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Shamoli

Shamoli
105 High Street
Edinburgh, EH1 1SG
Phone: 0131 558 1497
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  • Food served: Mon–Sun noon–2pm, 5–11pm.
  • Number of wines sold by the glass: 4
  • Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs
  • Music on stereo: Staff's favourite Bangladeshi pop music
  • Capacity: 60
  • Largest group: 60
  • Open since: 2007
View larger map of EH1 1SG
  • House wine: £14.95 per bottle

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Eating & Drinking Guide

The 2011/12 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

Just up from John Knox's house on the Royal Mile and hidden up a stone staircase, this spacious first floor restaurant widens the choice by offering both Thai and Northern Indian food. Its convenient location – a short walk from the train station and the various High Street attractions – means it is often a pit stop for hungry tourists, taking Shamoli up on their offer of a £6.95 two-course lunch or £21.95 evening banquet. The staff are smiling and swift, dishing out Tiger or Singha beers depending on which country's cuisine you plump for. The menu covers specialities from the wok as well as the sea, plus noodle dishes, curries, veggie meals and a long list of side dishes, for both meat-eaters and meat-avoiders. Alarm bells ring, though, when an 11-page menu (there are over 50 Indian main course options alone) offers so many dishes. There is evidence of corner cutting in the sauces and curries, the sweet chilli and satay dips are runny and lacking flavour, while a watery tom yum soup disappoints. Simpler basics are more reliable – fluffy, sweet peshwari nan and creamy pistachio kufti ice cream for dessert are safer choices.

  • High point: Unrushed, friendly service
  • Low point: Quantity comes before quality

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Buy a LIST Card

This restaurant offers the standard 2-for-1 LIST Card promotion for:

Lunch: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun

Dinner: Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Sun

Remember: book by phone (0131 558 1497) and ask for a LIST Card booking.

The LIST Card is a dining scheme that gives you promotional two-for-one offers at a range of restaurants in Glasgow, Edinburgh and beyond. Find out more.

Reviews of Shamoli (105 High Street, Edinburgh)

5. John.smith, Birmingham – 4 January 2012, 3:19pm5 starsShamoliReport

I went to Shamoli one January 1st 2012. It was very busy, I had to queue for 25 minutes but it was worth while. The food was exceptional, it did take a little bit longer than normal but that was because they were very busy. The service was very professional considering the circumstances of the business being over full and there was at least 15 people queuing. They offered me complimentary popadoms & chutney because I had to wait a little bit longer then normal. The waiters were very helpful in helping me pick what to eat because I have allergies. The atmosphere was very nice, it was modern and sleek but they kept the building's character but keeping the period feature for example the original gas fireplace. I like how they made the fusion between new and old have been made and hats off to the designer, and it seems to have been fully refurbished recently.

I would recommend Shamoli to anyone and I will be going back again very soon.

4. Adam_smith, Argyll – 2 January 2012, 7:38pm5 starsShamoliReport

I was walking up the royal mile when I saw Shamoli Restaurant,so I went in.The food was brilliant & the service was fast and professional and the waitors very very polite & helpfull.The decor was very nice,modern with a bit of class.AlltogetherI think That Shamoli Is a very good restaurant and i would recommend it to anyone,just a shame it is a two hour drive from my home in Argyll or I would be going there quite often but I will go their the next time Im in the Stunning city of Edinburgh.

3. bes, leicester – 28 December 2008, 7:12pm1 starShamoliReport

As a visitor I relied on "google" to find a good indian restaurant.
Found a write up by the local Edn newspaper which thought the place was great. It also served Thai food which I had a taste for after a few holidays in Phuket. As it was near to the hotel off we went.

Well I had the Thai duck - it was overcooked and "tuff", I suspect it had been pre cooked & heated up (I get far better at my local Chinese) The rice was not as was ordered. The service was poor with plates not being cleared (pushed to one side) when next course arrived.
Try it but be warned it is 1star at best. The newspaper man me thinks had a freeby? No , I am sure that was not the case, perhaps I was just unlucky. In any event I shall find somewhere else In March when I return.

2. Lulu – 18 August 2008, 4:36pm4 starsShamoliReport

The food was great and the menu extensive. Caters very well for vegetarians with a seperate page on the menu in both the Thai and Indian section. I had Thai food and found the portions adequate. Service was very slow however, despite the restaurant not being busy. We had to ask several times to both order and get the bill. Great food, but don't go if you are in a hurry.

1. B-Boy, Edinburgh – 1 August 2008, 4:35pmShamoliReport

The food was excellent however the portions were tiny for the price paid. Both the starter and main meal could have done with at least twice as much on the plate. Great place if you've got a small appetite but not if you're looking to fill up.
Still - used my List card and got it all for half price so it all evened out in the end!

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