Dishoom Edinburgh is an all day café at 3A St Andrew Square, bringing the food and storytelling of Bombay’s Irani café tradition to the Scottish capital. The restaurant moves from breakfast and chai into lunch, dinner and evening drinks, with outdoor seating adding another option in the neoclassical square. Its busy, sociable atmosphere suits both quick visits and meals that unfold over several shared plates.
The all day menu covers street snacks, small plates, grills, curries, biryanis and breads baked to order. Pau bhaji, bhel, okra fries and Dishoom House Chaat offer contrasting textures and sweet, sour and spicy flavours, while chicken tikka, lamb chops, prawns and paneer come from the grill. Richer choices include Chicken Ruby, Goan monkfish curry and the restaurant’s slow cooked House Black Daal.
Edinburgh’s café special is Salli Boti, a Parsi dish of tender braised lamb in a rich gravy topped with crisp potato pieces and served with buttered roomali roti. Vegetarian and vegan options are distributed across the menu, including jackfruit biryani, grilled vegetables and several small plates. Separate dietary selections provide more guidance for vegan and gluten free diners.
Breakfast naan rolls, Bombay style eggs, fruit, grains and breads give the morning service a distinct character, while afternoon chai can be paired with bun maska or a light snack. Much of the restaurant remains available to walk in guests, with reservations also offered under the venue’s booking policy. Group bookings, accessible facilities and a central location make it adaptable for many occasions.
Address: 3A St Andrew Square, Edinburgh EH2 2BD, United Kingdom
Dishoom Edinburgh Menu
Cooked Breakfasts
KEEMA PER EEDU
A Parsi power breakfast: spicy chicken keema studded with delicate morsels of chicken liver, topped with two runny-yolked fried eggs and salli crisp-chips. Served with home-made buns. (S)
PARSI OMELETTE
A crazy-paving three-egg omelette of chopped tomato, onion, coriander, green chilli and a little cheese. Served with grilled tomato and Fire Toast. (V)
AKURI
An Irani café staple. Three eggs, spiced, scrambled and piled up richly alongside plump, home-made buns and served with grilled tomato. (V) (S)
KEJRIWAL
Two fried eggs on chilli cheese toast. A modern favourite of the Willingdon Club in Tardeo, reputedly named for the member who kept asking for the dish, since he was not allowed eggs at home. (Not to be confused with Arvind Kejriwal, leader of India’s Aam Aadmi – common man’s – political party.) (V)
CHOLE PURI HALWA
Where to start? Chef’s favourite breakfast: chole (chickpeas), halwa (sweet semolina), pickles (which are pickles) and one giant, crackled, puffy puri. Satisfying morning, noon or night. (V)
THE BIG BOMBAY
Your plate will be laden with abundant akuri, char-striped smoked streaky bacon from Ramsay of Carluke, peppery Shropshire pork sausages, masala beans, grilled field mushrooms, grilled tomato and buttered, home-made buns. Too good.
THE VEGAN BOMBAY
Bountiful vegan repast. Tofu akuri, crispy-smashed vegan sausages, vegan black pudding, grilled field mushrooms, masala beans, grilled tomato and home-made vegan buns. (V)
Haggis Pau
A glorious sight. Richly spiced specially-made Dishoom pork haggis atop hot, buttered buns. Served with a couple of fried eggs, crisp Carluke’s bacon rashers, honeyed chilli chutney, cream cheese and fresh coriander leaves. Much intercontinental fulfilment.
Dishoom Naan Rolls
Each naan is freshly baked – by hand, and to order – in the tandoor. It is then graced with a little cream cheese, tomato-chilli jam and fresh coriander leaves, and wrapped around one of these first-rate fillings. (Request a little chopped green chilli on the side for more zing in your roll.)
BACON NAAN ROLL
Ramsay of Carluke’s smoked streaky bacon is matured in the traditional Ayrshire way and then smoked over applewood and beechwood chips. A Dishoom signature dish, and deserving of all its accolades.
DOUBLE BACON NAAN ROLL
Twice the bacon. More power to you.
SAUSAGE NAAN ROLL
Shropshire pork sausages, warmly spiced with cracked black pepper. Each sausage is finished by hand in the old-fashioned way.
NEW VEG. SAUSAGE & EGG NAAN ROLL*
Cleverly fermented crispy-smashed veggie sausage with best umami spicing, developed with Chef Neil Rankin. Runny-yolked eggs, for good measure. (V) *Vegan option available, cooked in the same tandoor as naans made with eggs and dairy
EGG NAAN ROLL
Two fried Cornish free-range eggs with saffron-orange, runny yolks. Warm and most gratifying. (V)
WRESTLER’S NAAN ROLL
Named for Koolar & Co.’s wrestler-sized portions. Smoked streaky bacon, peppery pork sausages and runny-yolked egg. Grapple with it.
