Dishoom Edinburgh is loud. I mean, library-with-a-tornado loud. You’ll hear laughter, clanging dishes, and someone at the next table explaining why they love the “rubber chicken” (they mean the chicken tikka, but it’s fine). This is not the place for a quiet, romantic proposal—unless you like shouting “I LOVE YOU” over a sizzling platter of okra fries.
The best seat in the house is the ground floor window facing Saint Andrew Square. On a sunny day, you can watch Edinburgh’s pigeons plot world domination while you sip your chai, feeling like a god of spice. On a rainy day—which is 87% of days—you can watch pedestrians get soaked while you stay warm and smug.
Dishoom Edinburgh: Indian Restaurant on St Andrew Square
Surprising Fact No. 3: The Queue Is a Sport
Dishoom does not take dinner reservations. This means you’ll join a queue of hungry, hopeful humans that snakes around the square. It sounds like a nightmare, but they bring you chai while you wait. Suddenly, waiting becomes a delightful, caffeinated social event. I once saw a couple meet, fall in love, and argue over the bill—all while queuing for a table.
If you’re a coward (affectionately), go for lunch or early breakfast. Their breakfast menu is served until 11:45 AM, and the Bombay Omelette is so good it might make you forget your own name. You’ll be so full of eggs and optimism that you’ll walk into a lamppost outside.
