The 42 best spots for falafel in Edinburgh (2024)

Definitely recommend. I wanted to try Haggis and the mini Haggis they offer are a perfect introduction to it. They were delicious. The meat was good quality and the mashed potatoes were super good. I particularly liked the chili mash which I definitely recommend for spice lovers. Really nice staff. We didn’t need a reservation. Just walked in around 6pm and were seated within 5 minutes.

I brought my family from overseas here and they are so impressed with the food and service. I booked online and requested the best seats and they gave me by the window. I don’t know the staff’s name, the lady with the short pink hair and tattoo is so attentive, quick, and friendly! Great service, although when I went (Sunday dinner) they were very busy.They also lived up their name, the mashed potato was so smooth and tasty! Paired with flavourful gravy and well-rounded beef haggis, I’m so glad I came here. Keep up the good work👍🏻

We were trying Haggis for the first time and it was exceptional (both the beef one and the vegetarian one).Definitely try the cheese mash. It was fantastic, and all the dish came together with the amazing sauce.The broccoli was outstanding as well.The staff were very kind and energetic which was nice.Really recommend

It's probably the most popular/crowded restaurants in Edinburgh. You can either try to make a reservation a month in advance online, or do a walk-in(put your name down and wait) to their other location less than 30 seconds walk away on the same street.This place is over-hyped, the food is very photogenic, but just okay. They use the same strong gravy on every dish covering up the flavors of the meat and the lack of good mash. They call themselves a mashed potatoes bar with many varieties of mash on the menu, there is no option to taste them all unless you order a side of each type of mash.The haggis and the sticky toffee pudding were the best things here.

Very friendly and helpful staff. Loved the choice of food on offer. Really tasty meals and very generous portions.Very easily accessibly from Victoria Street with lovely views across the road of the Christmas Markets.Hoping to get the opportunity to come back here again!

The best food we’ve had in Edinburgh by far. We were looking for traditional Scottish food and this restaurant was a great choice. The mash and beef was delicious. So savoury, flavourful, and hits the spot. The gravy was rich and yummy.I am not a big dessert lover but we ordered The sticky toffee pudding and it was phenomenal. Truly a must order you would not regret.The girls working were very lovely and sweet. Beth managed to seat us despite us being late to our turn and was very helpful.Overall a fabulous experience. A great last meal before leaving Edinburgh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

We were lucky to not have reservation at a time, the food were amazing. I wanted to try haggis and i’ve had it here for the first time, it went well with the cheesy mash that was recommended by the staff. My spouse ordered sausages with mashed haggis and it was perfection. For dessert we recommend the toffee pudding with ice cream, great when still warm. What a lovely experience!

We liked it so much, we came back the next night!We had heard about Makars Mash but were unable to get a reservation at the place four doors down. So we arrived in line around 5:30 PM on a Monday night. We ended up being really fortunate, as they stopped seating at 6:15 PM and if we were not the last ones in, we were close to it.We both ordered the beef shoulder, my wife with the Bacon and Smoked Onion mash, while I had the Mature Scottish Cheddar Cheese mash. Both were excellent, though we really did not notice a huge difference between the two. We also ordered broccoli and a house salad.It bears to mention that the beef shoulder was amongst the best cooked, tastiest piece of meat we have ever had. Combined with the mash, just an amazing meal.We intended to come back the next day with family, but they were delayed in their travel plans, so we just returned on our own. My wife repeated her order (beef and smoked onion mash), while I wanted to try something different so ordered the chicken with smoked onion mash. I enjoyed the chicken, too. I don't think it was quite as good as the beef, but it was very tasty and I do not regret my choice. They ran out of broccoli, so we couldn't get that. My wife opted for the soup of the day (potato and leek), and I got another house salad.I highly recommend Makars Mash Bar. It is worth the wait.

Fantastic, you won't regret coming here! Absolutely delicious food with a great variety of choices. For a starter, we ordered the scotch egg which was very good. For mains, we both ordered the lamb shank and it did not disappoint. Beverley, our waitress, was super friendly. Food came out within a reasonable time, it was hot, tasted fresh and moreish. I highly recommend booking a table ahead of time as this place does get really busy!

