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Restaurants
Edinburgh
Old Town
Maxies Bistro
Maxies Bistro Reviews

Maxies Bistro

Drinks, Seafood, British, Scottish

Dishes priced around£20

Photo of restaurant Maxies Bistro in Old Town, Edinburgh

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Reviews of Maxies Bistro (117)

Read what people think about Maxies Bistro. All restaurant reviews are written by verified Quandoo diners. Learn more about Maxies Bistro before you go by getting tips and ratings from other restaurant-goers. With real-life reviews, you can see what other diners loved about Maxies Bistro and book a table with confidence!

4.6/6

117 reviews

4.6/6

117 reviews

Food:Great
Atmosphere:Pleasant
Service:Great
Value for money:Good value
Waiting time:Very Good
Noise levels:Pleasant
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"Excellent"
6/6
Heidi S.5 years ago · 1 review

What a great place, very comfortable and staff very attentive and friendly. Food was delicious.

"Not good "
2/6
Catherine M.5 years ago · 1 review

Not as good as previous visit. Fish tasted odd and chips over cooked.,service very perfunctory. Would not come again . Previous visit in evening not lunch was much better

"Very good"
5/6
Claire L.5 years ago · 1 review

Went here on a recommendation lovey rustic place, food very nice staff very welcoming and friendly, would recommend a visit do give it a try.

"Excellent"
6/6
Julia T.6 years ago · 1 review

Love the cellar venue, friendly staff and good food (seafood linguine!). Relaxed and atmospheric. Reasonably priced. Very happy to recommend. We're local and try to go at least once a year.

"Excellent"
6/6
Elizabeth H.6 years ago · 1 review

I had dinner here when I visited back in 2004 and was excited to bring my family when we came back this year. The service was excellent, food was great, atmosphere priceless, and the overall experience was fantastic. I’ll definitely come back the next time I’m in Edinburgh!

"Excellent"
6/6
Albert B.6 years ago · 1 review

Really nice place to go for a meal in the city centre. The staff were very attentive and although the bistro was very busy they took time to explain to the customers items on the menu. The food was excellent

"Excellent"
6/6
Catherine T.6 years ago · 1 review

Took my French relatives to visit and they were really surprised that the food they chose was really good. Lamb chops with haggis and salmon in café de Paris sauce. They wolfed it down. I was pleased with the bill. Excellent quality and good value for money. Also very old and tartan so they loved that as well.

"Good"
4/6
Klaus B.6 years ago · 1 review

Essen gut bis sehr gut, lokale Küche, schön urige Atmosphäre, mitten in der Altstadt, nah an Edinburgh Castle gelegen, angenehme Musik, Jazzliebhaber kommen voll auf Ihre Kosten, nette Bedienung, Wir würden jederzeit wieder dort Essen gehen.

"Excellent"
6/6
kim m.6 years ago · 1 review

very enjoyable experience, lovely staff and food, would definatelty recommend it and will be going again, the terrace at the back was really nice to sit out and watch the world go by

"Very good"
5/6
rebecca w.6 years ago · 1 review

Super restaurant. Accueil chaleureux. Plats recomfortants et copieux. Situation ideale en plein old town.Choix interessants de plats typiques. cuisine simple et bonne. service rapide un dimanche soir.

"Average"
3/6
Susan N.6 years ago · 35 reviews

I had booked online a week prior to my reservation. On arrival they seemed totally unaware of the booking. Luckily they had an empty table. The wine we selected and one of the main courses were not available. The bread with the salmon had been lying out for ages and was very stale. The battered fish had hardly any batter on it and must be one of the smallest pieces of fish I have seen served as a main course. Will not be back. Staff seemed completely uninterested.

"Excellent"
6/6
Graham K.6 years ago · 1 review

As always ... great cellar restaurant, great location, great ambience, great food, great service, reasonable price. It's not a visit to Edinburgh without a visit to Maxies.

"Excellent"
6/6
WILLIAM R.6 years ago · 8 reviews

Attentive staff, good atmosphere, and the food and wine were very reasonably priced. Will certainly return again. Good comfortable surroundings located in the Old Town of Edinburgh.

"Excellent"
6/6
WILLIAM R.6 years ago · 8 reviews

The staff were very friendly and welcoming. The food was tasty, the service top class and the menu prices and wine list prices very reasonable. The whole place had character.

"Excellent"
6/6
Carol H.6 years ago · 1 review

Great experience, lovely ambience and great food. The staff were lovely and very helpful, nothing was too much trouble. Well worth a visit. Hidden treasure.

"Very good"
5/6
Laura H.6 years ago · 1 review

I chose the brie for my main course, the table next to us ordered a brie as a starter and it was the same size? For £4 extra, it seemed a bit stingey however the food was amazing and the service was brilliant.

