Bonoful

Some months ago we tried this restaurant for the first time, being aware of reviewers comments and found it to be OK, no more no less.

This evening we decided to try the takeaway option as we were passing Portobello from the centre of town on our way home.

As we are Indian foodies we ordered one starter, two mains, one rice and a nan.

We are writing this review before we've even put food to plate in total disgust. Were we not so far away (in takeaway terms) the order would have been instantly returned for a full refund.

Let us elaborate.

No complimentary Paps.
5 pieces of soggy mixed pakora.
Two half filled cartons of sauce ( there might be meat if we dig out the magnifier).Photos are available - they are being forwarded to the establishment for comment.

To top it all this "takeaway" is significantly more expensive than much better local comparisons.

They obviously don't care or feel they have to try to please in any way.

We will not put up with this experience and would counsel any prospective customers to steer well clear.

Still ain't tasted it, we're so angry.

TERRIBLE RESTAURANT - Though the food was ok the service was very very poor.

Throughout the meal the staff were rude. We felt rushed and unwelcome throughout, it just felt like they wanted to take as much money as possible, as quickly as possible without any regard for the quality of the dining experience.

When the bill arrived I wasn’t even surprised to see that the staff had charged us for more food than we’d ordered. Only a couple of popadoms, but we hadn’t ordered them and didn’t want them.

The portions of pickles were tiny, I’m pretty sure this also to enable them to charge more when customers asked for a top up.

We refused to pay for what we didn’t order, we had to leave cash as the staff wouldn’t accept that they shouldn’t have charged us.

Avoid this place. We are visitors but in the week we’ve been here we’ve seen two other Indian restaurants (9 Cellars and a vegetarian place - I don’t have the name), both were excellent in terms of service and food quality

I will never go back here. I strongly reccomend you also try somewhere else!

After reading the negative reviews, I was not sure that this was the best place to take a friend from England with whom I had eaten many curries over the years. But we - and our wives - decided to give Bonoful a try, and would strongly recommend it. It is a very pleasant restaurant, the food is excellent - we had the fish curry, lamb with spinach, and two vegetarian dishes (of which there is a reasonable selection), and the staff were attentive. And the prices are good, given the quality of the food. Perhaps one difference is that we went there on a quiet Monday evening, arriving at 7.30. Anyway, all I can say is that is worth going there - I believe that there are many regular local customers, which is always a good sign - it would not have lasted since 2005 unless they were doing quite a lot of things right!

My friend & I visited recently after a good report re the food from her parents. We arrived @1.20, they were brisk to seat us and unfriendly despite my friend calling prior to us popping in and being assured it was ok. We were seated and issued menu's. A drink was served. When asked if a vege alternative was available the waiter said flat NO. He gave us other menu and started to clear the side plates. My friend said we would like to order popadom and he said quite plainly "we close @ 2pm". At that point we dicided to leave the establishment, explained why and did not wish to pay for our unfinished drinks. He did not appear to care. We then drove to MOTHER INDIA in INFIRMARY STREET EDINBURGH, a regular haunt, where the food is excellent and the STAFF r WONDERFUL!!!!!!!
Will not grace the door of the prior restraunt again. Have since heard they are not popular with the neighbours due to smell and them damaging the wall with deliveries etc........

Very disappointed. I have used the Bonoful on a number of occasions and the food is generally fine. Tonight they were busy and I had phoned in a takeaway order. I arrived to pick up my food 20 mins later and watched how busy it was! One man was responsible for preparing bills for both eat in / takeaway customers, plus answering phone, plus giving out the ready takeaway meals. Needless to say he was over worked! 2 takeway meals appeared and sat on a counter. One was given away immediately. The other sat on the counter for 15 minutes while the man took several calls for orders - meanwhile the queue inside the shop built up. Needless to say I was livid when I finally realised the meal I'd watched on the counter all that time was mine! My chicken tikka, served in a plastic container, was cold when I got it home. I have 2 suggestions for the management: serve all take away food in a foil container; and, reorganise your staff jobs - I'm pretty sure the 3 or 4 men (who walked past my ready meal, several times whilst I was watching it), could have picked my meal up and read out the name attached! Seriously, your service needs to be improved! I won't be back in a hurry.

I must say the best Indian I have come across in Edinburgh. I am surprised to read the above review as the service for me has always been very good. I have visited last Friday (my 5+ times) each time food and service as been great except occasionally when they are over booked and you have to wait for a table.... but the waiters make sure we recieve a drink while waiting for a table :)

Try the Dilruba, my favourite and my wife loves the Chicken Tikka Korma. We highly recommend this place for dining as well as for the takeaway which we have tried couple of times.

Firstly - ignore my 'name' - I did this for another review and for some reason I can't change it!

Bonoful - lovely restaurant, pretty lovely food but shame about the shocking service. We booked a table for 8.30pm on a Saturday night (there were 3 of us) and arrived at 8.25pm and were seated promptly. We ordered and then had to wait aaaaages for our starters - I think it was 9.10pm before we got those. Then we had to wait until about 9.50pm before our mains came. We told the waiter (very nicely) that we had been waiting a very long time and could he check on our meals, but this didn't speed things up. When they did eventually come there was no apology at all.

What was particularly annoying was that a couple sat next to us - who came in after us - eat their starters, mains, paid up and left all before we got our mains! However, when the bill came and we put our cash down, they whipped it away so quickly myhusband didn't pick up his mint!

That said, the food was pretty nice and the restaurant itself is lovely decorated and has a good vibe, but the service was so bad that we won't be back. Sorry.