The Pakora Bar in Edinburgh, City of

This is a super late review as my girlfriend and I were in Edinburgh September, 2023, but we just ordered Indian at home and remembered how amazing the food and atmosphere was at Pakora. The owner came over to chat with us (or wasn't busy at that time of day) and talked to us for 15 minutes or so about the restaurant, food, and India. Absolutely worth going to if you live in the area or are travel to Edinburgh from abroad. If it were possible, I'd order from here weekly!

Fantastic food with excellent service from all staff. The restaurant has a real family feel with a genuine personal touch. Isn’t it strange that 99% of the bad reviews of this place are from a certain demographic? If I was being cynical I’d say they might just be competing restaurants that feel a touch jealous and insecure…. Ignore them. Highly recommended.

amazing place. Food is delicious, scrumptious. Staff is lovely, make you feel welcomed and help you with picking your meal. I found it that the prices are fair!

If I could I would put 6 stars. Simply spectacular. Service, food, atmosphere,… out of 10!! I recommend 100%.

Super attentive staff who were very friendly and happy to converse with us and give advice on dishes.

The pakora is to die for. Amazing Mango Lasso IPA and everything was top notch. Such a lovely team, made sure the food was to your liking and such an amazing experience to try king rib pakora. Will be coming back soon. Thank for a lovely time with some amazing food! 😊

Hands down one of the best food experiences I've had in a long time.

This place was incredible! The food, the staff, the atmosphere, everything was top notch. The owner walked us through the menu and gave us some recommendations while explaining that they use traditional family recipes. It was so flavorful and was our favorite meal in Edinburgh. I would fly back Scotland just to eat here again! We had the haggis, paneer and veg pakora mix, the lamb samosa, chicken spring roll, butter chicken curry, gulab jamun, and ras Malai. We also tried his mango lassi pale ale which again, was absolutely delicious!

Very mediocre - the butter chicken was particularly bad, pakoras were slightly better. This place is overpriced for the quality of what you get. The woman serving us was really nice and friendly, she was the only saving grace.

Good Indian restaurant for anyone craving for pakora. Good atmosphere with MJ songs played in the background.

We went for dinner two couples. The food was delicious and the service excellent. You can order spicy food to your liking. The staff was very pleasant and friendly. One of the guests is gluten intolerant (celiac), and they explained the options thoroughly, and we had a great dinner. Highly recommended. // Two couples went for dinner, the food was very delicious and the service was excellent. You can order spicy to taste. Very nice and friendly. One of the people who was dining is intolerant to gluten (celiac) and they explained the options perfectly to us and we had a great dinner. Highly recommended.

Lovely atmosphere, you can really see they made a big effort on the interior design, food was lovely and big portions! Thank you Kash for your fantastic service :)

Amazing service, everyone was super nice! The food is really good and it come relatively fast. kash serve us tonight, she was so lovely, thanks to her!!

Such a brilliant place to eat. The staff are super friendly, chatty and offer great suggestions. The food itself is full of flavour. If you’re wanting somewhere fun to eat then I’d highly recommend here.

This restaurant deserves all the hype it gets and more! It was truly one of the best Indian meals we've had. We ordered a 'chef's choice' pakora platter because everything sounded so good, we couldn't pick. We got 6 pakoras - chicken, haggis, king rib, veggie, aubergine and cauliflower. They were all delicious, so we ordered another custom platter of our three favourites (veg, haggis and king rib). We then had the butter chicken with naan and rice. The butter chicken was deliciously sweet and smoky and the naan perfectly fluffy. By this point we were absolutely stuffed and couldn't eat another bite. We had a really good chat with Mark, one of the owners, as we were paying. He was absolutely lovely and we really respect what he and his brothers are doing. We have a new appreciation for pakoras and will make sure anyone we know visiting Edinburgh stops by The Pakora Bar!

Fabulous place - great food. Wonderful friendly service. High recommend.

The food was delicious and the team made us feel welcomed. After we ate the team let us stay talking until the restaurant emptied. They didn't say anything to us despite the restaurant being closed. Thank you so much for accommodating us! Sorry we kept you so late! We really appreciate it!