Incredible food. Scotch egg was pricey for just 1 egg but quite unique. Highly recommend as a starter. Beef Haggis was the star for me. So good and the gravy was so rich but not overly fatty. Gammon and the lamb shank were also very good. Every dish came with mashed potato which was good.Great service. David was very friendly and attentive and went above and beyond to help us tourists. Highly recommend!

Perfect place ! Loved it. They have a brilliant menu with many options for both vegans and meat lovers. The best part on the menu is the wide variety of choices for non-alcoholic drinks, which is rare to find. They do the haggis perfectly and everything tasted absolutely delicious. Will be back for sure !

We tried lamb Haggis for main and Scotch eggs as the starter. You can choose from a selection of mash and I chose smoke bacon and it was wonderful. The place is quite nice and pretty large, so despite the fact that it is crowded, you would sit immediately.The Scotch Eggs was perfect and tasty and I'd recommend it, especially for egg lovers. For Haggis, the plate is well designed and feels special, but it wasn't the best Haggis I have tried in Edinburgh.

Easy to book onlineOn arrival and during the visit, the staff was great and couldn't do more for you asked.The venue is small, so it got a canteen experience to it. Small tables, etc. So i didn't feel too comfortable being rammed, so close to the next table.The food was quickly served. The wild bore mash meal was good!. But left a bit underwhelmed by the mash for the price of it.The starters of scotch egg were amazing. The taste was deep and filling, and unarguably the best i have ever had. But 5 prices were highly inflated for what you got.Overall, it was a good experience but wouldn't go back based on the price and the canteen vibe

The restaurant is in town, the service is very fast and therefore perfect for a quick meal. Despite this, the quality is excellent and I really enjoyed my meal, I also appreciated the typical Scottish cuisine on the menu. The staff was very smiley and well organized despite the busy time, thank you 😊

What a place this! The staff are an absolute asset to this business. We had Daisy and David looking after to us. David you really made our dreams come true with puddings. The care and attention they gave to our group was next level.Thank you for looking after us so well and being the best servers. The food was amazing.Cannot recommend enough - get here and choose your mash.

The food was amazing! We shared a haggis starter and the mushrooms with mash. The mushrooms had the most unreal consistency, so meaty and tasty! Everything tasted really good and the service was super friendly. Also, they are very aware of allergens, which is very nice.

My family and I thoroughly enjoyed our meals at Makars! As a party of 9, they were super accommodating of group as a walk in (but definitely recommend making reservations so you don’t have to do this). Everyone enjoyed their entrees - even our picky eaters! I personally had the haggis entree and thought it was delicious. They also have a great selection of beers.Definitely recommend this spot if you’re in Edinburgh - just remember to make a reservation ahead of time or go for an early dinner if you’re going to walk in!

Delicious! The staff screwed up our order of haggis and forgot about it but they ameliorated the situation by taking it off our bill. Speedy service otherwise and the food is well worth it. The potato’s are not that creamy but they’re very tasty. Highly recommend the sausage, which was the best thing we had. First time trying haggis and it was great! The gravy was super tasty!

I was absolutely floored by this place. While wandering through Edinburgh we stumbled in. They do fantastic combinations of either meat or vegetarian based main dishes that are placed on top of a huge variety of different mashed potatoes.Our group tried several varieties and honestly all were delicious in their own regard. The mini haggis was admittedly a little tame entry into the dish for less seasoned diners but it was absolutely delicious even if not a traditional take on the dish. Beer selection was also solid.Finally the staff provided exceptional service and were so friendly! 5/5 stars for this place. I highly recommend checking it out

We dove right in with the full portion of haggis and discovered that we really like it. Best Scotch egg I've ever had: somehow they make it so it's not too heavy. Unfortunately they sold out of their homegrown lions mane mushroom, but the woodland mushroom was excellent. Get the sticky toffee pudding for dessert!Clarkie was a great host and very considerate of our 2 year old.We'll be back whenever we return to Edinburgh.

