Simply put, haggis, the national dish of Scotland, is a polarizing meal for those who aren’t familiar with it or who have never dug into it. But for adventurous carnivores, it’s often found to be a spice-laden, meat-a-rific treat — and Edinburgh has plenty of options to sample.
In its simplest form, haggis is a savory pudding that consists of sheeps’ livers, hearts, and lungs that are minced and mixed with oatmeal and seasoned with herbs and spices. The medley is then — in its most traditional form — stuffed into a sheep’s stomach and boiled. In Scotland, it’s usually served with “neeps and tatties,” Scottish versions of turnips and potatoes.
While sheep-innards pudding may not sound appealing to all travelers visiting Scotland, there are a number of Edinburgh restaurants putting their own unique spins on the traditional dish that may make it a wee bit more palatable.
If standard haggis doesn’t sound like your bag, try these unique haggis dishes in Edinburgh. As always, check for travel guidelines and closures before planning your trip.
Haggis Burger at The Holyrood 9A
The Holyrood 9A has a menu of more than a dozen different burgers, and it seems only fitting that at least one of them would be a haggis burger. The Scotsman, as it’s called, features a venison burger with haggis, smoked cheddar, and a brioche bun smeared with whisky and cracked-pepper mayo.
According to The Holyrood 9A’s GM, the kitchen staff kneads out haggis into the shape of burger patties before baking them to ensure a crisp texture. In addition to meat-focused options, Holyrood also serves some veggie burger alternatives, including a chickpea burger with vegan cheddar, fried onion, and chipotle ketchup..
Homemade Haggis at Makars Mash Bar
Makars Mash Bar has a strong local focus, in part inspired by the craft beer industry and its attention to using locally sourced ingredients to create small-batch products. If you’re not ready to fully commit to tucking into traditional haggis, Makars has a mini haggis, neeps, and tatties taster, which is a much smaller version of the traditional haggis dish.
Unlike many other restaurants, Makars makes its own haggis. The meat-eater’s calls for lamb and Scotch beef and is served with a cream sauce incorporating whisky, pepper, and mustard. Meanwhile, the vegan haggis comprises nuts, lentils, carrots, fennel, and warm spices.
Haggis Bon Bons at The Doric
At The Doric, the tradition of a historic Scottish pub is met with a contemporary take on haggis. Built in the 17th century and having served classic Scottish dishes since the 18th century, The Doric certainly prepares Scotland’s national dish of haggis in its traditional form, served alongside mashed turnips and mashed potatoes (with a light whisky gravy).
But you’ll also see a different spin on things with its appetizer, Haggis Bon Bons. Small balls of haggis are formed, which are then rolled in pinhead oats before being deep fried and served alongside string potatoes and creamed turnips.
Venison and Haggis at Wedgwood the Restaurant
While many of the Edinburgh restaurants listed here are traditional Scottish pubs and gastropubs, Wedgwood the Restaurant is a great example of fine dining in Edinburgh. Wedgwood has even been recognized in publications like “The Sunday Times” and “Food & Travel Magazine” as one of Edinburgh’s best restaurants.
Here, haggis is more than just an appetizer or sandwich, as it’s infused into one of the restaurant’s main dishes, venison. Wedgwood’s elevated version of venison is paired with haggis, kale, and turnips.
Haggis-Stuffed Chicken Breast at Arcade Haggis & Whisky House
For the largest variety of alternative haggis dishes, look no further than Arcade, the only haggis and whisky pub of its kind in Edinburgh. Arcade’s entrees include everything from haggis nachos to their own version of a haggis burger.
However, the most extravagant haggis dish is chicken breast stuffed with haggis, wrapped in bacon, and then served with mashed potatoes and a creamy peppercorn sauce. Pair it with a dram from their menu of more than 100 whiskies.
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