Leven's
- Food served: Mon–Thu noon–2.30pm, 5–10.45pm; Fri/Sat noon–10.45pm; Sun 1–10.45pm
- Pre-theatre times: 5–7pm daily
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 4
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Cheesy love songs
- Capacity: 49
- Largest group: 49
- Open since: 2008
- Average price:
£9.50 (set lunch)
£19.50 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £12.50
- House wine: £13.95 per bottle
- BYOB: £6 corkage
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.
Just remember that faint heart never won fair anything, take a deep breath and plunge headfirst into Leven’s crazy, mixed-up world of fusion. There’s a lot going on, much of it good, and while every plate could do with losing at least one ingredient, there is some great cooking going on here. Lamb rump is poached, rubbed with spices, then seared, resulting in tender meat with a fantastically crispy and complex skin. It works beautifully with a gentle massaman curry sauce, sprinkled with toasted hazelnuts. For starters, a whole soft-shell crab is served with gem lettuce and mango sauce – a deconstructed seafood cocktail that could be so wrong but turns out very, very right. Vegetarians are well catered for, with a dish of grilled vegetables looking like a harvest festival on a plate. A spicy curry sauce and rich, creamed spinach elevates this – another combination that probably shouldn’t work but does. A small dessert menu continues the theme, with panacotta teamed with coconut, mango and ice-cream made from pandan leaves. Leven’s is weird for sure but pretty wonderful as well.
- High point: Pushing the envelope for Thai cooking…
- Low point: …which isn't for the faint hearted
Reviews of Leven's (30-32 Leven Street, Edinburgh)
- 6. Hunter, Edinburgh – 2 January 2012, 4:07pm
Leven'sReport -
Good prices. Great food. Excellent service. Highly recommendable.
- 5. Leslie, Edinburgh – 28 March 2011, 1:16pmLeven'sReport
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Just wonderful. The food is totally amazing and flavourful. Good size portions and presentation and service is top-notched. Best food I've eaten in EDI since I moved here last summer. The atmosphere was a bit quiet and the music was a bit to contemporary for my liking but if you are going for a nice, quiet meal focused on great food, I totally recommend this place. My husband and I went on a Friday night around 8pm and it was not very busy at all. Too bad because it deserves to be jammed packed. Fabulous service too!
- 4. David Herrera, Edinburgh – 2 June 2010, 10:44amLeven'sReport
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This restaurant has it all, great food - the taste and presentation are excellent, the service is the best, i remember having our bottle of water topped up 3 times (my wife is pregnant), the menu choice is different which i love, the place itself is very modern and fresh looking, we visit at least once a week, i recommend lunch or pre theatre as it is cheaper and the quality or portion size does not suffer.
- 3. JiveWeasel, Edinburgh – 23 January 2010, 12:00amLeven'sReport
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There are certain areas of the world where Fusion dining is de rigeuer. Head to the more urban areas of Noo Zulund and you will see what I mean. However, apart from Peter Gordon's zany suggestions on "Food Poker", this type of cuisine is sadly lacking in our neck of the woods. Levens offers a fine take on Thai Fusion food. In addition to inventive and well presented cuisine, the fashionably decorated restaurant and first class service complete the package. If you are after a good quality Pad Thai, there are plenty of other venues in Edinburgh. If you are after an interesting taste sensation in a more upmarket venue that will not stress the wallet too much then give this place a try.
- 2. Scotia174, Edinburgh – 11 January 2010, 5:13pmLeven'sReport
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I love Thai food and over the years I've been to virtually every Thai restaurant in Edinburgh. I think that the official List review of Leven's has got it totally wrong. I have taken so many friends here over the last year and they have been so impressed. The food quality, presentation and taste are all outstanding. Fusion food can work well as long as it is well executed and at Leven's it is.
Finally, the staff will go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your experience and return. If you are still not convinced go and try their lunch menu (the salmon green curry is a treat) which is a real bargain.
- 1. bandl, edinburgh – 4 August 2009, 7:59pmLeven'sReport
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Exquisite presentation and fantastic tasting food - not your usual run of the mill Thai eatery.
Portions surprisingly filling.
Two course lunch great value. Plenty free top-ups of iced water if you're not doing alcohol.
Try the pandan ice cream for something different!
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