Make a reservation, they don't have room for walk ins. It's a busy tourist area plus a locals favorite. We bags the 2 item tasting menu, which was any starter and any main OR any main and any dessert. (Some mains, like the catch of the day and the steaks were a little more). Since we are tourists, we started with the vegetarian haggis - we loved it. Chicken breast was nice, but nothing spectacular. Catch of the day was over gnocchi, crispy skinned and super tender and fresh. We had the Howie's famous banoffee pie - biscuit, toffee, banana, whipped cream and almonds. (A little chocolate drizzle also). It was a lovely lunch and I would return. read more

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Their food may be great. But Customer service is terrible. The bartender lady and the hostess was extremely disrespectful. We went there with prior reservations and we did not seem welcome there. My suggestion is to try their Waterloo location instead. read more

Would have liked to have tried this place. Made a reservation for dinner and got a call about 45 minutes before our reservation that they were closed. I get things come up but if you are going to have to cancel reservations the least you could do is give a little more notice. read more

We loved Howie's! Nice ambience. Our waitress was very nice and super helpful with recommendations. Being Americans, I had to try the haggis and my husband had been refusing, tried it and ate all of it in addition to his dinner. Our flight of whisky was lovely and we enjoyed all the flavors. My husband had the salmon and it was good but preferred the haggis I tried a white fish that I felt was fishy but I'm not a big fish person. They had a nice variety of mixed drinks also. Overall we had an amazing experience and really enjoyed our dinner! read more

Howies - Haggis with sweet mashed and regular mashed. Yummy - Scottish Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

I ate here with colleagues last night for dinner and it was a busy evening which is a good sign. The staff was friendly and the service was wonderful. All of our dinner choices were delicious. I had the catch of the day which was pan-fried cod. I also had an old fashioned that chocolate bitters and it was quite good. read more

Fantastic all around. Service was terrific as was the food. Great place for what they call 'scottish cuisine' - all good. Their early special for combining either an app + dinner or desert + dinner helps with the pricing, especially if sharing apps/desert. Loved this place - not cheap, but if your going here your expecting to pay for a good meal. read more

Quaint little restaurant, radiating a glowing warmth. We arrived without a reservation, but the hostess was still able to seat us. All the service we had was absolutely superb. Very professional and attentive. While the decor was excellent, the food, though good, did not wow. The culin skink had a great smoked haddock flavor, but the cream broth was a bit thin. Though there were plenty of potatoes, it did lack and leek flavor above a very faint hint. The backed Salmon had a great sauce, but was a bit overcooked. A medium, rather than a medium rare. The Venison haunches had a very good flavor, and cooked to the proper temp, but was very tough and chewy. And as I said the service was amazing, but that would be my primary reason to return. read more

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Howies do the best haggis. The server, as swamped as he was with the nine thousand customers there (it was a Saturday), was wonderful. So were our meals. read more

Very nice service, very good food. Had the fish and it was perfectly cooked. The bread is soooo delicious. Totally will come back!

The food was great-soups, salad, fish, haggis, toffee pudding-all really delicious. Found the service mixed-some lovely folks and one of putting server. But all in all a tasty stop, would recommend. read more

Food was excellent. I had the venison and it was delicious. My wife had a vegetarian dish and she loved it also. Very good service!

Kind of upscale. Snooty staff. If you're feeling posh then this is the place. We should have gone across the street to Berties. read more

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favorite restaurant, make a reservation. food is very high quality, went several times. very good service!!!

