Makars Mash Bar — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

On a recent trip to Edinburgh, found Makars almost by accident. Each of us unsure what a “Mash Bar” was, was it sour mash whiskey bar or something to do with mashed potato?

It is mashed potato.

The menu looked to be exactly what we wanted, and between us we ordered most of their main options: the slow-cooked lamb shank, the beef shoulder, the haggis, the sausages and the chicken.

The lamb shank was everything you’d want it to be - a tender, perfectly braised shank in a rich tomato, rosemary, and red wine sauce. It was so good I wanted to praise the chef for their skills, thank the farmer for their effort and the sheep for their sacrifice.

The beef shoulder is a rich dish, good if you’re breaking it up with greens and a few pints. The beef is well cooked and I liked a taste, the person who ordered it loved it but didn’t finish it.

The real deal definite surprise highlight for me was the haggis. I was very nervous that someone ordered it as a main and offered that I was prepared to share my meal with them if it was gross. Far from it, I almost wanted to swap with them. They definitely know what they are working with, and have considered how to make it work. It walks the line between reverence for the tradition and making sure its flavours are balanced with the rest of the dish so you can eat it all. As an introduction to haggis, it’s very good. Having had haggis before, this was the best one I’ve tried and it didn’t feel like you were eating something on a dare. I thought it was really well done. The spatchcock chicken in the whiskey, peppercorn and mustard cream sauce was good too, everyone was happy with their orders.

I really wanted to try one of their signature mushroom dishes and will visit again to do so I’m sure; but this time I got the wild boar sausages - and I really enjoyed the flavours and it met my comfort food criteria in ways that only sausage and mash can.

So, the mash bar part - when you order your mains, you get to choose from a wide selection of variations of mashed potato. We tried four: the classic Scottish, smoked bacon and spring onion (with the chicken and beef), mature cheddar (with the sausages), and mild smoked Applewood cheese (with the lamb shanks) and the black pudding mash (with the haggis). I’m sure it is possible to make minor mis-steps - but if you go with what you like, you won’t go too far wrong. I really liked my cheddar mash with the sausages. I would also recommend getting the broccoli/anything green to go with your meal as it does help break up the meat and potatoes.

As we were joking that they didn’t have a dessert menu because no one can move after eating their mains. The waitress came over with a dessert menu. Given I hadn’t checked out the Mushroom Emporium downstairs yet and we were still enjoying our drinks, we thought we might just get one or two to share.

Like the rest of the menu, the desserts are comfort food. The crumble special was berry and apple crumble with custard and ice-cream, and we got a a butterscotch pudding to try as well. Both were great and if you have any room, you won’t be disappointed.

As we were waiting for dessert, I wandered down the stairs to take a look at Makar’s Mushroom Emporium. It’s a room that wouldn’t be out of place in a Breaking Bad scene, but for Lion’s Mane Mushrooms. The intent is to grow their own to keep costs to diners low, and it is a cool idea and was cool to see. They have some educational information and lots of mushrooms growing down there. Mushrooms are growing in popularity as a superfood and I’ll definitely return to try one of the mushroom dishes we missed this round.

Edinburgh is definitely a destination worth visiting. If you find yourself there and need some good quality, reasonably priced comfort food, Makar’s Mash Bar isn’t a bad place to land, Id recommend trying to book anywhere you want to eat in Edinburgh as most places were packed and busy, including this one - until next time:...

If there is one restaurant that deserves 5 stars it has to be Makars, it’s very deserving.

We actually enjoyed our first visit so much we came back the next day for our second dose.

So there are two locations - one with reservations and one walk in. Reservations can be hard to get even with a few days advance so I would look at booking a week in advance.

You can get into the booking section by seeing if they have cancellations through.

If you go to the walk in shop you can wait for up to 45 minutes, and it’s first come first serve so larger party sizes may have to wait longer, but smaller party sizes could be sat at big tables.

The food was out of this world amazing, I had the Aberdeen Angus beef shoulder whilst my girlfriend had the char grilled chicken (on both visits). The beef was tender, melt in your mouth and flavoursome.

For mash we had classic dairy butter, cheddar mash and smoked bacon spring onion mash. All of it was equally amazing and I would recommend getting at least one side of additional mash per couple of people, if not each.

For desert we had sticky toffee pudding with Ice cream and apple fruit crumble with Ice cream and custard. I usually don’t like sticky toffee pudding but this was so amazing.

There is a reasonable selection of whisky, local beers, and soft drinks available.

The atmosphere was humble but comfortable like a pie and mash shop I guess, but you’re going to be enjoying your food so much you’re not going to notice.

Then we come onto service which was exceptional, we want to thank David, Pam and our swiftie friend Jess for their hard work and warm welcome.

All of this came at an exceptionally fair price too, we were so pleased with our meals I would have been happy paying more.

A lot of businesses could learn from Makars, be good at something, at a competitive price, offer good service, and stick to it. Makars does exceptional food, at an exceptional price with exceptional service.

This should be on everyone’s go to list in Edinburgh and be the first place to eat. In my opinion it’s the perfect way to end your first day in Edinburgh, after visiting the castle and going to the scotch whiskey experience, this is the place to unwind a little, enjoy some amazing food and soak up some whiskey.

10/10 would highly recommend and...

Makars Mash Bar – So Good, We Went Twice!

If you’re in Edinburgh and craving proper comfort food served with heart, flavour, and a good dose of Scottish charm, Makars Mash Bar is an absolute must. We ended up going twice – and honestly, we would’ve gone a third time if our schedule had allowed it.

From the moment you walk in, the staff make you feel completely at home – genuinely friendly, polite, and clearly happy to be there (and happy you’re there, too). It’s not just dinner – it’s a whole good-vibes experience.

Now, let’s talk food. First visit: We kicked things off with the Tenderstem Broccoli and the Home Grown Lion’s Mane Bites. Let’s just say: if you think mushrooms are boring, these will change your mind. So flavourful and satisfying, we seriously considered just ordering another round and calling it a night.

But then came the mains, and oh wow: • Slow Cooked Lamb Shank with a tomato, rosemary & red wine sauce – fall-off-the-bone tender, rich, and deeply satisfying. • Crown of Slow Cooked Beef Shoulder with a rich horseradish gravy – the kind of dish that makes you stop mid-bite just to appreciate how ridiculously good it is. The meat melted in our mouths, and that gravy? Divine.

And of course, the mash! Creamy, hearty, and the perfect partner to every dish. Mash heaven.

Second visit – because yes, we couldn’t stay away: We tried the Bonnie Prince Charlie Spatchcock Chicken in a whisky, peppercorn & mustard sauce. The name might be long, but trust us – every word is worth it. Juicy, perfectly cooked chicken with a sauce that hits all the right notes. And then: Makars Exclusive Royal Highland Haggis with heather honey & turnip purée. Honestly? Game-changer. If you’ve ever been hesitant about trying haggis, this is the place to do it. It’s rich, earthy, slightly sweet – and completely delicious.

Final verdict: Incredible food, warm-hearted service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Whether you’re a carnivore, a sauce enthusiast, or just someone who wants to leave a restaurant feeling full and happy – Makars is the place. Two visits weren’t enough – and we’re already...