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Britannia Spice
Ocean Drive
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–2.15pm, 5–11pm; Sun 5–11pm.
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 2
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access
- Music on stereo: Indian music
- Capacity: 140
- Largest group: 140
- Open since: 2000
- Average price:
£8.95 (set lunch)
£22 (evening meal) - House wine: £11.50 per bottle
Send us more details about this place.
The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2011) edition.
Britannia Spice is located in a rather austere converted whisky bond. Behind the stony façade, however, is a bright and open space containing long tables for large parties as well as a mezzanine and corner booths for intimate dining. The restaurant is named after the Royal Yacht Britannia and the nautical theme extends to the décor and waiting staff, whose smart threads resemble naval uniforms. The high quality of the food, which covers Bangladeshi, Nepali and Thai dishes as well as North Indian, belies the slightly kitsch backdrop. Peruse the menu with fresh poppadums and a mild, moreish mango chutney. Mixed vegetable pakora have a crispy skin with a richly textured filling, and accompanying rice dishes are generously portioned. Mains include a pista gosht passanda, tender strips of lamb cooked with ground pistachio and almonds in a creamy cashew sauce, while the medium hot Kathmandu murgh is oven-roasted chicken cooked in lentils and bursting with flavours of spring onion, garlic, ginger, fresh herbs and lemon. Freshly spiced saag paneer and saag aloo with juicy potato make enjoyable sides. Price-wise Britannia is very good value, with enticing set menus.
- High point: Good cooking using fresh ingredients
- Low point: The occasional sense of being on a cruise-ship
Reviews of Britannia Spice (150 Commercial Street, Ocean Drive, Edinburgh)
- 10. SeanS, Edinburgh – 2 February 2012, 9:14pm
Britannia SpiceReport -
We live nearby Leith and regularly pop in. We've never been disappointed with the quality of the food they produce. A choice of dishes from Indian, Thai or Nepalese. This restaurant is one of our favorites in Edinburgh. It's not as expensive as the venue looks, our favourite dish is Mango Chicken, which is sweet and mild. My partner loves the Katmundu Murgh, Definitely recommend it.
- 9. Tom H, Scottish Borders – 18 January 2012, 12:03pmBritannia SpiceReport
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I love Indian food and this is right up there with the very best, service is friendly and efficient; I will be back.
- 8. Linda H, Scottish Borders – 18 January 2012, 11:35amBritannia SpiceReport
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I love Britannia Spice have been many times and it just gets better! The surroundings are really relaxing, service excellent and food tops the bill! Looking forward to my next visit, keep up the good work Britannia Spice you have lots of opposition in Edinburgh but no contest in my book!
- 7. Paul v Finch, Edinburgh – 17 January 2012, 3:23pmBritannia SpiceReport
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Love it!! If you haven't been you should go
- 6. Anil, Edinburgh – 2 January 2012, 9:15pmBritannia SpiceReport
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Warm welcome, excellent food, excellent presentation, brilliant service and value for money Britannia Spice one of the best restaurant in the country I ever visit
- 5. Anil, Edinburgh – 2 January 2012, 6:48pmBritannia SpiceReport
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This is award winning gem of the edinburgh dining scene is often referred to as the best Indian restaurant in the capital. In fact it won the "best in Britain awarded and three time british curry winning awared. The menu is vast - Indian bangladashi,Nepali and thi dishesh are surved and the prices are reasonable.
This restarent is simply and stylish with the relax ambience of a royal yacht is a firm favourite with locals and tourists alike.My favourite Bangladeshi dishes is palok murgh chorchory, tender prices of rosted chicken cooked with spaince in a rich medium hot sauce.
North Indian garlick lamb , cubes rosted in a tandoor fresh garlick and medium hot sause.
My most favourite vegetarian is "palok gajor cashew Nut" blend of fresh spinach ,carrots and cashew nuts was beautifully presented dishes,we had dine in new year 's day for two persons two course meal including drinks come total of £45 , we really enjoyed very much and we back again and suggest others to visit such a fantastic Multi ethnic restaurant ,located in Leith near the Royal Yacht Britannia , Ocean terminal Shoping centre
- 4. Pokharel – 30 December 2011, 10:13pmBritannia SpiceReport
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Last night had dinner at britannia spice with my friend. I heard this restaurant very good report about this resturant and they are serving indian, Thai, bangladeshi, and nepalese. We ordered starter tandoori lamb chop which was brilliant taste and my friend ordered Thai soup Tom yum was also very tasty. Than we go for main course Kathmandu murgh was nepalese item cooked with lentils which was very nice and smooth taste, than we shared satkora ghost ,special from bangladesh with tender piece of lamb cooked in medium hot sauce with rinds,and kaffir lime leaves,Excellent taste. Overall food and service is excellent. Decor is the touch of royal yatch. We really enjoyed the night and will be back soon,and try more other popular dishes.
- 3. leither – 2 January 2009, 6:49pm
Britannia SpiceReport -
Food was ok, maybe as the main review says too much lettuce and stuff on the plate making it seem like you have lots, no sauces to speak of so dont order any rice, you wont need it unless you like to eat plain boiled rice. The main grip I have is we sat down and the waiter brought us 2 large bottles of beer some poppadoms and some mixed chutneys without us asking for this, and yes it was on the final bill...!!! We were going to order beer, but for them to presume we wanted large ones and poppadoms and chutneys to the value of £15 was too much!!! dont think I'd go back,
- 2. ClarraBella, Leith – 24 August 2008, 12:24pmBritannia SpiceReport
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Dont go!
Sat for almost 45 minutes before our order was taken, then the starters took another 40 minutes to arrive. We then had to wait even longer for the main course.
People that arrived after us were in, served, eating and out before we had our main courses.
Emailed them to complain 1 month ago and I'm still waiting on a reply.
DON'T GO!! shocking service, average food and waiters that can't speak english..... you have been warned.
- 1. jim p, central scotland – 23 March 2008, 9:06pmBritannia SpiceReport
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excitement changed to apprehension when we arrived at Britannia Spice, the award winning restaurant in Leith
it all changed when we walked through the door and were ignored for 30 mins in the doorway, no greeting and treated like a badly behaved infant when we reminded staff we did actually have a reservation?
'hi, we'll be with you shortly?' it's not rocket science!
an hour into our dining experience 2 very average starters arrived... but as hungry as we were a main course of partially cooked 'chicken shashlik' left us feeling very short changed.
hmm an award winning restaurant living on past glory!
the staff did remove this from the bill... but marks out of 10... em, very disappointing, to be fair the restaurant was busy, but raw chicken is a bit of a health issue.take care Britannia Spice
we won't be back
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