Tantra in Edinburgh, City of

Best restaurant experience ever! Staff are friendly, courteous and make great recommendations! Went there with friends and we were all amazed with the how the Food and Cocktails were presented. Highly recommend the Lamb Biriyani 😍.

good tasting food but TINY portions, along with more gravy than meat pieces, had to order the same meal twice for each person nice service though and good atmosphere inside

The vegetarian tiffin box option was really amazing!

Palak served us beautifully. Food was amazing, environment was amazing and drinks too. Loved it and coming back for sure.

Great! We had spacious seating and very delicious food. 👍

I went to this place after a trip to Scotland, feeling tired and looking for a comfortable place to have dinner. It was spacious and comfortable, and the bathroom was spacious as well. Above all, the staff's service was excellent and the food was delicious. I had a lot of luggage, but the clerk called a large taxi so I was able to travel comfortably. I am leaving this review to express my gratitude once again for arranging a large taxi for my family :D

I recently visited Tantra in Edinburgh with high hopes for a delicious Indian meal, but sadly, it turned out to be one of the most disappointing dining experiences I’ve had. We ordered the biryani and chicken chilli, expecting the rich, aromatic flavors that are the hallmark of Indian cuisine. What we received was far from it. The biryani had no masala whatsoever—it was essentially just bland chicken and rice with no hint of the spices that should define the dish. The chicken chilli was equally underwhelming, lacking any kick or depth of flavor. It’s hard to believe that these dishes were served in an Indian restaurant, as they were completely devoid of the vibrant spices and aromas that make this cuisine so beloved. Even for someone not seeking intense spice, the food was remarkably bland and uninspiring. If you’re craving authentic Indian flavors, I’d recommend steering clear of Tantra. The food was a major letdown, and it’s not a place I’ll be visiting again.

I recently had a deeply disappointing experience at this restaurant. We were eager to try their signature drinks, only to find out upon arrival that they were out of dry ice, something they didn't inform us about when we placed our order. This lack of communication was frustrating, but what made it worse was the rude attitude of the staff. They seemed uninterested in helping us find alternative options and were dismissive of our concerns. As for the food, it fell far below expectations. The flavors were bland, and the dishes seemed poorly prepared. Overall, the combination of poor service and subpar food made our visit very unsatisfactory. I would recommend looking elsewhere for a better dining experience

There food is super delicious and have the best butter chicken you should try this place asap

We made a reservation online and picked the latest time possible so we could have a late meal. When we got there, our servers told us they stayed open for us. They seemed very frustrated. I suggest if you don’t want to keep your restaurant open late, you should change the availability online. It was very awkward. The food and service were great but highly recommend changing the reservation times so other guests don’t feel rushed and awkward.

Drinks are great, food is okay. Service is terrible and slow. The staff doesn't seem to be interested in working there. Refused to serve dessert claiming the kitchen was busy when, I kid you not, only 4 tables were occupied. You will find better Indian food and service elsewhere.

Tourist - First day in edinburg or rather first day i. Scotland. Such bad food that my kid 6 had to spend the night in hospital doing vomitting and diarrhoea. Food comes within 2 mins.. probably old stale food which is re heated. Please don’t attempt to take your kids there.

This was the best Indian cuisine experience my wife and I had for a long time. No problem for me being vegan either. The service was very attentive and the attention to detail was wonderful. Great place to dine when you are in Edinburgh.

Very nice indian veg food. Tiffin box is sufficient for 2 people usually.

Tantra is an amazing restaurant the food taste was so delicious worth to dining there

A group of 7 of us were visiting Scotland recently and had dinner at Tantra, based on prior good reviews. Wow! We loved it. We got a pile of entrees, starters, and drinks. They ranged from very good to excellent. If I lived in Edinburgh I'd be going back regularly for sure. Our server was Chippy but I suspect that any of the servers would have been good.

