Trying Haggis: Whiski Bar & Restaurant Review

The food in Scotland was good, but after coming from London, there weren’t many British dishes we hadn’t tried, and despite being a diverse country too, the diversity and size of Scotland doesn’t compare to London so there are fewer options.  But there was one dish I hadn’t tried that I wanted to and that was Haggis.  For those who don’t know, Haggis is minced sheep pluck (heart, lungs and liver) with onions and oatmeal, spiced up and drizzled with Whiskey sauce.  Sounds delicious, right? I was nervous to try it but knew that it was a must eat in Scotland.

While walking the Royal Mile, we ventured off a few blocks and stumbled across the Whiski Bar & Restaurant.  The restaurant was in a good location, looked nice and the menu had appealing options.  Haggis and Whiskey, two staples of the Scottish world.

We got in, and instead of ordering a Whiskey I ordered a beer… I’m not a Whiskey fan.  The restaurant/bar was classy, as a Whiskey room should be and the service was good.  I ordered the Haggis Tower and the wife ordered the Cullen Skink Soup, a traditional Scottish fish chowder.  The food came quick and I was a little nervous, but the Haggis looked and smelled good.

Haggis doesn’t sound very appetizing, but it was delicious.  The meat was flavorful and tasted like a better version of ground beef.  It was actually similar to Shepard's Pie.  The Haggis served on top of super creamy potatoes and with the Whiskey sauce it was a perfect mixture.  I’d definitely get Haggis again, but I think the Whiski Bar & Restaurant was a perfect place to try it… I’m not sure if I’d want to try it in a dive bar or restaurant.  The Cullen Skink was excellent too, it was creamy and tasted really fresh.

And, as we enjoyed our meal, there was even free Whiskey sampling.  Not only does the restaurant/bar serve Whiskey, but you can also buy a bottle.  We didn’t buy any but really enjoyed our experience.  The food was excellent, and the atmosphere was classy; so the Whiski Bar & Restaurant is a perfect stop for lunch or dinner on a day spent exploring the Royal Mile.