Makars Gourmet Mash Bar
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Recommended Reviews - Makars Gourmet Mash Bar
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The restaurant is popular and highly rated. I made reservations in advance. There are two entrances- one for walk-ins and one for reservations. The walk-in line was long. We ordered and the food came out quickly. I decided to go for the house salad with Scotch egg while my bf had the lamb shank. His entree came with a choice of mashed potatoes. He went with the bacon & onion (rumble-de-thumps). I liked the beets in my salad and the Scotch egg. I tried a bite of the lamb and it was tender. The portions were big, and there were leftovers. I do wish I tried their home grown mushrooms, but had no room for that.
OMG the hype is real! Carefully prepared Locally sourced food. I met the mushroom grower at the airport the next day. It was all hot and so flavorful, even though they were extraordinarily busy we felt well cared for. We left full and fulfilled. We had vegetarian haggis, lions mane mushroom, lamb and chicken. The meat was fall off the bone tender, and the veggies were out of this world. Everyone was happy. Even the vegetarian and dairy free in our group.
We were a group of 6 and waiting time was less than an hour on a busy Monday at 2pm. Notification was 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.
I was a solo traveler so I did not make a reservation and just stood outside for opening for dinner! 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!
What can I say? Loud, crowded, hectic. Amazing. Sooooo tasty. Full stop. Excellent food and service to match. Some pretty great humans working there! Super kind and courteous. I ordered the scotch bonnet chilli mash and spiced lion's mane mushrooms and although my mouth was on fire after the third bite, the dish tasted sooo good I kept on going . Mushrooms are deep fried if it matters to anyone, I didn' expect that. Husband had their haggis and it was one of of his top three meals in Scotland. Between 1st and 2nd for me despite the heat ( I guess I should have looked up scotch bonnet chilli pepper ) Do it if you can!
Makars Mash is one of those places that is always at the top of folks recommendation lists for Edinburgh. I found this to be for good reason. At the door, parties of 2+ had around an hour wait. I was lucky enough to be dining solo, so was immediately seated to a small high-top area by the door. Service was very kind. I ordered the Lamb and Classic Mash. The side pickles were tasty and refreshing. The mash was truly good. I ended up wishing I picked a different protein because the lamb came on the bone, wish was hard to eat around for me. Since it was my first day in Scotland, the conversion between pounds and dollars hadn't yet processed for me. As a heads up, ordering the 23.00 pound classic entree came out to be $32.50.
The food here is AMAZING! I got the chicken & bacon/cheddar potatoes and the broccoli. It was so good. Service is fast and prompt. They book waaaay out so if you can't get a reservation go to the other entrance, wait your turn, and pray to the potato gods a table will open up for you. Every meal around us looked incredible. This is super filling so a great choice before or after hiking Arthur's Seat (if that's your style). Enjoy!
Loved everything about this place, absolutely fantastic food. Hubby had the Pork shank with onion and bacon mashed potatoes and I had the chicken in peppercorn sauce. We had to try the egg on the appetizer list, we were not sure why to expect but it was delicious. The Toffee cake was a winner as well. Thank you ACI & Scott for pointing us in the right direction for our food choices. We will be back
Makars Gourmet Mash Bar is a popular restaurant in the area and so reservations is a must. However, the restaurant does have a separate section for walk-ins. Bottom line, some enjoyable Scottish food will be experienced if you do choose to come here. I tried the Scotch Egg and its a solid dish and was as expected. Crunchy outside, not too salty on tue inside and had a perfectly cooked egg. The Chicken on top of Bacon Mash was also really good. The chicken wasn't dry, the gravy added a bit of savoriness and heartiness to every bite. The Bacon Mash tho was my favorite. So delicious...as you would expect being in the name of the place. I had felt the need to eat some greens so I ordered the broccoli and nothing to write home about but it was as good as you would expect. Got the job done. The staff were very attentive and friendly and provided some good recommendations. There is a good selection of beer, wine and spirits as well so that's always a bonus.
I hadn't been to Makars Mash in a while; in that time they've become viral and things have changed a bit here. Mostly what you need to know is: MAKE A RESERVATION. Yes, they have some room for walk-ins, but expect a very, very long wait if you're not there super early. There's two doors at Makars (both next to each other): Door #2 is for walk-in guests: there's some two and four tops near their kitchen as well as some outdoor dining when it's nice out. Door #1 is for guests who made a reservation online: there's upstairs seating, downstairs seating (both of which can be the good-kind-of-loud when they're full up), and - if you're a solo diner - you'll be lovingly squished into the intimate, cozy, quiet room on the rounded corner of Bank St with the big windows. I came as a solo diner around 6pm-ish, and my wait was twenty minutes. They checked in with me frequently to let me know "soon!" I was seated at the bar in the small front room with four other solo diners. It was lovely, I was able to just tuck into my book and my pint and my meal in peace! Lots of vegan options here, but my recommendation is the roasted chestnut and carrot haggis with neeps (mashed turnips), tatties (mashed potatoes), and onion gravy (which I think is the default when you ask for it vegan). There's several mash options to choose from too: wholegrain mustard, olive oil, but my personal favorite is the chili smoked bean medley. Expect a hearty portion of very filling comfort food! Every member of the staff I interacted with was so friendly and accommodating to me. I felt like they went out of their way to check-in with me on my solo date night; it was cute. I was glad to have been able to return after so many years. While the seating and menu has changed, the overall vibe is still as good as it ever has been!