The food is divine! Staff are super friendly and helpful. Very welcoming.

Some of the best food in Edinburgh. These guys are top notch. Great food. Great service. Top notch. Highly recommend.

bangin food and top notch service! hit the spot and fueled us up before we hiked arthur’s seat. loved the pakoras, daal, curries, and chai

Very well prepared food, classic recipes and very good customer service. The atmosphere is modern and calm, very welcoming. Highly recommended.

Great little hidden gem. Good was good... Butter chicken and the Pakora curry for mains. Had chicken Pakora and king rib Pakora for starters (never had king rib Pakora before and it was great! Matty, our server, was so helpful and friendly, a great asset to the restaurant.

The design of this restaurant is top notch. It has the homey, cozy feeling and the colors and the lights are just brilliant. The staff were super nice as well. The food was amazing too. We had the lamb samosas and the pakoras(beef rib, chicken and cauliflower). My favorite was the beef rib.

Good food and great service by Kash!

Visited a few times before, this occasion on a busy Saturday night and received excellent service from Mark, lovely food and left paying a reasonable price. Worth a visit for anybody heading back from Holyrood Park or who is staying in the area.

We also ate here 6 years ago and looked up this restaurant again. We moved to a beautiful, atmospheric building. The restaurant is run by 3 very friendly brothers. The food is fantastic. Wide choice from a varied menu. Top restaurant. Recommended. Would love to come back

Pakora? Superb. Dal? Flagship. Curry? 🧑 🍳💋 Mango IPA? 😍

We were recommended to try The Pakora Bar by a family member and we are so pleased that we took this recommendation up. We were given a warm welcome and advice to guide us in choosing the food. We had a plate of mixed pakoras, some street food and a chicken curry. The flavours were all out of this world. Freshly cooked with passion from family recipes and served by lovely people. We left with a big smile on our faces and would return if we are in Edinburgh again. Try it and you won’t be disappointed.

This place is fantastic! Family run and super attentive staff. The space is beautiful and the music is good too in the background. The food is really REALLY tasty. It's definitely worth a visit.

Staff are very friendly. Had a spread of food, haggis pakoras samosa chat and Punjabi chicken curry all very tasty. I would highly recommend their mango lassi IPA as well. I definitely go again.

Food is really good and definitely worth visiting just for that. The service is fantastic. I enjoyed it so much for dinner, it was definitely the best food choice after climbing Arthur's Seat the following day.

Exceptional food and the owner is really sweet and welcoming !

Stumbled upon this place with 2 cranky kids at the end of a long trip. The chicken pakora wrap was absolutely incredible. Great vibe. Kash and Mark made our last lunch in Scotland our best lunch in Scotland.

Had to go and try the haggis pakora, and looky looky they do black pudding as well. Lamb samosas were also excellent. Service was really good. Didn't go for a full curry, but the pakora and street food are recommended.

On our arrival at this eaterie we were greeted as if we were old friends by the attentive owners. Being our first time our server Mark took us through the menu step by step which was exceptionality helpful. The ordered food was simply amazingly tasty and plentiful. This brilliant eaterie will be our go to place on our next Edinburgh visit. Lillian and Tommy Ayrshire.

Delicious foods, excellent service and reasonable price. It would be my pleasure to recommend others, and will come back again in future.

First visit and just thought we will give it a try. Food was extremely tasty and the owners were lovely very chatty and welcoming. Glad we walked the extra to get there will definitely be back

We ate there and everything was VERY GOOD, they are super friendly, I would definitely go back!!!!!! I loved it!!

Just had a fantastic meal at this restaurant. Food was amazing and the Beer also . The waiter Matty was really helpful and entertaining. The other staff were very friendly and welcoming too. .Definitely will be returning here . Well done guys we had a great time . Thanks again

Food delicious, good vibes, amazing service, 100% recommended. We’ll return for sure.

Excellent food. Fantastic service. Awesome atmosphere 10/10.

The food is excellent and spicy ... Very home cook style ... Different from typical Indian food. Service is excellent too.