If I could give 10 stars for service that would also be less Food is great especially the starter Khasta.. Ashwin and Sharad made sure the day is memorable for us by arranging a complementary birthday celebration dessert just after they noticed it was a birthday occasion dinner for us!! Must visit for the food ambience and hospitality absolutely recommended

During our Scotland holidays, we visited Tantra restaurant in Edinburgh yesterday, and it was absolutely amazing! The restaurant is super neat and tidy, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere right from the moment you walk in. Staffs and management were incredibly friendly and made us feel right at home. The ambiance is just fantastic, with a blend of modern and traditional decor that really adds to the overall dining experience. Situated in a prime spot in Edinburgh, it’s easily accessible and super convenient. The best part of our visit was definitely the food. Every dish was bursting with flavor and beautifully presented. We savored every single bite. If you’re looking for an incredible dining experience in Edinburgh, Tantra is the place to be. I highly recommend it!

Very racist place. Treats Indians bad. Sharad especially. Though the decanter was right on the bar. Refused to pour wine saying they don’t have it. Asked for small bowls, said they don’t have any when they served their starters in it. Rude to the fullest. Highly discourage people to go there.

Didn’t like the panner angara *. It tasted like steamed paneer with no spices added.

The courtesy in the service cannot improve the food of poor quality and preparation: burnt frying, dry meat... then 12 hours with a stomach in turmoil.

We ordered the chicken tikka masala and it did not disappoint! The atmosphere was also very appealing and modern. I would gladly dine here again.

It's a shame that the service doesn't match the food which was delicious. Aperitif served after the meal and we waited 30 minutes. despite that they were professional because the aperitif was offered to us.

This hidden gem is a delightful surprise! While we typically opt for Dishoom for Indian cuisine, Tantra exceeded our expectations. I sampled their veg tiffin, which includes dal tadka, mix veg, paneer masala, roti, rice, and halwa. One tiffin serves two people. The flavors evoke memories of home in India. A must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic Indian culinary experience! Come to Tantra.

Great Indian food and friendly people!

Just had a wonderful 'woww' experience at Tantra... The food was just awesome and the staffs were so friendly and have a good knowledge about the food.. the experience of having Pani Puri was portrayed in such a mind-blowing experience.. kudos to the chefs and staffs ..

I must say, both the food and the staff are truly amazing! From the moment I walked in, I was greeted warmly by the staff, who provided excellent service throughout my visit. The food was absolutely delicious, with each dish bursting with flavor and prepared to perfection. The ambiance of the restaurant only added to the wonderful dining experience. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for exceptional food and friendly service!

The food was great, but service was very poor. Took a long time to even get drinks. Food service was very slow (a good hour for starters to arrive) and items arrived at different times for all courses. Numerous items never arrived, yet still appeared on the bill. Quite a commotion from adjacent tables complaining about service, made only worse by staff arguing. If the service could match the food this would be a real gem

Chaotic and very slow service. It was difficult to order as the waiters kept leaving before we’d finished talking. Two of the items we did order never arrived. I had to specially request cutlery so that we could eat our main course, and the plates were left festering for half an hour after we were finished eating. The food itself was fine but not £20/main course quality. The cocktails are presented with dry ice etc, which is fun, but they were light on the alcohol. If you’re looking for a quirky restaurant with fun cocktails, Tattu on the other side of Princes St has the same energy but executed much better.

Poor selection of curries, not really a curry house. Service was slow.

Amazing food, great presentation

Chippy was a wonderful hostess and waitress. We ordered Chicken Tikka Marsala and the Lamb Shank special. Both were fabulous! Such flavorful Indian food! It was like a flavor explosion. Also got some Naan which was excellent as well. We are glad we stopped by and would like to visit again someday!

I went in today for an afternoon early dinner. The location is nice and the service was prompt. I ordered one plate and one bread and my bill was about £20. The food was ok BUT... it wasn't until after I finished my meal that I noticed the water glass I was given was smudged with somebody's lipstick. This makes me question the cleanliness of the entire place. You've got to clean your dishes, Tantra! I'm very disappointed.

Excellent food With Good Atmosphere nd lovely Staffs , Really Loved ❤️ Will visit again

Love the place , atmosphere is amazing, staff are friendly

Good curries and friendly service

Tantra is brilliant! Chippy was an excellent host with good knowledge of the food and a genuine interest in our experience. The duck curry is a must!

