HE LEARNS FROM BUDS UNFOLDING, FROM EACH TIGHT LEAF UNFURLED, THAT HIS OWN HEART, EXPANDING, IS ONE WITH ALL THE WORLD.

Garden Magic – Marie Nettleton Carroll

OUR SUPPLIERS & FRIENDS

Scotland is blessed with an abundance of local produce grown and shared all over the world.

At Makars we are passionate about sourcing both classic and new ingredients straight from the farm. Mindful of the environment that we live in, we try wherever possible to use local suppliers and are dedicated to using fresh seasonal produce.

We are dedicated to using only reputable suppliers that we personally know and trust. We regularly meet all our suppliers and make sure they share our strong values and ethics.

We are a proud member of the Scotch Beef Club, serving Scotch Beef PGI; with traceability and unique assurance which begins on the farm of birth, Scotch Beef is high on quality and taste.

CRAFT BUTCHERS

Robert McHardy is the fourth generation of McHardys to run the family business founded in 1935.

Robert started in the family shop at the age of 12 and has won five diplomas.

Robert’s recipes have been passed down through four generations and are now being produced in the heart of Stonehaven.

Sausages are a big part of Makars and we regularly discuss recipes, ideas, and catch up with Robert and his son Ricky.

We have worked with many Scottish butchers over the years and Robert is certainly one of the most skilled in Scotland and we are proud to work with him.

HAGGIS CHOICE OF HARRODS & 10 DOWNING ST

We have been working closely with Ramsay of Carluke to create a custom beef haggis specifically for Makars. Even more exciting, we are now working on a GF version.

We get rave reviews from haggis aficionados and first-timers alike.  From all over the world, they love our unique haggis.

In the words of Ramsay of Carluke :

“The finest ingredients to grace anyone’s pantry, freshly packed for overnight delivery!

Family butchers for over 150 years, Ramsay of Carluke takes great pride in the exceptional quality, flavour and texture of our traditional meat products.”

SCRUMPTIOUS SCOTCH EGGS

Do you know the one thing we run out of nearly every single week ? Scotch Eggs.

Do you know who’s motto this is ? “We make scotch eggs really really well.”

It’s none other than Scotch & Co who have been making scotch eggs by hand since 2014.

They’re also the country’s leading scotch egg company and now supply events, shops, cafes and restaurants, including Makars.

You can also find them at the famous Stockbridge Market on a Sunday morning.

GOURMET MUSHROOMS – NO BULLSH*T !

A small, ethical gourmet mushroom farm producing grow-at-home mushroom kits in the heart of Edinburgh.

Chris, founder of, Some Funguys is closely collaborating with Makars to help us grow our own mushrooms in the basement of our extension.

We called this space the Makars Mushroom Emporium.

Chris has used his years of research and expertise to put together a mushroom farm so that we can grow some of our ingredients on site using underused space.

CRAFT BEERS

Stewart Brewing is Edinburgh’s local, independent brewery producing multi gold award winning beers of the highest quality.

A visit to Boston sparked the idea in 1996. In 2004, after years of perfecting home brews, their first range of cask beers was launched.

In 2020, they opened their on-site pizzeria and shop to enjoy their beer and the company will turn 18 in 2022.

We have worked closely with Steven Stewart since his launch, and are privileged to be a premium site for Stewart’s beers, regularly showcasing new launches.

ARTISAN SOFT DRINKS

Bon Accord soft drinks were founded in Arbroath in 1903. Their iconic glass bottles were seen across Scotland for generations.

Back in 2016 after a 16 year break, their soft drinks are 100% naturally sweetened with honey, coconut nectar and fruit juices.

Bon Accord – a healthier, naturally sweetened, more flavoursome soft drink – is a feelgood boost to better everyday and lift any occasion.

The drinks are a really great alternative to alcoholic drinks and go amazingly well with our dishes.

Makars is delighted to be working with such an icon of Scotland’s history.

DELICIOUSLY THISTLY SCOTTISH CIDER

Founded in 2008 by Peter Stuart, Thistly Cross is Scotland’s leading cider producer located just down the road from Makars Edinburgh in East Lothian (one of the sunniest areas of the UK!).

Since creating their Original Cider, their small and passionate team has developed a unique range of award-winning ciders all using locally sourced apples which are hand pressed on site.

“To this day, Thistly Cross remains at the forefront of the craft cider movement and we continually strive to ensure each cider is as Deliciously Thistly as the next!”

And you guys seem to love them just as much as we do !

THE HOME OF SCOTTISH BREWING

Established in 1719, Belhaven Brewery is the oldest working brewery in Scotland.

Situated in Dunbar, the brewery nestles amongst the rolling barley fields of East Lothian, just 20 miles from our first Makars site in Edinburgh.

Belhaven produce the Nation’s No. 1 Ale (Belhaven Best) and No. 1 Stout (Belhaven Black), alongside an award winning range of craft beers and ales, all made using their fresh water source, local barley and unique Belhaven yeast.