Get just a couple blocks off the royal mile and support this extraordinary family-run place!!! Food was absolutely incredible - best meal we had in Edinburgh, loved every single thing we ordered. If you're looking for fast, warm, friendly service and Indian food that is both deliciously authentic and creatively responsive to Scottish culture, look no further. Couldn't get enough, and the kids loved it. Also, I never like IPAs but the Mango Lassi Pale Ale was incredible, and you can't get it anywhere else. So glad we chose to stop in on our last night.

Lovely place with fantastic food and beer. Infact so good I'm coming back for lunch tomorrow 😋

for my first time having indian food it was great! amazing service and the medium heat curry and the perfect amount of spice

Fantastic wee place, tried for the first time a few days ago and will certainly let be back. We were served by Matty who was attentive and professional, and who gave some great recommendations. We tried a selection of pakoras, curries, paratha, rice, and spicy chips and all were excellent. 😊

Great food and really friendly welcoming staff. Everything we had was great, but would definitely recommend the chole!

We had a great first experience at the Pakora Bar and we will definitely be regular visitors. The staff were amazing and there choice of different Pakora and other dishes are impressive. They also do a lassi IPA which may sound a bit 🤮 but trust me it's absolutely awesome and a must for any visit. Brilliant place to meet friends and chill 😁👍

Curry was perfect and the service was both professional and friendly. Would highly recommend.

Have been here twice for lunch with a biggish group and both times it’s been brilliant. Food is absolutely delicious and tastes freshly made, even though there’s a huge choice on the menu. Great for vegan and gluten free pals. Big, spacious restaurant that would be great for wheelchairs or buggies. The lunch menu is fantastic value and you can get a lunchtime table no problem, as it’s tucked away so doesn’t get many passers by (but it’s actually really handy for the royal mile, holyrood, dynamic earth or the parliament).

Sensational Indian Restaurant, with a great Scottish flair. Got dishes and a lovely Mango Lasso IPA you cannot get anywhere else. The service was amazing throughout and would absolutely go again. If you're visiting Scotland, give it a try to experience the blending of cultures

First visit, but definitely not the last. Very clean, great decor, food was amazing and the staff very friendly. Thank you.

Sometimes you enter a place and immediately sense that everything here is in balance. No grand gestures, no loud spectacle - just a silence that comes from the certainty of doing the right thing. Three brothers run the Pakora Bar, but it is actually their mother who speaks here. In the recipes, the spices, the slow, deliberate movements in the kitchen. The food has a familiarity about it, as if it knows exactly where it belongs. The Mixed Pakora - Chef's Choice are crispy, full of flavours, but never overloaded. The Chicken Curryand Lamb Curry taste as if they have been given the time they need. Deep, warm, grounded. The mango lassi tells the same story. Not too sweet, not too heavy. It accompanies instead of imposing. A silent nod, no loud applause. But then, with the first bite, something happens. The flavours unfold, come together, swirl around like a well-rehearsed dance. Spices, spiciness, sweetness - a flash of colour, of heat, of depth. The balance holds, but it doesn't go quiet. It breaks out, draws you in. The city rages outside, but another fire burns inside. One that grows more intense with every fork. And as the evening fades, all that remains is the feeling of having caught one of those rare moments - a meal that not only tastes good, but lingers. This visit was unannounced.

Amazing experience. All staff incredibly welcoming and nice. Good service and even better food. Best bhatura in loooong time

From eating in 100's of punjabi restaurants across UK. We finally found one which will give you Bhatura when you order Bhatura, every other place would give puri instead of Bhatura. Amazing food, tried pakoras, chai and Bhatura. If only owner would have some sort of sleeping arrangements 😂😂 Brought back memories of food taste as I had from Punjab. Must visit and must try.

Amazing food with incredible service from Brian. Really nice, polite, and chill guy. Would fully recommend trying this place - it's 100% worth the trip.

