Gurkha Cafe & Restaurant, Authentic Nepalese & Indian Restaurant in Edinburgh, City of

Went in for a quick lunch on the break in our walking tour. Got the chicken frankie and the dumplings. They were very good about my allergies and the food was great.

was a bit dubious when we first went in as it quite,bit it was in-between main meal times. But the food was absolutely lovely, definitely recommend this little place.

Wonderful food, relaxed music and super friendly staff. Any time worth a visit ❤️👍☺️ Vegan dishes are no problem.

Excellent food and very personalised service. Both Indian and Nepalese style food. The plating was surprisingly very good.

Not great food. No flavour whatsoever. Maybe it didn’t suit my taste buds.

Butter chicken goes crazy, pineapple coconut rice goes crazy, garlic naan goes crazy.

Everything about our meal at Gurkha was just right. The atmosphere in the restaurant was calm and cosy, the staff were great, the food was great value for money, tasted fantastic, and was served really quickly after we ordered. Would definitely recommend - also great for vegetarians, absolutely loads of options.

Interesting. 1. Ordered the veggie pakoras. Stay away from it. Soggy, oily and little taste. 2. The cocktail was good. Ordered the Himalayan Sunrise. 3. Main: Veggie Curry (spicy). Without a doubt (at least in my mind), sub par. Felt listless and without much flavor. The Naan was decent. Even the mango Lassi that I ordered was, how do I put it, like water. Of all the curry places that I've been to, and that's included Michelin Star restaurants in London and Manhattan as well as secretary hole in the wall places, this one, by far, rates as the worst ... Maybe it was the items that I ordered ... but I would avoid this place. The 1 Star rating is for the cocktail. The service was quite good, as well.

Service was good, food was excellent, very busy place, good choice from the menu, the only grip I would have is people coming off the street just to use the toilet, or not waiting at the service stance and causing a fuss around people trying to eat and enjoy themselves, needs to be managed better.

The food was ok, however the worrying bit was one of the potato vegetable tasted a bit stale. So I was not very happy with the food. The timing when we went was not super busy so wondering why this was served. The veggie Frankie was as ok but was far from a Frankie and more like roti Sabzi in roll. All in all the food was below expectations

I rarely leave reviews but the food here is so, SO good. The paneer makhani was one of the best meals I've ever had, and so were the chicken momos. Portions are generous, and the staff were happy to give us containers to take home our leftovers.

Food was fabulous but I think the service has a scope for improvement. Had lamb shank and chicken. We requested to take the lamb shank gravy with us. It was that good.

I very much enjoyed the authentic dishes.

Not recommended. The service was incredibly unfriendly and almost annoyed that we wanted to order something and tried very hard to force us to order as many “sides” as possible. The food was okay, but the "fresh seasonal vegetables" consisted of, among other things, frozen carrots and peas... all in all, really not good - sorry.

We booked a table, it was Over an hour before getting food. The main course arrived before the starters, which made them pointless. After informing the staff one meal was drowning in cream and was frankly rather horrible, I was informed it wasn't a mistake in the kitchen, it was the best curry in Scotland. But no one at the table believed it wasn't horrible. I believe the chefs made a simple mistake and dumped way to much cream, it just tasted like cream, not nice. But apparently it's the best in Scotland, so what do we know. The food was rather disappointing, the staff were delusional, and it was expensive. I'll not be returning.

It was really good place to eat and enjoy , you all can have wonderful food and time in GC&R

Excellent restaurant. Chefs special is brilliant. Better than Dishoom. 😀

In a small area, you will find food that tastes like spices and salt. You will find this restaurant serving Indian food. The menu is diverse, and the quantities in the dishes are good. The employees speak and understand the Arabic language and serve with great compassion. Thank you to them and welcome to the opening of a branch in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia 🇸🇦😁

I had a dinner with my friends here.. everything was delicious and my favorite is chicken momo..

We had the chicken Mo mos and chicken s Sekwa to start. Both were so good, a little spicy and flavorful. Jholili fish was good with rice and naan. The flavor was more tomato than coconut.

We have just enjoyed the most delicious Nepalese/Indian meal. The food was freshly cooked and full of flavour. It was quite different from usual Indian food. The portions were generous - it was all so good that we rather over-ate. Service was helpful without being intrusive. This was one of the loveliest meals I have had in a long time

Great Nepalese & Indian restaurant in heart of Edinburgh.

This is a cute little cafe conveniently located steps from the royal mile. Service is good, the food is delicious and the vibe is relaxing.

The food was wonderful. Little bit of a weight for food and drinks but the lovely food more than made up for it. Would definitely recommend.

