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    Howies

    4.3 (72 reviews)
    ModerateBritish, Scottish
    Closed 12:00 pm - 10:30 PM

    Howies Photos

    HOWIES ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Outdoor seating
    Good for kids
    Dogs allowed
    Good for groups

    Recommended Reviews - Howies

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    Reviews With Photos

    Onion rings
    Patricia K.

    Had dinner at Howies... was recommended by our tour guide. It was a short walk from our hotel. Restaurant is beautifully decorated and makes you feel like you're at home. Our server Beth was super sweet and greeted us right away. Cocktails were really tasty. We ordered the rosemary focaccia with butter as a starter. We were expecting warm bread but it came cold. It was really good tho. My sister and I ordered a salad that was SO GOOD, fresh and dressed perfectly we shared a rib eye steak with chips, onion rings and carrots. Everything was good perfectly and everything tasted fresh and delicious. Howies was so good and I would highly recommend it. We wanted to save room for dessert but we ate everything on our plates and we were too full. Had a really nice dinner here.

    Restaurant
    Anna R.

    We stopped in from a suggestion from my aunt that had visited a few year prior. We made a reservation online same day a couple hours earlier, when we arrived it wasn't too busy, but did fill up shortly after. When walking in, the vestibule splits into a private dining area and the main dining room. The restaurant is currently observing COVID protocols, with clear dividers at close tables. We ordered a bottle of wine and the freshly baked rosemary focaccia bread and butter to start, the venison and the casserole of the day as our mains. The food was so delicious and would definitely get again. For dessert we split a sticky toffee pudding, which we should of had another one, it was so good! The staff was so friendly and would visit again.

    Special dessert provided by host
    Janet B.

    We spent our anniversary here tonight and were so pleased with the food and service! First, I had to modify my reservation time more than once due to the tour activities we had scheduled and they were very responsive and helpful. When we arrived, we got to watch the bartender mix drinks and he was very conversational which made our wait time enjoyable. We both ordered steaks and they were cooked to perfection! We also had the bread appetizer with the olive tapenade and the banoffee dessert - both delicious. The host even brought us a special anniversary dessert of strawberries and ice cream. The host was very friendly and checked in with us to make sure we were enjoying everything. He even called a cab for us to take back to our hotel.

    Whisky flight.
    Kenneth Z.

    Lamb was fantastic. Whisky flight was enjoyable. We were seated in the smaller, quieter room. Great service. One of my favorite travel meals of all time.

    Cristine G.

    Yelp 100 Challenge 2019 - # 95/100 Had their 3-course lunch for £14.95. I chose Mussels of the day for starters, Baked Shetland salmon for my main and sticky toffee pudding cake with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for dessert. I loved everything. We had sides of bread with olive oil and butter so I was dipping the bread in the mussels jus. By far this was the best tasting sticky toffee pudding cake I have ever tasted. Service was nice and friendly. Restroom was super clean. We walked from our hotel so I am not sure about the parking situation.

    Beer
    Connie C.

    Howies offers great value for Scottish fare. They have a set menu special for lunch, and for early bird dinner if you can make the timings. The Shetland mussels and salmon were our favorite. We were slightly disappointed with the steak as it was overcooked and we had better steak in Edinburgh. But overall, great customer service and great fare. There's something to please everyone in the family.

    Best meal in Edinburgh! If you're in Edinburgh, you NEED to stop in at Howies! The ambiance is beautiful. It looks like a rustic Scottish building and really adds to the meal. It is clean and beautifully decorated. The service was great! We were seated immediately, even though we were a half hour early to our reservation. We had multiple servers check in on us, and never had to want for anything. We also had questions about the menu, which were answered quickly. The food was AMAZING. We ordered bread and olive oil, a GREAT start to the meal. It's not just normal bread. You can tell everything is cooked fresh. We also got the Scottish catch of the day, salmon, and of course, sticky toffee pudding for dessert! It was all fantastic. I recommend any of these meals.

    Michael M.

    First timer. I was part of a 3-hour Food Tasting Tour in Edinburgh, Scotland (secretfoodtours.com). I ordered the Pork and Smoked Ham Hough Terrine. I love pork but for me this does not do any justice to the pork. The dish has a type of gelatinous texture which I think is what threw me off the most :(

    Shetland salmon
    Beth C.