To anyone reading this: Pakora Bar is a fancy-looking trap that serves bad, overpriced, and fake food. It’s a shame to Indian food DON'T TRUST 2000+ FAKE REVIEWS! To the so-called "Team Pakora" (or should I say, the sensitive, childish person behind this reply), Your response to my honest review shows exactly how not to run a business. Instead of listening to a paying customer’s concerns, you threw a tantrum like a kid, proving once again that your restaurant is not just a food disaster but also a place full of unprofessional behaviour and sheer incompetence. Well done! Let me make this very clear: I am not a coward or a liar. I am a customer who paid £85 for a meal that was a total insult to Indian food. Your weak attempt to ignore my feedback by throwing personal insults only shows that you can’t handle criticism—a basic skill needed in any business, especially in hospitality. But then again, expecting good manners from you seems as pointless as expecting good food at your place. You say I was late for my booking. Yes, I was 20 minutes late—great job keeping track of time! But let’s not forget that your restaurant was almost empty at 3:20 PM on a Saturday. If timing was such a big deal, you could have politely told me that my table wasn’t available anymore. Instead, you sat me down, took my money, and served me a food nightmare. Trust me, I would have happily left and saved myself the £85 I wasted at your so-called "restaurant." Now, let’s break down your funny attempt to defend your "food" (and I use that word very loosely): - Veggie Pakora (6 pcs): Undercooked veggies wrapped in dough that fell apart as soon as I touched them. This isn’t a pakora; it’s an insult to Indian food. - Paneer Pakora (6 pcs): A little better, but still ruined by the mountain of chat masala you dumped on top to hide the lack of effort. Here’s a tip: sprinkling masala on bad food doesn’t make it good. - Chole Bhature: The only okay dish, as I said in my first review. Even a broken clock is right twice a day. - Punjabi Chicken Curry: A chili-filled mess that tasted nothing like Punjabi food. You should be ashamed to call this "Punjabi Chicken." Jail would be too nice for this food crime. - Butter Paneer Curry: Another chili-heavy disaster with no real flavor of paneer or butter. Did you even taste it before serving? Or do you just like making your customers suffer? - 6 Rotis & 2 Naans: Overpriced, store-bought tortillas and ready-made naans charged at £2+. Do you think your customers are blind, or just dumb? - 2 Kingfisher Beers: Random beer poured into Kingfisher glasses. This level of lying is shocking. Do you also serve tap water as Evian? Your claim that I “finished every single item” doesn’t matter and is just silly. If I pay for my food, it’s my choice whether I eat it, take it home, or throw it away. The fact that you’re watching customers on CCTV and using it to defend your bad service is not just creepy—it’s almost crazy. Threatening to use CCTV footage against customers is a serious issue, and I won’t hesitate to report this to the police and authorities. Let’s see how your sensitive ego handles court. Your regret about not throwing me out is funny. I regret not calling your so-called "chef" out for the joke of Indian food you serve. You serve overpriced, lazy, and fake food to customers who don’t know better, especially non-Indians. Shame on you for tricking them! I’ve added screenshots of your replies to other Indian customers who dared to criticize your food. Your habit of attacking critics and ignoring feedback is terrible. It’s clear that you have no respect for your customers or the food you claim to represent. You’re not just a bad restaurant owner—you’re an embarrassment to Indian hospitality. Based on the reviews I’ve seen, it’s clear that your food has made people sick, and I’m glad I didn’t suffer the same. Maybe it’s time for a surprise visit from the health inspector—I’m sure they’d have a lot to say. Learn hospitality and business. Stop being motivational for free, life is too short for you too! 💖

The Absolute Worst Dining Experience of My Life and I wouldn’t wish this restaurant on my worst enemy. If you’re considering eating here, let me save you the time, money, and stomach trauma—DON’T.