I’ve seen many that have loved this place and know everyone has own opinions. We were pointed here as we wanted Indian so we decided to try it. Not sure what’s going on with the decor inside, looks very confusing. Anyway food was average Indian as I’ve eaten Indian all over. Overall, I feel there are better Indian spots in the area and would spend the money for better. On the downside, my wife was up ALL night and in bed all day sick with food poisoning. Would deter from going here as I do any place where we’ve had food poisoning or have heard of others getting it from any restaurant.

A bad meal. Even worse service. Dirty toilets. Really, really dirty toilets. Like, not properly cleaned in months toilets. There is no joy to be had here.

Very nice and familiar staff and super good food

Real Indian taste with affordable price.

A true 10/10. Wow. First time i’ve ever been to Tantra and it didn’t disappoint. Everything really was so uniquely different, yet uniquely better. portion sizes so very generous, almost like a fine dining experience but with decent size meals! And a chocolate “cigar” for dessert. I travel the UK with my role, i’d put Tantra in my top 3 nationally. You in for a total treat.

Priya service was excellent and the food was amazing!

Chippy our waitress was fantastic. Food was amazing and served quickly when we told them we only had a short time to be there. Thank you for a lovely experience. Look forward to visiting again.

Didn’t live up to the great reviews. Food theatrically presented but have had much better Indian food in a local curry house. One of the starters arrived after we finished the main courses. Bethel cocktail looked nothing like the photo. Dry ice was great fun. Asked three times for water. Service slow and not particularly welcoming. Liked the decor.

Excellent meal. Delicious flavors prepared with delicious herbs. Nice taste experience. Employees very friendly and welcoming. A restaurant where everything is right. If you are in Edinburgh, this is definitely recommended!!

The food was excellent, nice environment and great service 👍 Priya and Sharath were very nice staff

It was my first time at Tantra yesterday and will certainly not be my last. Lovely modern restaurant with great high quality food. The food was delicious and portions generous. There was also a good selection of wines. Staff were friendly and helpful. I would definitely recommend and I definitely intend returning.

Voortreffelijk gegeten, heerlijke kruiden. Heerlijke smaken. Heerlijk restaurant waar àlles gewoon klopt, erg mooi. Bediening super vriendelijk!! Ben je in Edinburgh dit restaurant zeker bezoeken!

Excellent Indian food with authentic taste, kudos to the team

Superb Indian food. Nice selection of small plates on offer if you want to try different dishes. Staff very friendly. I asked that the lamb curry be made extra hot and no problem to them. Would definitely visit again.

Every time we come to Edinburgh we have to eat at Tantra. The food is excellent and so are the drinks! Can’t recommend this place enough

Nice surroundings, friendly helpful staff and excellent food. Service was fast and efficient and the food was plentiful and well cooked

Absolutely fantastic food and presentation using dry ice. Quirky dishes. Tantra put their own magical twist on Indian cuisine, an experience not to be missed. Our waitress, Chippy went above and beyond, extremely helpful, very pleasant and provided us with great information on the dishes that were served. We returned from the North East of England after dining here last year and we will always make a visit when we return to Edinburgh.

The cuisine is delightful, and the staff are exceptionally welcoming. Ejas, in particular, provided excellent recommendations for dishes that delighted all of us.

Food was phenomenal along with the cocktails, great service from staff also. Highly recommend

Good food as it says progressive indian cuisine.. Visited this restaurant on Saturday ,the atmosphere was so pleasent and friendly.. The staffs were very friendly and welcoming..The steakbites and chicken tikka was so delicious as this is my current favourite. My overall experience was so 10/10.

This is a beautiful restaurant with so much potential. It was very quiet and sadly this may be due to the lack of service and experience of the staff. The food was excellent. It would be a winner if they could work on staff training.

We had a very good diner. Staff was welcoming. Chicken tikka massala was fresh and tasty. Nice modern restaurant, plenty of choice.

Food was excellent, just as described and fine proportion, service was excellent, only reasons for the 4 star was rather somber music and to many employees trying to serve, one per table would be sufficient, but thank you for the lovely meal.

The best Indian food I have ever tasted, the cocktails were amazingly designed and tasted lovely, the service from shiva and the rest of the team was outstanding and I whole heartedly recommend anyone visiting for a good night of food and drinks. The only tiny negative thing was that even with the heaters they set up next to us it was a little bit chilly where we were sitting, otherwise a 10/10 experience.