Can’t believe this place is fully booked and has a line outside at 3 pm. Overall the food is nice but it isn’t as impressive as expected from the reviews.Mash tastes good indeed, especially the cheddar one. The beef shoulder and lamb shank are thought tender, though the lamb can probably have more lamb aroma.Hope there were more green leaves in addition to the carrot slaw.Food came quite slow. To be honest, none of the components need to be or can be made to order as they are slow cooked.Service was a little tired. The young lady didn’t ask which mash we want and the size of the lager… and she has “no idea how long the food takes”.

Wow. A truly impressive eating experience. Service is superb, quick, attentive, unobtrusive but friendly. The food is even better. All of the dishes (inevitably) revolve around mash (which I love) and a range of meat and vegetarian offerings. We tried the haggis (perfect), lamb (sublime) and the boar sausage (delightful). Portions are generous but it’s worth leaving a little room for the deserts. The sticky toffee pudding is just perfect with a light sponge laced with dates. I’d make sure you book a table which is easily done through their website as inevitably this is a hot spot to eat out when in Edinburgh.

Absolutely delicious!! We were able to walk in and get a table for an early dinner tonight. The lamb and beef options were both so so good. Love the range of mash options available including vegan and low calorie options. Really inclusive.Scott was also a great waiter, brilliant with his recommendations and really friendly.Go and support this independent business in Edinburgh!

A fantastic experience! The food was wonderful and the proportions were perfect. I had the crown of slow cooked beef shoulder w/horseradish infused gravy and the smoked bacon and spring onion mash. Absolutely delicious! The sticky toffee pudding was the perfect way to top off the meal. The staff were also very kind and attentive. Highly recommend this restaurant when you are visiting Edinburgh!

This place is awesome and definitely worth a visit! We were here for the last night before flying back home, and everything was perfect! The staff was very friendly and welcoming. If you have any questions or you need some recommendations, they will gladly help you. The food was very delicious and perfectly cooked! We finished with the sticky toffee pudding that a lot of peoplerecommend, and it was simply phenomenal! You have to try this! Thanks for the great experience! Because of all the good reviews, it's really recommended to make a reservation in advance! For everyone going to Edinburgh or living there, this restaurant is a must visit! Go check it out, you won't regret it!

We knew this little gem was always busy, so made a point of booking in advance. In short, the food was great, my wife's lamb shank full of flavour whilst my slow cooked beef was to die for. Great selection of different types of mash, wholesome desserts and a friendly , attentive team were on hand to make this a great dining experience.

We had a lovely Scottish dinner at Makars Mash last week. I would recommend to book in advance. They have 2 locations that 4 doors away from each other. One is for reservations and one is for walk in only. I reserved my table a couple months ago, and it was nice that they reached out the morning of to confirm my reservation. The restaurant was cozy, and well decorated. Service was phenomenal. My waiter was very friendly and thorough about food allergy. We ordered the Scotch eggs for starter. For main dishes, we got lamb shank, Haggis, beef shoulder, black pudding mash and their home grown Lion’s mane mushroom dish that was recommended by my waiter. Everything was delicious!!! I loved the Scotch eggs a lot. The lion’s mane mushroom dish was phenomenal and interesting. I didn’t expect that but it was the star of the show. The lamb shank and beef shoulder was fall of the bone tender and very flavorful. Black pudding mash was amazing. I just didn’t get used to the taste of Haggis but it’s just me.What I missed was the sticky toffee pudding. We were so stuffed that we couldn’t order their desserts.Overall, it was an incredible experience!!! I gotta say it was the best Scottish restaurant that we visited during our time in Edinburgh. I would highly recommend Makars Mash to anyone who visiting Edinburgh anytime soon.

The food in this place is wonderful, I fully recommend visiting.Mini Haggis to start with beef for mains followed up with a lovely sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce.I have never had haggis before but this was beautiful and the slow cooked beef was to die for.The staff are fantastic, very helpful and accommodating, making this a must stop every time I visit.

