The Pakora Bar in Edinburgh, City of

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

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

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

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!

Would recommend the street food and cocktails - particularly the chaitini and golgappa, thanks for the recommendation Cameron!

I was staying at the nearby Marriott Hotel and decided to try The Pakora Bar. Service was great and food was delicious. Family run place and they did a great job providing a recommended course for the two of us. Next time I am back in Edinburgh I am definitely going back.

Food was amazing and Toby gave us next level service. Give that guy a raise!

Amazing place with delicious food. The staff is very kind and professional: Bryan was very friendly and welcoming with us. Strongly recommend 😊🙏

Lovely staff, tasty and good value good, casual vibes, and exceptionally tasty fruit IPA 😁

Delicious food and drinks (mango lassi), great service and funky interiors.

Fun place, friendly owners, great with kids, good food 👍🏼

amazing food and the kindest restaurant owners!!! definitely coming back!!!

We had an amazing meal today at The Pakora Bar ..the restaurant is beautiful and modern...it almost feels tropical. The family who runs it were so friendly, kind and fun to talk to...but it is the food that was unbelievably good...so full of flavor and delicious, and it didnt feel heavy at all! If you are climbing to Arthur's Seat or visiting the Scottish Parliament, make this wonderful restaurant part of your trip!

Thank you for making me have the Best Indian food in a long time! Rakesh you were an amazing man! You made me feel home!

Delicious and friendly service!

This place has some of the best food ever!!!! The service was excellent just like the food. Big Shout out to Brian who took care of us during our visit. I would highly recommend this place to anyone that loves Indian style street food that blows the mind!!! 5 stars!!!!!

The pakoras were delicious and the mains were outstanding. More importantly, the people who run this place are wonderful - so friendly and accommodating (we had a range of dietary requirements in our family of 6). We came for the pakoras but we'll come back for the delightful service, the mango lassi IPA (sooooo good!) and the mains based on their family's home cooking. An absolute gem of a place.

I remember this place when it was on Hanover Street, one of the best spots for lunch. I'm glad to say that is still the case. Lots of different varieties of pakoras, some street food sides to choose from as well. It's still fresh, tasty, and filling while also being relatively inexpensive. Haggis and chicken pakora wrap was superb. The new restaurant looks good and has a relaxed atmosphere. There is also a mezzanine floor upstairs, which would be perfect for a party or function. I highly recommend checking this place out.

We ordered the pani puri, mixed pakora and the chicken punjabi curry. The pani puri was so delicious, punchy and more ish. The pakoras are also a standout. My favourite flavours were: eggplant, paneer and the chicken. Service was top notch. Staff were very friendly and gave us plenty of recommendations.

My partner and I had a lovely meal here. It's quite centrally located (a short walk off the royal mile, about 10-15 minutes from the train station) and is worth every step to get here. The atmosphere is great and the decoration is beautiful. The food is exceptionally tasty (and creative - haggis pakoras!), and has lots of vegetarian and vegan options. I can't see anyone being disappointed here. The service was quick, and the staff were very kind and attentive. A lovely family run place I couldn't recommend enough.

Have been walking past this place for months saying we should go some time, and I really regret not going sooner! My partner and I were blown away with taste! The staff are lovely, and there is so much choice. I’m gluten free and vegetarian and I still had lots to choose from. I had cauliflower pakora, spinach lentil dahl, spicy chips and punjabi sauce. The Punjabi sauce was my favourite part, really flavourful and different to anything I’ve had before. We will definitely be back!

Fab experience at The Pakora Bar this evening. Amazing service, the food came quickly and was 100% the best curry we’ve ever had!

This is the first time coming to this restaurant as we live in leeds, but I can say with the utmost honesty that the food I've had tonight is definitely the best curry's and pakoras me and my wife have ever had, the staff are so friendly and helpful and the suggestions they provide are excellent. the atmosphere is amazing and it makes you feel comfortable while you enjoy your food, we will definitely been eating here again when we are next in Edinburgh.

Highly recommend you visit. The quality and flavours were amazing. Staff very helpful and friendly. We will be back.

I loved my experience at The Pakora Bar! My server, Rash, was wonderful and the food was AMAZING! I highly recommend the vegetable pakora platter and the butter paneer. A perfect meal after summiting Arthur's Seat!