We visited Makars Mash Bar in Edinburgh and ordered the lamb shank and pork shank, both served over their famous mashed potatoes. Both dishes were outstanding and showcased exactly why this restaurant is so highly recommended. The lamb shank was incredibly tender, rich, and flavorful, practically falling off the bone with every bite. The gravy paired perfectly with the creamy mash, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. The pork shank was equally impressive--crispy on the outside, juicy and succulent on the inside, with deep, savory flavors throughout. The accompanying red cabbage and slaw added a nice balance and freshness to both plates. Portion sizes were generous, the presentation was excellent, and every component felt thoughtfully prepared. If you're looking for authentic Scottish comfort food in Edinburgh, Makars Mash Bar is a must-visit. Both the lamb shank and pork shank were exceptional, and we'd gladly order either again.
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.
20 days ago
When you think Scottish food, you don't think "gourmet." In fact, if you're the average person you probably don't have have even a conceptual idea of what the food is like other than similar to English food. You wouldn't be wrong, but also not the greatest of reputations. Then a place like Makars stands up and says "We can be Scottish and delicious" and the result is a humble restaurant in old town dishing out quality comfort food. I wish I had come here hungover. It's one of those places where everything on the menu seems to be aimed at reviving a wounded tourist. For most people the people will consist of a meat of your choice on top of a mash potatoes of your choice. All of the options looked awesome. I was just coming from an 11 hour flight, so I didn't get too crazy. I pulled trigger on a pork over bacon mash and it did not miss. The meat was exceptionally fall off the bone tender and the mash potatoes were flavorful and complimented the meat perfectly. One bit of advice - the portions are big so either come hungry or consider splitting an entree. I'd feel confident recommending this place to anyone who thinks that the Scots can't cook. It'll prove them wrong. read more
20 days ago
Having tried unsuccessfully to make a reservation before arriving in Edinburgh, we instead used the walk-in line, where they take your phone number, give you a wait time and text when your table is ready. Very convenient. The decor is somewhat industrial, probably because of the AC ductwork. Much appreciated during a warm spell in July! Staff were all welcoming and friendly. Service was great! Food came out of the kitchen quickly. It's all about the mash, but the meats stole the show! The lamb shank was large, meaty and complimented by the cheddar potatoes. We thoroughly enjoyed the juicy pork shank with applewood smoked cheddar mash. In addition we sampled the savory beef shoulder with horseradish mash as well as the Lions Mane mushrooms topped with rocket (arugula.) Each was satisfying and full of delicious flavors. Definitely worth the wait! read more
We were very excited to be lucky enough to get in. Malays is very busy and reservations are strongly recommended. We were visiting the area and decided to try to stop in. The first try was in the evening by and the wait was full. The second time was at lunch and with luck we got in. It is a pleasure! There are two places a few doors apart. One for reservations and one for the walk-ins. The place is modern and rustic, fits the vibe of the city. The staff are friendly and efficient with lots of knowledge about the food. The meal was outstanding. For a casual dining experience. This is a wonderful option. The haggis was a great version and the mash is lovely. Slightly creamy with the added flavors make it more than basic mash. The bacon and onion was not overpowering and complimented the haggis wonderfully. The lamb was perfect, fell off the bone with a deep rich sauce. The scotch bonnet added flavor without a lot of heat. The broccoli was perfectly steamed and still crispy. Everything was fresh and bright and balanced. We fully loved the entire experience! read more
The restaurant is popular and highly rated. I made reservations in advance. There are two entrances- one for walk-ins and one for reservations. The walk-in line was long. We ordered and the food came out quickly. I decided to go for the house salad with Scotch egg while my bf had the lamb shank. His entree came with a choice of mashed potatoes. He went with the bacon & onion (rumble-de-thumps). I liked the beets in my salad and the Scotch egg. I tried a bite of the lamb and it was tender. The portions were big, and there were leftovers. I do wish I tried their home grown mushrooms, but had no room for that. read more
13 days ago
OMG the hype is real! Carefully prepared Locally sourced food. I met the mushroom grower at the airport the next day. It was all hot and so flavorful, even though they were extraordinarily busy we felt well cared for. We left full and fulfilled. We had vegetarian haggis, lions mane mushroom, lamb and chicken. The meat was fall off the bone tender, and the veggies were out of this world. Everyone was happy. Even the vegetarian and dairy free in our group. read more
We were a group of 6 and waiting time was less than an hour on a busy Monday at 2pm. Notification was 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. read more
I was a solo traveler so I did not make a reservation and just stood outside for opening for dinner! 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! read more
13 days ago
