Mary's Milk Bar

Phenomenal! Undoubtedly the best gelato I’ve had. It’s that good we went back. We had lavender and lemon curd, caramel fig and cardamom sorbet, salted caramel and spiced pumpkin and apple. Unique flavours that you won’t find elsewhere that are just delicious.

Mary’s milk bar had a great menu with delicious offerings. It gets busy really quick and while we got there at the right time (just when it opened), when we walked by a few hours later they had a queue down the street and up the stairs around the corner. Definitely worth going - just be prepared that you may have to wait your turn!

The best ice cream! First trip to Scotland and this was the best thing I ate. My husband who does not like sweet said this was the best ice cream he’s ever had in his life. This place was so memorable with the flavors! The best flavor was the cherry and cream. We did try salted caramel and the goat cheese and fig honey and those were pretty great as well.

Short wait but the ice cream was definitely worth it. Creamy without being too heavy and mildly sweet without being overpowering. Tried salted caramel, whisky oats and cherry flavors. All were good and grabbed seat in park opposite to enjoy while people (and pigeon) watching.

WORTH THE WAIT. The queue overall moves pretty quickly. The longest we waited was around 15 minutes. They have daily new flavors. We tried a couple of them. My personal favorite, the spaghetti sundae! You can pick your gelato flavor and they top it with milk ice spaghetti, cherry meatballs, grated white chocolate, pepper (yesss!!)and bread crumbs (and maybe even salt). The whole combination is an explosion in your mouth. The staff is friendly, helpful and patient. We took the ice creams outside, sitting on the grass enjoying the sun and people passing by, there are worse ways to pass your time.

To get a free parking , you need to arrive early in the Sunday morning, then enjoy the stroll along the Vennel , which is a historic, narrow, cobbled staircase ; a vennel is a Scottish term for a lane or alley. Or pop in to have a chill time in any Grassmarket cafes. Around 11, start to queue up here, where you can enjoy the scenery of Castle. The ice cream selection varies everyday, the frequent locals showed much appreciation on the corn and pepper taste , which is the most impressive ones . The ice cream texture is soft compared to Hagen Daze, the taste is mild sweet with strong ingredients flavor , look fresh. Choosing 3 flavors may be worth of money . Queuing up before lunch time is more efficient. Otherwise you need to spend longer time.

This place is highly reviewed and the gelato did not disappoint. We enjoyed the dark chocolate as well as the salted caramel. Limited seating but the shop itself is lovely.

Popular for a reason. We had to queue, but the line went quickly. I got salted caramel of course. It was delicious and the staff was very nice. I tried to go back before I left Scotland, but it was a time they weren't open :'(

Just as described ....absolutely best ice cream with amazing daily flavors . I opted for the lavender /lemon curd paired with a scoop of plum . Amazing . Service was friendly and helpful ---but be ready to wait in line . Others have a deep appreciation for all things at Mary's! Visit this little quaint bright gem in Grass-market!

Place is small, but line moves quick. They had 10 flavors, they allow tasting of a couple if you ask. Very friendly service and outstanding ice cream. I had the dark chocolate and salted caramel in a waffle cone. Worth the wait.

There is always a line at this place so I knew I had to go. The ice gelato was calling my name. Daily they offered limited flavors but there was a freshness to y gelato that made my tongue dance. Now I understand the like. This is a small place so you que up outside - somewhat of a quaint ambiance. The chocolate gelato is very rich. Yum

While we were in line, a man passed by whispering "it's really goood". And he was right. It's really really good. There's no shortage of gelato shops in the area, but Mary's is doing something special. I enjoyed a cup of the cherry and cream and dark chocolate and it was so good! Rich, creamy and perfect! My husband got the pistachio and salted caramel, which was equally lovely! The line moves quickly but you never feel rushed once inside. They're kind and thoughtful, even greeting nicely the young children ahead of us in line!

This ice cream is next-level good. Don't be put off by the long line (if there is one); it moves fast, and the ice cream is worth the wait. The only downside is a limited selection of flavors, many or most of which have unusual ingredients that might not appeal to less-adventurous eaters.