Love this place…food and service brilliant! Only scored 4 star for atmosphere now as the new place is just like any other Indian restaurant….where I LOVED the smaller original with its brilliant buzz!!

Brian our server was class! Food was amazing!

Fantastic place. Popped in for a quick bite, and it was so good we stayed for more (sorry I called one of the dishes a Chloe, not a chole!) Mango IPA is amazing, will be ordering a crate for back home!

One of the Best Indian dine-in experience in the Edinburgh area and food was exceptional. Also rush was really helpful.

Had an amazing meal at Pakora Bar. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Food served quickly and fresh. We had the Punjabi lamb curry with rice, mixed meat pakoras, lentil coriander Dahl. Food was full of flavor and felt comforting, perfect for the cold wet weather. I’m not typically a beer drinker but their mango lassi pale ale was delicious, had to fight my fiancé not to drink all of it

The food was great, we ordered the meat mix pakora’s, Punjabi lamb curry, and lentil coriander Dahl. Each one was so full of flavor, a special shout out to the fish pakora it was very fresh. The service was very friendly and responsive to our needs. The aesthetics were very welcoming and vibrant.

Amazing food, super friendly and welcoming staff, well-priced. Highly recommend.

Two big thumbs up for our waiter Toby!

Great lunch experience. Toby was great to work with, made good recommendations, and answered all of our questions in fine detail. Would recommend to anyone.

Came across the pakora bar by accident- but it was a happy accident! Food was tasty and the staff helpful, attentive and friendly.

The service was fantastic. We were well looked after with great recommendations from everyone. The desserts were delicious!

Lovely food, with quick and polite service

Our Server Rick was absolutely lovely. He was so friendly and our orders were taken promptly and brought to us in excellent time. The food was fantastic and it hit the spot on our last night in Scotland/UK.

Beautiful spot inside. Food is excellent. Plenty of gluten free for me. I had a nice hot bowl of curry over rice on a chilly day. Husband had pakora. Both were excellent and service was phenomenal. So glad we stopped here for lunch.

Everything was delicious, very friendly staff and fast service.

A very nice setting, quality service (also very good advice on tourist places not to be missed in Edinburgh) and above all excellent dishes, from dahl to curry to pakoras. One of the best Indians! Don’t hesitate to try their unique mango lassi IPA beer.

Great vegan food, and excellent serving by Rick and other members of the team! Fast and amazing value, would recommend the dhal.

Great food. The Mango Lassi Pale Ale was absolutely outstanding!

If you're craving authentic Indian food, especially the kind that brings back memories of home, I can't recommend this spot in Edinburgh enough. My friends and I recently visited while on vacation, and it was like stepping back into my mom's kitchen. The pakoras? Unreal. Perfectly crispy with that classic Punjabi blend of spices – just like my mom used to make! The owner, Mark Singh, along with the entire staff, are incredibly warm and welcoming. They truly care about making sure every dish suits your taste. It’s rare to find that level of hospitality these days. And if you're a beer lover, make sure you try their "Chakk De Phatte" brew – it's a must! I’m already planning my next trip to Edinburgh, just to eat here again. If you're around, do yourself a favor and check this place out!

Amazing food, fantastic service and reasonably priced. All in the heart of Edinburgh, can't ask for anything else.

Really friendly staff and great service. The bartender even went out of his way to make something off menu for us. I was skeptical of the mango lassi IPA but it was delicious. We loved the food and the space. Would recommend!

Amazing place/ decoration. The staff which is a family is very kind , always asking if everything is okay and smiling , nice conversation also about what I could visit in the city . And the food so tasty . Great quality of ingredients . The chicken was very soft 👍🌶️

Had the cauliflower pakora and lamb samosa chaat, both amazing! The service and staff were absolutely lovely - highly recommend if you're in Edinburgh

Ate at the pakora bar for the first time yesterday and have to say it was a great experience. Incredibly friendly and helpful staff (Rick needs a special shout out!) a lot of choice on the menu and the food was superb. Would definitely recommend and will return next time I’m in Edinburgh.

Loved this restaurant! The food was delightful! They do a wide range of delicious pakoras to try - even haggis pakora! They even cater for gluten-free, too! The staff are all very friendly and warm. I'd recommend trying here.