Probably the best meal and dining experience we had in Edinburgh. Could have been 4 stars, but considering the other restaurants we visited this one deserves 5. You'll have to book ahead. We walked in on a Friday night and were politely told there were no tables available for any time that night, so we went ahead and booked for Saturday. We started with focaccia and the trio of olives, hummus, and olive tapenade. The tapenade was a little dry, but the bread was delicious, as were the olives. We then tried the haggis and Cullen skink appetizers. The haggis was delicious, and by far the best we had on the trip. If in doubt, try it! I didn't care as much for the Cullen skink, but maybe it just wasn't to my taste - a little too salty for me. For mains we had the salmon (wonderful), lamb (although the accompanying lentils were undercooked), soup of the day (sweet potato and coconut - good), and ribeye with frites. My steak was well cooked, but it lacked flavor a bit. It was good, but I would choose something else if visiting again. For dessert we had the poached rhubarb, banoffee pie, brownie, and sticky toffee pudding. All were good. The pudding was decadent, and I was glad there was accompanying ice cream, which cut the sweetness. Make a booking - you'll enjoy! read more

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Excellent foods and service!s! During our stay in Edinburgh we went twice! I had their special soup and salmon! I highly recommend their soup! read more

Food was awesome! Vibe was great! Service was great! Hubby had the beef stew and loved it! I had mushroom risotto with salmon on top. Delish! read more

Got word from our tour guide to try the haggis here and were so glad we did! We came here for lunch and got the haggis as an appetizer. We never tasted it so we didn't want a full batch if we couldn't finish it. Definitely wish we got the full size because it was scrumptious! The appetizer was actually a good amount of food. The whiskey sauce was yummy and the neeps and tatties were both great. The haggis itself was full of flavor and depth and had a hint of spice to it that I didn't mind at all. We tried to come back for dinner but the price for the full dish of haggis is higher for dinner so beware of that. It's a bit pricey but I'd rather have pricey yet good quality haggis than not! We also had the fish special that day and it was fresh and the veggies were perfectly cooked!!! We had the Duck app and that was perfect. The stew of the day was STUNNING. I had nothing that I didn't like! read more

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i've never had risotto before and i have to say it was really good definitely set some high standards. the vibes in here were good and the service was friendly we enjoyed read more

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Our second visit, and we brought friends from the US. Loved our waitress (and the other service staff !) who was so friendly and helpful, but unobtrusive. The goat cheese and beet salad was memorable and the haggis with neeps and tatties a wonderful intro to scottish cuisine for our friends. The food -including the cullen skink - was as delicious as remembered from 3 years ago and the wine is a good value. Would love to return some day! read more

Howies - Howies is up on Victoria street a bit further. - Scottish Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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I only give this place 1 star after the fact we were thrown out due to their policy of 2 hour seating. We fly 5200 miles from USA to have a young assistant tell us our time was up. As it was food wise - steak - asked for medium rare - got it over cooked - fries - nothing to shout about and nothing I would say to stand it out from a sea of other good restaurants - Dessert - might aswell been from M&S - quite disappointing for a booking I made months ago. I would say maybe extend y table allotment time instead of trying to increase y profit per table - the whole experience left a bad taste for us. Table service poor - we won't be back. Staff certainly have an attitude issue - if you're prepared to have your evening ruined - then go but truthfully you're better going to another restaurant such as the Witchery which is close by. read more

Absolutely incredible meal - cannot stop thinking about it! I made a reservation and got sat at a cute private table. I was dining alone and the staff was very kind and attentive. I got the Haggis, Neeps & Tatties and they were insanely good. I'm a dirty American and I LOVE Haggis, if you are looking to try it please let this be your first experience. Then I got the salmon which was out of this world and ice cream with espresso for dessert. I loved the ambiance of this place and the staff was so nice. I am considering going back for round two next week... highly recommend! read more

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The service and ambiance were great. The food was reflective of Scottish/British cuisine. The Haggis was the best we had while in Edinburgh. read more

Great service, and they squeezed us in at the last minute. Best salmon we've ever had! The hake was fantastic and for dessert we enjoyed the banoffee pie and sticky toffee pudding. The banoffee was particularly fantastic. We joked with the seating host that we're coming back tomorrow but we just might! read more