    We lucked out to get a table here for supper on a Sunday, and service was excellent all through our meal. This place prides itself on utilizing Scottish ingredients and I could taste that difference in quality and freshness. The portions are not large--not like American standards--but the amounts were completely satisfactory. We started with an appetizer of ciabatta, just a £, that gave us 4 pieces of luscious bread. My entree was Shetland salmon on potatoes and peas, cooked to perfection, and in a sauce that complemented everything. My husband had the Scottish ribeye, which came with fries and a small frisée salad. For this, our last day in Scotland, we sprung for a quintessential dessert as well: sticky toffee pudding, complete with a scoop of Scottish ice cream. The sauce was so good I was tempted to lick the bowl clean.

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    6 years ago

    Spot. On. 100% recommend the haggis starter. Service was impeccable and the entire stay was lovely.

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    Food and service excellent. Make a reservation or you May be disappointed. We only had appetizers but they were very good and filling.

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    The Devil's Advocate - Smoked fish plate

    The Devil's Advocate

    4.3(632 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    Just an awesome, rockin' final meal in Edinburgh - fantastic food, good service and energized local…read morevibe! Absolute must to get reservations! We tried on our first week in Edinburgh and failed, but were able to make reservations 3 weeks out for our last night in Scotland, and we are glad we did. Pork cracklins were a bit hard and crunchy, but everything else was perfect. We had fresh bread and langostinis for starters, along with a smokey whiskey cocktail, the Smoked Indiscretion! For mains we enjoyed the poached Cod, and the Pork with Barley. Service was very good, and wine selection was extensive. Atmosphere was loud with music and locals' chatter in the bar below, but dark tables and heavy wood panels made it a perfect place for a couple celebrating 3 weeks of travel. Highly recommend a visit to the Devil's Advocate, if you can book a table in advance.

    The Devil's Advocate is undoubtedly a treasure to find in Old Town Edinburgh, especially if you…read moreaccidentally take the News Steps to get there, only to realize you should have simply taken the steps up Advocate's Close from Cockburn Street. But they call these lessons, "character building," apparently. No matter, the Devil's Advocate is worth the search. Located in an old Victorian pump house halfway up (or down) Advocate's Close, the Devil's Advocate is known for a killer whisky shelf of more than 300 different bottles from various distilleries across the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside, Campbelltown, the Islands, and Islay. I finally sipped on a 15-year Tamdu that has convinced me to keep a bottle at home. Then there's the Clydeside 2024 Limited Edition Cask Strength that was wicked impressive. The bartenders are class at making and serving seasonal and regular cocktails that have their spin and character. My wife enjoyed gin-based cocktails such as the Clean Slate (with St-Germain, citrus, and sugar), Rose Garden (with Yellow Chartreuse, Cocchi Rosa, apple, lemon, and mint), and Bee's Knees (honey and lemon). I went full speed ahead with the scotch cocktails, which are essentially classics with a scotch-substituted twist. The Double Shot is an Espresso Martini with Dalmore 12 in addition to Kahlua, espresso, and demerara -- quite smooth without being too sweet. The Scotzia is a Negroni with Fettercairn 12, while the Boxcar is a Sidecar only with Aberfeldy 12. We enjoyed the bar for a few hours, watching the bartenders make magic while sipping on cocktails, while listening to 80s pop tunes. A great evening indeed.

    Photos
    The Devil's Advocate - Whiskey flight tastings

    Whiskey flight tastings

    The Devil's Advocate - Fish Filet

    Fish Filet

    The Devil's Advocate - Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

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    Double Shot with Dalmore 12, kahula, espresso shot, and Demerara.

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Crown Of Slow Cooked Beef Shoulder With A Rich Horseradish Infused Gravy

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar

    4.8(522 reviews)
    0.4 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    ££

    I was a solo traveler so I did not make a reservation and just stood outside for opening for…read moredinner! I was able to put in my name and about 45 min later I got in. It is like the bar sitting area in a small room but it is perfect. Nicely decorated and cozy. The server and receptionist are both very friendly! I ordered lamb shank with bacon green onion mashed potatoes and an elder flower cider! It did not take too long for the food to show up and I did not have lunch so this was perfect and just right to the spot! Lamb shank was soft and tender and full of flavors! It was so so good. Mash potatoes is also very yummy and flavorful! The elder flower cider is very floral and I really like that!