We had a great dinner here! Our server, Rash, was extremely helpful and all of her suggestions were delicious. We got the chef’s choice of Pakora and the butter chicken curry.

I had a birthday dinner with my family, food was amazing and service excellent. Thank you Mark for a great night.

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.

The vibe was nice but the food was bland and flavourless.

Everything was amazing! The food was great, we shared a mix of Pakora and the butter chicken curry. One of the best I’ve ever had. And the people were super nice I totally recommend. Muchas gracias!!

Really delicious pakoras and curries. Fun atmosphere and wonderful service. This family affair is well worth a visit.

Excellent food and amazing mango beer. Service was excellent, thank you Rash!

It was a pleasure to eat there. The meat was perfectly seasoned and so soft! Rash is so friendly and patient with answering all your question and helping you with the choice. Ps: you must try their own crafted beer!

Lovely people own the restaurant. Had a great time & taste. ** Prices are Little bit high.

Very enjoyable, super friendly service. Lots of choices of curries, all around £17 each. Good flavour depth. (Mine, the Punjab Lamb curry, could have been spicier, so should have ordered hot). The Butter Chicken was exactly how she likes it. Mild and creamy. The Gluten Free Pakora mix was a win (with the mango chilli sauce). The Sauvignon Blanc was £7.50 per large glass. A very special shout out to our waitress/server. She was excellent.

What a great find! We had the paneer pakora, lamb samosas, butter chicken, and naan. All were absolutely delicious. This is an awesome family-run spot with great food and great service. We really enjoyed spending some time talking with Brian about the business and all things foodie!

Delicious food and very welcoming, pleasant experience! This was a great way to start our Edinburgh trip.

Awesome interior, great staff, FANTASTIC food.

Family Run, incredibly friendly and tasty food. Had a good talk and the best food. Lunch offer on weekdays!

Had the best best best meal!! The Chole bhature are a must try, great service thanks to Rash. Uncle and aunty (owners) are so warm!!! Highly recommend 💯

Everything was perfect, excellent Food and service by Cameron

Hospitality was great. Was lucky to get a table for 12 for lunch. Very close to palace and castle. Space is cute. Music is nostalgic. Service was excellent. Rashmee was assigned to our large group and was so patient with us and sweet. Food was fine.

Food only Dal is good....Panner butter curry and kadi pakoda curry is too Tangy...Paratha is so hard and not available to make it pieces only.....waste of Money....guys working there r not responsible at all...

Great place offering Indian street food and curries with fantastic pricing for central Edinburgh. Good vegan and gluten free options.

Great food, great price a d beautiful venue. Lots of outdoor covered seating and lovely indoor. Food is delicious, highly recommend the pakoras. First class

Great food. Great service. Lovely owner

Everything was awesome. Had mixed meat pakoras, lamb samosas and lamb curry, all delicious. Plus you have to try the Mango LassI IPA

Delectable food and great service, loved dining here and was perfect for birthday celebrations, Resh was really attentive and friendly and offered to take a photo of us as well. Overall positive interactions and lovely food, highly reccomend!

Fab lunch with family of 3 generations for a Sunday lunch. Food delish and our server, Resh, could not have been nicer or friendly. Will be back. Nice decor too and liked that they have zero percent Kingfisher lager as well.....we'll deffo be back

After a week in Edinburgh we wanted a change and decided to try this restaurant a few steps from our hotel. The service was friendly and fast, the food good and the portions generous. The place is lively and colorful and the staff was very kind to us

It has been a long while since I've been to a restaurant so welcoming, warm, and absolutely delicious. I popped in on a whim one night after Fringe had ended, and ended up having Mark (one of the owners) help me. He made some great suggestions and I ended up having a great dinner. Y'all, these pakora were delicious!!! I tried a mix of chicken, cauliflower and haggis (I see you, Scottish-Punjabis!). I also had the spinach daal and rice (perfectly spiced and warming on a cold day) and ras malai (not too sweet!). I walked in thinking I wasn't going to be too hungry - I ended up cleaning my plate because it was all just so good. I love restaurants like Pakora Bar - family affairs that are combining a love of heritage from a third culture POV. The other wait staff on duty that night were friendly and helpful to their tables. You can tell they are well-trained and kind. It's tough to bring ambience and quality to a genre of food that most expect to be quick and cheap (ah, the plight of Asian takeaway all over the world!). Pakora Bar does a great job. It was fun to talk to Mark about how the business started and how it will continue to grow. I can't wait to recommend this place to others (like, hey, you reading this!) and visit again on my next trip to Edinburgh.