Mocktails were fab!!! Dishes were unique and presentation was awesome 😍 A bit costly considering the quantity but worth the taste 😋 Tried Tantra again in December 2023. Enjoyed their dishes!!!

We had dinner last night at Tantra and, while the food was really tasty, the service was incredibly slow. The restaurant was half full, not busy at all, but it took ages to place our order and ages to get our food. All up, we were there for 2.5 hours and most of this was waiting time. I’ve never had such slow service. There were so many staff too.

Need to sort out their music playlist, whilst eating they put a Sikh prayer on which made me really angry whilst people were eating meat and drinking alcohol .so I complained and they quickly turned it off. Put me off my food, then came to paying had a service charge which I told them to take off.

Great food and service though the korma was a bit different to what we were used to. Lamb dish was superb. Not very busy midweek and the restaurant was quite cold 10% service charge added to bill.. no mention of this in menu etc

Virtually empty on a Saturday evening - we were the last to leave around 10p.m. The food was decent but the service was barely functional and the atmosphere terrible. As we left, we tried to thank any member of staff, but the only one visible just walked away from us. Needless to say, we won't consider returning.

I recently visited a restaurant that I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a great dining experience. The restaurant’s food, atmosphere, and vibe were all top-notch. The duck curry and biryani were both exceptional. The duck curry was cooked to perfection, with tender meat and a rich, flavorful sauce. The biryani was fragrant and delicious, with perfectly cooked rice and just the right amount of spice. The atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and inviting, with comfortable seating and tasteful decor. The lighting was just right, creating a cozy and intimate ambiance that was perfect for a romantic dinner or a night out with friends. The vibe of the restaurant was also fantastic. The staff were friendly and attentive, and the music was just the right volume to create a lively and fun atmosphere without being too loud or distracting. Overall, I would highly recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great dining experience. The food, atmosphere, and vibe are all top-notch, and the duck curry and biryani are not to be missed!

I visited Tantra and had a fantastic experience. The food and drinks were expertly crafted. I really enjoyed duck and porotta and lamb and chicken biriyani. The service was excellent, with attentive staff. The restaurant was perfect for day out with friends and family with top notch ambience and vibe. I highly recommend to anyone looking for a great meal and a wonderful dining experience

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Tantra and the experience left a lasting impression. The restaurant's inviting ambience sets the stage for a memorable culinary journey. The Malabar Porota was a delightful start, showcasing the perfect balance of flakiness and softness. Paired with the Chettinad Duck Curry, the dish delivered a burst of authentic South Indian flavors that lingered on the palate. The bold spices in the curry complemented the tender duck, creating a harmonious fusion of tastes. The Lamb Biryani was a true highlight, presenting fragrant rice layered with lamb and aromatic spices. Each bite was a symphony of textures and tastes, making it a standout dish. Beyond the exceptional food, the restaurant's interior exudes a warm and welcoming atmosphere, adding to the overall dining experience. The attentive service further enhanced the evening, ensuring our needs were met with genuine hospitality. Tantra is a gem for those seeking an immersive culinary adventure. With its delectable menu and inviting ambiance, it's a must-visit for anyone with an appreciation for fine dining and authentic cuisine.

Aesthetics experience of food @Tantra edinburgh

“Good food is the foundation of genuine happiness. Tantra is rich in Genuine happiness

Went to Tantra to celebrate a special occasion and had a great experience! The presentation of food & drinks is something to point out in particular - a lot of thought and effort clearly goes into it, everything looked exceptional. Food tastes great, would highly recommend the chilli chicken and their signature cocktails!

Wir konnten an Heiligabend einen Tisch im „Tantra“ reservieren und waren begeistert. Das Essen ist fantastisch. Angefangen bei den Vorspeisen, über die Hauptgerichte war alles ein wahres Gedicht und ein Augenschmaus. Der Service ist sehr freundlich, könnte aber ein wenig aufmerksamer sein.

