of a pot roast. I'm not sure it was outstanding and worth the long wait though. Service was efficient but not anything special.

Holy cow! Get a reservation. Go here. Eat to your hearts content. You can already see how many people love this place and for good reason. It is amazing food, the people are great and there is zero reason to hesitate putting this on your list of places to eat. You get to order your meat, pick a type of mashed potatoes you want and just enjoy your meal. Truly there is nothing I would want more on a cold Scottish evening. But get a reservation! Getting a walk-up table is tough on busy weeks.

This little spot is crazy popular and I can see why. The vegan haggis was very good. A touch sweeter than we expected with the addition of sweet potato's on top but the flavor was good. I had the roast beef bowl with the bacon and onion mash. The beef was soft tender and the potato's were creamy. My mom ordered the cauliflower and potato soup which was puréed and had a curry/turmeric flavor she was not expecting as it was not listed on the menu. Sadly she didn't care for it but those of us who tasted it and like curry flavor did think it was good. Service was swift but not attentive. We saw the waiter once when he took our order and again when he brought the bill.

We had really high expectations for this place since it is so popular. Their mashed potatoes are really good. But the proteins could use some help. The beef was a bit tough and the chicken was a bit bland. The scotch egg tasted terrible and the egg was overcooked. My vegetarian friend loved her fried mushrooms though. Service was fast and drinks were on point.

Very late review but I had to come back and highlight this restaurant that gave me the best meal I ate in the UK and the most memorable experience too! The line outside this place is well deserved and well worth as well. If you find yourself tired after walking for hours and need a meal that will just completely fill you up this place is the answer. I honestly forgot what I ordered (I think it was the most recommended item) but it was so delectable I literally cleared the WHOLE PLATE. The meat was so tender, the mash was made with buttery and garlic-y goodness, and the pickled vegetables were just the right refreshing bite to cut the heaviness. 10 out of flippin 10. We also tried Scottish eggs for the first time and they were so good! Crispy texture and oddly enough not super heavy. 8/10 I would also like to s/o the host for being THAT guy. He handled the hectic line with grace and was conversationally fluent in mandarin. I was impressed, my jaw on the floor. He also gave us much better seats than our original spots, so sir if you are reading this you are a king and u slay

Cute location in Old Town, but feels like you're not in a touristy spot. Seated right away at our reservation time, even though it was busy. The waiters were very attentive and helpful with a dairy intolerance. They can make almost everything dairy-free (except the cheesy potatoes). We loved how customizable it was. I wish we could have tried all the food! If you're going to get a local drink, the thistly hard cider was delicious. Super gluten-free friendly as well, most things are gluten free. Even the desserts.

LOVED this place!! Found this on yelp while visiting Edinburgh and so happy I listened to all the yelp reviews because it did not disappoint. I got lucky and showed up without a reservation then settled thirty mins later but I wouldn't chance it if I were you because this place had all tables full at all times. Lamb shank with horseradish mash - 10/10 best lamb I've ever tasted. It's so good. Only order the horseradish mash if you like the flavor of it because it's definitely a present flavor. Beef shoulder with aged mash- 10/10 when I say this beef was sooo tender I mean you just touch it and it falls apart. Delicious!!! Haggis - 5/10 I think the fact that I knew what was in haggis grossed me out but the taste wasn't awful. I'm going to say this is probably the BEST place to try haggis for the first time. The gravy was really good it tasted like KFC gravy but if KFC gravy was made at a restaurant. Definitely try this once.

This was one of our favorite dinners on our whole trip. While the number of entrees wasn't too large, there was plenty to choose from and each one we tried was excellent. Others in my group had the lamb, beef and chicken. I had the haggis and loved it. Everyone's mash (mashed potatoes) was perfectly cooked as well. Our servers Henrique and Bev were great. I would highly recommend this restaurant!

This place Rocks! The service was great when we ask questions the right server came over that could answer our questions. The Ambiance and atmosphere is casual and busy but the staff did not make us feel like we were rushed and took great care of us. Their local brews were great we decided on having the Pilot Blond Oats IPA which was very crisp and fresh. I had the Lamb shank with red wine gravy and I got the smoked applewood mash. It was fabulous!!! My partner had the Boar Sausage with Horseradish cream mash which was great. We will visit again when we are back in Edinburgh.

A surprising find in Edinburgh. Although it is highly rated we didn't really know what to expect until we got there. A casual place and very crowded. You get a selection of entrees but the highlight is the multiple choice offerings of potatoes. I guess hence the name duh. Sticky toffee pudding is a delight.

An amazing Scottish experience. Absolutely great staff that also gave us recommendations for other places in Scotland. Boar sausage with horseradish mash potatoes covered in a caramelized onion gravy- magnificent. Beef shoulder with cheddar cheese mashed potatoes- superb. Make reservations because this place is awesome.

This restaurant is very popular and often called the best in the UK. Service was good and the staff were friendly, with great presentation on the dishes. The meat was tender but lacked flavor; overall, it's decent, but I don't get the hype.

Saw this place on YouTube and had to try it. Loads of good food and cool people taking care of the customers. Awsome beverage menu with anything you need. The atmosphere is casual and trendy and cozy all at once. Awesome food to boot.

I was able to get a table quickly and service has been great! I got the lamb and black pudding mash and a scotch egg. Everything was well made, the meat was tender, and the mash was delicious. The portions are big so I wasn't able to finish it all. I actually came for the honey-glazed smoked gammon but unfortunately they don't make it anymore. The place is busy and popular but at least they have two locations right next to each other so you should be able to find a table relatively fast. The restaurant has about a slightly above average level of noise but nothing too distracting.

Best mashed potatoes ever. Do make reservations in advance though. We couldn't get in the first night we tried and had to return another day to try this place out. Well worth it!

We followed the Yelp reviews and ended up here on our first night in Edinburgh and were not disappointed. The host and server, Jess, were very welcoming. We did not have a reservation, but we only had to wait 20 minutes. We started with the yummy Lion's Mane mushrooms, and they were delicious! My husband had the lamb shank, and I had the beef. We both cleaned our plates and the portions were generous. You can't go wrong here, and the high volume of demand proves it. Definitely add this spot to the top of your list.

One of the best meals I've had here in Scotland. Yum yum yum. The wait is long if you don't have a reservation but is worth it. Come earlier and put your name on the waitlist. The gravies are rich and delicious and the meat for the all of the dishes just falls off the bone.

A must visit place while in Edinburgh. An icon in Scottish food. they take reservations, it gets booked quickly but also take walk-ins although the average wait is an hour. Great atmosphere , good food but limited variety/options. You will enjoy it!

Phenomenal meats and mash. 100% lives up to its reputation and hype. Lamb shank was perfectly prepared and not gamey at all. Would recommend the classic mash for this. The cheddar becomes an odd contrast and took away from the lamb flavor imho. Beef shoulder was perfectly cooked as well. A bit fatty in the center but easily scraped out. Went well with either the classic or the cheddar mash. The scotch egg was good but the dipping sauce was odd to our palates. Likely just our inexperience. Still very good. Come here with a reservation or be prepared for a long wait in queue. But it is worth the wait!

This place was delicious!! The mash potatoes were soooo good. I got the chicken one and it was so flavorful didn't feel heavy at all. The whiskey selection is okay I didn't really like it but the food was really good and even tho they were busy, they were very attentive. Make sure you get a reservation!