We came all the way from California and stumbled upon this restaurant. The food was delicious, and the service was even better. Our server Rick was very helpful with the menu and informed us of some of the local highlights. I highly recommend this restaurant.

This place was amazing! The staff there were so welcoming and friendly 10/10 recommend:)

Terrific family owned punjabi restaurant! Loved their pakoras, cha (we drank two teapots full lol), butter chicken and chole bature. Wonderful service across the board too. Will be back anytime we visit Edinburgh again in the future too!

Beautiful meal tonight, we were served by Ricky. Most beautiful daal, and we shared a lovely veg mixed pakora. Restaurant is beautiful and colourful. Staff were exceptional, with Ricky the loveliest waiter. Thank you!

I recommend, the restaurant can be a little scary for the French who may see an outdoor "taco" type atmosphere but once inside it's great. Random meal before taking the train to London, Rick took care of us and was very nice. The food was excellent, prices in the order of magnitude for Edinburgh.

Very nice, very good food and unbeatable service.

Great food and great service would highly recommend the Pakora Bar.

We enjoyed our visit here last weekend - drawn by the novelties of haggis and black pudding pakora. The place was buzzing on a Saturday evening without being overbearing and service was as welcoming as we could've hoped from an obviously family-run business (in the best way!). Shout out to Ayah for answering all our questions with interest :) I've given food 4 stars over 5 as I prefer a lighter, softer pakora batter than the thicker, red style used here and thicker dips/chutneys. But none of them were bad. And black pudding works exceptionally well as a pakora filling. I recommend a visit especially for drinks.

The best Indian food I have ever eaten. Discovered this beautiful restaurant when walking through Edinburgh , an especially warm and friendly welcome from the family who own the restaurant , all fresh ingredients and freshly prepared food , the Punjabi chicken curry was sublime , with the fresh made paratha to dip an excellent recommendation by Mark. Check out The Grandfathers portrait on the way in. Immaculate restaurant, great value for money with top quality ingredients, can’t wait to return .. thank you

Stumbled upon it while looking for where to eat! Great decor in keeping with the times, we were extremely well received, the staff is very very pleasant! We ate very well, it was good, well done and very well seasoned! Special mention for the lassi IPA! Thank you to the team for this moment, I highly recommend!

Food was fantastic! Had a great experience being served by Rick.

The food was absolutely amazing along with the service and the restaurant looks amazing

Great food and great service. I highly recommend.

Amazing food and service! Takes you out of Edinburgh for a few :) definitely recommend!

Excellent food and service for a very reasonable price!

Truly home away from home for us! The food was delicious, service was great as well. Truly fulfilled our taste for Desi Indian Punjabi Cuisine. Overall a very Pleasant experience 😄 Had ordered: 1) Aloo Tikki Chaat 2) Paneer Spring Roll Chaat 3) Moongi Spinach Daal 4) Palak Paneer Curry 5) Punjabi Kadhi Pakora 6) Mango Lassi

Very good service from the manager and Ayah - food fantastic and good wine too. Recommended!

Lovely food in a nice setting. Not too busy for lunch even during festival. Good vegan range.

Great place selling desi street food...does what it says!

3 brothers, mother and father work hard to serve great street food and curry in a buzzing place. Good value and excellent service.

I had a wonderful dining experience at the Pakora bar. The food was absolutely delicious—especially the fried chicken, which was crispy and flavorful, and the curry, which had the perfect blend of spices. The cold beer complemented the meal perfectly. What truly made the evening special, though, was the outstanding service provided by Ayah. She was attentive, warm, and went above and beyond to ensure we had everything we needed. Whether it was helping us choose the right dishes or ensuring our glasses were never empty, Ayah made us feel truly welcome and well taken care of. I highly recommend this restaurant for anyone looking for a great meal with excellent service. Thank you, Ayah, for making our visit memorable!