The 12 best spots for mac and cheese in Edinburgh

We walked all over Edinburgh today and wanted some traditional Scottish food. What better place to visit than Mums Great Comfort Food! It was excellent!!!! We ordered bangers & mash, steak & ale pie, fried chicken burger w/Cajun spice & an egg, burger w/BBQ sauce & jalapeno, along with the Camembert app & Haggis app. That was the best Haggis I've ever had! It was so good that even my picky eater had some and went back for more. Everything was great and we were very grateful they were able to squeeze our large group in. I highly recommend the Haggis appetizer, the ale pie, and the bangers & mash.

Hip dockside pub with elevated pub food and a very decent beer selection. Their QR code ordering system has its quirks (we were delivered the wrong beer) but otherwise the people are call and there's plenty of indoor and outdoor seating to choose from. Like the tourists we are, we even had a whisky flight in the main bar after dinner - great fun.

If you are looking for a private dining room for up to 30 people look no further than Howies. We have just celebrated my husband’s special birthday there with our friends and family and everything was excellent. We had great communication before the event and they catered for my every whim. The food, the staff and the venue were just fantastic. We have had many events at Howies and we have always been very happy. From the moment our guests arrived they were offered a drink and throughout the night the team were very attentive. Thank you so much to everyone involved.

Milly, really appreciate and enjoyed your service!!! Excellent choices of whiskey and great choices of veggie burgers. Thank you all for an amazing experience!! Milly, it was great seeing how you served everyone with smile. Very quality food specially vegetarian burger. Thank you team. Definitely a place for everyone to try!!

Outstanding dining experience We thoroughly enjoyed our lunch — the food was exceptional, with each dish thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented. The desserts were particularly impressive, a perfect end to a memorable meal. Service was impeccable. A special mention to our waiter, Catalin, who truly elevated the experience. Always smiling, attentive, and highly knowledgeable about the menu, he guided us with clarity and enthusiasm. An overall five-star experience in every aspect — food, service, and atmosphere. Highly recommended.

What a little gem!! Outstanding staff, FABULOUS Cocktails, DELICIOUS menu! At first sight you might not think much of it more than a quirky, charming neighborhood pub… but then your greeted by the staff (even when busy they engage you and are thoughtful of your needs) … and maybe first look at the menu and you might think “aw just a pub grub menu” but THEN the food arrives and WOW - rich, flavorful, specialties made in house, and huge portions! Plus at extremely reasonable prices for the usual current cost of meals out! And can’t forget their “Pot-Tails” , creative cocktail menu with some fabulous concoctions that go down to deliciously easy!! Super impressed with this little hidden gem and will be back!!!

A truly fabulous dining experience from start to finish. La Locanda on Cockburn Street continues to impress with its warm, inviting atmosphere, exceptional food, and attentive, friendly service. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. It’s a very small, intimate restaurant, which adds to its charm—but it does mean you need to book in advance to avoid disappointment. For drinks, I enjoyed a lovely glass of red wine with my meal. My husband started with a Limoncello cocktail—zesty and vibrant—followed later by a fine whisky to round off the evening. Our starters were both from the specials menu: I had the Trio di Crostini—a delicious variety of flavours and textures—while my husband chose the Arancini, perfectly crisp on the outside and creamy within. For mains, I had the Ravioli, rich and delicately balanced, and he went for the Lasagne, a hearty, flavourful classic. We finished with desserts: Tiramisu for me and Panna Cotta for him. Both were absolutely delicious—we were already halfway through before we remembered to take any photos! Having dined here before, we returned with high expectations—and once again, La Locanda did not disappoint. A real gem in the heart of Edinburgh, and one we’ll happily return to time and again.

A Perfect Family Lunch in the Heart of Edinburgh! We stopped here during our Big Bus Tour with our kids — and it was absolutely the right choice. The pizzas were fresh, delicious, and generously topped — the one with rocket and spicy sauce was a particular highlight! The kids loved the fries and burgers, and the service was both quick and friendly. The colorful and fun interior added a playful vibe, making the whole experience enjoyable for both adults and children. It’s hard to find a place where the whole family leaves full and happy — this was one of those rare spots. Highly recommended for families visiting Edinburgh who are looking for good food, big portions, and a relaxed atmosphere. 📍 Family-friendly | Great service | Large portions | Casual & fun ambiance

I absolutely adored this quirky bar and restaurant! Our group had a fantastic time sampling the appetizers, each bursting with unique flavors, from the crispy cauliflower bites and the savory pickled spears. We also indulged in their burgers, which were so delicious! The atmosphere was vibrant and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a night out. I highly recommend this hidden gem to anyone looking for a fun and delicious dining experience!

Such a cozy place! There’s a great selection of delicious soups, sandwiches, chili, salads, and much more — something for everyone. The staff was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the experience even better. Highly recommended if you’re looking for a warm and tasty meal in a relaxed atmosphere!

This savoury Brazilian Crepe was absolutely gorgeous! Had the spicy ratatouille crepe with a mixture of goats cheese and mozzarella - really fantastic, best thing I've tried for a while! If I lived in Edinburgh, I'd want to come here everyday to try everything on the menu. Also it's perfect for people with coeliac disease, as everything is naturally gluten-free, so I felt very safe eating here. Definitely recommend, and I will return next time I'm in Edinburgh. Delicious!

Here for Fight Robots Fight 10th anniversary gig, with Guns At Brunch, and Rhuari Campbell (Slow For A Poet). Excellent venue, with local beer, nice staff, great atmosphere. I really enjoyed it here, and from the people I spoke to - so did everyone else :) Highly recommend. I'll be back - definitely. (Btw - I very very very rarely leave a review).