Cutting Chaii is an Indian restaurant at 18–20 Salamander Street in Leith. Opened in 2019, it takes inspiration from the sociable Bombay café tradition, combining a relaxed setting with dishes intended to be shared around the table.
Indian tapas are the restaurant’s speciality, giving diners the chance to try several preparations in one visit. Street chaats layer crisp textures, yoghurt, chutneys and chaat masala, while fish, chickpeas and crushed samosas show the breadth of the smaller plate selection.
The kitchen prepares food from scratch and emphasises spice blends, marinades and texture rather than relying on a standard curry sauce. Locally sourced ingredients support both familiar and less expected Indian combinations across the menu.
Poppadoms, chutneys and chai fit naturally around a spread of shared dishes, and vegetarian choice is built into the tapas format. Cutting Chaii’s warm, low key character makes it suitable for a casual dinner as well as a longer gathering with friends in Leith.
Address: 18–20 Salamander Street, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 7HR, Scotland
Cutting Chaii Menu
Nibbles
Mini Masala Papads
V. Mini poppadums deep fried for two (all chutneys are separate to order)
Bombay Bhel
V, N. Puffed rice with crisp gram threads, peanuts, red onions, tomatoes and coriander mix
Chutneys
Onion Chutney
Mango Chutney
Yougart & Mint
Chilli And Coriander
Veg And Non-Veg Starters — Cutting Chaats
Vegetable Somosa
4X Crispy mix seasonal vegetables pastry, served with chutney
Secret Bomb
V D. 3 X Mixed spiced potatoes and home made Indian cheese(Paneer) vermicelli doughnuts. Chef special recipes from Bombay street food. Served with sweet chilli sauce. Suitable for Vegetarian.
Cutting Chaii House Chaat
V D N. Crushed vegetable pastry somosa (home made singhara) topping with mumbai street chaat masala, Yougart, house chutney’s, onions, cucumber and batata toppings. Contains dairy and nuts. Lightly warm and cool
Khasta Kachori
V D N. Deliciously made 3x puffed pastry filled with spicy moong dal mixture inside & deep fried. Prepare with mixed salads, sweet & spicy chutney’s, mint yoghurt chutney, bombay bhel & pomegranate on top. Delicious chaats to share. Contains dairy & nuts.
Bombaiya Ragda
V D N. 3 X Vegetarian, Popular afternoon potatoes pattice in Mumbai. Spiced potatoes cakes served chef special chutney’s and leaves
Sabji Ki Singhara
V. 4 X Vegetarian, A traditional Bangladeshi pastry stuffed with freshly prepared seasonal vegetables with drizzles of chutneys.
Chicken Sixty Nine
Gf. Gluten free, Deep fried chicken strips with spicy batter coated.
Crispy Lamb Somosa
4x Punjabi shortcrust pastry stuffed with spiced minced lamb.
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Mix seasonal vegetables rolls. Served with chutney’s
Tamarind & Ginger Chicken Wings
Gluten free. Chef special Bombay mix spices marination mixed with baby chicken wings to cook in char coal grill before tossed with home made tamarind sauce, garnished with sesame seeds.
Dirty Wings
*new*. Whole Chicken wings marinated with tandoori mixed spices to cooked in Charcoal grill then tossed with Chef’s special green mango, lime and crushed chilli sauce. Taste better eating with hands. Sweet and Spicy. Gluten free.
Chop tikki
Vegan Chaats
Vegan Khasta Kachori
N. A delicious, spicy, fried puffed pastry; is filled with spicy moong dal mixture and then deep fried. Serves with yogurt-based chutney, chilli and coriander sauce, garnished with leaf’s.
Vegan Sabji Ki Singhara
A traditional Bangladeshi pastry stuffed with freshly prepared seasonal vegetables with drizzles of chutneys.
Vegan Veg Somosa
4 X Crispy mix seasonal vegetables pastry, served with chutney
Vegan Bombaiya Ragda
N. Popular afternoon potatoes pattice in Mumbai. Spiced potatoes cakes served chef special chutney’s and leaves
Vegan House Chaats
Crushed vegetable pastry somosa (home made singhara) topping with mumbai street chaat masala, house chutney’s, onions, cucumber and batata toppings. Lightly warm and cool
Vegetable Spring Rolls
Mix seasonal vegetables rolls. Served with chutney’s
Palak Pakora
Vegan Nibbles
Bombay Bhel
N. Puffed rice with crisp gram threads, peanuts, red onions, tomatoes and coriander mix
Mango Chutney
Onion Chutney
Chilli Coriander Chutney
Mix Pickle
Chef Special Vegan Mains
Kadai Kathal
Green baby Jackfruit slow cooked with chef special Punjabi masala sauce with fresh green chilli, onions, ginger & peppers to make not too saucey or not too dry dish. Jackfruit is the substitute meat of Vegan & vegetarian in India. Hot to taste.
