Restaurants, Indian, Outdoor dining

23 places

Sorted by popularity

Tanjore

6–8 Clerk Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9HX

When you head to Tanjore, and it’s heartily recommended you do, there are two reasons to bring an appetite. First, this is where to sample the finest Southern Indian cuisine in Edinburgh. Second, you’ll be tempted to order everything on the enticing…

The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café

Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow, Edinburgh, EH8 9BT

Debates over its actual ‘Originality’ still rage, with the (unconnected) Mosque Kitchen over the road claiming copyright, but the Original Mosque Kitchen remains a popular spot, still resolutely lo-fi, ladling curries from school dinner drums on to…

Café India

29 Albion Street, Glasgow, G1 1LH

When restaurant entrepreneur Tony Hussain took over the long-established Café India in 2011, he kicked it up a few notches from typical Glasgow curryhouse to a classier joint, with a makeover to match. There are still aspects of the former – like the…

Cafe Salma

523 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G3 7PQ

This charming neighbourhood joint is the answer to the age-old couples' dilemma: what'll it be tonight, darling, Indian or Moroccan? If you can't decide, this is the only place offering two menus, from two separate kitchens, with choices from both so…

The Den at Dining In with Mother India

1347 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8AD

The small deli nestling next to Mother India's Cafe might seem an afterthought – but it's certainly not, for the refreshingly different intimate restaurant sharing space with the takeaway counter offers excellent quality authentic Indian food which…

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Rishi's Indian Aroma

61 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 2DG

Enticing smells waft from city centre newcomer Rishi’s Indian Aroma. Present in Aberdeen for the past four years, the Glasgow branch launched in January 2013 following a hunt for the right premises – and an Edinburgh restaurant is in the pipeline for…

Ashoka at the Quay

The Quay, Springfield Quay, Glasgow, G5 8NP

See Ashton Lane branch for review

Kebab Mahal

7 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9BH

There’s a reason why Kebab Mahal has been a part of Edinburgh’s dining scene since 1979, and that is its adherence to the maxim ‘keep it simple’. Its cafe feel and hard-worn chairs and tables give the room an air of the late-night takeaway, an…

KoolBa

109 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1NP

Koolba began life as a Persian restaurant but Glasgow diners apparently made it clear they wanted curry. So a curryhouse – with Persian starters – it became. The change of direction was so successful that the team from KoolBa went on to earn a place…

Banana Leaf

76B Old Dumbarton Road, Glasgow, G3 8RE

You’ve got to trust the food will speak over and above any impressions a style-free, humble interior may give. And trust you do, as seating and feeding hungry customers is a priority from a diner that began as and still is a takeaway. Having grown in…

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The Dhabba

44 Candleriggs, Glasgow, G1 1LE

What’s on offer in this upmarket eatery is far removed from the rustic style of cooking you’ll find in any roadside café after which it is named. The chefs have previously cooked for India’s rich and famous bringing with them a majestic, refined…

Punjab'n de Rasoi

122–124 Leith Walk, Edinburgh, EH6 5DT

Expectations need to be reset before visiting Punjab’n de Rasoi as it’s a tad different from your typical Indian restaurant. Established in 2010 as a means to empower Sikh women, this community-run café at the bottom of Leith Walk serves traditional…

Rawalpindi Tandoori

321 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3HW

Rawalpindi is another of Glasgow’s old-school Indians that date back generations. Most diners are regulars and there’s an easy-going vibe in the comparatively intimate space, even midweek when other city-centre restaurants can seem a bit cavernous.

Bay of Bengal

164 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1QS

Situated slap bang in tourist central on the Royal Mile, Bay of Bengal is well placed to attract passing trade. Established in 1978, it has recently given itself a modern makeover, replacing its dark reds and Indian fabrics with turquoise flock…

Bollywood: The Coffee Box

99a Bruntsfield Place, Edinburgh, EH10 4HG

Edinburgh has grown used to the sight of old police boxes being used to sell coffee – but being used to sell curry? It’s a testament to both the culinary and organisational skills of proprietor Nutan Bala that she’s able to produce such enjoyable fare…

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Café Red

291 Byres Road, Glasgow, G12 8TL

Chillies West End

176–182 Woodlands Road, Glasgow, G3 6LL

On vibrant Woodlands Road, Chillies attracts nearby students and West-enders seeking a contemporary and gratifying Indian experience. Many are tempted by the mouthwatering domination of tapas dishes that offer small bowls of appetizing, well-spiced…

Green Chilli Café

1293 Argyle Street, Glasgow, G3 8TL

Dishes are available either in tapas size or larger à la carte portions at this smallish restaurant tucked away behind a discreet door, with most seats upstairs. The subtle décor is enlivened by colourful Indian pictures, while poppy tunes play in the…

Indian Gallery

450 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3JD

This modern tandoori restaurant offers mid-range dining on the busy main drag of Sauchiehall St. Sleek service meets Bhangra and Bollywood bling in an intimate but comfortable setting. Images featuring Bollywood stars and cultural icons adorn shiny…

Mintleaf

28 Bernard Street, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6PP

A new addition to the Edinburgh Indian selection is Mintleaf, a Thai and Indian fusion restaurant, occupying an old bank building on Leith’s Bernard Street. The décor is a flash take on Indian traditional style where flock wallpaper, plush sofa seating…

Southern Spice

325 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow, G2 3HW

An unappealing exterior does nothing for this restaurant, positioned at the studenty end of Sauchiehall Street amidst rivals and alternative eateries. Once through the door, plastic wine lists and wonky wooden tables look in need of a refresh in the…

Spice Lounge Kitchen

1 Craigmount View, Corstorphine, Edinburgh, EH12 8HG

Appearances can be deceiving. What looks from the outside to be a cavernous, soulless structure plonked down in the middle of suburban Corstorphine is in fact a stylish, well laid-out restaurant and bar with views to the south of the city and beyond…

Zest

15 North St Andrew Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1HJ

Don’t be put off by the tram works outside: Zest is very much open for business. Inside it’s an oasis of crisp white table cloths, neatly laid out cutlery and smiling, helpful staff. Starters are familiar but don’t suffer for that. There’s a decent king…