It was amazing time with Gurkha cafe enjoy with proper food .highly recommend all nice thanks very much for your great hospitality.

We went here for dinner & the food was very delicious. The host as well as everyone else in the restaurant were very friendly & accommodating. Overall, it was a great dining experience. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

Amazing place every time for authentic Indian and Nepalese cuisine right in the heart of Edinburgh city. Highly recommend!!

We went to the restaurant, ordered an item! The manager got the order boxed after we said we didn't asked to get it packed. The manager ( claimed he is the manager) that he will not unbox it , didn't let us dine in! Cussed us! Was very rude and said we are lying! Extremely disappointed with the service! DO NOT RECOMMEND! EXTREMELY RACIST STAFF, HAVE NO CUSTOMER SERVICE SKILLS! SPOILT THE ENTIRE TOURIST EXPERIENCE! EXTREMELY GUTTED BY THE MANAGER SERVICE! Spoiled the entire day!

What for staff they have extremely light fingers other than that food was amazing

Great Nepali restaurant close to the royal mile. We came to this place after doing a two hour tour of Edinburgh castle. They have plenty of tables inside. So, getting a table was not an issue. We ordered butter chicken, biryani, chicken momos, and mango lassi. Everything was delicious. At the end we topped a great lunch with masala chai. I would totally recommend this place.

Great food as always !Our go to Indian food to order ( Have also dine in before) Always exceptional quality and great value ! Would recommend to anyone and everyone

I got the butter chicken and the shrimp biryani. Both were 5/5. I definitely recommend it.

I have eaten here - take away and in the restaurant many times now while visiting my daughter in Edinburgh. The food is excellent and beautifully presented. I usually have the samosas and vegetarian side dishes like the murrain dal. The service is polite. The restaurant is usually quiet which might mean lacking in atmosphere but I like it. At the end of the meal, I was brought a hot towel for my hands, fresh orange slice, a chocolate and tiny cup of chai. Perfect.

Visited after reading reviews. Food was not good, expensive, washrooms were dirty, however service was good, but Won't recommend.

very good vegeterian curry & garlis naan(tbh the best i’v ever had) and the aperol sprizz

The food was delicious and there was plenty of seating available. The host was also very accommodating. Overall, a great dining experience. We had a variety of dishes including lamb biryani, chicken biryani, naan Gurkha chicken, tandoori sea bass etc.. A good portion of lamb and chicken biryani which is enough for 1 person. Only thing to note is that the sea bass is served without the head. It'd make a generous portion if it was served with the head. It was delicious though...

the food was spicy which was not written on the menu

Very tasty cuisine in a peaceful restaurant....

I kindly asked a simple veggie curry with naan. I got some one side totally burned naan (the other side was fine) and a huge portion of vegetables, without sauce. I really asked from the waitress when I ordered, cos I wanted to dip my naan into it. No dipping this time with cold burned naan. Taste was kinda eatable, but weird with those plenty of veggies… this was the worst indian restaurant experience ever, and I tried a few. But I got a piece of chocolate and a smile next to my bill.

Delicious cuisine! Very well seasoned authentic dishes. Were there twice in a row. Even if the atmosphere is rather sober, eating there is worth it.

I first visited this restaurant over 10 years ago, and the quality has remained consistent every time since. Excellent all around!

Great food, a bit different from regular Indian restaurants. Very friendly.

Indian Restaurant He speaks Arabic and is respectful, and there are no words for Indian food, especially in this cold climate. I got mantu, biryani, and masala.

The chicken and lamb biryani were excellent.

It's okay level, I ate chicken biryani

excellent options for nepalese food! The service staff are also polite. Definitely try the lamb items & kathmandu temple mocktail

Great food but staff made me feel unwelcome

The worst Indian cousin i have ever had smelly atmosphere microwaved momes and very poor service drinks were horible as well definitely not recommended 🔪

Excellent food, super tasty, nice service. Gladly again next time!

We enjoyed our evening at the Gurkha. The recommendations on the food were good and after one choice (Lamb Khutta) was out, the staff immediately suggested an alternative. The food (Momos with chicken and Chicken sekwa as starters, Bhot Ko Chelu with Pilau rice as shared main dish - perfect amount for two people) and mango lassi were delicious and the prices fair.

This was both my husband and I’s favorite food stop this week while we’re in Edinburgh. We ordered a couple starters to share and were filled by the time we finished, for only £19. Each dish was flavorful, delicious, well-plated. We may even go back again before we leave town. Service was a little slow but the back of the restaurant was full and everyone was nice enough, so I really can’t complain.

A couple's dinner on a Friday evening. We chose papadams and 3 dips, a cocktail each, two Nepalese main meals, pilaf. Everything was so well done. Food was delicious, service friendly and prompt. Prices were very reasonable for the quality. Book ahead, otherwise you'll wait or be disappointed.

