Nawroz

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.

Nawroz is the new kid on the exotic block of mainly Middle Eastern eateries surrounding Edinburgh Central Mosque. Run by four close friends who pride themselves on offering authentic Kurdish and Middle Eastern cuisine, it is still finding its feet, but being smack bang in the middle of student land and doing good-value lunch deals should see it in fine stead. Its spacious premises have a sleek black-and-chrome contemporary look, although a few wall-hung tapestries add a traditional touch. Grab shawarma for lunch, or take your time over dinner to try a coterie of Kurdish starters including kubba halab: sweet deep-fried patties of minced lamb rolled in crushed rice, and lovely crispy fried nan sawjee, with which you could mop up hummus til baklava time. Substantial mains include Kurdish takes on biryani, one being a lamb-on-the-bone stew with a rich, tomatoey vegetable sauce on the side, along with a range of shish kebabs served with sizeable nans, and other dishes from the grill. Round off with baklava, or ice cream in delightful saffron and rose water – light, and just right to round off.

• High point: Big space great for large groups
• Low point: Remember to bring your own bottle