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.
Britannia Spice
Ocean Drive
- Food served: Mon–Sat noon–2.15pm, 5–11.15pm; Sun 5–11.15pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 2
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least 25% of main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Takeaway
- Music on stereo: Indian classical music
- Capacity: 130
- Largest group: 130
- Open since: 2000
- Average price 2 courses:
£6.95 (set lunch)
£18 (evening meal) - House wine: £11.50 per bottle
This review appears in the The List's Eating & Drinking Guide 2008 – in the shops now or buy online.
Taking its name from one of the world's most famous ships, now moored as nearby in the lively environs of Leith, Britannia Spice has an overtly nautical theme that suits its mix of north Indian, Bangladeshi, Thai and Nepalese cuisine surprisingly well. All is certainly shipshape and Bristol fashion at this place that's popular among locals and visitors alike, the restaurant crew's efficient executing the well organised menu, whether on a busy weeknight or an even busier weekend. At the helm in the kitchen is chef Zaman, whose varied range of dishes displays a light touch, especially in those staples of Indian food that can so easily disappoint. Pakora and naan bread are crisp to the bite, while potato with cumin or the fresh vegetables of sabzi bhajee are a perfect foil for the chicken and lamb dishes that make up much of the main course menu. As well as the familiar green chillis, peppers and fresh spices, look out for the Bangladeshi lemon that features with the chunky lamb and, for fish lovers, the baked starter maccer bhorta is deliciously different from your standard prawn dish – yet another positive connection between Britannia Spice and the sea.
- High point: Feels like being on a cruise ship, but no chance of being seasick
- Low point: Too much shredded iceberg lettuce
Comments
- 1. jim p, central scotland – 23 March 2008, 9:06pmReport
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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
- 2. ClarraBella, Leith – 24 August 2008, 12:24pmReport
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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.
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