Lamp was delicious, the meat was so tender it fell off the bone. So was the beef. Black pudding mash was tasty. IPA was good with nice hints of citrus. Overall the atmosphere was very pleasant nice and friendly staff. I highly recommend! Cheers! :)

Such a gem! There are two locations, located four doors apart from each other. One is bookings and walk-ins, and one is walk-ins. As we’re tourists we went to the first one and were told to go to the other as we hadn’t booked.The lady in the first did not acknowledge us on entering and then spoke so quickly I, with background noise and a hearing impairment, could not understand her. A disappointing start.The second - walk-in only - was totally different. Friendly staff, great food and amazing atmosphere.I’d recommend the sausage with onion gravy, and my companion had a small Haggis. Tasty, filling, cannot fault anything about the meal, the surroundings , the staff… just perfect.Special thanks to Heidi and Daisy our waiting staff for smiles, welcomes, care and attention. They made our visit a memorable one for all the right reasons.

Food was very good. Everyone enjoyed it. I was a bit disappointed by the lions head mushroom meal, wish I had gotten something else but it was still good. Tomato soup and mashed was great. The vegetarian sausage was really enjoyable also! The first really good meal we have had in Scotland! Worth going to.

This was the best meal of our whole trip. The atmosphere of the shop was lovely, as well as all the staff, particularly Scott who really looked after us.You can’t go wrong with any of the food from the myriad of choices on the menu. We got the haggis and tatties starter, the crown of beef shoulder and lamb shank as mains, and the sticky toffee pudding, as well as the crumble for dessert. They were all amazing and it is beyond difficult to pick a favourite!If ever I visit Edinburgh again I’ll be sure to come back.

Visited this place during our trip to Edinburgh as it was recommended by a colleague of mine. I love mashed potatoes and I was not disappointed!We went for lunch on a weekday, it was packed, but we managed to get a table. The service was very friendly and fast. The atmosphere was nice.The food was amazing! It's definitely comfort food. They offer different variations of mashed potatoes. I love cheese as well, so I went with the applewood cheese mash, and it was absolutely delicious. I ordered the char-grilled chicken, and it was such a great combination with the mash! The soup of the day was parsnip and turmeric, and it was delicious as well. You can also try a wide range of Scottish whisky here.I would definitely visit this place when I come back to Edinburgh

I couldn't fault the lamb shank I tried but it wasn't anything worth lining up for in my opinion. We also tried the beef shoulder, again it was good but nothing mind blowing. They pump out the food and it's very busy so you know you're getting fresh meals. The prices were on the higher side but I still think it was fair for what you're getting here. Personally I'd recommend going somewhere further away from the tourist area if you like something a bit quieter - it's very much in and out more than a dining experience.

So glad we chose to eat our first dinner in Edinburgh here. Centrally located off the Royal Mile, it was perfect. There are 2 sections - one for walk-in where you will see a queue and a few doors down, the section for those with reservations. Same food but we like the vibe of the reserved side better so definitely recommend making a reservation. We ordered the Beef Shoulder with Creamed horseradish mash and Chicken with Cheddar cheese mash. Too bad Scotch Eggs were sold out. But we decide to try a side of Lion’s Mane mushrooms. Great flavors for both our main and a surprising ‘meaty with a hint of herb’ taste for mushroom. Service was impeccable! We would have loved to have the Sticky Toffee pudding but we really can’t fit anymore food in. We had a peek at the mushroom emporium in the basem*nt which is a funny thing.

Mash here is amazing! Love the cheddar mash, the flavour was really rich and pairs well with anything. The lions mane mushroom was an interesting dish. It went well with the red wine sauce and great alternative to meat. I would love to have this again. The black pudding mash though was quite bland. Couldn't really taste the pudding but I guess this was to accommodate for people who just wanted to try it? Service here is top notch, super attentive staff and great vibes. Atmosphere was super lively if anything a bit too lively for my liking. Will for sure visit this place again the next time I'm in Edinburgh.

