Indaba
- Food served: Tue–Thu 5–10pm; Fri/Sat 5–11pm. Closed Sun/Mon. [Extended in summer].
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 7
- Also offers: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Spanish rock/pop
- Capacity: 34
- Largest group: 38
- Open since: 2010
Tell us more about this place.
- Average price:
£16 (evening meal) - House wine: £13.95 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.
This tapas restaurant combines the national cuisines of its owners (three, now two, after one left to have a baby) and serves Venezuelan, South African and Spanish dishes. But that’s where the ‘fusion’ stops – there are no experimental crosses here, just a good selection of home cooking from the three countries. So antelope fillets sit alongside boquerones (pickled anchovies) and costillas de cerdo (baked pork ribs with honey, chilli and tomato) and prawns might be served as sosaties (Cape Malay spiced skewers), gambas pil pil (prawns in a chilli and tomato sauce) or with plantain and avocado. To say the host is warm is putting it mildly: a customer squinting to see the specials board on the night The List visited was loaned owner Charlton Kühn’s glasses for a better look. Simple explanations of items on the menu, attentive service and free chupitos (flavoured vodka shots) with the bill add to the welcoming atmosphere. Artwork of safari animals and wooden sculptures from Africa keep the atmosphere homely and casual, rather than buttoned up and formal. If it’s on the menu, the gooey ‘crying cake’ is well worth checking out for dessert. The name comes from the hot chocolate that spills out when it’s cut, but it might just bring on tears of joy.
- High point: Continent-straddling menu selection
- Low point: Closed at lunchtime
Reviews of Indaba (3 Lochrin Terrace, Edinburgh)
- 7. Indaba, Edinburgh – 8 March 2012, 1:38amIndabaReport
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We're really happy to have been "hitlisted" for the 2011/12 Food and drink guide. The first comment was in response to a rather demoralising review very shortly after we had opened and were finding our feet.
When the got hitlisted our menu had changed to purely Tapas portions from Spain, South Africa and Venezuela. The Decor is our own style, unhindered by expensive interior designers. Most like it, some don't. That is the way of the world.
Here's hoping to be hitlisted in the upcoming issue.
- 6. Muy Bueno, Edinburgh – 13 March 2011, 12:28pm
IndabaReport -
Indaba was really busy on the friday we went so booking is advisable as we tried to get a table but they could not fit us in straight away, but said they would hold the next table for us , we went to a nearby pub for a quick half.
Back to Indaba, nice variety of Spanish and South African beers to choose from, Charlton recommended Hansa Pilsner for my girlfriend and I opted for a pint of Estrella Damm- both very nice.
We went for the tapas option and had a Bobotie, gambas mixtas, Patatas Bravas, Albondigas( meatballs) and Goats cheese with caremelised onions, all of these were delicious and we took a while before ordering a trio of home-made deserts to share - Lovely again!
All this was finished off with a chopito (on the house)
We'll be back- often!
- 5. Sukascot, Edinburgh – 25 October 2010, 1:15amIndabaReport
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Was there on Friday night and the food was outstanding. I'm veggie and there was plenty of choice - very fresh and original. Staff were excellent, nothing too much bother, attentive but discreet. Whole visit was a joy, total gem of a place, been raving about it to all my friends and can't wait to go back soon.
- 4. Surprised!, Edinburgh – 12 September 2010, 9:54pmIndabaReport
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I too am a little surprised by this review.
I happened past the site a few months ago and noticed it had been refurbished (I used to frequent the restaurant that was once there so was always on the lookout), and on a whim decided to pop in there with my partner for a bite to eat. Suffice to say, we were not disappointed.
Since that first visit we have gone there almost weekly, and in some weeks even more!
So far we have found the food fresh, original, and amazing value to boot!
Our personal favourites thus far are....well...ummm....everything....no seriously...everything!
As a couple we eat out a lot, and thus far we have found Indaba to be nothing but A+++ in both service and flavour.
My advice? Give it a shot before it gets popular and they put the prices up!
- 3. Joseph, Edinburgh – 9 September 2010, 5:54pmIndabaReport
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I was surprised at the review not being more enthusiastic. Having visited Indaba three times now, I am most impressed with the range of food - especially for vegetarians. The specials I have tried are great, the arepas (which I had never had before) excellent and the desserts almost too good! I thoroughly recommend this place.
- 2. Arial, Edinburgh – 6 September 2010, 9:11pmIndabaReport
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I've become a bit of a regular and was looking out for the review. All I can say is the reviewer obviously hasn't tried the dishes they describe as workaday.
Yeah yeah burgers... Can't say there are any chips in sight, just a range of Spanish style sides that are a complement to the home made burgers with peppers and fresh herbs through them. Basically the menu isn't written in restauranteeze verbosity but the quality is there.
If you want a good local brasserie style meal with generous portions of fresh ingredients cooked to order, this is going to be up your street.
I suggest the reviewer goes back and tries the salmon stuffed with griddled prawns and drizzled with a mushroom sauce if they want something less workaday, or maybe just graze through the range of tapa and pinxos if he/she wants something more challenging and varied.
- 1. Indaba, Edinburgh – 6 September 2010, 8:23pmIndabaReport
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Having spent nearly two months cleaning up the mess left by the last tenant at this location this review is a bit of a let-down for the team at Indaba. We are still working to make the Indaba a "home from home", Rome wasnae built in a day.
With regards to our pre-ordered items: If you like mass produced re-heated paella and roasts then we are not the restaurant you are looking to frequent.
As for the "workaday territory of chops, steaks and burgers" the reviewer clearly has limited knowledge of South African eating habits.More diverse items will appear on the specials board from time to time and if they prove popular will make it onto the next menu.
No mention of the home-made deserts or ice cream?
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