Bacon & Egg Naan Roll
Sausage & Egg Naan Roll
Fruits, Grains & Breads
DATE & BANANA PORRIDGE
Organic porridge oats cooked with oat milk, banana and sweet Medjool dates. If you wish for more, you need only ask – this is a bottomless portion. (V)
CINNAMON-JAGGERY PANCAKES
Most fluffy with toppings of soft vanilla cream, mixed berries and jaggery syrup spiced with chai-like warmth. Sticky, sweet, so good to eat. (V) Add a couple of crisp Carluke’s bacon rashers. 3.00
FRUIT & YOGHURT
Fresh seasonal fruits topped with creamy yoghurt infused with fresh vanilla pod. Choose from dairy yoghurt drizzled with starflower honey, or coconut yoghurt. (V)
HOUSE GRANOLA
A Dishoom recipe, handmade with toasted oats, seeds, cashews, almonds, pistachios and cinnamon. Served with fresh seasonal fruits and dairy vanilla yoghurt with starflower honey, or creamy coconut yoghurt. (V)
BUN MASKA CHAI
The Irani café classic. Soft bun with butter inside, to be dipped happily into the hot chai. The simplest thing, eaten everywhere in Bombay. (V)
Side Orders
Masala beans
(V)
Grilled mushrooms
(V)
Two pork sausages
Two crispy-smashed vegan sausages
(V)
Four rashers of bacon
Fire Toast, butter and jam
(V)
Haggis
Vegan Breakfast
Breakfast is served until 11.45am every day.
Vegan Akuri
A vegan version of the Irani café special. Spiced scrambled tofu piled up richly alongside plump, home-made vegan buns and grilled tomato. (Ve, V, S)
Chole Puri*
Where to start? Chef’s favourite breakfast: chole (chickpeas), pickles (which are pickles) and one giant, crackled, puffy puri. Satisfying morning, noon or night. *made without butter (Ve, V)
Vegan Sausage Naan Roll*
A delicious crispy-smashed sausage developed with Chef Neil Rankin. Cleverly fermented vegetables and best sausage spices to enhance the umami. *cooked in same tandoor as naans made with eggs and dairy (Ve, V)
Fruit & Coconut Yoghurt
Fresh seasonal fruits topped with creamy coconut yoghurt infused with fresh vanilla pod, and served with toasted seeds. (Ve, V)
Children's Breakfast
Porridge
With oat milk and bananas. (Ve, V)
Granola
With cinnamon, nuts and fresh seasonal fruits. Choose from vanilla dairy yoghurt and honey, or coconut yoghurt. (Ve, V)
Fruit & Yoghurt
Fresh seasonal fruits served with vanilla dairy yoghurt and honey, or coconut yoghurt. (Ve, V)
Cinnamon Pancakes
Two fluffy pancakes topped with vanilla cream, fresh berries and spiced syrup. (V)
Eggs & Beans On Toast
Scrambled eggs with toasted bread and baked beans. (V)
Small Plates & Starters
Chote Papad With Mango Chutney
Poppadoms torn, then fried ’til crisp. Flecked with green chilli. Best dipped into home-made chutney, rich with two kinds of mango. Marries nicely with drinks. (Ve, V)
Vegetable Samosas
Crunchy Punjabi-style shortcrust pastry, pea and potato filling warmly spiced with cinnamon. Tamarind chutney for dipping. (Ve, V)
Okra Fries
Fine lady’s fingers for the fingers. (Ve, V)
Bhel
Cold and crunchy, light and lovely. Puffed rice, peanuts and Bombay Mix tossed with fresh pomegranate, tomato, onion, lime, tamarind, mint. (Ve, V)
Vada Pau*
Much-loved Bombay street staple, sized for sharing. Four hot potato vada, crunchy titbits and chutneys, tucked inside soft home-made buns. Sprinkle the red spicy masala to taste. *with vegan buns (Ve, V, S)
Vegan Pau Bhaji*
An old-time favourite with lovely qualities, pre-eminently nicer than any you have sampled before. Spicy mashed vegetables and home-made vegan buns on a Chowpatty tray. No food is more Bombay. *made without butter (Ve, V)
Dishoom House Chaat
Warm-cold, sweet-tangy, moreish. Golden-fried sweet potato covered with cool oat yoghurt, pomegranate, beetroot, radish and carrot. Tamarind drizzle and green chutney lift it nicely. (Ve, V)
Keema Pau
Perked-up Irani café classic: earthy, aromatic minced lamb, studded with peas, distinguished with subtle dill and warming lindi pepper. Arrayed with slices of toasted, buttered pau. Buy this now and convince yourself. (S)
Chilli Chicken
Some Irani cafés now aim to please with Indo-Chinese fare. A plate of crispy garlic-ginger-soy-chilli-chicken is a modern café staple. (S)
Lamb Samosas
Gujarati filo (not Punjabi shortcrust) stuffed with minced lamb, onions and spices.