"Awful"
1/6
Deborah J.6 years ago · 1 review

Food was terrible so were the staff. Food was cold and they couldnt care less about it . They forgot our drinks and waited forever to get someone to come near to tell them. Overall experience was shocking to say the least.

"Average"
3/6
Ellie R.6 years ago · 1 review

I ordered haggis for starter which had clearly been in the microwave as it was roasting on the outside and cold on the inside. Main was average. Good customer service though.

"Very good"
5/6
Gordon D.7 years ago · 8 reviews

Very nice setting to have a meal. Quick and helpful service from the staff and no long waiting times between meals. An okay selection of mains on the menu but the food was very nice.

"Good"
4/6
Carol H.7 years ago · 1 review

Food was very good. Great location. Seating a bit cramped. We had booked but waitress was not very friendly and dismissed our statement or check it out. Menus need updating - two sets of w/o e menus one in main folder and separate sheet. When we tried to order from main said that these were not available anymore - so why not.remove them?

"Very good"
5/6
Bob W.7 years ago · 1 review

Always lots of character and friendly service. Love the combination of traditional Scottish fayre and seafood. A gem in the heart of Edinburgh which we will continue to visit.

"Excellent"
6/6
Gordon D.7 years ago · 8 reviews

Very nice restaurant located up from the Grassmarket. Good choice of starters and mains to suit everyone. The service level provided by the staff throughout the night was excellent.

"Very good"
5/6
Tiffany J.7 years ago · 1 review

Great starter and fabulous dessert. GF entree was okay, but nothing I'd order again. My husband loved his non gf meal. Absolutely charming place with great service. Very knowledgeable on gluten-free, allergen choices. Highly recommend.

"Good"
4/6
Louise A.7 years ago · 3 reviews

Nice vibe instead the restaurant for lunch, lots of lovely cushions and artwork. Menu was fine; they'd already run out of beef by 1.30pm, which was a pity, so one person couldn't get what they wanted. But everything else tasted good, staff were nice, all grand!

"Very good"
5/6
Donald S.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Been eating at Maxies for 35 years...over three venues and several owners! Lunch was very good. Food was fresh and cooked well. Seafood linguini was excellent. Service was fine, although I think the party of US cruise ship tourists were a bit bemused by the inflexibility of the regime!

"Good"
4/6
Quandoo Diner7 years ago · 0 reviews

Nice place, food ok with a vegetarian option and helpful staff, casual atmosphere, would recommend as a venue for night out with friends, could be more vegan friendly.

"Awful"
1/6
Lorna G.7 years ago · 1 review

My husband and I got a voucher for here for Christmas. We booked the restaurant a week in advance only to be told we hadn't booked when we got there. We did manage to get a table. The place had no atmosphere, needed a lick of paint and the food was awful! I actually never ate mines and after the starter we were both dreading the main coming out, we waited 35 minutes for this! The garlic bread was a long baguette which was thrown on to a tiny plate and falling over the sides! I would not recommend this place to anyone!

"Excellent"
6/6
Celia F.7 years ago · 1 review

Fabulous location in the heart if the Old Town. Friendly service, Good food. Great view of Victoria Street from the Terrace. Confortable, homely and welcoming .

"Excellent"
6/6
Kenneth M.7 years ago · 1 review

Another excellent night at Maxies and we've introduced another few people to this jem of a restaurant. I could not recommend this restaurant highly enough

"Good"
4/6
Michelle C.7 years ago · 1 review

This bar and bistro definitely has its own character. The décor is an eclectic mix of wine-related quotes and wine racks with a white board displaying the daily specials for customer. I love the exposed brick wall and creature heads by the white board as well as the comfy velveteen padded benches. The food was lovely although I found the breaded mushrooms to be a bit too crunchy. When I tried to spear one with my fork, it bounced off my plate. The plate could be bigger to stop the mushrooms bouncing off too! Otherwise, the seafood in my linguine was great although I was a bit perplexed at the amount of vegetable (and by that I mean basil leaves, snap peas and peppers) in the linguine. I prefer my seafood linguine without greens, but otherwise the food was okay (the other half did like his fish and chips though) and we couldn't fault service.

"Average"
3/6
Sharon P.7 years ago · 1 review

Sorry food normally very good, but on this occasion was not. Veg very hard, chicken not so hot and one of us had pasta sauce very watery. Dietary requirement not acknowledged on booking. Where we were seated was cramped and lack lustre! Sadly didn't enjoy our experience.