    We were a group of 6 and waiting time was less than an hour on a busy Monday at 2pm. Notification…read morewas via text or through a link which you can monitor your table's availability. We had a lovely meal here at Makars Mash Bar (technically called The Makar's Rest) We ordered the following: - Coke & Ginger Kombucha - Free Range Gourmet Scotch Egg (deliciousness to share and a great way to begin a meal) - Home Grown Lion's Mane pan-fried bites, served with vegan aioli wasn't a hit with the group but I really liked it. - Slow Cooked Lamb (rich and full of flavor) - Crown Of Slow Cooked Beef Shoulder (incredibly tender and literally fell apart) - Makars Wild Boar Sausage With Beef Dripping Gravy (got a bite in and it didn't taste gamey) - Sides of Black pudding mash and Scottish cheddar cheese & onion mash which we really enjoyed. - Sticky Toffee Pudding was a perfect end to the meal. Great comfort food, generous portions, and a really enjoyable experience overall. Would definitely recommend. Atmosphere outside in the chilly air was a challenge at first. Outdoor heaters would have been a plus. At least we were seated.

    Photos
    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Downstairs inside the restaurant

    Downstairs inside the restaurant

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Homemade Free Range Gourmet Scotch Egg

    Homemade Free Range Gourmet Scotch Egg

    Makars Gourmet Mash Bar - Makars Wild Boar Sausage With Beef Dripping Gravy

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    Makars Wild Boar Sausage With Beef Dripping Gravy

    Angels with Bagpipes - Haggis with whisky gravy - SO good!

    Angels with Bagpipes

    4.4(132 reviews)
    0.4 miOld Town, Royal Mile
    £££

    Given that this place is in an extremely touristy part of town, surrounded by souvenir shops and…read morefamous landmarks, you kind of have to appreciate the effort they put into their food presentation and service. Most places survive on knowing they can serve terrible food and still bring in the tourist crowd. These guys are serving up some healthy and hearty cuisine with a nod to their Scottish roots, but with a more sophisticated take. Everything packs amazing flavour. I came in just a few minutes after they opened for lunch, so snagging a seat was easy; however it filled up in record time, so reservations are highly recommended. The menu offers everything from light seafood salads to hearty steak dishes, to a few veggies options that leave nothing to be desired. Yes, they serve haggis, too, and I have to say, it wasn't bad, even for my first-timer's palate. They fry it up and serve it in ball form, so the taste is mild and appealing. My BBQ Lentils and Vegetables dish was beautifully presented and so tasty, I didn't miss the meat. Cocktails, wine, and beer are also available, so pick your poison.

    My brother and I had the chicken, which was delicious but was a small portion which left my brother…read morefeeling hungry as we left. My husband and I ordered the burrata, but it didn't come with bread as listed on the menu. The service was quite slow so we gave up on requesting the bread. I was pleased that they allowed for multiple side sauces to my husband's Denver steak. Ambiance was lovely, allowed for casual dress.

    Photos
    Angels with Bagpipes - Their sign is adorable.

    Their sign is adorable.

    Angels with Bagpipes - Battered cod was fresh and not oily at all. Scottish crab, lemon and crumpet was super fresh and delish.

    Battered cod was fresh and not oily at all. Scottish crab, lemon and crumpet was super fresh and delish.

