5 Indian Restaurants in Edinburgh

The UK’s love for for a good curry dates all the way back to the colonial times of the British Raj, the rule by the British Crown in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947. British wives would interact with their Indian cooks, resulting in the invention of Anglo-Indian cuisine – Indian dishes adopted to suit Western palates. Indian cuisine was then introduced to the United Kingdom, and it was here that famous dishes like the balti, korma and chicken tikka massala were invented. One of the first Indian restaurants in Edinburgh – Khushi’s – opened in 1974 and the Scottish capital has been crazy for curry ever since, and these days there’s plenty of great Indian restaurants in Edinburgh to choose from.

Indian food is very diverse, with cuisines varying a great amount as you travel from region to region, influenced by the areas religion and the produce that is available locally. In the North of India curries are a staple and dishes are often heavier and creamier, while in the South, cooking is based around rice, lentils and stews, with popular dishes like dosa (a type of crepe made from lentil and rice). In the West, Maharashtra’s coastal location means that fish and coconut feature heavily in dishes, while Gujarati cuisine is mostly vegetarian with some Chinese influences, meanwhile, the east of India is famous for its amazing desserts.

For a beginner, delving into the fiery depths of Indian cuisine can be daunting with so many options to choose from. Let us talk you through some of the dishes that you must try at Edinburgh Indian restaurants: Butter chicken – one of the most famous Indian dishes, butter chicken or murgh makhani as it is also know is a rich and butter dish with thick chunks of chicken, served either mild or spicy. Goan fish curry – an aromatic fish curry with lots of spices from the Goa region. Malai kofta – a vegetarian favourite, malai kofta consists of potato and paneer balls, deep-fried and then served in a tomato and cream-based sauce. Jalfrezi – voted as the UK’s favourite, the jalfrezi is perfect for those who love their curry with a bit of a spicy kick. Korma – a classic Indian British dish that has been adapted to suit Western palates, the korma is one for those who prefer sweet flavours over spice.

If you want to try something a bit different from the usual curry house classics, then you’re in luck at Indian restaurants in Edinburgh. Scotland is famous for its seafood and game, and at many of Edinburgh’s Indian restaurants you will find local produce like Scottish salmon, venison, haddock, pheasant and scallops being incorporated into the menu. Another must-try is haggis pakora – a fusion of the Indian classic and Scotland’s national dish that has been popping up on menus all over the country, while some Indian restaurants in Edinburgh have been taking things to the next level with creations like the Irn Bru bhuna, a curry infused with Scotland’s infamous favourite soft drink.