
Maxies Bistro
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Quick info
About Maxies Bistro
Maxies Bistro is a stone-walled bistro at 5B Johnston Terrace in Edinburgh, with a garden terrace that looks out over the city and a rooftop terrace above it. An inside dining room sits alongside both. The menu ranges across cuisines. Haggis comes as a main with tatties, or as a starter with neeps and tatties. Deep fried Brie is another starter, and a seafood plate brings scallops, prawns and mussels together. Dogs are welcome, so owners can bring a pet along. The bistro stands near the Castle.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- Good for kidsKids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention haggis with neeps and tatties, fish and chips, deep fried brie and seafood plate with mussels.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention haggis with neeps and tatties, fish and chips, deep fried brie and seafood plate with mussels.
Customer Review Summary
Haggis is the dish reviewers raise most, served as haggis and tatties or neeps, tatties and haggis, and described as tasty, very good and slightly spicy with a whisky aroma. Fish and chips comes close behind, with a huge portion and a cold beer alongside, and diners also name the seafood plate with scallops, prawns and mussels, lamb chops, steak, deep fried Brie and a Brie salad with raspberry sauce. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, food is described as arriving quickly and hot, and the cozy interior and outdoor seating with neighborhood views draw praise. The recurring complaints are about the bill. One reviewer saw a 12% charge added without being asked and was told separate payments should have been mentioned at the start, or settled in cash. Another was served a bottle of wine that cost £8 more than the one pointed to on the menu, and it was corrected immediately. One notes slower service when busy, and one advises sitting in the shade because the midday sun is strong. One diner was reminded by staff to double-check the bill.
Customer Review Summary
Haggis is the dish reviewers raise most, served as haggis and tatties or neeps, tatties and haggis, and described as tasty, very good and slightly spicy with a whisky aroma. Fish and chips comes close behind, with a huge portion and a cold beer alongside, and diners also name the seafood plate with scallops, prawns and mussels, lamb chops, steak, deep fried Brie and a Brie salad with raspberry sauce. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and welcoming, food is described as arriving quickly and hot, and the cozy interior and outdoor seating with neighborhood views draw praise. The recurring complaints are about the bill. One reviewer saw a 12% charge added without being asked and was told separate payments should have been mentioned at the start, or settled in cash. Another was served a bottle of wine that cost £8 more than the one pointed to on the menu, and it was corrected immediately. One notes slower service when busy, and one advises sitting in the shade because the midday sun is strong. One diner was reminded by staff to double-check the bill.
Featured reviews
- Andrea Jarrold
“Found this place by chance. Great interior, very quirky, and there's a roof top terrace, we didn't do this as it was too cold! Food was good, tried haggis for the 1st time, but not for me. Veg and sauce was very good. Had a cocktail, nice too. Be aware of the 12% added, you weren't asked, it was just added to the bill. Also, if you're with others and paying separately, inform them BEFORE, as they got quite pinickerty about this, eventually letting us do it, but said we should told them at the start, or pay by cash! All in all, lovely surroundings, worth a visit, but be sure of how you want to pay, and check your bill!!”
- Lynne Rushton
“We ate at Maxies on Tuesday night and ordered the haggis and tatties meal, which was very tasty. The atmosphere and location are great due to the elevated position. The area was bustling and the views are good. Our order was taken and served fairly promptly given how busy the place was. The only tiny negative was that, despite pointing to the bottle of wine we wanted on the menu, we were given a different one which was £8 dearer. As the wine was served already in the cooler, neither of us noticed. The overcharge was rectified immediately. Otherwise, a tasty supper and wine in the heart of Edinburgh 😊”
- Carrie Dahlen
“Adorable cafe! We sat outside and enjoyed the sunny day (a very unseasonable 80!!). We split starters of neeps, tatties and haggis and deep fried Brie. We shared a main of fish and chips! Lovely afternoon bite!!”
- Darian Sandmartin
“walked in randomly to the best dining experience — cozy pub atmosphere, food arrived very fast (all under 10 mins, including mains) and was very hot. delicious haggis, slightly spicy and smells great of whisky. fish and chips portion was huge! the soup was delectable. service is super fast and very attentive, I am so impressed! thank you team 💕💪🏻”
- Ni Tsa
“We entered into this bistro during our walk and didn't regret it at all. Friendly staff and delicious food: we ordered lamb chops and chicken with huggis. Please kip in mind that portions are big for one person. Well for me it was ))) Thanks again and will deffinitely recommend to my friends.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Rustic, stone-walled bistro with city views from its garden terrace and a menu of global dishes.”
- Great beer selection
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
Amenities
- Accepts reservations
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed outside
- Dine-in
- Kids' menu
- Vegetarian options
Show more amenities
- Bar onsite
- Cozy
- Onsite services
- Beer
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Dining options· 5
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Dessert
- Seating
- Table service
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Offerings· 4
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Atmosphere· 3
- Casual
- Historic
- Romantic
Location
Restaurants near Maxies Bistro
- The Witchery4.34,1480 mi
lamb wellington, bread and smoked butter, beef tartare
- The Mussel and Steak Bar4.42,2910 mi
mussels in white wine, complimentary welcome oysters, cullen skink
- Makars Mash Bar4.811,0130.1 mi£20–30Outdoor seatingVegan optionsVegetarian options
scotch egg, pork shank, beef shoulder
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maxies BistroOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Reservations | 4.01,027 | — | £10–50 | haggis with neeps and tatties, fish and chips, deep fried brie |
| The Witchery | 4.34,148 | 0 mi | — | lamb wellington, bread and smoked butter, beef tartare |
| The Mussel and Steak Bar | 4.42,291 | 0 mi | — | mussels in white wine, complimentary welcome oysters, cullen skink |
| Makars Mash BarOutdoor seating · Vegan options · Vegetarian options | 4.811,013 | 0.1 mi | £20–30 | scotch egg, pork shank, beef shoulder |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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