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.

BEST HAGGIS PRODUCER IN SCOTLAND

For our haggis supplier, we searched high & low for the best haggis farmer in Scotland, only to discover a local boy A.J.Hornig was by far the best.

Every year on the 1st of April, Haggis Season opens in the Scottish Highlands and continues until the glorious 12th. Only the best marksmen in Scotland are licensed to hunt them in secret.

The Hornig family have been stalking haggis since 1901 and legend has it that grandfather Hornig trained marksmen in both wars as he was such an expert shot.

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

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.

GREAT BEER, NO ABV, HAPPY DAYS

Nirvana Brewery is an east London brewery dedicated to creating vegan, great tasting beer with low or no alcohol.

“It all started when Becky’s dad went teetotal. At the time, there were very few alcohol-free beers on the market, and Becky felt that people who choose not to drink shouldn’t be excluded socially.

Becky just wanted to see her dad’s face light up again with a decent bottle of alcohol-free beer.”

Nirvana Brewery is proud to be independent, family-run (just like Makars !) and doing things their own way.

THE PRIDE OF LEITH

Santu Coffee is based in Leith Edinburgh. Our friends at Santu, Washington, Erin and Panda, share our values; the love for exceptional products and transparent relationships from field to table.

They have lived and worked on coffee farms for years, and know what it takes to produce amazing coffee.

Santu buy their coffee direct from award-winning farms in Brazil and roast it in their Edinburgh workshop.

They pay close attention to the environmental and employment standards for each of their suppliers above all else.

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.