Chilli Cheese Toast
A nostalgia for Bombayites. Green chillies, capsicum and garlic in Cheddar melt on white sliced loaf. (V, S)
Prawn Koliwada
Bombay’s Koli (fishermen) Wada (district) recipe: a bowl of delicate, crispy morsels – perfect for chutney-dipping. (S)
Pau Bhaji
An old-time favourite with lovely qualities, pre-eminently nicer than any you have sampled before. Buttery-spicy, mashed vegetables and home-made buns on a Chowpatty tray. No food is more Bombay. (V)
Grills
First comes the marinade, then the open-air grill. Picture Bademiya in Colaba, a Bombay institution since 1942. A balmy night, with newspapers laid out on old car bonnets. You eat. Savour. Spill.
Murgh Malai
Chicken thigh meat is steeped overnight in garlic, ginger, coriander stems and a little cream. Slightly pink when fully cooked.
Charred Lamb Chops
Two chops of generous proportions lie overnight in raw papaya, yoghurt and humble spices. Blackened on the grill and finished with a thrilling Kashmiri chilli sauce. A speciality of new standing.
Dishoom Chicken Tikka
A family recipe, using a marinade of sweet vinegar, not yoghurt. Laced with ginger, turmeric, garlic and green chilli. (S)
Masala Prawns
Each one charred slightly at the edges, succulent and simple, nothing to bamboozle.
Sheekh Kabab
Minced lamb is marinated with green chilli, coriander and cumin, then grilled. (S)
Makhmali Paneer
Such simplicity. Pillows of paneer, marinated, charred and spiced gently. A flourish of fried cashews and pomegranate. Makhmali means velvety. (V)
Gunpowder Potatoes
The seduction is in the tumble. New potatoes are smoky-grilled, broken apart, tossed with butter, crushed aromatic seeds and green herbs. (V)
Saffron Cauliflower
Glowing golden, hot from the grill. Soft, buttery magnificence with warm masala tingles. (V)
Curries & Daal
Chicken Ruby
Tender chicken in a rich, silky makhani sauce. A good and proper curry redolent with spice and flavour.
Goan Monkfish Curry
Choicest monkfish simmered in creamy coconut, tamarind, tomatoes and kokum. Strewn with fragrant curry leaves. Most popular for its sublime balance of aromas. Think quality!
Mutton Pepper Fry
Finest mutton marinated in red chilli, ginger and garlic, then cooked with black peppercorns and whole spices. Robust, spicy and tender. (S)
Mattar Paneer
A steadfast, humble and delicious vegetarian curry, beloved of Bombay families. (V)
House Black Daal
A Dishoom signature dish – dark, rich, deeply flavoured. It is cooked over 24 hours for extra harmony. (V)
Chole Chawal*
An abiding favourite of Indian families everywhere, originally hailing from the Punjab. A hearty bowl of spiced chickpea curry served with basmati rice. *made without butter (Ve, V)
Biryani and Rice
Slow-cooked, layered and aromatic, the Biryani traces its origins to Iran – as does the old Bombay Café. A pot is to be shared, or kept as spicy contentment all for oneself.
Lamb Biryani
Fall-apart leg of lamb bedded in a pot with buttery saffron rice, caramelised onions, rich stock and warming spices. Best with raita.
Chicken Berry Britannia
Tempting and flavourful pot of chicken, ginger, garlic, mint, coriander and rice cooked together in the Kacchi style. An homage to Britannia’s Chicken Berry Pulao, with cranberries.
Awadhi Jackfruit Biryani
Sturdy, savoury jackfruit and delicately flavoured rice, potted, sealed and cooked the traditional way. Adorned with barberries and sultanas. (V)
Steamed Basmati Rice
It means “the fragrant one”. (Ve, V)
Veg. Side Dishes
First-class greens and other delectables.
