Wanderlust Edinburgh, Scotland- Haggis! Sheep’s Pluck… Heart, Liver, Lungs, Brain and more

When I was leaving for Edinburgh, I was not sure what kind of food adventure I would have. After all, it’s Scotland and I have not heard great things about food in the UK. But a friend assured me that Scotland has come a long way since that common perception. Boy, was I in for a huge surprise. After four days in Edinburgh, I now consider Haggis, Scotland’s national dish, as one of my favorite foods! #Haggis

Haggis, according to the locals, is made from all things sheep: heart, lungs, liver, brain, stomach, and intestines. Sounds a bit off-putting, right? No way. Everything is grounded up, seasoned beautifully depending on where it’s made. There is the whisky sauce; there is the pepper sauce; there is no sauce and just down right yummy. I was a complete Haggis whore. I loved it. I can totally see why Scotland has giant men and women. This is food for the giants: tasty and nourishing.
The brown cake at upper right corner is the Haggis. This is breakfast Haggis from the Elliot Restaurant & Bar at the Apex Waterloo Hotel (1) in the quieter part of Edinburgh. £13.95 for Continental Breakfast with Haggis.
This is Haggis sitting on top of mashed potatoes (tatties) with pepper sauce from the Rose & Crown Pub (2) in the center of Edinburgh. £6.95
This is divine Haggis on top of mashed turnips and tatties with the whisky sauce from Black Bull Pub (3) in the old town.  £8.75
Hiding under the toasts are Haggis from Gathering Restaurant & Lounge (4) in the Edinburgh Airport. £9.50

You see, I had Haggis in all kind of places. There was little research done on where I should go for Haggis but it was always excellent and mouth-watering. Listen, Haggis is nothing to be afraid of. It looks like meatloaf. The texture tastes a bit like meatloaf but better, crunchier and more moist. The flavor is outstanding (and to die for). I was told that the Haggis from Hadrian’s in the Balmoral Hotel on Prince Street is the best for fancy eating but the idiotic restaurant and the concierge would not let me do a take out. The Scots definitely live inside the box.

Regardless… the Scots sure know their Haggis and know how to satisfy. Haggis is now on my last meal list. It was such a memorable and delicious experience.

I LOVE HAGGIS. #LoveHaggis

This experience took place at

1. Elliot’s Restaurant & Bar @ Apex Waterloo Hotel
   23-27 Waterloo Place Edinburgh EH1 3BH UK | +44 131 523 1660
2. Rose & Crown
   170 Rose St, West End, Edinburgh EH2 4BA, United Kingdom | +44 131 225 4039
3. Black Bull Pub
   12 Grassmarket, Old Town, Edinburgh EH1 2JU, United Kingdom | +44 131 225 6636
4. Gathering Restaurant & Lounge
   Edinburgh Airport after security | +44 0131 333 0864