Makars Mash Bar is a scottish restaurant in Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Rated 4.8 stars from 9465 Google reviews. Known for meat cooked to depth, not just tenderness and mashed potatoes as the main event, not an afterthought. Best for dinner and group dining. Ranked #1 of 15 in Grassmarket. Price range: £20–30.
Rankings updated April 2026
Makars Mash Bar
🥇Zone Ranking
Top 1 in Grassmarket
in Grassmarket
Holding steady
Quick Verdict
Yes. Reviewers return for the depth of flavour in the meat and the obsessive care with mashed potatoes; staff remember your name and move you through service without rushing you.
You want proper Scottish comfort food that tastes like it's been refined over decades, not invented last season—and you're willing to book ahead because walk-in waits hit 30–60 minutes most evenings.
About Makars Mash Bar
Makars Mash Bar is a Scottish restaurant on Bank Street in Grassmarket that does one thing obsessively well: mash. Not as a side dish. As the centrepiece. You'll find slow-cooked beef shoulder, lamb shank, and chicken served over thick, creamy mashed potatoes—bacon mash, cheddar mash, olive oil mash—each one a vehicle for the meat above it. The menu leans traditional Scottish: haggis appears in multiple forms, whisky cream sauces coat the proteins, and sticky toffee pudding closes the meal. The space itself is split across 2 doors—the main restaurant down at 9-12 Bank St feels proper and upscale, whilst a walk-in entrance 50 metres up the street feeds into a more casual bar area. Service moves fast when you're seated (reviewers praise staff by name: Jess, Anna, Roman). The beer list is serious—Pilot Stout on draft gets specific mention—and cocktails land well. It's packed by dinner most nights. Reservations aren't optional.
What Stands Out
Meat cooked to depth, not just tenderness
Reviewers consistently mention flavour: 'The meat was incredibly flavorful, you can really taste all the depth, and it was cooked perfectly.' Beef shoulder and lamb shank appear across multiple reviews as standouts; one diner noted the lamb shank was 'absolutely delicious.'
Mashed potatoes as the main event, not an afterthought
One reviewer declared: 'I have tasted Heaven in potato form and may never feel this happy again.' Another: 'If you love mash, go here. If you don't love mash, go here because it'll make you love mash.' Specific varieties (bacon mash, cheddar mash, olive oil mash) are mentioned across reviews as 'thick and tasty.'
Fast, knowledgeable service even when packed
Reviews praise staff by name and describe them as 'incredibly friendly and knowledgeable, helping us choose the best dishes' and 'so friendly and speedy with their service.' One reviewer noted staff 'always ask about allergens when you're getting ready to order.'
What Customers Say
absolutely delicious and jess and anna were so friendly and speedy with their service.
Simply stunning food, whatever you order this will deliver in abundance.
I have tasted Heaven in potato form and may never feel this happy again.
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions about Makars Mash Bar
Yes. Walk-in waits hit 30–60 minutes most evenings, especially after 5:30 PM. Book online or call ahead. The main restaurant (Door 1, 9-12 Bank St) takes reservations; a casual bar entrance 50 metres up the street operates first-come-first-served but feeds into the same kitchen.
The slow-cooked beef shoulder and lamb shank are the standouts—both come with your choice of mashed potatoes (bacon, cheddar, or olive oil). The Bonnie Prince Charlie chicken with whisky cream sauce also appears consistently in reviews. Finish with sticky toffee pudding. Tomato soup opens well.
Expect £20–30 per person for a main course with sides. Reviewers note it's 'typical of Edinburgh' pricing—not cheap, but justified by portion size and quality. Vegan options (Lion's Mane mushroom bites with whisky cream sauce) are available and priced similarly.
Yes. Lion's Mane mushroom bites with cherry tomato and whisky cream sauce can be made vegan and come served over olive oil mashed potatoes with roasted broccoli. Tell staff you're vegan when ordering to ensure preparation.
Yes. Google attributes list it as family-friendly with a kids' menu, high chairs available, and dogs allowed outside. Reviews mention groups and families dining there, though the main restaurant does get busy—book ahead if you're bringing children.
Also in Grassmarket
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