Vegan Jackfruit Dum Biriany
Popular south Asian sweet fruit is a meat substitute for veg.& Vegans. Young green jackfruit cooked with chef special biriany spice mix and then dum cooked layered aromatic basmati rice. Medium Spicy.
Vegan Dal Makhani
Dark black lentil cooked for several hours to make rich and deeply flavoured, medium to taste, garnish with fresh chops og ginger and coriander. Medium Spicy.
Vegan Temple Palak
Tender cubes of soft potatoes cooked with mixed spiced, tomatoes, freshly grounded baby spinach. Medium Spicy.
Okra Fries
Fresh Lady fingers cook with mix spices, chopped onions tastes crunchy cooked with fresh garlic, giner, tomatoes and fresh coriander. Not saucy but dry; so it tastes great with breads. Medium spiced.
Chaii Steeped Chickpeas
Afgan Chickpeas simmered in a rich Darjeeling mixed spiced, tea, tomato and garam masala. Bit saucy and medium spiced. Medium Spicy.
Bombay Benjan
Fresh aubergines deep fried but you won’t see any grease; cooked with mix masala sauce. Tender as meant melt in mouth. Medium to taste. Great with rice or breads.
Channa Mushrooms
Punjabi chickpeas and fresh mushrooms cook with mix spices. Bit saucy and medium to taste
Aloo Benjan
NEW. Deep fried aubergine cooked with turmeric & garlic potatoes in mixed spiced curry sauce. Medium to taste. Simple and taste good with rice or bread. Gluten free.
Naked Chilli Tofu
*newly Added*. Vegan Paneer (Tofu). Its Irani cafes recipes with a blend of Indian & Chinese recipes combined! Tofu cubes deep fried with spiced checkpeas flour battered then tossed with chef special chilli sauce, fried onions, capsicums. Sweet & spicy to taste.
Vegan Carbs
Steam Basmati Rice
Tandoori Roti
Wholemeal bread cooked in clay oven. Suitable for vegans
Chips
Chilli Chips
Vegan Plain Nan
Vegan Garlic And Coriander Nan
Vegan Chilli Garlic Nan
Nan with chopped green chilies. Spicy
Vegetarian Chef Special Mains
Maas Butter Paneer
NEW. Medium. A popular Bombay dish. Indian cheese cubes are chargrilled with smoky flavor, in a thick butter sauce with special spices. Includes Goan spices, curry leaves, garam masala, tomatoes, caramelized onions, & cream. Contains nuts & dairy.
Kadai Kathal
Hot. Ask for medium if preferred. Green baby jackfruit slow-cooked with Punjabi masala, green chili, onions, ginger, garlic, & peppers. Spicy with lovely texture and tender jackfruit. A popular meat substitute for vegans and vegetarians.
Dal Makhani
Dark black lentil cooked for several hours to make rich and deeply flavoured with butter and cream.
Temple Palak Paneer
Tender cubes of home made cheese simmered with velvety smooth, spiced tomatoes, cooked with freshly grounded spinach and potatoes. Medium.
Okra Fries
Lady finger cook with mix spices, onions and fresh coriander. Not saucy. Medium spiced.
Chaii Steeped Chickpeas
Chickpeas simmered in a rich Darjeeling mixed spiced, tea, tomato and garam masala.
Bombay Benjan
Fresh aubergines deep fried but you won’t see any grease; cooked with mix masala sauce. Tender as meant melt in mouth. Medium to taste. Great with ruce or breads.
Channa Mushrooms
Punjabi chickpeas and fresh mushrooms cook with mix spices. Medium
Jackfruit Dum Biriany
Popular south Asian sweet fruit is a meat substitute for veg.& Vegans. Young green jackfruit cooked with chef special biriany spice mix and then dum cooked layered aromatic basmati pilau rice. Medium.
Malai Paneer
NEW. Mild. Cubes of home made paneer chargrilled with mixed spices before cooked with chef special Malai sauce (mango, ground peanuts, scottish single cream & sugar to add sweetness) cooked in a slow fire, rich & creamy dish, contains ground nuts.
Aloo Benjan
Deep fried aubergine cooked with turmeric & garlic potatoes in mixed spiced curry sauce. Medium to taste. Simple and taste good with rice or bread. Gluten free.
