Dishoom

This is the first review for a restaurant I’ve ever written but Dishoom has made it impossible not to say something wonderful online. Recently, I traveled here to start my masters program at the University of Edinburgh from abroad. I am the first in my family to attend graduate school and I was celebrating being here in Edinburgh pursuing a future that I quite literally had been dreaming of. To celebrate, I came here by myself for dessert (I went here for dinner once and had dessert, was blown away so I came back). The waiter asked me about myself and what I was celebrating. He made sure to give me a wonderful experience. He gave me a free dessert and a chai tea on the house (I may have ordered not one but three desserts that day lol)…and he was truly such a kind human being that made my evening so much more special. I don’t know what his name is but his kindness, his brief conversation and genuine interest in my life, as well as the fantastic desserts really filled me with happiness. Dishoom has great waiters and waitresses, great food, and great experiences! I highly recommend their chicken ruby, mattar paneer, paneer roomali roll, up-to-date pau bhaji and of course their desserts (basmati kheer and the chocolate pudding with the kashmiri chilli ice cream)! Happy eating! It is worth the wait! Unless you book a reservation before 6pm which I always do, hehe. ;)

Amazing food and ambiance!! Loved the mutter paneer and jackfruit biryani. The blushing colada drink i had was also delicious. Definitely one of my fave Indian restaurants now, can’t wait for the NYC location to open! Service was also very friendly and accommodating of my sister’s severe allergies so that was a plus

We had such a fantastic experience at Dishoom! The food was absolutely delicious and full of flavour. Our server, Ross, was excellent he gave us great recommendations, checked back on us during the meal, and made sure we were well looked after. We tried the Okra Fries, Amritsari Fish, Mutton Pepper Fry, Garlic Naan, Chicken and Rhubarb Biryani, Basmati Kheer, and the Charred Lamb Chops; which were spot on. Every dish was cooked to perfection and the flavours really stood out. The service was attentive and friendly, and the overall atmosphere was warm and welcoming. Definitely one of the best dining experiences we’ve had in Edinburgh.

I went to Dishoom in Edinburgh and honestly, I found the food pretty mediocre. The place itself looks great — the interiors have a nice Bombay café feel and the atmosphere is lively. Service was friendly too, no complaints there. But when it came to the food, nothing really stood out. It wasn’t bad, just not memorable, especially given the prices. For the hype, I expected a lot more flavour and something special, but it fell flat. Overall, it’s a nice spot if you want the vibe, but for me the food didn’t live up to it.

I had high hopes for Dishoom Edinburgh, but unfortunately my visit was ruined by a combination of disappointing dishes and poor service. Atmosphere & Layout The restaurant itself is stylish, though not the easiest to navigate. The ground floor is mainly taken up by the open kitchen, with some window seating at high tables and stools. Most of the dining space is upstairs, reached by a very narrow staircase — barely wide enough for people to pass one another. The upstairs area is lively, divided into two sections by wood-and-glass partitions, with white beams, retro chandeliers, ceiling fans, and a mix of dark wood tables: some topped with green-and-white chequered surfaces, others with marble. There are nice views over St Andrew Square. Food • House Chai: The portion was tiny for the price and far too sweet, heavy on cinnamon and cardamom. • Chole Puri Halwa (£15.30): This “chef’s favourite breakfast” came with chickpeas, halwa, pickles, and one giant puri. Unfortunately, the chickpeas were overwhelmingly sour with too much tamarind, and the carrots were over-pickled to the point of being unpleasant. The halwa, while decent with a good nutty topping, felt misplaced — it would have worked better as a dessert at the end of the meal rather than served alongside everything else. Service The biggest letdown was the service. On leaving, a waiter dropped not one but two plates of food over me and onto the table next to mine, which completely spoiled the meal. Overall Dishoom Edinburgh has an attractive interior and a lively atmosphere, but between the unbalanced flavours, small portions, and an unfortunate service mishap, my experience was far from enjoyable.