The queue was worth it! Only 8 allowed in at a time but a very clear queueing system on the edge of the street for this cute storefront. I had sized up my choice from the menu in the store window (goat milk and fig jam), but tried hazelnut, cantaloupe and ricotta and orange once in store as well and it was all amazing. Great variety of innovative flavors, deliciously well done, and great milky ness. Thanks for accommodating our large group order of 12 with ease!

So good that I visited Mary's every night . Coffee Cream, Dark Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Rosemary Chocolate Chip all were amazing. You can taste the freshness. So light and creamy

Very please to say that my first try of Mary's milk bar gelato lived up to the hype. I had a one scoop cone of hazelnut flavour and it was delicious, probably the best ice cream/gelato (what's the difference?) I've had. Smooth, rich, creamy, nicely flavoured. Top notch. And I didn't even have to wait that long!

Very overhyped and flavors didn't live up to expectations. Staff was very friendly however. Definitely look towards other places for Gelato and ice cream than Mary's when in Edinburgh

All the hype was worth it. Perfect little ice cream shop with amazing views of the castle. Not to be missed!

Excellent ice cream. We tried 4 different flavors and they were all delicious. There was a long line but it move pretty fast and it was very worth. We ate our ice cream on the lawn just below Edinburgh Castle while listening to bag pipe music. Lovely!

Amazing gelato and wonderful service. For being in such a high-traffic area the wait was minimal. Definitely a must-visit spot in Edinburgh!

Mary's spot is probably the most underrated ice cream joint in Edinburgh. It's probably the best ice cream I have had in several countries. The cream has a smooth luscious creamy taste. I have not had ice-cream like this since I was a child. Excellent. Thank you for what you do. You brighten people's days.

On our way to Vennel Viewpoint, we saw about two dozen people in line. We decided to join them. We had the sweet corn, burnt butter and black pepper along with the cherry in cream. We barely tasted any corn. The staff were very nice. I just wish we liked their ice cream better.

What a cute place! The hot chocolate and gelato is amazing. Very rich and decadent. The store is very charming and even has a view of the castle. The inside is quirky decor and even has stools and tables made out of recycled milk bottle caps. Every detail is unique. The waitstaff was extremely kind. I would recommend this place to anyone! Especially during a cold day to warm up with their hot beverages,

What an adorable ice cream shop! I was craving ice cream while walking around Edinburgh and happened upon Mary's Milk Bar, forgetting that I had bookmarked it prior to my trip as a place I really wanted to visit. The shop is smaller but it's decorated with lots of bright and colorful accents. They had a bunch of flavors available, plus chocolates and other treats you could purchase for takeaway. I settled on a cup of salted caramel and it was delicious! The shop is located across from outdoor seating, so I took my cup and sat on a bench looking up at Edinburgh Castle. Can't say I've ever had an ice cream with a better view!

tldr: Go here for ice cream / gelato. This is easily in the top 5% of ice cream / gelato shops I've been to throughout East Asia, Europe, and N America. Mary's Milk Bar clearly strategized how to develop the best flavors and textures when it comes to gelato, ice cream, or sorbet. The flavors are all natural. The texture is extremely smooth and creamy. The flavors are not just standard chocolate, vanilla, etc. but include passion fruit, rice, and more. The service is excellent and the location in Old Town is beautiful and convenient.

Ice cream was delicious! I actually got a raspberry sorbet and it was very good. Could tell it was fresh and light. There weren't as many options as I thought. No regular flavors. All unique. Definitely a good place if you like diffident flavors of ice cream rather than chocolate and vanilla. Cute shop and super close to tourist attractions.

There was a long line outside at about 5pm on a wednesday, but WORTH THE WAIT! The staff was soo friendly and the inside was adorable. Convenient from the royal mile. Hazelnut was a hit! Loved the caramel flavor as well. Will be back :)

While walking along Grassmarket street we noticed an establishment with a long wait line and we got curious. We stood in line, for about 20 minutes, and got a cone of salted caramel and a cone of Hazelnut . After tasting the gelato, you understand why there's such a long line to get some. The gelato is delicious and very light and fluffy, one of the best ice creams I've ever eaten.

