Best Indian Restaurants in Edinburgh

Tanjore is relatively new to the Edinburgh dining scene but has quickly built up a reputation for serving delicious South Indian cuisine at remarkably reasonable prices. The menu is packed with tempting dishes, most of which you will not find in any other Edinburgh curry house. They have a particularly extensive vegetarian selection (the owner and chef is himself a vegetarian) and most of these dishes are suitable for vegans. Tanjore also serves rather more interesting puddings that those offered by other Indian restaurants. In particular, the carrot halwa is deliciously light and fragrant. The dining area is pleasantly uncluttered and the service immaculate.

This popular Edinburgh restaurant is located near Ocean Terminal where you'll find the Royal Yacht Britannia. It has deservedly won a number of awards over the years and it serves a blend of Indian, Bangladeshi, Nepali and Thai dishes. The nautical decor makes for an interesting backdrop to the excellent food. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming and the service is very attentive without spilling over into intrusive. It is a great place for a relaxing meal and caters for groups or families as well. If you are unsure what to get just ask the knowledgeable staff for advice. The food here is consistently excellent.

Tuk Tuk Indian Street Food is a welcome new addition to Edinburgh which brings with it an exuberant love of Indian street food and a kitschy sense of humor. The decor is bright and vibrant with retro Bollywood posters, garishly colored chairs, and huge tangerine letters (T.U.K) suspended in the three large windows. The food is similarly exuberant with a selection of tapas-style dishes to choose from, some mildly and delicately spiced, others fiery and rich. They also do a great lamb curry and two western offerings (t-bone steak and a mixed grill) for those not in the mood for mix and match dishes.

Navadhanya offers a refreshing twist on traditional Indian dining. The interior is chic but relaxed and the service impeccable. They have an extensive menu featuring the classic dishes as well as a number of more inventive options. The cuisine reflects both north and south Indian traditions, highly influenced by fine dining sensibilities. There is a business lunch of two or three courses which offers extremely good value and a tasting menu featuring seven courses with some genuinely novel dishes. You can also take a "wine flight" with drinks matched to the dishes. The dessert platter, with four miniature dishes, is delightful.

A relative newcomer to the Edinburgh restaurant scene, Vinyasa has already made quite a name for itself. Vinyasa specializes in Indian and Bangladeshi cuisine. The lunchtime menu features a much-reduced selection of curries and starters, so for the best experience, you are advised to visit in the evening when you will be treated to a wide selection of curries, tandooris and biryanis. All of the traditional favorites make an appearance on the menu, alongside a few unfamiliar treats and there is plenty to keep meat eaters, fish lovers and vegetarians happy. The décor is stylish and sophisticated with minimalist, but comfortable white chairs and crisp white napkins contrasting with the large illuminated panels on the walls and the vibrant blocks of colored glass which form the backdrop to the bar.

This family-run Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant offers a range of authentic curries in a fun, friendly atmosphere. The menu is large and offers a blend of familiar Indian dishes, Scottish favorites and some unique specialties. This restaurant is also home to the Kismot Killer, a curry so hot that you get it for free if you can manage to eat the whole thing! Don't worry though, there are plenty of mild options on the menu too and the staff will be happy to help you choose an appropriate dish for your tastes. The prices are very reasonable and this is a BYOB (Bring Your Own Bottle) restaurant with no corkage fee.

Opened over 25 years ago, the family-run Kalpna is one of Edinburgh's most established vegetarian restaurants. This Indian favorite may not be that much to look at, but you'll be treated to some of the best Indian cooking in the region. One of a few restaurants offering authentic Gujarati dishes along with more familiar Punjabi and South Indian styles, Kalpna also has a popular all-you-can-eat buffet during lunch. Kalpna caters for vegans and, although it is a vegetarian restaurant, meat-eaters should not be put off - there are plenty of unusual dishes to satisfy anyone. It is friendly and very reasonably priced.

Mintleaf is an opulent Indian and Thai restaurant located in Bernard Street, close to the bottom of Leith Walk. It can be risky to try to specialize in more than one cuisine, but Mintleaf has an abundance of highly qualified chefs who ensure that neither end of the kitchen lets the side down. The interior is sumptuously decorated with plush, blood red fabrics and highly polished dark wooden tables illuminated by softly flickering candlelight to create and a romantic and intimate atmosphere. The menu is extensive featuring many of the archetypal dishes from each cuisine as well as a few more original offerings. There is more than enough to please even the pickiest diner here.

The idea here is to share your food and experience something new. Mother India's Cafe offers a twist on the tapas style so each person orders a few dishes and everyone tucks in. The dishes are a bit bigger than traditional tapas so you won't want to go overboard ordering too many but this is a great way to enjoy Punjabi Indian food and taste different dishes. It's especially fun if you are dining in a group. The service is very good, the atmosphere is welcoming and the prices are reasonable. Mother India has four establishments in Glasgow and their Edinburgh offshoot is also proving to be a big hit with locals and visitors.

Dishoom is a vibrant Indian restaurant in the heart of Edinburgh which takes its inspiration from the Irani cafes of Bombay. The Edinburgh outpost is one of a family of six, all of the other establishments being based in London. All have a faux vintage charm but are themselves unique. The menu is more adventurous than the standard Indian fare in the capital. They offer a fresh take on the classics, such as their update of Bombay potatoes to Gunpowder Potatoes, and their signature Black Dhal is wonderful. They also offer some genuinely novel dishes. Breakfast buns composed of nan bread rolls are a delightful discovery, and their Jackfruit Biryani is a triumph. Add to this a great selection of cocktails (and mocktails) and you are in for a real treat.