Restaurant · in Edinburgh · ⭐ 9.7/10 · 10278 reviews
Address: 9-12 Bank St, Edinburgh EH1 2LN
Scottish comfort food and gourmet mash in the Old Town
Makars Mash Bar is a family-run restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town, with a fresh take on Scottish comfort food. On The Mound, a short walk from the Castle and Waverley station, it has a relaxed, rustic, welcoming feel — and is one of the city’s highest-rated restaurants, a multiple Travellers’ Choice winner.
What to order
Pick a main from meaty or plant-based options, then pair it with one of nine gourmet mash choices. Classics include Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Black Pudding Mash and Aberdeen Angus beef, with a rare-breed pork Scotch egg to start and sticky toffee pudding to finish. Meats are slow-cooked in whisky, red wine, port sherry or craft beer.
Who it’s for
A casual, comforting meal or a relaxed dinner with friends — with gluten-free and vegan options and a fully nut-free kitchen. Central for Old Town visitors.
The space
Inside, Makars is snug and homely: warm timber, soft light and a room that seats you either in a cushioned booth or at a simple wooden table. Window seats catch the light coming down The Mound, and the whole place hums with the easy chatter of a family-run dining room.
Questions and answers
What food does it serve? Scottish comfort food with gourmet mashed potato.
What to order? Haggis, Neeps and Tatties or Aberdeen Angus beef with mash, and the Scotch egg.
How does the menu work? Choose a main, then one of nine mash options.
Is there outdoor seating? Yes — a small terrace catches the evening sun on one side and looks over Makars’ Court on the other.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00–20:00 |
| Tuesday | 12:00–20:00 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–20:00 |
| Thursday | 12:00–20:00 |
| Friday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Saturday | 12:00–21:00 |
| Sunday | 12:00–19:30 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 21:24:41
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: edinburghka.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
Very tasty. Very quick service. We came without a booking for dinner and were seated within 30 min. The atmosphere is noisy, fun. Not for a cosy time, but for a fun group.
Definitely come here for tasty food. Very tasty, moderate prices. Better to book a table in advance, because it's always a full house.
This restaurant was a wonderful addition to my trip. The food was tasty and hot. I didn't have to wait long for my order. The staff were kind and attentive. I'll definitely be back when I visit this city again.
I ended up here by chance, just spotting on the map a place with the highest rating right on my route. And I want to say, that rating completely matches my impression. The salad and Scotch eggs were just incredible, the…
Heard a lot about this place. The food is really of decent quality, the venue has a relatively bearable look. The quality of service is standard for this kind of place. I expected 'wow', but it came out 'edible'.