Super long lines so don't be put off! It's tiny inside, so chances are the line outside is the only line there is. It's all handmade and the flavors are quite inventive. The prices are reasonable too. When you have your ice cream, you can eat it right below the castle!

Best ice-cream I've ever tried in my life, and I've tried plenty. All the flavors were unique and made me happy :) definitely a staple in Edinburgh... a must visit

Some of the best ice cream I've ever had. The store is adorable, the staff was welcoming, and the ice cream was to die for. The flavors change daily and are super unique. I got the fig and ricotta which was excellent. The line can get long around 1-2pm. We got there around 12 and waited for about 20 minutes. Worth the wait!

Lovely service and tasty ice cream! Uncommon & exciting flavors! Different flavors highlighted daily.

We had the regular hot chocolate. It was ok. It was rich yes, but a little grainy (not smooth). And the interior is very small so not much seating on a blustery cold day. But the staff are extremely inviting and friendly so I say 4 stars! They also serve gelato and a hot chocolate "float" which is hot chocolate with gelato added but we didn't try those so can't speak to the quality.

We were on the Grassmarket and saw Mary's Milk Bar. One pistachio, one blue cheese & walnut and one cherry cream gelato. All excellent quality and interesting flavours. Worth the visit.

Small place with good, fresh ice cream. There was a line out the door but it was definitely worth the wait, especially on a nice day.

Shop was in a great location. There was no place to sit inside but across the street there are a few benches in the square. I had the salted caramel swirl. Delicious! Some flavors were classic (chocolate, milk..) and some were very unique. Very cute shop.

Mary's is simply a spontaneous delight. There are about 6-8 daily flavours to choose from, all of which are freshly crafted on premises. Her ice cream is that delicate balance of sweet cream cushioning an abundant fragrance of an ingredient. A trip to Mary's means a minimum two scoops for me every time. The milk flavour is a dollop of pure milky snow, light and coaxing on the palate. It serves as a good enough reason for that second scoopful. Seasonally working in local ingredients for a creative output on what ice cream can be, flavours you wouldn't much expect for ice cream have proudly been shared and contently gorged. I like Mary's like a primary school kid likes recess. Running outdoors at the ring of the bell to play competitive hopscotch is like my race to get that prized flavour at Mary's before the flavour runs out. Bravery permitting, I'd jollily skip along outside with heavily topped cone in tow, to convert pint guzzlers into cone holding cherubs.

Best thing you could ever possibly put in your mouth. Truly. The line is absolutely worth it.

When we approached Mary's Milk Bar, there was a line of at least 25 people outside and we were hesitant on if we should wait. Long story short, we are so glad we did! I had the pistachio gelato and had never had anything like it - it was perfectly creamy, nutty, salty and, sweet. Definitely a must try!

I tried the dark chocolate and salted caramel..i like both flavors..taste really good!! CONCLUSION = RECOMMENDED!!

10 out of 10, will try again. I would honestly just make a trip up to Edinburgh just for the ice cream because it is the bomb dot com. My friend recommended this place to me, and naturally it was a must try. It's just off Victoria Street in the Edinburgh Grassmarkets, so it was super convenient to check out in between site seeing. I tried three favors on a waffle cone: salted caramel, milk, and pistachio. Each scoop was quite generous and piled onto a waffle cone. The ice cream was smooth and creamy. The ice cream was not overwhelmingly sweet; it was the perfect balance. My favorite was definitely the milk and pistachio. The former is like an elevated, creamy vanilla while the latter had very intense flavor that made it seem like the pistachio was freshly ground into the cream. Apparently, the flavors are made fresh everyday so it's a rotating selection - you never know what's there the next day. The shop itself was very whimsical. The decor was pastel green and pink with tiles. It felt like stepping into a retro kitchen. (Therefore, it's super instagrammable.) I went around 2:00pm and just beat the crowd. By the time I was finished eating, there was a line out the door. A must try even if you have a couple hours in Edinburgh, this should be at the top of your list.

Genuinely not worth the line. I am eating the ice cream and enjoying it enough, but it was not worth the incredibly long line. It's just ice cream. Mary's milk bar? More like Mary's Mid Bar.

