A SMALL family-owned restaurant in Edinburgh with nine types of mashed potato on its menu has just been announced as the winner of best restaurant in the UK for casual dining.

Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, located a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Old Town, specialises in traditional Scottish comfort food, dishes like haggis, neeps and tatties and chicken in whisky sauce.

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But what makes this eatery unique, is everything comes with your own choice of mashed potato.

There are nine flavours to choose from:

• Classic Scottish dairy butter
• Mature Scottish cheddar cheese
• Mild smoked applewood cheese
• Wholegrain mustard
• Smoked bacon and spring onion
• Scottish black pudding
• Chilli smoked bean medley
• Creamed horseradish
• Olive oil mash

Of course, if you’re not a fan of the smooth and silky side, you can opt out of having it – purple-sprouting broccoli is served up instead.

Makars was given the accolade in the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards Best of the Best Restaurants 2024.

Tripadvisor chose its winners by looking at the quality and quantity of reviews and ratings for restaurants from travellers over a 12-month period.

Makars was described by reviewers as an “Edinburgh legend” and “local gem”.

As well as serving up delicious food in a cosy, relaxed atmosphere, the restaurant focuses on using local ingredients and is moving towards plant based cooking.

Alongside slow cooked lamb shank, slow cooked beef shoulder, and wild board sausage, it offers vegetarian haggis and vegetarian sausage made from skirlie (a traditional Scottish dish made from oatmeal and onion).

Makers also has dishes with lions mane mushroom on offer for its vegan and vegetarian customers, an ingredient known for being packed with potent antioxidants to fight disease, with claims it can boost brain cell production.

The mushroom is described as having the taste of lobster and crab, with the look of a lion’s mane. 

Typically, they’re quite expensive, but Makers has developed an advanced lions mane grow facility in Edinburgh, allowing them to offer them at a cost they think is fair – that’s dedication.

Prices at Makers range from £18 to £23, not including sides or dessert.

One customer who visited the restaurant this month described their meal as a “feast to remember”.

They wrote in their review on Tripadvisor: “Quite simply – the best dining experience I’ve had in months! The place is buzzing, but not crowded.

“The staff were superlative, offering friendly assistance throughout the meal, without being obtrusive.

“The food was first class. Loved the black pudding mash. A feast to remember.”

Another penned: “Friendly and relaxed atmosphere for a truly gourmet experience.”

Makers also came in the top 10 restaurants for casual dining worldwide.

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Sliding into ninth place, it joined the likes of restaurants in Spain, Italy, Argentina and Peru.

While Makers does accept walk in customers, it’s recommended you book in advance as it can get very busy.