Makars Gourmet Mash Bar — Edinburgh’s Must-Visit Mash Heaven

If you love mashed potatoes, Makars Gourmet Mash Bar should be at the top of your Edinburgh food list. Nestled on Bank Street, this cosy spot specialises in creative mash platters with toppings that range from hearty meats to imaginative vegetarian twists.

📍 Where & When

Address: 9-12 Bank St, Edinburgh EH1 2LN, UK

Opening hours:
Monday–Thursday: 12:00–20:30
Friday–Saturday: 12:00–21:30
Sunday: 12:00–20:00

Booking: It’s strongly recommended. You can book online, or expect a 30–40 minute wait if you just walk in.

What to Expect & What We Tried

Makars doesn’t just mash potatoes — they elevate them. The mash is creamy and perfectly textured, and each topping adds depth. On their menu, they highlight especially lamb mash and black pudding mash, but they also do excellent chicken and vegetarian options.

Since half of our family is vegetarian, we were delighted to see a solid range of meat-free choices. Availability like that shows they really care about all kinds of diners.

Our Dishes & Reactions

We started with a round of chilled drinks (because yes, mash + beer = joy).
Soju had apple juice, and Dad went for a lager — yum.

Kimchi tried the vegan sausage mash — bold, comforting, delicious.
Soju’s kids’ menu was vegetarian haggis mash — smaller portion, same flavour.
I ordered the full vegetarian haggis mash (bigger than the kids’ version — thank goodness).
And Dad opted for Lion’s Mane Mushroom Bites mash — “the staff’s recommendation,” he said. That turned out to be one of the highlights: perfectly cooked, juicy mushrooms with a sauce that tied everything together.

We polished off all our plates — no scraps left. Then came dessert time.
We shared a warm sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. The contrast of warm gooey pudding and cold ice cream was heavenly. Soju devoured his whole bowl before I could say “second serving?” 😂

We also tried traditional cranachan — think oats, raspberries, cream, and a hint of whisky. I liked it, though I don’t think I’ll order it every time. It’s a delicate dessert, not heavy, but full of character.

Service, Atmosphere & Insider Tips

The staff were friendly and patient — especially with us ordering in bits because half our group is vegetarian. Meanwhile, I noticed many Chinese tourists dining there too (always a good sign!). One server even spoke fluent Chinese — I think that won extra admiration from me.

Because the place is popular, there’s often a queue. I’d suggest booking ahead if you can. If not, brace for a 30 to 40 minute wait — but it’s almost always worth it.

Insider Tips:

• Order the mash difference — sometimes you can get a side mash for your main for a small extra.
• Go early if you want a quieter time — later evenings are busiest.
• If you see a recommended dish by staff, try it — the Lion’s Mane mushroom mash surprised us in a delightfully good way.

Why I Loved It & Who Should Visit

I loved Makars because it felt like comfort food that’s clever. It’s mashed potatoes with thought, with heart, not just carbs. Even Kimchi and Soju — who pick their food carefully — kept asking for more. Dad was full but still had space for dessert.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh and you love food that warms both belly and heart, make a stop here. Especially if you’re mashed-potato lovers — this is the place. Just remember: book early or expect a wait.

Next up, I’ll share more from our day — hidden alleys, sunset views, and how we ended up falling in love with Edinburgh one cobbled street at a time.