Hearty Scottish comfort dishes centered on mash with standout lamb, beef shoulder, and scotch eggs; excellent hospitality for most, but expect long waits and occasional host-desk friction.
Makars Mash Bar delivers exceptional food quality anchored by tender lamb shank and beef shoulder with rich gravies, supported by friendly, attentive service and appealing Old Town location. However, consistency shows variability in seasoning and gravy portions, and operational friction—notably long walk-in queues and polarized host interactions—prevents grade A territory. Reliable comfort-food execution and strong value make it competitive with the area's better neighborhood restaurants, best enjoyed with advance booking.
One caveat: Queue management can feel rigid; walk-ins may wait 45-90 minutes or be turned away during peaks