Restaurant · in Edinburgh · ⭐ 9.7/10 · 10278 reviews
Address: 9-12 Bank St, Edinburgh EH1 2LN
Scottish comfort food and gourmet mash on The Mound
Makars Mash Bar is a family-run restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town, offering a fresh, heart-warming take on Scottish comfort food. Located on The Mound — connecting the Old and New Towns, a short walk from the Castle and Waverley station — it has a relaxed, trendy vibe and a rustic, welcoming interior. It’s a multiple TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winner and one of the highest-rated restaurants in the city.
What to order
The concept is simple and fun: pick your main from a range of meaty and plant-based options, then pair it with one of nine gourmet mashed-potato choices. Classics include Haggis, Neeps and Tatties, Black Pudding Mash and Aberdeen Angus beef, while the rare-breed pork Scotch egg makes a perfect starter and the sticky toffee pudding a fitting finish. Much of the food is cooked using traditional Scottish methods, with meats slow-cooked in whisky, red wine, local port sherry or craft beer.
Who it’s for
This is a great choice for a casual, comforting meal or a relaxed dinner with friends, with a menu that looks after most diets — there are gluten-free and vegan options and a fully nut-free kitchen. Its central location makes it ideal for visitors exploring the Old Town.
Questions and answers
What kind of food does Makars serve? Scottish comfort food, built around a main paired with gourmet mashed potato.
What should I order? Haggis, Neeps and Tatties or Aberdeen Angus beef with mash, the pork Scotch egg and sticky toffee pudding.
How does the menu work? Choose a meaty or plant-based main, then pick one of nine mash options.
Are there options for special diets? Yes — gluten-free and vegan options, plus a fully nut-free kitchen.
Do I need to book? Tables are released online exactly 30 days ahead and go fast, but over half the room is always kept for walk-ins — there’s even a separate door for guests without a booking.
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: edinburgh-trend.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'.