Mezbaan is Edinburgh's only restaurant dedicated to just traditional and authentic South Indian cuisine. We are now open for lunch. If you are short for time you can sample our express menu or for a more relaxed our a la carte menu.

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• Average price 2 courses: £15
• House wine: £12.95 per bottle

• High point: Haggis pakora (only in Glasgow, surely)
• Low point: Some tables feel rather squashed into corners
• Food served: Sun–Thu 5pm–12.30am; Fri/Sat 5pm–1am
• Delivery: £1.25, West End only
• Open since: 1973
• Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Takeaway, Pre-theatre menu

This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008
– in the shops now or buy online.

Established over 25 years ago, Ashoka West End claims to sit on the corner of the longest street and the shortest road in Glasgow. It is undoubtedly something of a local landmark. Split over two levels, there is a bar and 25 seats at ground level and space for 35 more in the basement. Despite being larger, the downstairs dining area has a cosier feel. A cricket bat and black and white photographs of the Ashoka staff (as well as Mahatma Gandhi) hang on the bright orange walls, set aglow by warm light shining through carved wooden sconces. Aubergine fritters to start are rather bland, but smothering them in the accompanying dip helps to improve their flavour. The zingy paneer palak made with spinach, garlic and ginger successfully treads the fine line between warming and spicy, although the paneer with its tofu-like consistency may not be to everyone's taste. The curries made with meat are carefully put together, with the chicken chasni worth mentioning in particular.