Dishoom Edinburgh

Dishoom Edinburgh is a Bombay-style cafe at 3a St Andrew Square in the New Town, set in a former bank building in the centre of Scotland's capital. The restaurant is part of a group that takes inspiration from the old Irani cafes of Bombay, and it serves Indian cafe cooking from breakfast through to late evening. Its menu is built around dishes that have become closely associated with the brand: the bacon naan roll at breakfast, the house black daal that is slow-cooked for many hours, and a range of grills, biryanis, small plates and chai. Typical prices are moderate, with mains around £10 to £18, and the bacon naan roll and black daal each cost approximately £9. The dining room is large, high-ceilinged and atmospheric, with period-style fittings, mirrors and dark wood that evoke a Bombay cafe, and the mood is busy, convivial and loud at peak times. There is no dress code. The drinks programme includes chai, lassis, cocktails with an Indian twist, and a short wine and beer list, and the breakfast hours make it popular for a leisurely start to a day of sightseeing. Reservations are accepted for larger groups in some sessions, but the restaurant is best known for its walk-in queue, and visitors should expect waits at lunch and dinner, particularly on weekends and in August. Arriving early or at off-peak hours such as mid-afternoon reduces waiting time, and the restaurant can often provide an estimated time on arrival. St Andrew Square is a short walk from Waverley station, Princes Street and the tram stop, which makes Dishoom an easy meeting point in the city centre. Check dishoom.com for current opening hours and booking rules.