"Not good "
2/6
PA & EJR M.7 years ago · 1 review

A sentimental return to what used to be something of an old favourite, but clearly an establishment that relies heavily on easy, endless tourist passing trade, and therefore providing no incentive to improve its very average standards. Cosy enough atmosphere for a relaxing drink, but the food simply doesn't stand up. Tired-looking, slightly scruffy menus lack any inspiration. Plates were cold. Mash clearly had been re-heated in a microwave. Nowhere to hang coats. Need we go on?

"Good"
4/6
Donna B.7 years ago · 1 review

Good food, however, No vegetables with the main meal..more like a starter Overpriced for just that. Starter of Brie was slightly overcooked as well q

"Awful"
1/6
Cosimo A.7 years ago · 1 review

The food was awful but the service was alright, we orded some specials and the presentation was poor and the tasty was awful, I would never come back.

"Very good"
5/6
Maurizio T.7 years ago · 1 review

Excellent lamb chops with haggis needs and tatties! Excellent portuguese wine!Nice atmosphere and friendly service! Cranachan good but not to the level of main and wine, in my opinion. Overall - Very positive experience for me at Maxies Bistro! Never let me down.

"Excellent"
6/6
Elisa P.7 years ago · 1 review

Cibo ottimo e prezzi giusti. D'estate è possibile mangiare su Victoria Terrace con una vista magnifica della città.

"Excellent"
6/6
Agnes M.7 years ago · 1 review

Our visist to Maxies was a gift from my nephew for our Golden wedding anniversary & we certainly enjoyed our meal & excellent service, thanks to all @ Maxies

"Excellent"
6/6
Steve F.7 years ago · 1 review

Friendly staff. Adventurous meals. Good prices . The staff are knowledgable about the menu and what is happening around Edinburgh. The fact that Maxi's used to be morgue and they serve meat should not deter you.

"Very good"
5/6
Maree A.7 years ago · 1 review

Nice food and nice atmosphere. Easy to book online. Nice outside balcony. Great location, so close to Edinburgh Castle. Fish and chips were absolutely lovely.

"Not good "
2/6
Tony g.7 years ago · 1 review

So disappointed to visit after a couple of years absence. Has it changed hands? Dirty glasses which took ages to get changed. Fodd mediocre and very poor service. Twice asked for a bottle of wine - gave up and left. Sorry Maxies - used to like you. Please pull your socks up.

"Excellent"
6/6
Peter R.7 years ago · 1 review

super very nice restaurant food excelent, super staff cant praise high enough. you can eat here with out any worries of service or food quality

"Very good"
5/6
Barbara J.7 years ago · 3 reviews

Great bistro. Relaxed atmosphere and good food. Would highly recommend the stir fry chicken enchilada. Really good choice of food on menu. Amazing location near the castle.

"Very good"
5/6
Helen D.7 years ago · 2 reviews

Good food , great choice , friendly and helpful service Good value as well - all the party enjoyed the meal Would hope to visit this restaurant again soon

"Average"
3/6
Selena C.7 years ago · 1 review

I read really good reviews about this place so thought we'd try it. I was slightly disappointed, firstly it was much smaller than I expected and the night we were there , it was really quiet and the place felt quite cold. My partner ordered a coffee which was lukewarm at best so had to get another one. We had 2 courses, steak for our main course and a dessert. The steak, for the price, was ok but we've had better steaks elsewhere for the same price. The desserts were generous though in their portion sizes.

"Good"
4/6
silvana c.7 years ago · 1 review

Nice bistro purtroppo la birra che ci hanno servito era calda. ..

"Very good"
5/6
Douglas G.7 years ago · 1 review

I really enjoyed my meal and all the staff were very nice. I only found it as I was given a groupon voucher, I'm sure we will return though.

"Excellent"
6/6
Richard M.7 years ago · 1 review

Although a bit tight on space, friendly staff, very welcoming, food well presented. Toilets could do with a bit of an upgrade. All in all a very pleasant evening

"Very good"
5/6
Quandoo Diner7 years ago · 0 reviews

Very nice restaurant, nice food and drinks, kind and friendly staff helping with the choise of the dishes. Quite a wide range of menu items and appropriate prices. Very, very nice location, on Victoria Terrace. Great disappointment for the lack of communication between Quandoo, the site which manages with reservations, and the restaurant that hadn't received any communication about my booking and that had'n reserved any table for me and my husband. Great promptness of the restaurant manager to find us a quick accomodation but I wonder what could she do if we'd arrived at a busiest time, in a busiest day?....

"Average"
3/6
Tony F.7 years ago · 1 review

The food was ok but just a bit odd. It's like they are not sure what style they are going for so threw it all together. Seafood linguine with sugar snap peas and peppers!

"Good"
4/6
Øyvind Bruvoll Å.7 years ago · 1 review

Good meat, but very little tast. Dessert was god+, but they use storebought sirup and that ruins the flavor of the cake. Staff was Nice and helpful.

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