The only reason for the three stars is that this place is over-hyped. I went there with huge expectations after the praise it got from the press. Honestly I was not impressed. Food was good, but nothing special. Cocktails are mediocre to say the least. A lot of effort has gone into presentation, but unfortunately I can't say the same for the quality. Don't get me wrong, all the dishes were nice and it's a nice Indian- Asian fusion restaurant, but nothing extraordinary. There are several places like this in the area. I think putting more effort to improve the food and drinks quality and some changes to the internal decorations will add a lot. I'm sure you can see why the atmosphere was 1 star... Hopefully this helps.

Had the itison 3 course for two for £49 and we were impressed. Decor and seating have the wow factor and dishes didn't disappoint. Starter was an attractive construction and really flavoursome, and the butter chicken was luscious and a good size with lots of sauce. Dessert lovely too. Lovely staff too, so altogether a stylish dinner. Will be back and also to try out the takeaways too. X

The food was very nice and the staff were pleasant but was shocked by the state of the toilets, they needed attention. There was a mix up with our starter order and we were then billed for items we didn't order. Attention to detail needed in this restaurant, lots of competition in the area, and wouldn't be a first choice to recommend now. We went based on a review in The Guardian, perhaps its needs another review....

My wife and myself had a 3 course meal here in January 2024. For starters we had a sharing crisp board (poppadums and dips), chilli chicken and Malabar steak bites. All three of these dishes were possibly some of the nicest starters ever had. The crisp board sharing dish was incredible. The presentation was 10/10 and the flavours of all the different poppadums and chutneys/dips was such good combinations. Great start to the meal. The steak bites were heavenly. Cooked perfectly, fall apart, melt in your mouth with supplementary spices to help bring out the amazing flavour of the meat. The chilli chicken dish was full of flavour. Sweet, sticky and spicy glaze on the chicken with a fantastic mix of peppers and onions to get the palette in the mood for the mains For mains we had tantric lamb chops, nawabi nalli ghost (lamb shank) and both of these were incredible. Again the presentation was 10/10 some of the best presentation ever seen and the flavours matched. Undoubtedly some of the best lamb chops we have ever had. 3 large lamb chops. The meat was juicy, succulent and tender with perfect coating of spices. The lamb shank fell off the bone and was perfectly combined with a curry sauce. On the side we had a pilau rice and Peshwari naan. The naan was presented really nice also and had a great crisp to it. For desserts we had sizzling brownie and tandai mousse. The sizzling brownie was one of the coolest presented puddings ever. The brownie comes in a sizzler hot plate and when the hot chocolate sauce is poured over it bubbles on the bottom creating an amazing hot chocolate sauce which accompanies the brownie and ice cream perfectly. The tandai mousse was a fantastic dessert to clean the palette after such a wonderful meal. Let’s not forget the cocktails. This restaurant has one of the best selection of cocktails in Edinburgh. We had the tantra Buddha cocktail. This was a sharing cocktail with a lovely citrus taste. The presentation in the Buddha with the smoke was very cool. Enough to share between 4 people easily. The service was first class. Staff couldn’t do enough for you. All things considered a perfect dining experience at very reasonable price considering the quality. If you like Indian food please make sure you come here I promise you won’t be disappointed!

Food a little sweet for my taste, drafty on a cold January night in Edinburgh. It was ok, less exciting and atmospheric than anticipated having read Grace Dent's review in the Grundian...

From start to finish this experience was amazing. To unique signature cocktails you won’t find anywhere else to an amazing menu… we couldn’t fault anything! The presentation is the best we’ve ever seen! 10/10!

Amazing food. I have been in UK for 10days but this is the best food(veg) I had. The staff is good, the food is even crazier. Chana/ chickpea masala was the best. Even the tandoori roti and paneer makhani was too good. thanks to all the staff. The quality of the food is amazing

Really delicious food but pretty expensive

1. The restaurant is located close to the edinburgh castle 2. The atmosphere was themed like Tantra 3. Great veg platter Cons- 1. No storage for coats/jackets 2. Paneer Makhni have too much Gravy and less Paneer

Best Indian authentic flavours. Pani puri with 5 different concoctions was awesome. Loved the Biryani and Tandoori Sizzlers. Beautiful ambience as well.

The food we ordered was really good. But choices are better on the lunch menu.

Great experience from the amazing cocktails to the sublime food. We were brilliantly looked after by Shiva and the rest of the staff.

Wonderful venue highly recommended

Came with family for lunch. Had a lovely time. Great food and service.