Kadai Paneer
NEW. Charcoal grilled Paneer (home made Indian cheese cubes) cooked with chef special karahi sauce made of fresh garlic, ginger, onions, green chilli, mixed capsicum. Curry for Vegetarian spicy paneer lovers! Hot and spicy. Gluten free.
Naked Chilli Tofu
NEW. Vegan Paneer (Tofu). Its Irani cafes recipes with blend of Indian & Chinese recipes combined! Tofu cubes deep fried with spiced checkpeas flour battered then tossed with chef special chilli sauce, fried onions, capsicums. Sweet & spicy to taste
Cutting Old Favourites Newly Added
Jhalfrezi
Another Classic choices if you are a spicy curry lover. Prepared with diced barbecue Chicken/Lamb with fresh chopped green chilli, peppers, slices of onion, garlic, ginger and chef mixed spices. Fairly spicy and hot curry.
Korma
Classic choice, simply prepared with tender steam cooked with coconut, pistachio, cream and delicate spicing provided by ground mace, nutmeg and cardamom. Mild to sweet to taste.
Tikka Massala
Britain’s most popular curry, originating from Maharashtra in northern India. Charcoal-grilled meat in a chef’s special masala sauce with Greek yogurt, peppers, oranges, carrots, mango pulp, and ground almond in a rich, creamy sauce. Mild to taste.
Dopiaza
A medium spicy curry prepared with tender pieces of Meat, cubes of onions, mixed peppers, mix ground spices and garnish with coriander.
Non-Veg Chef Special Mains
Gunpowder Chicken
Hot, Old Bombay Iranian cafe style. Not a curry style but a unique dish which Edinburgh never tried before! Char-grilled chicken strips are tossed with onions, peppers, garam masala and chef’s special ‘Gunpowder Sauce’. Hot to taste.
Maas Butter Chicken
Medium. A popular Bombay dish. Thick butter sauce with a mix of Goan spices, curry leaves, garam masala, fresh tomatoes, caramelized onions, and a hint of cream. Contains ground nuts and dairy. Medium spicy
Maas Butter Lamb
Medium. A popular Bombay dish. Thick butter sauce with a mix of Goan spices, curry leaves, garam masala, tomatoes, caramelized onions, and a hint of cream. Contains ground nuts and dairy. Medium spicy. Made with tender Aberdeenshire lamb.
Malai Murgh
Mild. Tandori spiced baby chicken chargrilled mixed with chef special tikka masala sauce cooked in a slow fire, rich and creamy dish, contains ground nuts. Mild.
Railway Chicken
Medium Spicy. Traditional Chicken and potatoes curry served in Indias first class train compartments. Chicken cook in Indian authentic style in handi with raw species. Medium Spicy
Railway Lamb
Medium Spicy. Traditional lamb and potatoes curry served in India’s first class train compartments; Lamb cook in Indian authentic style in handi with raw species. Medium Spicy . We only use Aberdeenshire Lamb to cook tender.
Karahi Chicken
Hot Curry. Probably the most popular curry in Lahore, Pakistan, slow cooked chicken prepares with chef special Punjabi masala sauce with fresh green chilli and coriander. Hot to taste.
Karahi Lamb
Hot Curry. Probably the most popular gosht curry in Lahore, Pakistan; slow cooked lamb prepares with chef special Punjabi masala sauce with fresh green chilli and coriander. Hot to taste. We only use Aberdeenshire Lamb to cook tender.
Chicken Dum Biriany
Slow cooked tender pieces of chicken mix with chef special spices then layered with aromatic basmati rice. Garnished with caramelised deep fried crispy onions. As Biriany itself made with sauce no other separate sauce, Served with salad. Medium
Lamb Dum Biriany
Slow-cooked Aberdeenshire tender baby lamb mixed with special spices, layered with aromatic basmati rice, & garnished with crispy caramelized onions. Biriyani is made with sauce, so no separate sauce. Comes with salad. Medium spicy.
Salli Marghi
A well-known celebratory Parsi dish from western India, often cooked at weddings and special occasions. Tender chicken is slow-cooked with spices and jaggery (Indian cane sugar) for a touch of sweetness. Garnished with Salli crisp-chips on top.
Saagwala Chicken
Medium Spicy. Fresh baby spinach cooked with fresh garlic, ginger and tomatoes like desi indian home style before prepare with chef special mixed spiced. Medium
Saagwala Lamb
Medium Spicy. Fresh baby spinach cooked with fresh garlic, ginger and tomatoes like desi home Indian style before prepare with chef special mixed spices. Medium spicy. We only use Aberdeenshire Lamb to cook tender.