What can I say? Loud, crowded, hectic. Amazing. Sooooo tasty. Full stop. Excellent food and service to match. Some pretty great humans working there! Super kind and courteous. I ordered the scotch bonnet chilli mash and spiced lion's mane mushrooms and although my mouth was on fire after the third bite, the dish tasted sooo good I kept on going . Mushrooms are deep fried if it matters to anyone, I didn' expect that. Husband had their haggis and it was one of of his top three meals in Scotland. Between 1st and 2nd for me despite the heat ( I guess I should have looked up scotch bonnet chilli pepper ) Do it if you can! read more
Makars Mash is one of those places that is always at the top of folks recommendation lists for Edinburgh. I found this to be for good reason. At the door, parties of 2+ had around an hour wait. I was lucky enough to be dining solo, so was immediately seated to a small high-top area by the door. Service was very kind. I ordered the Lamb and Classic Mash. The side pickles were tasty and refreshing. The mash was truly good. I ended up wishing I picked a different protein because the lamb came on the bone, wish was hard to eat around for me. Since it was my first day in Scotland, the conversion between pounds and dollars hadn't yet processed for me. As a heads up, ordering the 23.00 pound classic entree came out to be $32.50. read more
The food here is AMAZING! I got the chicken & bacon/cheddar potatoes and the broccoli. It was so good. Service is fast and prompt. They book waaaay out so if you can't get a reservation go to the other entrance, wait your turn, and pray to the potato gods a table will open up for you. Every meal around us looked incredible. This is super filling so a great choice before or after hiking Arthur's Seat (if that's your style). Enjoy! read more
Loved everything about this place, absolutely fantastic food. Hubby had the Pork shank with onion and bacon mashed potatoes and I had the chicken in peppercorn sauce. We had to try the egg on the appetizer list, we were not sure why to expect but it was delicious. The Toffee cake was a winner as well. Thank you ACI & Scott for pointing us in the right direction for our food choices. We will be back read more
Makars Gourmet Mash Bar is a popular restaurant in the area and so reservations is a must. However, the restaurant does have a separate section for walk-ins. Bottom line, some enjoyable Scottish food will be experienced if you do choose to come here. I tried the Scotch Egg and its a solid dish and was as expected. Crunchy outside, not too salty on tue inside and had a perfectly cooked egg. The Chicken on top of Bacon Mash was also really good. The chicken wasn't dry, the gravy added a bit of savoriness and heartiness to every bite. The Bacon Mash tho was my favorite. So delicious...as you would expect being in the name of the place. I had felt the need to eat some greens so I ordered the broccoli and nothing to write home about but it was as good as you would expect. Got the job done. The staff were very attentive and friendly and provided some good recommendations. There is a good selection of beer, wine and spirits as well so that's always a bonus. read more
I hadn't been to Makars Mash in a while; in that time they've become viral and things have changed a bit here. Mostly what you need to know is: MAKE A RESERVATION. Yes, they have some room for walk-ins, but expect a very, very long wait if you're not there super early. There's two doors at Makars (both next to each other): Door #2 is for walk-in guests: there's some two and four tops near their kitchen as well as some outdoor dining when it's nice out. Door #1 is for guests who made a reservation online: there's upstairs seating, downstairs seating (both of which can be the good-kind-of-loud when they're full up), and - if you're a solo diner - you'll be lovingly squished into the intimate, cozy, quiet room on the rounded corner of Bank St with the big windows. I came as a solo diner around 6pm-ish, and my wait was twenty minutes. They checked in with me frequently to let me know "soon!" I was seated at the bar in the small front room with four other solo diners. It was lovely, I was able to just tuck into my book and my pint and my meal in peace! Lots of vegan options here, but my recommendation is the roasted chestnut and carrot haggis with neeps (mashed turnips), tatties (mashed potatoes), and onion gravy (which I think is the default when you ask for it vegan). There's several mash options to choose from too: wholegrain mustard, olive oil, but my personal favorite is the chili smoked bean medley. Expect a hearty portion of very filling comfort food! Every member of the staff I interacted with was so friendly and accommodating to me. I felt like they went out of their way to check-in with me on my solo date night; it was cute. I was glad to have been able to return after so many years. While the seating and menu has changed, the overall vibe is still as good as it ever has been! read more
1 month ago
2 months ago
We visited Makars Mash Bar in Edinburgh and ordered the lamb shank and pork shank, both served over their famous mashed potatoes. Both dishes were outstanding and showcased exactly why this restaurant is so highly recommended. The lamb shank was incredibly tender, rich, and flavorful, practically falling off the bone with every bite. The gravy paired perfectly with the creamy mash, creating a hearty and satisfying meal. The pork shank was equally impressive--crispy on the outside, juicy and succulent on the inside, with deep, savory flavors throughout. The accompanying red cabbage and slaw added a nice balance and freshness to both plates. Portion sizes were generous, the presentation was excellent, and every component felt thoughtfully prepared. If you're looking for authentic Scottish comfort food in Edinburgh, Makars Mash Bar is a must-visit. Both the lamb shank and pork shank were exceptional, and we'd gladly order either again. read more