This place simply cannot cope at evenings and weekends. Servers barely come by and meals take over an hour to come. Other people have complained about this in previous reviews and it hasn’t gotten any better despite their claims they’ll fix it, so prepare for a long wait on your visit. Tantra has decent food and a central location, but there are plenty of other good restaurants in Edinburgh - try those.

Horrible experience. Long wait times, no server attention. Maybe because understaffed.

Had an early Christmas dinner with friends. Didn't try their Christmas menu but whatever we had from the normal menu was delicious. Service was a bit on the slower side may be due to a busy night but they were super friendly and polite. The cocktails we had tasted were the best. This place has its own charecter. Will be back.

Great place to explore with family, friends and loved ones. One of the best restaurants in Edinburgh, serving Indian food. The ambience is really good, most of the credit goes to the music playlist and cosy lighting. The service staff is responsive and friendly. Don't shy away from asking for recommendations if you are new to Indian cuisine. My recommendation is Chickpea Masala with Garlic Naan. Oh and don't forget to add Indian Salad with it. Then for dessert, you can go with gulab jamun or kulfi(if you don't like something too sweet) Enjoy!

Avoid this place. My wife and I shopping in Edinburgh yesterday. Thought give a try. We ordered our starter which can only be described as shredded bits of batter. No pakora in site. We ordered drinks when seated .had to ask twice where they where. Starter was served if you can call it that. Still no drinks. I then had to walk up to the bar again to ask where is our drinks. Eventually they brought them. £14 for a glass of poorest red wine ever. Wife asked for water. They brought over the jug then removed it again. Then had to ask twice again for water. Absolute shambles and worst customer service I have experienced for a capital city. Also 2 tables near us complaining as well. Asking who is in charge. To be told manager off. I have had better customer experience in a local McDonald's. Avoid . Avoid avoid

Loved this place and their service. The food was tasty and we ended up going multiple times. Will visit again when in Edinburgh!

La comida estaba muy buena y el servicio espectacular, volvería!

Called in after seeing reviews. Being from Bradford and some 50 years experience eating curries to say it was a disappointment is under rated two table’s with people sat . Menu the writing is so small you need to the eyes of a sparrow hawk to see what dishes are available and even the staff agreed. The curry selection is way short no madras,jalfrezi, vindaloo,or any other traditional curries. Ordered some popadoms which are really prawn crackers they are served cold and leave a very fatty oily cold slick of grease on your tongue. Total confusion with food coming out waited ten minutes for drinks the other table complaining I sent the oily greasy cold prawn crackers masquerading as papadoms back they took them straight to the other table after I’d had my sweaty paws on them. So got up and left. Art ie farty chef,restaurant trying to be different.🙈👎🤷‍♂️🤮

The food would have been good if it had been hot, service was nothing short of abysmal waited far to long for drinks and food 2 or 3 waitresses max that were all over the place, people waiting hours on food but kept letting others arrive felt like warning anyone that joined the queue to leave while they could, won’t be back and won’t recommend to others, shame.

Excelente comida y servicio. Todo riquísimo. Sanyukta nos explicó toda la carta y el menú muy bien y fue muy atenta y amable en todo momento. Comida buena y a buen precio. Volveremos seguro!

First time I have ever left a restaurant. Over an hour waiting for starters which were cold and frankly not very nice and calamari was not calamari. Service was non existent. Seriously needs organising.

Unfortunately, not a great experience me and my girlfriends had a booking for 8.15pm and we were left waiting till 9pm and still no table. We were asked to wait in what was described to us as the holding area. Later we were offered a table in the same area. This was very disappointing as the area was cold, dark and away from the main seating area within the resaurant. We wanted to experience the atmosphere and ambience within the resaurant and felt this option was not reasonable. Finally a table was offered to us in the main resaurant but unfortunately by this time we had decided to eat elsewhere. Unfortunately management were not helpful and the level of customer service definitely needs improving overall very disappointing!

Excellent food but let down by disappointing service. Very obvious that they weren't full staffed. Service was slow and manic. Tables were left with dirty dishes on and only cleaned when the table was required for a new guest. Disappointing as the food was excellent and if they sort out the service issues it would be a great restaurant.