During a delightful three-day stay in Edinburgh, I had the pleasure of dining at the Gurkha Cafe and Restaurant. From the very first visit, the culinary experience was so captivating that it became my chosen dining spot for the entirety of my trip. The standout dish that captured my heart was the chicken wings marinated with Nepali spices. Each bite was a journey through a rich tapestry of flavors, masterfully blended to deliver a taste sensation that was both unique and comforting. It’s a dish that I would recommend to anyone with a passion for exploring diverse culinary landscapes. The ambiance of the restaurant complemented the food perfectly, creating an inviting atmosphere that made each visit memorable. The staff’s hospitality added to the overall experience, making me feel welcomed and valued as a guest. For those who appreciate the art of food and the joy of discovering new tastes, Gurkha Cafe and Restaurant is an essential stop in Edinburgh. It’s not just a meal; it’s an experience that resonates with the soul of Nepali cuisine. A must-visit for food enthusiasts and a true gem in the heart of the city.

Poleko Bhaley was delicious. Highly recommended!

Cozy restaurant with authentic staff and good cuisine. The service was very nice and the portions were big! The naan bread was delicious! :) There is also a good selection for vegetarians.

Amazing and very authentic Indian/ Nepalese food. My wife and I enjoy this type of food and to stumble across this place was a real treat. Everything we ordered was a new best for us.

Nice Nepalese place in the heart of Edinburgh. They have momos (dumplings) native to Nepal and they are quite nice. Range of food options from vegetarian, non vegetarian and seafood. They also provide biryani. Service is a bit slow but the food will keep you happy. They have loads of indoor seating and you can find a space for large groups of people too.

I wanted to like this place but I felt very disrepected by the man who served me. He was very short and unfriendly to me yet I could hear him being much nicer to others. The king prawn tandoori was ok but a bit chewy and the lentil daal was very bland. When presented with the bill it would be nice if you'd actually show it to me properly? Won't be coming back.

Great little find! The food was absolutely delicious. Spice wise, compared with some of the places we like to eat the food wasn't hugely hot, but the madras still packs a punch, and it was very full of delicious flavours and perfectly balanced. Also had the tandoori fish tikka and the fish was complimented by the spice rather than overpowered. The starters were generous and I thought it might be too much, but all plates were cleared! We will definitely come again and would highly recommend it.

The worst experience in my life. Food was below average,Price is too high as well. Food doesn’t meet the price and plates, bowls look like they haven’t changed it from ages. A lots of scratches in it which is ridiculous. This is not Nepalese and Indian taste.

Delicious food and such kind staff

Not terrible but not terrific either. The staff are not rude however, they are very brief with customers, or at least they were with me. There was no greeting when I entered the restaurant, no farewell when I left and no real human interaction, just robotic actions of taking orders and bringing food to the table with no real passion or care. It wasn’t the best either; The vegetable curry was very dry; More like a stir-fry than a curry and with WAAAY too many green beans. But the vegetarian momo dumplings I had were pretty nice and so was the chicken biryani. Although I over ordered and ended up with two takeaway containers in the end, the portion sizes are decent, so at least you will not starve and may even have leftovers for tomorrow’s dinner/lunch. I also liked the traditional Indian/Nepalese music in the background

Delicious meal, attentive service, calm atmosphere. Perfect after a long day exploring Edinburgh.

Delicious chicken tikka masala, lovely cocktails & great service

Excellent dinner, very good dishes, Nepalese cuisine. good

The food was fine, perfectly okay but nothing special either - but it is overpriced, probably due to location. Service wasn't particularly friendly, the restaurant was really quiet and I was made to feel like I was a bit of an inconvenience! I've had much better in Edinburgh, more reasonably priced too!

The food was decently good albeit pricey for the quantity that you get (plating was well done though). The saag paneer and garlic naan were particularly delicious. The male server was kind and welcoming but would constantly hover nearby where we were seated which made conversation between my partner and I somewhat awkward due to lack of privacy (although at the time we were the only 2 in the restaurant). I found it to be irritating, however, the way this male server interacted with the next group that came. They were seated next to us and we could hear that they just wanted coffee drinks around the table due to the cold weather. The server then pressures the group to order food as well 'because they are a restaurant', and that they don't usually just serve coffee drinks. The group accurately points out that the restaurant name literally says 'CAFE & restaurant', to which the server then finally agrees to serve them coffee but only because 'it's not that busy today'. It was clearly a slower day so any business is good business at that point. I'm not sure what his intention was, but if it's to try and earn more money then sorry to say that this attitude is going to drive away a lot of people in the long run.

