Beautifully presented, richly colourful, hitlisted and critically acclaimed. Ignite is one of the most modern and stylish Indian restaurants in Edinburgh. Discover! Enjoy!
Thali
- Food served: Tue–Thu & Sun 4–11pm; Fri/Sat noon–12.30am. Closed Mon.
- Pre-theatre times: Tue–Sun 4––6pm
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 5
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu
- Music on stereo: Asian pop
- Capacity: 60
- Largest group: 60
- Open since: 2009
Tell us more about this place.
- Average price:
£19 (evening meal) - Pre-theatre price: £14.95
- House wine: £15 per bottle
The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.
Thali offers something different from the multitude of Indian restaurants nestled around Merchant City. The decor may look already slightly dated with its Artex walls and faded red carpet—but the food certainly is not. Referring to a charmingly diagrammed placemat, waiters enthusiastically explain the unusual concept of the thali: a base platter of fluffy rice; salad and pickles; daal or raita; and a generous portion of naan. Diners then choose a minimum of two katoris, or mains, from the extensive menu, but are encouraged to try at least three or four—enough, surely, to sate an elephant’s hunger. The stand out dishes are definitely the vegetarian options. The traditional Hyderabadi dish baingan— Sautéed aubergines in a tangy tamarind sauce—should not be missed; nor the aromatic okra with chilli and mango powder. Meat dishes are not to be scoffed at either, with a vast array of grilled kebabs and patties—not a vindaloo in sight. A two course pre-theatre menu is available Tuesday to Sunday, with a starter, base thali with two katrois plus a glass of house wine.
- High point: Extensive vegetarian options
- Low point: Quite dark and overly intimate
Reviews of Thali (42 Albion Street, Glasgow)
- 12. KG, Glasgow – 17 June 2011, 9:21am
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We stumbled on this restaurant looking for a buffet night. Well - it was worth it. The food is absolutely delicious. We had taken friends back a couple of weeks later to let them taste the cuisine and were thoroughtly impressed. On our way out a couple were looking at the menu outside, we recommended to them - in fact I took them right in to meet the manager, who is a very pleasant fellow. Hope the couple enjoyed the meal as much as we did. The decor is lovely as were the toilets. I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone - can't wait to go back.
- 11. SH, Glasgow – 22 November 2010, 12:04pmThaliReport
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Had a fabulous meal here at the weekend. The staff were friendly, down to earth and welcoming, and were happy to tell us all about the food and the ways that it is served back in India. The food was delicious and unusual and there was plenty of it. Highly recommend this place if you are looking for something a bit different.
My only criticism is that it might seem a bit expensive for some, but i really did think that it was worth it. I had 2 curries with my Thali which was more than enough.
Some of the negative comments below seem a wee bit too personal which leads me to believe that there may have been an ulterior motive!
Try this place.
- 10. Jumbo, Glasgow – 26 March 2010, 12:42pmThaliReport
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I agree with reviewer No 9. The food here is very poor.
Persuaded by Joanna Blythman's 8.5/10 review in the Sunday Herald (quoted on Thali's website), we arrived with high hopes of a special experience. However...
The Gazab Ka Tikka starter had "pumped up" chicken pieces swimming on a layer of fluorescent green pakora sauce.
The menu describes the Chicken Tikka Masala as: "sauteed in a fusion of onions, tomatoes, cumin, capsicums and a soupcon of homemade yoghurt"
This diner describes it as "best forgotten"
We left £40 poorer and wiser after a series of bland little dishes.
A no-spice zone.
The owner asked us on the way out if we had enjoyed our meal and seemed surprised when we said no, claiming this was the first complaint he had heard.
Hmmm!
- 9. Glasgow, Glasgow – 19 February 2010, 11:35am
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My wife and I had a meal here on the weekend, purely because of the reviews on this site and we were bitterly disappointed. After our meal it became quite apparent that the comments left here are written by either the owners/management or friends of.
If your thinking of having an Indian stick with the old boys that know how to do it best, not these amateurs!!
There is a plentiful array of fine restaurants within Thalis proximity, this has to be the worst in Merchant City. Dont be fooled by the reviews, everything about this place is wrong. You would have a better meal at the chippy next to the fish market.
A word to the management; stop the pretence guys, you dont have what it takes, you'd have a better career washing dishes!
Sorry guys, the truth hurts sometimes. I just dont like being conned out of my hard earned cash and I wouldn't want anyone else to make the same mistake.
No hard feelings : )
- 8. Jimzar, Glasgow – 26 January 2010, 11:17amThaliReport
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Is this the best Indian in Glasgow? I think so. Fantastic service. Fantastic food. I liked the small tv screens in the booth. Was giving information on different spices, was a little fast to read all the information, when asked if they could slow it down they said it will be slower for our next visit! Cant complain at that. Even got a discount voucher for when we next visit. Not sure if this is a recent thing but it will certainly get me to visit again. GREAT
- 6. Priya, Glasgow – 22 November 2009, 4:08pmThaliReport
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I love this place! The entrance hall is lovely and it's a shame the restaurant can be easily missed from outside.
Inside the decor is simple with individual booths as well as open tables. We love the food, there is a nice range of vegetarian options to complete the thali and the nimbu water is refreshing.
Staff were friendly, helpful and the Indian music added to the atmosphere. Overall, we enjoyed ourselves and will definitely return.
- 5. Jillster, Glasgow – 28 September 2009, 8:10pmThaliReport
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The food and service were great but the visit was marred by the fact the pre-theatre menu had been discontinued and only the a la carte menu was available at 5.30pm. Also, on receiving the bill, we were informed that the card machine was not working and would be required to pay cash. Signs of the times and the need for ready cash - unfortunately, I don't see this place staying in business much longer.
- 4. annabanana, thali merchant city – 7 June 2009, 5:15pm
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Lovely wee restaurant, fantastic tasty indian tapas, not too expensive and staff cant be anymore friendly. Definately recommended.
- 3. Wavy – 8 May 2009, 6:55pmThaliReport
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Really enjoyed my night at Thali, the staff were friendly and helpful and the food was delicious.
- 2. Dawn, Glasgow – 10 April 2009, 3:40pmThaliReport
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Couldn't fault this wee place. Food was delicious and very reasonably priced. The staff are really helpful and friendly. Can see this restaurant becoming a regular haunt!
- 1. Gemma, Glasgow – 30 March 2009, 7:58pmThaliReport
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Went here last week and it was fantastic! I was impressed from the moment I went in, the staff were friendly and very welcoming. There were four of us and we all had starters and then we all had a thali base and three small plates of curry - everything was amazing! The Thali base has nan bread, rice, salad and pickles - just the right amount of nan and rice for one person! I would definately recommend this place to anyone who is looking for a lovely curry but tapas style - great price as well - very reasonable!
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