Oh my god the food is unreal. Scotch egg for starters was perfectly done. The beef shoulder main is a must have, the meat falls apart, the gravy so thick and tasty and I chose the whole grain mustard mash also a must. Dessert wise you have to have the sticky toffee pudding which is perfection, the crumble a solid choice. Staff are friendly, helpful and quick service. Laid back industrial heavy wood vibe, Neo our waiter helped us with menu choices and did a good job with all recommendations

During my visit to Edinburgh, I had the pleasure of dining at Makars Mash Bar, a cozy spot nestled in the heart of the city. From the moment I walked in, the welcoming atmosphere and the friendly staff set the stage for an unforgettable meal.The menu is a delightful homage to Scottish cuisine, featuring locally sourced ingredients. I started with their signature haggis, which was rich and flavorful, paired perfectly with creamy mashed potatoes. The slow-cooked lamb was tender and well-seasoned, showcasing their commitment to quality.Makars Mash Bar is a must-visit for anyone looking to experience the best of Scottish comfort food in a warm and inviting setting. It's clear why they've earned numerous awards and a loyal following. Highly recommended!

It’s our first time in Scotland and this meal has been nothing but memorable.I could see why there’s such high ratings and hype about this place. Of course I was skeptical at first — as with all highly raved social media recommended spots — but I was proven otherwise.The food was pure comfort in this cold winter evening. We had the lamb shank and beef shoulder; both just melts in your mouth and there was not the slightest gaminess from the meat. The vinaigrette beetroot and carrot on the side cuts out the richness from the meats, which gets me going onto the next bite again and again.Staff were friendly and attentive despite the busyness during service. Was impressed that their staff, Scott, could converse so fluently in mandarin.Overall a hearty, filling, and unpretentious meal. Would definitely recommend this to anyone visiting Edinburgh.P.S. It does take a while to get a seat. So just chill out at any bar nearby or take a walk.

Where to start... This place has the best Haggies I've ever tried. The only downside it had is that it ended. I could recommend this place just for this plate alone, but all the other ones are recommendable. The Scotch eggs were fantastic as well. If someday I go back to Edinburgh, I will surely stop here for a great meal. Oh, don't forget to try the sticky pudding for dessert!

Worth the wait! The line outside is the first clue that this place is amazing. We went for dinner and were glad we did. Seasonal salad, potato leek soup, and bacon mash for me. Char grilled chicken with bacon mash and same soup . Awesome all around. Don't waste your time at other mediocre bistros and pubs in Edinburgh . They grow their own Lions mane mushrooms too!

We ended up eating here twice on our trip to Edinburgh. Mostly because the food was so great but also because they were able to accommodate a gluten allergy. At the time of our visit all of their puddings (desserts) were gluten free. My wife was so excited to find some sticky toffee pudding she could eat. The first time I visited I had the royal haggis mash and the scotch egg starter. Both were great! It was my first experience with haggis and i was not disappointed. The second time we visited I had their lions mane dinner with the mushrooms they grow themselves. It was quite tasty and had a very interesting texture. It reminded me of pork belly in texture. Definitely recommend and if we come back to Edinburgh there is a high chance we will return. Last thing though, I would HIGHLY recommend making reservations, we visited in the off season and it was quite busy both times.

Great Hearty meal. Super concept,choose a main,then accompany it with choices of extremely tasty creamy mash.We chose the sausages,which were tasty and generous.The mash with mustard grains topped with yummy sauce was very good indeed.Hot and cold drinks and puddings if you want too.Staff all friendly and happy to help.Casual,relaxed atmosphere.Would highly recommend.

One of the better restaurants we visited during our time in Scotland. I especially recommend Makars Mash Bar to visitors since it is a local/independent restaurant that will give you an authentically Scottish experience! We got here around opening and were seated immediately but by the time we finished there was a long line outside, so reservations are recommended

I visited here Saturday night without an appointment and spent less than half an hour in line.Sadly there were no scotch eggs left for the evening, which is exactly what I came for. So you'd better come at noon if you want it. I ordered the slow cooked lamb shank and haggis pie which was served quickly. The lamb was too heavy for me but the mashed potatoes,side and the sauce was good. the haggis pie was better than I expected and wasn't fishy. But honestly, I preferred the pumpkin puree, mashed potatoes and sauce in it equally. I was relieved when I gave up on the beef stroganoff part. It wasn't that it didn't taste good, it's just that I really wasn't ready for it. And soda was delicious.At checkout you are kindly asked if you want to tip, which of course is optional.