9 months ago
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. read more
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. read more
2 months ago
This was our first meal in Edinburgh and it did not disappoint! We got the smaller size haggis and it was enough for the two of us. The scotch egg was so good, and the lamb shank was enormous. Definitely a great deal! We made a reservation so we didn't have to wait in the long walk-in line (which is at another entrance). read more
4 months ago
Came here with the family and honestly this place lives up to the hype. If you're in Edinburgh and want something hearty, this is a must. We ordered a mix -- the roasted chicken, steak pie, and haggis stack -- all sitting on top of their different mashed potato options. The mash is the star here... super smooth, flavorful, and you can tell it's done right. The gravy ties everything together perfectly. The chicken was juicy with crispy skin, and the steak pie was rich and comforting. The haggis dish was surprisingly good too, especially paired with the mash and sauce. Sides like the slaw added a nice balance. Portions are solid (you will leave full), prices are fair for the quality, and the vibe is casual but busy in a good way. Only thing -- it can get packed, so expect a bit of a wait. Overall: 9/10. Would absolutely come back. read more
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!! read more
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. read more
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. read more
9 months ago
Came here especially for the gluten free scotch eggs and it delivered! Great space to hang out and grab a drink read more
5 months ago
Food was incredible, you get your choice of protein & specialty mash. Prices are comparable to the area. There is a long line no matter what time of day so be prepared to wait. read more
9 days ago
11 months ago
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! read more
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. read more
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! read more
1 year ago
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. read more
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. read more
1 year ago
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. read more
1 year ago
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! read more
Jenny was great and so were Andrew and Laura. The service was great and so was the food we went with the slow cooked lamb shank and the Crown of slow cooked beef shoulder were super soft and flavorful. We had never had a Scottish egg and man that was so delicious. I highly recommend if you're trying to eat at a specific time get a reservation if not the wait won't be bad since they will get your name and text you with 10 minutes to get back so don't go too far. The food is served in good portions and you'll get full for sure. The top area is small and the bench seating against the wall is a bit awkward but doesn't stop you from eating. The music playing is good enough to hear but not loud enough to stop you from hearing whoever is with you. read more
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! read more
5 months ago
If you're in Edinburgh and want a place that does comfort food right, Makars Mash Bar is absolutely worth the stop. We tried a variety of dishes including the Scotch egg, chicken, pork, and beef options, and every single one was excellent. The meats were very flavorful and tender, and the mashed potatoes were easily some of the best we've had. The Scotch egg was perfectly cooked with a rich, slightly runny yolk and a crispy, well-seasoned outer layer. The sticky toffee pudding was also outstanding and a perfect way to finish the meal and was shared by the group as the portions were huge!! The atmosphere was lively and welcoming, with a unique and cozy feel. We waited about 20 minutes in line, but it was worth it. Service was great, everyone was friendly, and the experience felt very well run. This is also a great option for families, especially if you have picky kids. You can't really go wrong with excellent mashed potatoes and high-quality meat options. FYI the Pork Shank was the winner overall. read more
3 months ago
We visited Makars just last week. The staff were extremely friendly and the food was amazing. Everything we hoped for when we booked. If you are looking for a nice relaxed meal this may not be the place for you as the service was absurdly fast. Within 15 mins of sitting at our table we had drinks app and meal delivered. We had reservations and the time slot was for 90 mins. We felt very rushed as they seemed anxious to turn the table over. Would defiantly revisit. read more
7 months ago
After a long day of walking we were sat right away! Every room is busy but has a great vibe. They have table upstairs and downstairs as well as another restaurant up the block so you don't have to worry about a long wait to enjoy the experience. We got the lamb shank with garlic mash and it was so tender and flavorful. We also got the haggis with garlic mash and it was to die for! Highly recommend stopping in! After that we were both extremely stuffed so we missed out on dessert but if you have room the sticky toffee pudding is a must have! read more
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. read more
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More info about Makars Gourmet Mash Bar
9 N Bank Street
Old Town EH1 2LP
United Kingdom
Old Town, Royal Mile
Directions
0131 226 1178
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http://www.gourmet-mash-bar.com
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