Haggis is the undisputed national dish of Scotland. The classic version is made from sheep’s heart, liver and lungs, minced with oatmeal, suet, onion and spices, and it’s usually served with neeps and tatties: mashed swede and mashed potato.
It is closely tied to Scottish culture: on Burns Night, the annual celebration of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robert Burns, Scots tuck into a Burns Supper of haggis, neeps and tatties. Burns even wrote a poem to the haggis, which gives this page its title. And don’t believe any Scot who tells you a haggis is a small Highland animal with one leg shorter than the other!
It may not sound appealing, but when it’s cooked well, haggis is delicious. There are also vegetarian and vegan versions, which even some meat eaters prefer, but not every place offers them. If you need a plant-based option or have an allergy, check the menu and ask the staff before ordering.
Here are five places in Edinburgh to try haggis and get a taste of Scottish food, from historic pubs to quieter restaurants.
1. The White Hart Inn
34 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2JU
There are dozens of places for haggis in Edinburgh, but there are some particularly good reasons to pick the White Hart. It is one of the historic pubs of the Grassmarket, possibly Edinburgh’s oldest, dating back to 1516, and has hosted Oliver Cromwell, William Wordsworth and, most appropriately, Robert Burns himself.
It frequently hosts Scottish folk music nights, and like many Edinburgh pubs, it is said to be haunted, which adds a spooky twist to your meal. Combine it with a beer or a whisky before heading up Victoria Street or to the Castle. Check the current menu for the price and how the haggis is served.
2. Wildfire
192 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 4AZ
Wildfire is a small, elegant and very cosy restaurant on Rose Street, in the New Town, specialising in Scottish produce, meat and fish. A great alternative to a traditional pub if you’d like a meal in a bistro setting.
Check the menu if you want haggis, as dishes vary. Booking is essential: there are very few tables and it is often full, but it’s perfect for a quiet dinner in the centre.
3. The World’s End
2-8 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TB
A legendary Edinburgh pub, very cosy and with the classic atmosphere of a traditional Scottish pub, on the Royal Mile at the spot where the old city walls once marked the “end of the world”.
Naturally, The World’s End serves all the most typical pub dishes, including some delicious haggis, among the best in Edinburgh.
4. Deacon Brodie’s Tavern
435 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT
Another of the best-known places on the Royal Mile, not only for its name, a reference to one of Edinburgh’s most notorious characters, but for its traditional food at a fair price, just two minutes from the Castle.
They serve haggis in several different ways, and they are all very good, with a good range of beers and whiskies to go with them. A great option if you are in the centre.
5. Copper Still
154 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1QS
Perfect if you want to try some of the best haggis in Edinburgh, right on the Royal Mile, in a classy place without overpaying.
Choose from several haggis dishes and pair them with their excellent selection of Scotch whiskies, one of the most complete in Edinburgh. If you love beer, you can also try some of the most typical local varieties.
Want to try more traditional food? See our guide to the best Scottish restaurants in Edinburgh.