Makars Mash Bar

October 29, 2025

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.

October 14, 2025

From the moment we were greeted at the door, with no reservation, and found a table we knew we had found a special place. The staff really cared and clearly loved their job. Good surroundings and beer was lovely. Great eco credentials and vegan, vegetarian options. The food was amazing quality, like homemade but if your mum was a world class chef. The mushroom tour and home grown mushrooms was a particular USP that I haven't seen before. Every time we are back in Edinburgh we will book a table here.

October 16, 2025

Every single dish we ordered was spectacular, Here's a breakdown of what we tried: Slow-Cooked Lamb Shank: This was pure perfection. The meat was incredibly tender and fall-off-the-bone, so flavorful and aromatic. It was served with buttery mashed potatoes and a rich homemade gravy that complemented the lamb beautifully. A truly classic and satisfying dish. Slow-Cooked Beef Shoulder: Similarly, the beef was braised to utter tenderness and was so addictive! The deep, savory flavor had us taking big, happy bites without stopping. The bacon mashed potatoes on the side were incredibly fragrant and the perfect comfort food pairing. Scotch Egg:This was a revelation! It had three distinct layers: a crispy outer shell, a flavorful minced pork middle, and a perfectly runny soft-boiled egg at its heart. The textures and flavors were incredible on their own, but when paired with the homemade garlic aioli, it was so good that we immediately ordered a second portion! Mini Haggis: A delightful and delicious dish! The sweetness of the pumpkin puree harmonized perfectly with the savory, fragrant Haggis and the creamy mashed potatoes. A wonderful combination of flavors and textures. Given the exceptional quality of the food, the very reasonable prices, and the friendly service, it's no surprise at all that this place has a constant queue during dining hours. It is absolutely worth the wait! We cannot wait to return and try the rest of the menu. Highly, recommended!

October 5, 2025

Absolutely incredible restaurant. The staff, the food, the restaurant was incredible. For our first time in Edinburgh, this is an absolute must! Definitely made a reservation because getting in to sit at a random time of day will be extremely tough. There’s a reason there’s over 8k reviews! We had the scotch egg, beef shoulder and for dessert: the sticky toffee pudding and the cranachan. 10/10 would recommend this place to everyone.

November 16, 2025

Busy place! We came without a reservation around 6 p.m. and waited about an hour to be seated. The service is attentive. The menu features mostly meat options, with a couple of vegetarian alternatives. The food arrived quite quickly. Portions are big, so we had no room left for dessert. The tomato soup is tasty, the mushrooms were a treat, and the special lamb was very delicious. A nice touch is that you can choose your preferred type of mash to accompany the meat. The salad, however, was a surprise — the grilled buckwheat on top felt a bit weird on the teeth. It’s a touristy place, so there’s no special ambiance.