    Angels with Bagpipes - BBQ Root Vegetables and Lentils

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    BBQ Root Vegetables and Lentils

    Queens Arms

    Queens Arms

    4.4(114 reviews)
    0.6 miNew Town
    ££

    Out of all the places I've been to in Scotland, I think Queens Arms was one of my favorites…read more We had reservations for this place recently and when I took one step inside, I was already in love. I mean who doesn't love a good pub? You get great drinks and great food at an affordable price. As I write it makes me think of think of when Zidane reunites with Freya in FF9. Sometimes we don't wanna eat at fancy Michelin restaurant that has small plates but charges a premium. Sometimes we just wanna cut all the BS and just get a nice hearty meal. And thats what we got. When we sat down we found out that they were doing a Trivia night. Normally I would have told my girl to pick another spot to eat but for some reason I was cool with it. There was even a table nearby with kids(yuck). And you know what? It was fine. That's because we had been sipping on some amazing cocktails. If you also partake, Gin and Mezcal enjoyers will love the Bramble and Hibiscus Crush. What color are Luigi's overalls from Super Mario? That's such an easy question. Wait...what do you mean Luigi's overalls are blue? They are green. Look at this picture onli...Oh... One of the stars of our meal was the Haggis. This was the first time I had ever tried it and after trying it at multiple places Scotland, Queens Arms I feel has done it the best. I love the complexity of the flavors of the meat with the creamy and pepper flavors of the peppercorn sauce. If you've never had Haggis, you definitely have to try it here. The best part is that it comes with mashed potatoes too! Shoutouts to the Fish and Chips if you are also into that. One of my friends ordered that and I definitely had to go back in for multiple bites. Finally the roast. The Sunday Roast should just be an automatic order if you happen to come here on a Sunday. You get so much food and it's all so damn tasty. They'll cook a roast to whatever doneness your heart desires. We went with Medium Rare and it came out perfectly. If you didn't have enough flavors with all the extra sides it comes with, they also give you gravy to pour on anything you want. Thanksgiving basically came early this night. But as I looked around and admired all the bookshelf's and all the families have a nice dinner with their loved ones, I just thought about how happy I was. I was finally here! This was the start of my trip. Queens Arms has set a high ceiling on great experiences in Scotland. We even went back there a couple of days ago just because we knew we would be able to end the night on a good drink. But in the end I think if you are Edinburgh, you have to come to this place. It is one of my favorite experiences I've had in Scotland so far and I dream about when I can come back again.

    We got 3 reservations to split up our group of 8 adults and 2 kids, so we were all able to make…read moresure to get a table and have the Sunday roast. We shared the ultimate sharing roast and everything was delicious and so filling. It was also nice to be able to sit and watch a match while enjoying the food. The coffee was pretty good too. This is definitely a good option if you're looking for a Sunday roast in the area

    Photos
    Queens Arms
    Queens Arms
    Queens Arms - Wellington upfront and Mac and Cheese in the back

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    Wellington upfront and Mac and Cheese in the back

    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant

    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant

    4.2(16 reviews)
    0.3 miOld Town

    The partner-in-dine and I were staying close to Pibroch and decided to book a table for dinner on a…read moreSunday evening. We made our booking the night before and were pleased that we could be accommodated. We were seated promptly next to a window where we could pass the time waiting for our food by looking at the passers-by and cars. But we didn't have to wait long. The appetizers came out quickly. I got the Cullen Skink, a Scottish soup of smoked haddock, potatoes and leeks in a creamy broth. My partner-in-dine chose the Pibroch Haggis Parcels with Red Wine Plum Sauce. We were both happy with our appetizers. For our mains, I had the Haggis, Neeps and Tatties while my partner-in-dine went for the Roast Duck. We were again elated with our choices. Every dish was wonderfully presented and tantalizingly delish. Definitely recommendation-worthy!

    I told myself I wasn't going to try the haggis, but what did I do? I tried the haggis. I'm glad I…read moredid. The wait staff there are extremely attentive, friendly, and willing to answer any questions. Our party started off with the haggis parcels in a red wine plum sauce as an appetizer. The haggis was encased in filo dough. It was delicious. I went with the salmon, because Scotland has the best salmon in the world, so I've been told. This salmon was exceptional. I enjoyed the crispiness on the top of the salmon and the potatoes and broccoli accompanied the dish perfectly. I didn't care for the tomato sauce, and just ate around that. If you want authentic Scottish food, and friendly service, try this place out. They are also wheelchair accessible, as they have a ramp to guide you in the door.

    Photos
    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant
    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant
    Pibroch Scottish Restaurant

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    Howies - british - Updated May 2026

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