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Haggis, which consists of sheep’s or calf’s offal with suet, oatmeal, and seasoning, is a delicious, traditional Scottish food. Here are the best places to enjoy Scottish cuisine in Edinburgh.

Be sure to check out the best tours across Edinburgh to make the most out of your tasty trip to the Scottish capital city.

The Haggis Box

The Haggis Box is located right in the centre of the Royal Mile, making it the perfect stop on any tour through the city. With their traditional mix of haggis, neeps and tatties, you can feast like a proper Scot in the centre of the capital. They offer a selection of toppings, including red wine gravy, mustard or whisky to make it a truly delicious and authentic Scottish feast. What’s great about the Haggis Box is that they cater for vegans and vegetarians too, making this a tasty stop on the tour for all travellers.

Haggis, neeps and tatties

Whiski Bar

Another pub on the Royal Mile, near the Royal McGregor, is the Whiski Bar. This warm and friendly pub is filled with live music every evening. Its mission is to be as Scottish as possible, something reflected in the local, fresh ingredients. The Whiski Bar offers a haggis stack as a starter and a haggis tower consisting of the traditional haggis, neeps and tatties. Its slightly higher prices reflect a true dedication to quality. Complete your meal with a glass of whisky.

Arcade Bar: Haggis and Whisky House

The Arcade Bar’s specialities are Scotland’s most famous products: haggis and whisky. The perfect combination of the two is Robert Burn’s Famous Haggis, which is a delicious tower of haggis, neeps, and tatties drenched in a delectable whisky sauce. The haggis options do not end there, though: Princess Diana Style Haggis is the same as Robert Burn’s haggis, but with a specially made-to-order cream sauce that infused with tomatoes, onions, and Drambuie. If you happen to pop by at breakfast, not dinner, fear not: the Scottish breakfast option includes haggis, along with bacon, sausage, hash browns, mushrooms, beans, eggs, tomatoes, and crispy toasts.

Sir Walter Scott Tea Room

Sir Walter Scott Tea Room is tucked away on the third floor of a Scottish gift shop called Romanes and Paterson’s. The staff displays an endearing Scottish friendliness (dressed all in tartan), the food is fresh and made-to-order, and there is a splendid view from the window of Princess St. Gardens and the Castle. Like everything else, the haggis in this lovely restaurant is fresh and delicious, and can be found in the Scottish breakfast as well as in the MacSween’s haggis with oatcakes.

The Last Drop

Named after the last hanging to take place in the Grassmarket, The Last Drop is one of Edinburgh’s spookier pubs. It is known for the ghost dressed as a medieval girl that supposedly haunts the premises and for its excellent Scottish pub fare, all set in this now charming area. This pub is a haggis-lover’s paradise, offering haggis, neeps, and tatties as a starter, and even as a vegetarian option.

Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar

Greyfriars Bobby in Edinburgh Scotland

This traditional pub is named after an Edinburgh Skye Terrier called Bobby, who spent 14 years faithfully watching over his master’s grave when his master died in 1858. The loyal pup was commemorated with a statue and this friendly pub. Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar’s dedication to high quality, excellent traditional food is just as steadfast as the pup’s dedication to his master. Haggis can be found in the classic haggis, neeps and tatties as a starter and is available for vegetarians too.

Wedgwood the Restaurant

Canongate Tolbooth on the Royal Mile

Winner of numerous awards and recognitions, Wedgwood the Restaurant has established itself as one of the best places for fine dining in Edinburgh. While its prices are on the higher end, they are quite reasonable considering the high quality dishes. The restaurant is known for the best food, using the finest, freshest, and often most unique ingredients. Haggis features in many different forms on the menu; you can try it as part of the venison dish, which has creamed leeks, beetroot, truffle jus, and basil pesto. Less of a traditional Scottish pub, Wedgwood the Restaurant offers you a fine-dining experience without any pretentiousness.

The White Hart

The White Hart, a place where Oliver Cromwell, William Wordsworth and Robert Burns have dined, is one of the liveliest and friendliest pubs in Edinburgh, with live music every night. Top quality haggis is served in a form to suit everyone’s taste, with vegetarian options available too.

About the author

Melanie Erspamer is a student of English Literature and Philosophy at the University of Edinburgh. Half Italian and Half American (from near Boston), two of her reigning passions in life are travelling and eating. She is happy to be able to share those passions and her love for writing on The Culture Trip.

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