DO NOT FALL FOR 2000+ FAKE REVIEWS! My recent experience at Pakora Bar was nothing short of a culinary disaster, and as an Indian, I feel compelled to share this cautionary tale. After sifting through over 2,000 reviews, I had high hopes for this place. Sadly, it turned out to be a colossal waste of time, money, and appetite. Let me break it down for you: We booked a table, arrived on time, and were seated promptly. The menu seemed promising, so we ordered pakoras (naturally, given the restaurant’s name), Chole Bhature, Punjabi Chicken, Butter Paneer, and a mix of rotis and naans. What followed was a series of disappointments that left us questioning how this place has any positive reviews at all. The **pakoras** were an insult to Indian cuisine. The veggies and paneer inside were undercooked, and the excessive chat masala sprinkled on top was a poor attempt to mask the lack of effort. This was not a pakora—it was a disgrace. The **Chole Bhature** was the only saving grace, cooked well and flavorful. But that’s where the positives ended. The **Punjabi Chicken** and **Butter Paneer** were nothing more than chili-laden sauces with no discernible flavor of the main ingredients. The heat was overwhelming, leaving no room to appreciate the dish. These were, without a doubt, the worst curries I’ve ever had in Scotland. The **rotis** were literally heated tortillas—the kind you can buy for 89p at any grocery store. Yet, we were charged £2.95 for two pieces. The **naans** were equally disappointing—premade, toasted, and tasteless, identical to the ones you’d find at Lidl for 69p. We wasted £18 on bread alone, which is outrageous. To add insult to injury, the **Kingfisher beer** they served was not Kingfisher at all. It was some random beer poured into a Kingfisher glass. This level of dishonesty is unacceptable. In total, we spent **£85 (approximately 8,500 INR)** on this meal, and I can confidently say it was the worst £85 I’ve ever spent. The food was lazy, the service was deceptive, and the entire experience was a slap in the face to Indian cuisine. Indian food is about love, care, and authenticity—none of which were present here. If you’re looking for genuine Indian food, avoid Pakora Bar at all costs. This place is a beautifully disguised trap that serves subpar, overpriced, and dishonest food. Save your money and your taste buds—this is not the Indian dining experience you deserve. Edit: I have replied to your response using my other account, appreciate the way you handle criticism by calling my reviews fake and attacking me personally.

Friendly service, really filling portions, and most importantly, very tasty indeed. Would recommend and I'll be going back. Their namesake IPA beer is absolutely delicious (i brought some home i liked them so much).

What a FANTASTIC place, definitely a hidden gem. The waiter knew the menu and gave guidance on what to order but didn't try to over sell. Food was fresh and delicious. Pakora's were outstanding in texture and flavour (even the cauliflower one!) with a batter that was so light - each with different a herb and you just have to try the haggis pakora - stroke of genius! They had ran out of the Punjab curry that we wanted but the chef was quite happy to spice up the pannier curry for us and it was delightfully exquisite- spot on. Lovely bottle of red wine and all for a reasonable price. If your in the area, definitely needs to be on your visit list.

On for some food this evenings with a friend, and have to say, everything form getting greeted on arrival, to the service and the food, wee 1st class, atmosphere of place is excellent, staff all very friendly and create a relaxed atmosphere, for you to be able to enjoy your food while here,

Great food and great hospitality. Tonight was Chloe's first night and she knocked it out of the park!

A lovely restaurant, the food was amazing and the service was great.

The food is just about average. We popped in because my partner wanted to try his hands on some Indian food. The paratha was rubbery . Didn't taste good. The dal and rice was pretty decent but nothing to rave about. Didn't want to try anything else on the menu after that. Save ur money and cook ur own indian food!

We had an amazing experience here. Brian, our server was extremely friendly and knowledgeable. The food could not have been better as well. This is a very special place!

I visited the Pakora Bar with a friend tonight.. Not only did I enjoy the very delicious food but also talking to the owner and hearing his recommendations. The place has a very welcoming vibe and is perfect to enjoy a lovely evening with loved ones. I would highly recommend it :) Thank you for the tasty food and the lovely chat!

This is the 3rd time we visited the Pakora Bar, from the second you enter the building you feel welcome, everything is very relaxed and the staff are brilliant. I had the mixed meat Pakora with a Punjabi curry and nan bread, my wife had chicken Pakora with a curry and rice, really good portion size, I'm a big eater and wow, the food was very tasty loads of different flavours and spices. In-between courses the staff chatted away with us, it was really relaxing, I wish I could give more stars. Thanks guys and we'll see you soon.

had a wonderful experience at this establishment. The service was truly exceptional, with the staff being incredibly kind and attentive. The food was absolutely delicious — every dish exceeded my expectations. I highly recommend this place to anyone looking for a delightful dining experience. I’ll definitely be back!

Everything here is fantastic—the curry, the pudding, and the PARATHA, which is an absolute must-try! The staff are kind, and Rick, in particular, is warm-hearted. Highly recommend!