Some of our guests have confessed preferring a pint of Belhaven Black over a pint of that famous black beer.

ALCOHOL-FREE BEER FROM EDINBURGH

“It’s time to Jump Ship into a new world of full-flavoured alcohol-free beer.”

If you want to enjoy a beer but don’t want “the alcohol or fuzzy head the next day”, look no further.

It took them nearly a year to perfect their first beer, Yardarm, but it was worth it as it was awarded best no and low alcohol lager in the World Beer Awards 2021.

“Not bad for a wee start-up from Edinburgh!”

What’s more is they want to do more than brew great beers so are committed to giving at least 10% of their profits to charity !

 

MADE IN LEITH – EDINBURGH

Pilot brewery is a small brewery located in Leith, their family and community values are second to none.

Pilot has a fundraising initiative Drinklusion which helps loads of places and causes across Edinburgh. You can read more about it here.

They also operate as a foodbank donation point – we think they’re an excellent company !

As they say “from the very beginning, things have been hands-on at Pilot: from brewing to branding, kegging to canning, sales to social media, we do it all ourselves. This hasn’t always been easy, but it has got us where we are today: a small team doing big things.”

We’re particularly happy to be serving their Gluten Free lager !

ENGINEERED FROM 9 BOTANICALS

Pickering’s Gin and Makars share a common space – Summerhall – and a common goal – sustainability.

The team reached out to let us know they were doing refillable 5l drums for hospitality so we immediately decided to get them on our menu !

Thus saving countless glass bottles and a vast quantity of fuel by reducing the weight. Not to mention, we’re pretty much neighbours.

They built themselves what was then the first exclusive gin distillery established in Edinburgh for over 150 years.

NON-ALCOHOLIC SPIRIT

By far the most popular grown-up alcohol-free drink on our menu.

Mix it with ginger beer, soda, tonic, … you name it, to make deliciously refreshing drink.

In the winter of 2023 we collaborated with Talonmore to pair some of our dishes with their signature cocktail.

Their version of an old fashioned and a hot toddy are something else.

But if you need another reason why we should work with them, this sentence sums it up perfectly : “Talonmore Drinks Company is a Scottish based, family run business, established in Edinburgh”.

SCOTTISH SPECIALTY MICRO-ROASTERS

Gustavo and Michael created Artisan Roast in 2007. They believe that “Great coffee isn’t just a drink, it’s an experience”.

In 2012 they were awarded the Glennfiddich Spirit of Scotland Award for their “outstanding contribution to the food scene in Scotland”.

While they are dedicated to making the best possible coffee, for the last 7 years they also “have been actively involved in a number of sustainability projects”.

Making food and drink into a delicious experience and caring about sustainability are two pillars of Makars so it made sense to work with Artisan Roast.

 

PORTRAIT ARTIST

Catch the 22 was launched in 2020 by our resident artist and director of operations extraordinaire, Adam G. Davidsons.

When he couldn’t find the perfect painting for his home, he decided to create it himself.

Word quickly got out and friends and family started asking for their own paintings to give unique presents and decorate their space.

It rapidly snowballed and more orders came in so a website was launched to showcase his work.

Adam painted 8 famous literary figures over the walls of our newly opened extension which you’ll be able to enjoy whilst eating with us.

EAST LOTHIAN AND AYRSHIRE POTATO FARMERS

Mash potato is, undoubtedly, the King of comfort food. Delicious, easily digested and healthy, mashed potatoes have fed us Scots for many years.

Our potatoes suppliers are very important to us. We are in constant discussion with our suppliers to ensure consistent quality.

Greenvale are the UK’s largest supplier of organic potatoes and William Jack has been growing potatoes on the Ayrshire coast, just across from the Isles of Arran, for thirty five years

VEGETABLES AND FRUIT

Based in North Fife, 2 miles from Leven, Robert produces a wide range of fruit and vegetable.

BRC and Red Tractor accredited, all plants are tested regularly to measure pesticide levels.

Robert is very proactive on green issues. He has recently planted one mile of new trees and 2 miles of hedgerows to preserve and encourage wildlife.

PROMOTING THE SALE OF ALCOHOL FREE DRINKS

Andy started the Alcohol Free Drinks Company when he went teetotal.

Part of the problem he wants to solve is the lack of choice in restaurants for people who don’t drink alcohol. Somehow, diet coke doesn’t go as well with a meal as beer does.

His story is beautiful and inspiring (read here) and we’re grateful to Andy for working with us, opening our eyes to this great cause and for introducing us to the amazing people making great tasting alcohol free drinks.

ROBBIE REID FURNITURE

FENTONBARNS EAST LOTHIAN

We are regularly asked ’who makes your amazing restaurant furniture?’

Robbie Reid is a woodworking craftsman extraordinaire and hails from my home town of North Berwick.

Robbie produces custom of furniture for “all the most fashionable houses” including Makars, of course.