I was in Ballard for nearby concert and wanted to grab some dinner so stopped into MacLeod’s a Scottish Style Pub. The pub was adorned with traditional Scottish decorations…flags, clan crests, pictures…etc. I sat at the bar and asked the bartender for a recommendation, who suggested the Shepherd’s pie to which I gladly accepted. I also ordered a Scotch Egg having never had one previously. The Scotch Egg came first and included additional garnishes of cheese and pickled vegetables. It was delicious; actually, the whole dish was excellent. The pie came soon after. It was a perfect portion for a light dinner. The dish was good. Very rich and flavorful. Interestingly, the mashed potatoes were a little cold, but the filling was too hot. Also, I felt the dish needed more salt and pepper. After I seasoned the dish, it was excellent. The service was fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scotch Egg
Jonas Buck
Great fish and chips, cocktails, and an incredible line up of scotch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lauren Burr
Honestly can't believe how long it's taken me to write this review. Food, ambiance, drinks, and overall vibes are through the roof. This is a must-visit when friends or family are in town and we crave this weekly! The Caesar with chicken, halibut fish and chips, and shepherds pie are stand outs with the chips taking the cake!! 11/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Lynn Paulson
Nice staff, awesome drinks, unique building.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Caroline Porlier
Sticky toffee pudding!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Quincy Williams
I showed up 30 minutes until close and the staff was amazing. I got the cod - it came out very quickly, and was very crispy, fresh, and hot. Great job to the kitchen and thanks to the bartender!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Spencer Stevenson
I love this place, an unsung Ballard institution (especially great right before a tractor show) with probably the best bar food in the neighborhood. I'm especially glad that like every pub in Scotland, they've now got Guinness on tap. I just wish they'd use the proper glasses...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Shruti Kapoor
DO NOT GET sticky toffee pudding if you like Scottish sticky toffee pudding. It is a disappointment here. It is served with whipped cream instead of ice cream, there is no sticky toffee on the top and the date pudding is not good.
Andrew
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience here. The food was great, tennants on draft and the owner had a good chat with us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Kirill Gritsenko
Classic fish and chips. Tasted and looked authentic. Loved the atmosphere as well. Very cozy and warm. A bit expensive tho. Nice to see they had a large selection pf scotches including the famed 25 year old Laphroaig that is like $750 a bottle. Service was nice and prompt - didnt have to wait too long, and found seating quickly.
Classic fish and chips. Bellhaven on tap. Classic photos of David Tennant, Andy Murray, Robbie Coltrane looking down on you as you sip your pint or scotch. What's not to like?
Jeanne A. Macdonald
We sat in the restaurant area which still felt like part of the warm atmosphere. The prices were very fair and all six of us were impressed with our dinners and our server. We'll meet up there again. Thanks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips Cod, Caesar Salad, Macleods Burger, Shrimp Tacos
Edward Meer
We watched people come in after us, receive their food and then leave before we were even asked what we wanted. The food was over priced for what we got. It needed seasoning, and wasn't cooked right. The Scottish eggs were under cooked. Where the ground beef was visibly raw. And at that price we should have gotten 2 full eggs, not one cut in half. The shepherd's pie looked like it was just poured into the pan. No crispiness on top or anything. I even told them I wanted to get a drink when the food came, but they forgot it entirely.
Then when my wife said the egg was wrong, they wanted to argue with her about how you make one. She grew up in England. She knows how to make one. The fact that the meat was raw was disgusting. I don't know who was in that kitchen but they have lost any love for cooking they might have had. Just a reminder why I hate to go out now.
Food: 3
Service: 1
John Fancher
Great Scottish pub experience. Cozy and authentic feel.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Sarah Renee
Have wanted to try the fish n chips since I arrived 12 years ago- the fried halibut was easily the best I’ve had in years. Macleod’s also has unmatched interior design atmosphere among all bars in the metro area. Combine that with continuous great service and this place is a GEM
I was in Ballard for nearby concert and wanted to grab some dinner so stopped into MacLeod’s a Scottish Style Pub. The pub was adorned with traditional Scottish decorations…flags, clan crests, pictures…etc. I sat at the bar and asked the bartender for a recommendation, who suggested the Shepherd’s pie to which I gladly accepted. I also ordered a Scotch Egg having never had one previously. The Scotch Egg came first and included additional garnishes of cheese and pickled vegetables. It was delicious; actually, the whole dish was excellent. The pie came soon after. It was a perfect portion for a light dinner. The dish was good. Very rich and flavorful. Interestingly, the mashed potatoes were a little cold, but the filling was too hot. Also, I felt the dish needed more salt and pepper. After I seasoned the dish, it was excellent. The service was fantastic!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Scotch Egg
Great fish and chips, cocktails, and an incredible line up of scotch.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Honestly can't believe how long it's taken me to write this review. Food, ambiance, drinks, and overall vibes are through the roof. This is a must-visit when friends or family are in town and we crave this weekly! The Caesar with chicken, halibut fish and chips, and shepherds pie are stand outs with the chips taking the cake!! 11/10
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Nice staff, awesome drinks, unique building.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Sticky toffee pudding!!!!!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I showed up 30 minutes until close and the staff was amazing. I got the cod - it came out very quickly, and was very crispy, fresh, and hot. Great job to the kitchen and thanks to the bartender!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
I love this place, an unsung Ballard institution (especially great right before a tractor show) with probably the best bar food in the neighborhood. I'm especially glad that like every pub in Scotland, they've now got Guinness on tap. I just wish they'd use the proper glasses...
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
DO NOT GET sticky toffee pudding if you like Scottish sticky toffee pudding. It is a disappointment here. It is served with whipped cream instead of ice cream, there is no sticky toffee on the top and the date pudding is not good.
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience here. The food was great, tennants on draft and the owner had a good chat with us!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Classic fish and chips. Tasted and looked authentic. Loved the atmosphere as well. Very cozy and warm. A bit expensive tho. Nice to see they had a large selection pf scotches including the famed 25 year old Laphroaig that is like $750 a bottle. Service was nice and prompt - didnt have to wait too long, and found seating quickly.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Restaurantji Recommends
Classic fish and chips. Bellhaven on tap. Classic photos of David Tennant, Andy Murray, Robbie Coltrane looking down on you as you sip your pint or scotch. What's not to like?
We sat in the restaurant area which still felt like part of the warm atmosphere. The prices were very fair and all six of us were impressed with our dinners and our server. We'll meet up there again. Thanks!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Fish and Chips Cod, Caesar Salad, Macleods Burger, Shrimp Tacos
We watched people come in after us, receive their food and then leave before we were even asked what we wanted.
The food was over priced for what we got. It needed seasoning, and wasn't cooked right.
The Scottish eggs were under cooked. Where the ground beef was visibly raw. And at that price we should have gotten 2 full eggs, not one cut in half.
The shepherd's pie looked like it was just poured into the pan. No crispiness on top or anything.
I even told them I wanted to get a drink when the food came, but they forgot it entirely.
Then when my wife said the egg was wrong, they wanted to argue with her about how you make one. She grew up in England. She knows how to make one. The fact that the meat was raw was disgusting.
I don't know who was in that kitchen but they have lost any love for cooking they might have had. Just a reminder why I hate to go out now.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Great Scottish pub experience. Cozy and authentic feel.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Have wanted to try the fish n chips since I arrived 12 years ago- the fried halibut was easily the best I’ve had in years. Macleod’s also has unmatched interior design atmosphere among all bars in the metro area. Combine that with continuous great service and this place is a GEM
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
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