Food is always really tasty and fresh. I had veggie pakoras which were perfectly crispy and I loved the variety. Paired with a mango lassi, it was perfect. Staff are incredibly friendly and welcoming too. Definitely would recommend.

I came here with my partner and a friend for New Years Eve and my gosh - what a treat it was! It was one of the best meals I have had on my travels in Britain so far and one thing that made it even better was our lovely server. She was so friendly, made us all feel so welcome, gave us recommendations for drinks and suggestions of what to do around the city. The cocktails (we had the dirty mango lassi, espresso chaitini, iced chai latte and mango mojito) were all so delicious - whoever made them knows what they are doing for sure! We got a wide selection of foods for dinner including pakoras, curries and street food. All were fantastic - a good amount of spice to not overpower the flavour and presentation was spot on. Edinburgh is an expensive city to visit, but the prices here were not too bad - overall a very good value for money. Would recommend to anyone visiting Edinburgh! 10/10!

Rick looked after us. Top guy, nice haircut. Sea bass pakora was great too

Amazing restaurant and bar! The food is insanely tasty, probably the best Indian food I've tried. Also the service was almost better than the food, Kash and Rick were amazing and so kind! I definitely recommend it!

We have been there twice, and the food has always been very good. As this is mostly chaat food, dishes are small and cheap, allowing for creative combinations. We've had chole bhatura, paneer kathi rolls, spring rolls (chicken and paneer), aloo tiki, samosas (veg and non-veg), mixed pakoras, and dhal. The food is always flavourful and tastes like authentic Indian chaat. The atmosphere and the service are also very good, supported by friendly staff.

I had the pleasure of dining at The Pakoda Bar, and I must say it was an exceptional experience! The food was absolutely amazing—every dish bursting with authentic Indian flavors and beautifully presented. A special thanks to Rakesh, whose service and hospitality were truly outstanding. He went above and beyond to make our experience memorable, patiently helping us decide on the best dishes to try. His recommendations were spot on, and his warm and friendly demeanor added so much to the overall experience. If you’re looking for delicious Indian cuisine and impeccable service, The Pakoda Bar is the place to be. I’ll definitely be returning soon!

I had a really amazing birthday dinner with my pal here this evening. We ordered the haggis pakoras, lamb samosas, aloo tikki and a chicken pakora wrap with chips each. The staff were really understanding of my dietary requirements and made sure sauces with dairy were served alongside the food rather than on top of it and the food was delicious! My friend has the mango lassi beer which he loved and my mango mojito was really nice too. The food tasted pretty authentic and is a clear step up from traditional Scottish Indian food. The father of the owners of the restaurant took time to have a really friendly, insightful conversation with us after we’d eaten and Cameron who served us did a really good job too. As for the price, I stay in the Glasgow area and I’m used to eating out being cheaper but for Edinburgh and for having had two alcoholic drinks, the price we paid was very reasonable. Thank you for being part of my birthday, guys! I’ll be back next time I’m in Edinburgh. 😊

Super good Penjab street food ! Special mention to Chicken Pakora. Local (Indian) music for a better experience. Christmas tree was so beautiful.

A really good restaurant in a nice location. Our waiter Rick was extremely helpful and kind, the atmosphere in the restaurant is very welcoming. The next time I’m in Edinburgh again I’ll be sure to visit

After sampling the food in the restaurant which was very good, and speaking to Mark and his brother who were both welcoming and friendly, I asked The Pakora Bar to do the catering for my 50th birthday party. I had hired a suite in a hotel so it was an outside catering job and can’t fault them one bit. The communication, service and the most important part - the food - were all excellent. The food was delivered on time, and was hot when it arrived so there was no need for reheating and myself and my guests could get tucked in straight away. Got a mixture of chicken, haggis, veggie, cauliflower and paneer pakoras and all were excellent and all my guests were very complimentary - particular praise was given to the haggis and cauliflower pakoras. We had a great night which the food was very much part of and would highly recommend The Pakora Bar both for sitting in for a meal and for outside catering for any event.

Always appreciate using the services of a family owned business. Rick, our server, was also phenomenal, making awesome suggestions and always being there to check if we need anything.