Nice food and location, kid friendly

Very good Nepali // Gurkha cousins. Good portions. Good chicken and lamb options.

Mouthwatering foods. I think one of the best restaurant in Edinburgh.

Can highly recommend. The service was great and the food was delicious. Really good value too. Some might be disappointed when looking at the menu that it appears there aren't many side options, but the staff were happy to accommodate and provide them where possible.

We had, 'Prawn Milijuli', 'Timure Aalu' and 'Veg Biryani.' Loved the seasoning and taste,reminded me of home. Good ambience, tasty food, fast and humble service at reasonable prices. ✅ If you are looking for a -Twakka wala Nepali food, this place js highly recommended. ✌️ 👌4.5/5

The food, service and the atmosphere all were absolutely amazing here.its my second day in Scotland and I am here for the seconds time and I will come back again.

Dined here on a weekend in Edinburgh and it was the best meal we had. Great food, service and atmosphere. Not too expensive either. Highly recommended.

Great little restaurant,a bit pricey though.

Kadai paneer was very authentic and delicious. Even the veg Momo's and chai were tasty.

Food was delicious and service was fast and efficient! Came here with some friends of mine on my birthday and to my surprise they came out with cake and a candle, even dimmed the lights in the restaurant when coming out to make it extra special. Greatly appreciated and will definitely come back

Amazing taste if you want to try authentic Indian Nepali cuisine.

Delicious food , excellent service, & nice atmosphere. Must visit for Nepalese & Indian taste .🙏

Highly recommended ! Their new lunch menu is so tasty

Excellent service, fab food! Definitely drop in for some authentic nepali momos

Worst place wasted my time money everything to be honest. They literally served us lamb curry which was date expired and try to change the flavour of it by adding to much masala and all stuff and when we complained about it they don’t give damn about it and still charge me money like seriously. Please guys just don’t bother yourself to visit in this kind of restaurant.

Went back here after two years and our first experience was exceptional food however sadly last night on our visit the food was terrible, rice overcooked , kebabs dry and tasteless , chapati undercooked very doughy , Irish coffee full of Sugar, which I never asked for any in it . I guess the chef must have changed or been on a night off .very disappointing

The worst experience in my life. Food was disgusting, they didn’t serve the fresh food, it was very smelling and very worst, like really work. I don’t recommend this place. Price is too high as well

The Nepali moment is fantastic and the curry does not disappoint!👌

Excellent Indian/Nepalese restaurant, the choice is vast, the atmosphere is peaceful, the service is excellent and the cuisine is of very good quality!

Chicken shaslic was very good. Food very spicy.

Food was very tasty and nice, can’t blame the food at all, I had been there before with my bf about 4 years ago and we had amazing memories having dinner there, but tonight we came back and let’s say we didn’t had the best of experiences, one guy member of staff was acting very strange with us while he was making jokes with other tables, he wouldn’t say a word to us, we complimented the food many times and we didn’t got a word from the waiter, we said thank you when we paid and he just threw the receipt on the table and walked away…When we were about to leave another two guys entered the restaurant and he was as cold as with us… just not very professional at all, definitely made us not come back again.

Give this place a visit for the best chicken dumplings in town! Wide variety and the service was great. Value for money, great experience overall

Awful. Old microwaved rice . But denied rice wasn't fresh. Dry lamb. The naan bread was hard . Disappointed

The momo's as a starter were really good. The main dishes were not tasty. The chicken tikka massala was more like a sweet tomato soup without any spices in it. The other main dishes had few taste. The waiter was also quite direspectfull. Would not recommend eating here

Indian food is not as good as others but probably not their speciality. Service is good

Fantastic food, great friendly staff. A true dinning experience.

Taste of Indian dishes not authentic. Service is very late.

No fills setting but amazing food. We always visit when we're in Edinburgh

Food was good but the customer service was not good. One of the staff member was bit rude.

Heerlijk restaurant met vriendelijk personeel en fantastisch eten.

Mediocre on all fronts. I wouldn't make a return visit, however having now read the other reviews for this restaurant I may have had one of the better experiences. The food lacked vibrancy, although it looks great on the plate. Mango lassi was fab! Overall, has potential and will sort you out if you're desperate

Tandoori king prawn starter tastes o but only 2pcs. Tandoori chicken x 2pc is large enough, though the taste was not expected…less tastier.

I was dying to eat some South Asian food, this place scored highly on Google Maps so thought I'd give it a try. I just wish I had read the most recent reviews as the food was quite bland. The biriyani was definitely not worth £18 (didn't expect a masala sauce either) though it was quite filling. On a more positive note, the chicken starter was delicious as was the tea but the halwa tasted old.