The location at Edinburgh Grassmarkets is so ideal with a view of Edinburgh Castle. The decor inside is really cute and bright too! I popped in during my visit to Edinburgh because 1) I love ice cream and 2) I love Instagrammable spots, and Mary's Milk Bar has both. They have a lot of options like milkshakes and mochas, but I was there for ice cream. I love that they have a lot of different and unique flavors (for example: I sampled the olive oil flavor) I ended up taking the salted caramel, a good classic. The ice cream is really good and I enjoyed visiting, definitely a great spot for a snack or dessert in Edinburgh.

Wasn't my favorite gelato but it surely hit the spot after a few hours exploring the castle on the hill. The milk was a flavor I'd never seen before but is apparently v common. Milk and dark chocolate make for a great (seemingly classic) combo and two scoops is plenty for one person. Worth coming in for sure.

I stopped in here a couple times during my week in Edinburgh - first time I went with the mocha, and the second time I opted for the hot chocolate. The mocha was very good, but the hot chocolate blew me away. It really was like drinking high quality chocolate that had been melted down in some milk - and I'm sure that's exactly what they do here. It's served in a small cup, but a little goes a long way. The shop also sells chocolate pieces so you can make your own, as well as small gift sets of fancier chocolates. Staff were friendly, and they were constantly busy even in November - despite the fact that ice cream is one of their specialties. If it's crowded when you walk up, don't let that stop you - turnaround was quick, service was friendly, and the drinks are definitely worth the wait.

It never really gets warm enough in Edinburgh for me to crave ice cream (I know... who the heck am I not to crave it all the time right?!?). Anyways it was one glorious sunny day and after walking around the grass market area I found Mary's! I lucked out there was no queue. I have to say the service was friendly and they have the best salted caramel ice cream. They even put that sauce in a jar and they sell it! So smart! Also I can't not mention that their store surroundings is so IG worthy!

Today's the day. After 18 months living in Edinburgh, I finally made it to Mary's Milk Bar and holy cow, it was amazing. As I sit in the shop not wanting to leave, I'm reflecting on the hot chocolate float that has continued to receive rave reviews from locals and tourists alike. I treated myself to a hot chocolate float opting for a salted caramel icecream and this was hands down the best I've ever had. Life complete. It's chocolatey, creamy, hot and cold at the same time, not overly sweet and just lush. I wish I could use more words to continue raving about the sheer awesomeness of my hot chocolate but I'm sure you get the gist. A must try here in Edinburgh. I've luckily nabbed myself a spot at lunchtime mid-week and I'm one of two customers here so I'm pretty chuffed, but I have no doubt that the line would be going out the door during busy periods. The shop self itself is so cute, but tiny! I'd heard this but was surprised as the limited seating available. There are benches right across the street to enjoy your icecream outside so it shouldn't be too much of an issue and if it happens to be you end up standing outside to enjoy your icecream, it'll totally be worth it.

I waited in line with 6 of us total for 25 minutes and we all agreed it was worth it. The honey and lavender was amazing and tasted like being in a lavender field. You won't regret waiting. Flavours see to Change regularly.

This was some of the best ice cream/gelato I've ever had! So glad we were staying closeby so we could stop in twice! The place has a very cute vibe and their merchandise/other goodies for sale are worth a look. My favorite flavors were pistachio (10/10 AMAZING) and olive oil oregano (9/10 awesome unique taste!). Just be warned that your favorite flavor my not be there when you arrive! They keep a few consistent flavors but rotate through their others. I love that they make unique flavors, but even the staples such as their Milk and Dark Chocolate were to die for!