One of the best places I’ve had the pleasure of eating in Edinburgh, food was exceptional and great value for money! Brian was our front of house and his level of service is 5 star! Brian also made a special cocktail (espresso martini inspired) which was the best drink I’ve ever tasted. Do not pass this place up, thank you to you and your team for a great meal

Loved every single food we ordered - gol gappas, pakora, butter chicken, chole batura and the tea - just perfect. And we are back here on the next day itself for some yummy dishes 🤤

Definitely go to this place!! Such good food, plenty of options (my wife has celiac and they were very knowledgeable). Their Chakk de Phatte beer was also amazing, definitely give it a try! Shout out to Cameron! He waited on our table and was great. Answered all my wife’s questions about her allergy and was a pleasure. Cheers Toby!

Great food! Rick’s service is very nice

Unreal food, great customer service from Rakesh and a lovely atmosphere. Would highly recommend

Been coming here for years with my partner for years, it never disappoints. The brothers that own it are fantastic, and Kash who served us was absolutely lovely. Cheers again!

Our server, Cameron, was a star!

Service was super kind, accomodated my group's wish for spicier food very well. The music and ambiance is amazing.

excellent service by the owner. Had a great late lunch here. Keep it up!

Warmly welcomed by the staff, delicious food and good service. I highly recommend it.

With a lot of patience and special charm, Rick guided us through the menu and started a great evening. We felt very comfortable and got to know a really great restaurant

Had a really lovely meal in here last night with a group of friends. The staff were amazing, very friendly and accommodating. The cocktails were phenomenal, everybody needs a Chai-tini in their life!

My husband and I visited for an early dinner on a Thursday evening (around 4.30pm) - which was lucky for us as we were able to take advantage of their set menu. We eat a lot of Indian food at home (both home cooked and in restaurants), but we have never tried pakora. We were craving curry, so the set menu that comes with 3 pakora and a choice of curry was perfect. I ordered the vegetarian pakora mix (3 pakoras - one mushroom, one paneer and one vegetarian haggis) and palak paneer with rice. My husband also ordered the set menu with chicken pakoras (3) and butter chicken with rice. The staff were wonderful (thank you so much for the hospitality Rick!). All needs were anticipated (side plates, napkins, etc) and we had a pleasant chat throughout the meal. I don’t have experience with pakora, but we enjoyed them. They were fresh and crispy, served with delicious sauces and an onion chutney. The curries were also good, but could have used more seasoning. They were a bit bland for our tastes and definitely could have used more spice, but we also weren’t asked what spice level we preferred. I would definitely come back here, but I would ask the staff next time to up the spice level a bit.

First time coming here and it was magnificent and was an unforgettable experience.The service was off the charts and the atmosphere was welcoming and the food was good, definitely recommend

We had a very good dinner and Rick's attention was perfect.

The restaurant was recommended by our airbnb, and as it was just round the corner of our apartment and we love indian food we did give it a try. We loved it. Rich flavoured food, nice staff and reasonably priced. If we lived here the Pakora would be one of our favourites

The Pakora Bar was a bit of a letdown for us. As fans of Punjabi and Indian street food, we had high hopes, but sadly, the food didn’t deliver. The paneer wraps were mediocre, the spring rolls were forgettable, and while the curry was okay, the portion sizes left us wanting. The decor and ambiance were definitely the highlight—quirky, vibrant, and tucked away in a charming spot off the Royal Mile. There are vegetarian options, which is nice, but the service was underwhelming. We had to ask multiple times just to get our water refilled, and this was on a day when the place wasn’t even busy. While it’s a feast for the eyes, the food and service didn’t match the hype of the glowing reviews we’d seen. If you're craving authentic Punjabi or Indian street food, there are definitely better options out there.

Met Mark and the other owners !! Great place to eat and with great people that have a great ethos in running an eatery that is exceptional!! If you are in Edinburgh and want to eat out this the place to go !! Well done the Pakora bar !!

A chance meeting brought us to this exceptional restaurant as a work party, incredible authentic Punjabi food, amazing service and astounding surroundings! This is NOT your regular Indian restaurant, highly recommend!