Dhaba Chicken
Medium Spicy. A delicious chicken curry from the G.T roadside dhaba’s of Punjab. Medium Spicy.
Dhaba Lamb
Medium Spicy. A delicious Lamb curry from the G.T roadside dhabas of Punjab. Medium Spicy. We only use Aberdeenshire Lamb to cook tender.
Royal Nawabi Chicken
Mild to sweet. Dairy. Nuts. Chicken cooked in aromatic ground spice-mace, nutmeg, almonds, coconuts with fresh Scottish single cream to make a delicious sweet and creamy to taste. Very mild.
Royal Nawabi Lamb
Mild to Sweet. Dairy, Nuts. Lamb cooked in aromatic ground spice-mace, nutmeg, almonds, coconuts with fresh Scottish single cream to make a delicious sweet & creamy to taste. We only use Aberdeenshire Lamb to cook tender.
Salli Boti
A celebratory Parsi dish from western India, often served at weddings. Tender lamb is slow-cooked with spices and jaggery (Indian cane sugar) for sweetness, and garnished with Salli crisp-chips. Made with tender Aberdeenshire lamb.
Ruby Murray
NEW. Chef’s special Ruby Murray sauce prepared with fresh garlic, ginger, tomatoes & mixed spices. Added honey, cream to make it rich & creamy dish. Medium to mild to taste. Available with Char grilled chicken cubes. Contains dairy(D)
Achari Chicken
Marinated chicken tikka cubes are prepared with chef special mixed spices & desi mixed pickle. Hot & sour to taste with full of flavour.
Chilli Garlic Chicken
Chilli Garlic Lamb
Achari Lamb
Ruby murray lamb
Cutting Fish And Seafood
Chilli Tiger Prawns
Hot. Modern Irani cafes recipes where is a blend of Indian & Chinese recipes combined! Fresh garlic-ginger-soy-chef special chilli sauce tossed with fried onions, capsicums and gunpowder. Hot to taste.
Tiger Prawn Korai
NEW. Hot Curry. A popular dish from Fish lover’s city of Karachi, Pakistan, Tiger prawns no shell prepares with chef special spicy curry sauce with fresh green chilli, crsip onions, mixed peppers and coriander. Hot to taste. Saucy.
Malai Prawn
NEW. Mild to sweet. Tiger prawns no shells with chef special tikka masala sauce cooked in a slow fire, rich and creamy thick saucy dish, contains ground nuts, dailry. Mild to sweet.
Chaii Char Grilled
Murgh Tikka Garam Masala
D. Baby chicken cubes carefully marinated with mix spices 24 hours before chargrilled; Served with cubes of fried onions,peppers and garam masala sauce.
Angry Birds Thigh X2
Succulent chicken thighs (2) marinated and roasted in tandoor spices, yoghurt, ginger and garlic. Served with mix salad and chefs special mint yogurt.
Achari Paneer Tikka
Dairy. Cubes of home made cheese (paneer) skewers marinated with mix tandoori spices & pickle cooked in chargrilled. Served with fried cubes of onions, capsicums and tub of Mix pickle. Its not a curry but dry items from the grill
Lamb Chops X 4
Carbs Rice And Breads
Steamed Boiled Rice
Pilau Rice
Fresh daily prepared traditional Indian Pilau Rice. No colour added.
Plain Nan
Freshly baked Nan bread topped with desi Butter.
Tandoori Roti
Wholemeal bread made in clay oven
Garlic & Coriander Nan
Fresh Garlic and Coriander Nan. Best in town!
Chilli Garlic Nan
Cheese & Garlic Nan
Chilli Cheese Nan
Cheddar cheese and chopped fresh chillies fresh baked Nan
Chips
Chilli Fries
Peshwari Nan
Soft Drinks
330ml Can Of Coke
330ml Can Of Diet Coke
330ml Can Of Irn Bru
330ml Can Fanta Orange
1.5 Ltrs Bottle Of Coke
1.5 Ltrs Bottle Of Diet Coke
Limca 300ml Can
Limca 300ml Bottle
Alcoholic Drinks
Chardonnay White
12.5% vol product of spain
Cabernet Sauvignon Red
13 5% product of France
Rioja Red
12.5% product of Italy
Malbec Red
product of Argentina 13% vol
Sauvignon Blanc White
product of New Zealand 12% Vol
Conti Darco Prosecco
Product of Italy. 11%
Pato Merlot
Product of Chile 13% Vol
Pinot Grigio White
Product of Italy 12% Vol
Cobra Beer
Popular Indian lager beer
Kingfisher Beer
Indian premium lager beer