Two friends and I stopped by for a sweet treat after lunch on an uncharacteristically sunny Friday afternoon around 2 pm. My friends had been here the day before as well and insisted I try it too. There was a queue, but it wasn't too long (when we passed by a few hours later, there were far more people) and we were served in about 15 minutes. The prices are posted on a board outside, but you don't know what the flavors of the day will be until you get far up enough in the line to see them behind the case. The day I went, the flavors included rose, strawberry, bramble, fig marscapone, hazelnut, spiced coffee, and dark chocolate (I may be missing a few more). It was so hard to decide, especially since you don't have much of a window between when you get within sight of the flavors and when it's your turn to order, but I went with the fig and the bramble and didn't regret it. The fig had chunks of caramelized fig in, and the bramble was delightfully fruity. One of my friends got the rose and really enjoyed it, describing the rose flavor as subtle, rather than overpowering as she had feared. One of the customers ahead of us seemed extremely disappointed they didn't have pistachio that day; the staff indicated the flavors changed daily, and even sometimes every few hours. My 2 scoops in a cone cost £3.50, and I felt I got a reasonable amount of gelato for the price and quality. I believe they accept card, but if your order is under the card minimum (I think it's £10 or £15), they charge 50% of your total as a transaction fee, so definitely be sure to bring cash. The staff were really friendly and efficient; 1 of them did the scooping and relayed the price to the other, who took the payment and provided change. This worked out pretty seamlessly for me at least, and I never found myself having to juggle my wallet, change, and cone. The shop was adorably decorated but really small; this is essentially a takeaway place. Since it was about 80 degrees Fahrenheit when I was there, the shop was really stuffy and hot and we wanted to eat outside anyway. However, I can see the lack of seating being annoying if you stop by on a cold day. This was a really fantastic gelataria and I would definitely return if I'm ever back in Edinburgh. I was really impressed by the creative flavors. The shop is conveniently located right by a lot of the tourist sites and Old Town. Definitely recommend!

Very recommended for ice cream in edinburgh. Got the vanilla and it was amazing and i know its basic but its super good. Its close to victoria street and the castle. Cheers! I hope this helps!

the hot chocolate came in a little styrofoam cup and a part of my soul withered away. Nothing special for the price it was ngl

The best ice cream (not gelato) in Edinburgh. It is small batch, infused with love, joy, and fresh ingredients from the owner. The flavor combinations are novel, but not for their own sake. It's obvious that Mary has done some painstaking work and experimentation in selecting her featured flavors which tend to rotate on a daily basis. It kind of reminds me of the hand paddled ice cream of Jeni's before she became a worldwide phenomenon and ambassador for artisanal ice cream. But don't let this description of the shop mislead you-- this is a cozy and affordable option for really delicious ice cream in Edinburgh. On a sidenote: Those wanting gelato should head over to Artisan on Cockburn-- which is currently hands down the most flavorful gelato in Edinburgh. As you can tell, I eat a lot of ice cream and gelato all over the world. This is one of my favorite spots and it's definitely one of the gems of Grassmarket.

I came here on a recent trip to Edinburgh, it was a sweet treat with a beautiful view of the castle. I enjoyed the ice cream, tea, and overall decor of the place, it was very charming. I was lucky enough to snag seating in the window, if there's no seating-- you can always walk around outside and enjoy the castle views. When I'm in Edinburgh again, I'll definitely be back!

Very fresh and high quality gelato! Fat content was just right for the appropriate creaminess. I loved how it was scooped where the flavors were side by side and not on top of each other. The salted caramel was tasty and did not melt too fast. The blueberry was very fresh.

Mary's Milk Bar is one of the best things to happen to Edinburgh's Instagame. What a perfect location / opportunity for a summertime ice cream shot in front of Edinburgh Castle! And the decor inside this whimsical Scottish ice cream shop is 100% Insta Worthy. Putting my basic-ness aside, Mary's Milk Bar is as pleasing to the eye as it is to the tummy. With a delightful selection of ice creams that are inventive yet also very British flavoured, Mary's will definitely not disappoint. The textures are so creamy and the flavours so bold, colourful and British. I love Mary's Milk Bar and would highly recommend it to anyone with a hankering for something sweet near the Grassmarket.

AHHHH HOW WILL I LIVE WITHOUT THIS PLACE! I was visiting Edinburgh for a few days and was craving ice cream so I looked up ice cream places on Yelp (of course) and was curious about the overwhelming positive reviews for this place. Wow - I mean wow. The ice cream is so unbelievably creamy and delicious. You can tell it's made fresh every day and with high-quality ingredients. If it's one of those days where you're craving ice cream but it's not quite hot enough for an ice cream, get the hot chocolate float. I ordered a hot chocolate float with chocolate ice cream and I still have dreams about it. Do not leave Edinburgh without making a stop at Mary's Milk Bar.