For the best haggis in Scotland, head to Edinburgh. Top spots include Haggis Box on the Royal Mile, Makars Mash Bar, Whiski Rooms, Teuchters Landing in Leith, and Amber Restaurant at the Scotch Whisky Experience. For a high-end option in Glasgow, the Ubiquitous Chip is widely recommended. Vegetarian versions are available at most of these venues. Prices are in British pounds (£), so keep that in mind when budgeting your meals. And if you’re wondering what to tip at the end of a meal, we’ve got you covered on that too.
What Is Haggis?
Haggis is a savoury mix of sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs, combined with oatmeal, suet, onions, salt, and spices. Traditionally it was cooked inside a sheep’s stomach, which served as a practical casing. Today it is more commonly prepared in modern casings.
The dish has deep roots in Scottish history. It is said that hunters would mix offal, which could not be preserved, with cereal, creating the first haggis. The first written mention of something resembling haggis dates back to 423 BC, attributed to the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes. Its place in Scottish culture was cemented by Robert Burns, who wrote the poem “Address to a Haggis” and is celebrated every January 25 on Burns Night. Honestly, Scotland has invented a lot of things over the centuries, but haggis might be the one that gets the strongest reaction from visitors.
About 50% of tourists hesitate once they learn what haggis contains. Most who try it are pleasantly surprised.
Haggis is traditionally served with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes). Modern versions appear in Scotch eggs, Balmoral chicken, haggis nachos, spring rolls, and even burritos. Vegetarian haggis is widely available across Scotland.
Best Places to Eat Haggis in Edinburgh
Edinburgh has the highest concentration of haggis options in Scotland. Here are the standout venues by area and style.
Royal Mile and City Centre
Haggis Box sits inside John Knox House on the Royal Mile and is one of the most focused haggis spots in the city. It offers haggis with a whisky sauce or a vegan red wine sauce, making it a strong choice for both meat-eaters and plant-based visitors.
Makars Mash Bar is known for its range of mashed potato varieties and serves haggis with a creamy whisky sauce. It is a straightforward, satisfying option if you want a classic plate.
Whiski restaurant, also on the Royal Mile, serves a generous portion of haggis with oatcakes. It is one of the pricier options on this list.
Whiski Rooms, located just off the Royal Mile, offers both traditional Haggis, Neeps and Tatties and Haggis Spring Rolls with plum sauce as a starter. It also has vegetarian options and Scottish desserts like Cranachan and Sticky Toffee Pudding.
Whiski Bar is the more traditional pub-style venue, with a classic feel. It serves Haggis Eggs Benedict and a Haggis Stack, plus vegetarian alternatives.
Arcade Bar, Haggis and Whisky House specialises in exactly what the name says. The menu includes a haggis tower and haggis bon bons, making it a good pick if you want something beyond the standard plate.
The Black Fox also serves Haggis Bon Bons and lets you add haggis to nachos or a hot dog, useful if you want to try it without committing to a full plate.
Amber Restaurant is part of the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. It offers both classic and more inventive haggis dishes, combining two of Scotland’s most iconic exports in one sitting.
The Piper’s Rest stands out for less common dishes including the Haggis Tower and a dish called the Trio of Scottishness. It is worth seeking out if you want something you will not find on every menu in the city.
Greyfriars Bobby Bar keeps it simple with Haggis, Neeps and Tatties served with gravy. A reliable, unfussy choice near the Grassmarket.
The World’s End pub offers a Haggis and Potato Pie and includes a vegetarian option.
Howie’s Restaurant has two Edinburgh locations, Waterloo Place and Victoria Street. It focuses on seasonal Scottish produce and features Haggis, Neeps and Tatties alongside dishes like Cullen Skink and Scottish Salmon. It is frequently recommended for visitors wanting a proper sit-down Scottish meal.
Loudon’s, with locations at Fountainbridge and New Waverley, serves Eggs Benedict with haggis, a good brunch option if you want to try it in a less formal setting.
Leith (Waterfront)
Teuchters Landing is a waterside venue in Leith. It offers haggis seasonally, with a balanced Haggis, Neeps and Tatties dish that includes mustard in the whisky sauce. It is also one of the only places in Edinburgh serving haggis stovies, served in a mug. Now that the tram line is complete, it is well worth taking the journey.
For Haggis in a Burrito
Los Cardos and Bonnie Burrito both let you add haggis to a burrito. A novelty, but a popular one with locals and visitors alike.
Best Haggis in Glasgow
The source material is more limited for Glasgow, but the Ubiquitous Chip restaurant is cited as one of the highest-quality haggis experiences available in Scotland. If you are visiting Glasgow and want to try haggis at a reputable restaurant, this is the name that comes up.
Where to Buy Haggis to Cook at Home
You do not need a restaurant to try haggis. It is available at local butchers, supermarkets, and farm shops across Scotland. If you want to cook it yourself or take some home, a good local butcher is your best starting point. It also makes a surprisingly solid gift from Scotland if you can get a vacuum-sealed pack through customs (check your country’s import rules first, though).
Haggis Variations Worth Knowing
| Style | What It Is | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional | Haggis, neeps, tatties, whisky sauce | Most Scottish pubs and restaurants |
| Vegetarian | Plant-based version, widely available | Haggis Box, Whiski Rooms, Whiski Bar |
| Haggis Spring Rolls | Haggis wrapped in spring roll pastry, plum sauce | Whiski Rooms |
| Haggis Bon Bons | Breaded and fried haggis balls | The Black Fox, Arcade Bar |
| Haggis Stovies | Haggis in a slow-cooked potato dish, served in a mug | Teuchters Landing |
| Haggis in a Burrito | Haggis added to a wrap | Los Cardos, Bonnie Burrito |
| Balmoral Chicken | Chicken stuffed with haggis | Various restaurants |
| Haggis Nachos | Haggis served over nachos | The Black Fox |
| Deep-fried Haggis | Battered and fried | Various chip shops |
Frequently Asked Questions
What does haggis taste like?
Haggis is a savoury, spiced dish with a coarse texture from the oatmeal. The whisky sauce that often accompanies it adds richness. Not gonna lie, it is better than most people expect.
Is vegetarian haggis available in Scotland?
Yes. Vegetarian haggis is widely available across Scotland, in restaurants, supermarkets, and butchers. Most Edinburgh venues listed above offer a plant-based version alongside the traditional meat version.
Where is the best place to try haggis in Edinburgh for the first time?
Haggis Box on the Royal Mile is a practical first stop. It is centrally located, focused specifically on haggis, and offers both whisky sauce and vegan red wine sauce options. Howie’s Restaurant is a good alternative if you want a fuller Scottish meal in a sit-down setting. If you’re building a bigger trip around your food crawl, our complete Scotland guide can help you plan the rest.
When is haggis most commonly eaten in Scotland?
Haggis is eaten year-round, but it is most associated with Burns Night on January 25, which celebrates the birth of the poet Robert Burns. On that date, haggis is traditionally served at formal suppers across Scotland.