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I was in Edinburgh in September 2018 for a conference, and had MUST. HAVE. HAGGIS. on my to-do list. Strangely, the entire conference - which was a big one - went by with nary a smidgen of haggis, anywhere, for any meal. I know, weird, but there you are. There was no way I was leaving Edinburgh without my haggis, so I scouted 'round here on the Yelp, which revealed that Howie's was a solid choice. Fact-checked that with some Edinburgh-local colleagues, and made my booking for a table on my last night in the city. It was perfection. Service was stellar, the haggis was some of the best I've had (spent teen years in the UK, family lived in UK again later, so I got haggis knowledge) over a lifetime, and the grilled hake I had as a main course was a dream. If you're in Edinburgh, check out Howie's (there are a couple, IIRC) - they do it up right. read more

Howies - Haggis with neeps (right) and tatties (left) - perfection on a plate. - Scottish Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Scott the bartender provided great customer service. He recommended the pigeon & haggis for starter, main lamb and the fish of the day which was hake in a brown butter hollandaise sauce. The starters and mains were perfectly sized and we did not feel overly stuffed at the end of our meal. Bottle of wine recommended by Scott was also very good - Pinot noir By Domaine de Valent Liam was our server and did a great job. read more

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Howies was my very first meal in Scotland, which set a nice precedent for the rest of our trip. My husband and I ate here for lunch and were very impressed by the the simple, yet elegant, atmosphere. The staff was professional, and the food was fresh and thoughtfully prepared and plated. We had Scottish highlights such as cullen skink, mushroom soup, leek risotto, and pan fried hake (catch of the day). I thought everything was spot on, including the complimentary bread. How would I describe Howies in two words? "Scottish bistro," if that makes any sense. They feature fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The chefs give a damn about presentation and attention to details. It's a good compromise between having to go to a pub or a high-end restaurant for a meal. I thought prices were very reasonable. read more

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This review is for Howies Victoria. We made a reservation for our 40th anniversary but were unable to make it due to unexpected delays in flights. We were traveling for 23-1/2 hours from California and were completely exhausted by the time we arrived at our hotel. After checking in, we realized it was too late to make the reservation so I immediately sent an email to notify them. I was told that they would be charging us a no-show fee regardless of the fact that the airline flight delays are beyond our control. The customer service person claimed to have called us twice which absolutely did not happen as I checked our phone's call history. There were emails back and forth and they finally said, well, just come in and dine on another night and we'll refund the fee. Not happening as not only did we have limited time in Edinburgh, but I would not visit a place with such poor customer service. read more

Not to be missed when in Edinburgh! The Cullen Skink is a must! Service was friendly and efficient!

The food was amazing I recommend the casserole of the day with potato's as your side.the service was super fast the drinks came out almost as soon as we ordered and they took our food and drink orders at the same time and it was the same person.it was beautiful inside it was like a fancy restraint but wasn't. But overall everything was an 15 out of 10 read more

I was told food in Scotland would leave much to be desired, but Howies really dispelled this myth for me! The food here was absolutely delicious and I'd highly recommend it to anyone looking to try some scotch cuisine. I ordered the cullen skink for starters. Weird name, but very delicious soup. I'll admit I was afraid to try haggis but I figured what the hell-I eat scrapple at home! I'm glad I put my reservations aside because the haggis here is fantastic. I'm not sure why it gets such a bad rap because it is really tasty! Howies recommends a 12 year aged Glenfiddich scotch with their haggis, and I must say the pairing is brilliant. If you're a bit nervous about delving into Scottish cuisine Howies is a safe bet for a delicious meal. read more

Love love love! Everything about this place was so perfect. The dim lighting and cool colors make this romantic, modern vibe. The Christmas lights added a really cozy aspect. And then the food was a standout on its own. Mmmmmmm! The Cullen Skink was creamy and warm the soul worthy. I loved my salmon entree too. Super fresh and cooked so great. Tender and moist. The staff was friendly and made us feel right at home. read more

Really nice little restaurant, clearly popular, and the service was so friendly. I enjoyed my lunch greatly!

Elegant and stylish. Food was amazing. You must go to Howies when in Edinburgh. Our server was tremendous and very polite.

I went here on a whim with my partner as we were visiting from London. I like eating plant-based, and the waiter was so gracious and helpful. There wasn't a ton of options for me, but the dish I got was absolutely to delicious. The whole experience was sublime. I'd go again in a heartbeat! read more

We chose this place for Lunch time, as we have Scottish specialties for a good price. The restaurant atmosphere itself is simple and warm. The waitress was friendly and nice. The service was good and fast. I had the Salmon and even if the quantity is not big, the quality was perfect. It was served with vegetables and perfectly cooked. I really enjoyed it. My friends ate the Haggis and the gnocchi and same, good food with a lot of flavours. I totally recommend this place for nice and cheap Scottish specialities! read more

We had a wonderful welcome---we started with haggis, neeps and tatties. My love got a steak and he said it was one of the best steaks of his life. I had the rump of borders lamb and particularly enjoyed the mint and pine nut pesto. Great wine selection and a very memorable meal. This is not your average food and staff was helpful and efficient throughout which made it a lovely dining experience, would highly recommend to foodies. read more

We found this restaurant on Yelp on our way to the castle. Our waitress was super friendly and made some awesome recommendations. I can't remember her name but she was French. We started off with a few orders of bread and some drinks. The bread, which comes with oil and balsamic vinegar to dip in, was highly addicting! It was hot and fresh. Our drinks were amazing! I ordered the gin spritz which was refreshing. For my main meal I ordered the pan roasted chicken breast, served with potatoes and green beans. The portion was tiny and the chicken was a little bland. I wouldn't recommend the chicken dish. My boyfriend ordered the salmon and loved it. For dessert, we ordered the toffee cake. Must get! Authentic and delicious! read more

Howies - Sticky toffee pudding - Scottish Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

The best meal we had in Edinburgh was at Howies. The food was well prepared and exquisite. We had the salmon and beef casserole (special). The service and place settings were excellent. Definitely recommend a reservation! It's worth it! read more

High yield: A scottish restaurant that offers truly scottish fare such as cullen skink, venison casserole, Atlantic Hake, catch of the day, salads, and soups but with aloof service despite a cheerful and nice environment. Prices are very decent, less than 10 pounds and large portions Food: Great food and truly a must for those who want to experience Scottish food experience. We ordered the Atlantic Hake, Venison Casserole, Cullen Skink. I give them a 5/5 for food Cullen Skink- it's a fish chowder with potatoes and is super hearty and delicious. I highly recommend this to anyone visiting Scotland- flavor is warm and comfortable and great for a cold day. You can get it as a bowl or as a main entree. Venison Casserole- Tasted like a beef stew with carrots and on top a dollop of Mashed Potatoes. highly recommend too, cuz where else you gonna eat Venison?? And the price was less than 9 pounds. Atlantic Hake: There is catch of the day, which usually is Salmon but to me if you're gonna try out a Scottish dish, go for their local fish which is this hake. it is a white fleshed fish that is a very soft version of tilapia or even Halibut. It's not chickeny or fishy tasting, and doesn't have that flaky feeling that some ocean fish have. No bones inn this fillet and comes with veggies underneath. Service: i won't lie but this what prevented me from giving them the 5/5. I have never seen such rude/aloof service in all of Edinburgh. Staff was like robots doing their job for sake of doing rather than actually caring about the customers. We asked for hot water refill and that took forver, and saw our waitress busying herself with setting up tables etc that were items I felt could have waited. We asked her to take a photograph and she kept saying 2 mins while she finishes with another customer... and another customer.... and another. When she did serve us, very cold and kind of insincere. so I have to give her a 2/5 for service. The other waiters also seemed like that too except the drinks guy in the front. Price: Everything less than 10 pounds. No reason why anyone would not give this place a shot if they are wanting scottish fare. read more

Howies - Venison casserole - Scottish Near Me - Edinburgh, EDH

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Accommodating to say the least. The team was kind enough to save me a last portion from the soup of the day. Our servers offered helpful suggestions and I would highly recommend this establishment to anyone! read more