Chilli Broccoli Salad
Toasted pistachios and shredded mint leaves with finest, greenest broccoli, fresh red chillies, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dates and lime. (Ve, V)
Chilli Broccoli Salad (Half Portion)
Toasted pistachios and shredded mint leaves with finest, greenest broccoli, fresh red chillies, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dates and lime. (Ve, V)
Grilled Greens
Grilled mangetout and Tenderstem broccoli with lively Bengali mustard dressing. Greens for choosing – not refusing! (Ve, V)
Chilli No-Butter-Bhutta*
Corn-on-the-cob, grilled over charcoal fire, then finished with chilli, salt and lime, Chowpatty style. *with olive oil instead of butter (Ve, V)
Chilli Butter-Bhutta
Corn-on-the-cob, brushed with butter and grilled over charcoal fire. Finished with chilli, salt and lime, Chowpatty style. (V)
Kachumber
A messy to-do of cucumber, onion and tomato. A little lime lifts the whole affair. (V)
Warm Aubergine Chutney
A rare embellishment of sweet and sour and spice. “Very chatpata” (or lip-smacking), says Chef, “not ordinary.” A little goes a long way. (Ve, V)
Raita
Delicate minty yoghurt, cool as a cucumber. (V)
Breads
All breads are made by hand and baked to order.
Plain Naan
Freshly baked in the tandoor. (V)
Garlic Naan
With minced garlic and coriander sprinkle. (V)
Cheese Naan
Cheddar is melted inside. (V)
Masala Paratha
Wholewheat flaky-buttery bread. Fresh from the tandoor, with chaat masala and dried mint. (V)
Roomali Roti
Soft handkerchief-thin bread, thrown, stretched and griddled to order on an upturned tawa. (Ve, V)
Tandoori Roti*
Wholewheat bread, delicately charred from the tandoor. *cooked in the same tandoor as naans made with eggs and dairy (Ve, V)
Salads & Rolls
Malai Chicken Salad
Creamy charred chicken, leafy greens, sprouted beans, bulgur wheat, vegetable fiddlesticks, toasty coconut and tarty curry-leaf dressing. Brimming with zing.
Paneer Roomali Roll
Delicate handkerchief roll crisped and filled with grilled paneer, onion, peppers and green leaves. Mint chutney on the side. (V)
Chicken Kathi Roll
Flaky paratha with a fine omelette layer, wrapped all-about an abundance of chicken tikka, fresh kachumber and zingy green chutney. A most-popular street food in Kolkata. Pleasingly sating.
Café Special
Salli Boti
This is a first-rate Parsi classic, a notable example of which is served in the inimitable Britannia & Co.Tender lamb is braised in a rich and flavoursome gravy then finished with crunchy salli crisp-chips. Served with buttered Roomali Roti.
Puddings
Served daily from lunchtime onwards.
Kala Khatta Gola Ice
Fluffy ice-flakes steeped in kokum and jamun fruit syrup, blueberries, chilli, lime and black salt. To the uninitiated, the first spoonful may surprise. The second is captivating. (Ve, V)
Basmati Kheer
Silky caramelised basmati rice pudding cooked nicely with vanilla-infused coconut milk, cardamom and cashews. Cooled and layered with blueberry compôte. (Ve, V)
Coconutty Fruit Crumble
A medley of pineapple, apple and raspberry, crowned with toasted coconut crumble and silken coconut ice cream. Flavour and texture come together in harmony. (V)
Dishoom Chocolate Pudding
Melting-in-the-middle chocolate pudding served with a scoop of Kashmiri Chilli ice cream. You will not want to share. (V)
Mango Kulfi
Satin-smooth, sweet real mango. (V)
Pistachio Kulfi
Creamy, proper pistachio. (V)
Malai Kulfi
The original with a hint of caramel. (V)
Kala Khatta With Nice Cream
On a bed of almond mascarpone cream: fluffy ice-flakes steeped in kokum and jamun fruit syrup, blueberries, chilli, lime and black salt. To the uninitiated, the first spoonful may surprise. The second is captivating. (V)
A Bowl Of Ice Cream
Cinnamon, Coconut or Kashmiri Chilli. (V)
Children's Mains
Murgh Malai
Mild, tender grilled chicken thigh.
Paneer Tikka
Tasty cheese and peppers. (V)
A Bowl Of Ice Cream
Two scoops of Cinnamon or Coconut ice cream. (V)
Kulfi
A sweet frozen treat. Creamy Malai, proper Pistachio or sweet real Mango. (V)
Swift Lunches
Inexpensively agreeable set lunch menus for two to share. Served Monday to Friday, 12pm – 5pm. Each serves two people. Swift Vitality lunch serves two and is £16 per person. Prompt Replenishment lunch serves two and is £20 per person. Drinks, add-ons and optional service charge are not included in the price.
Swift Vitality
Rapid and light midday refreshment for two persons. Price: £16 per person
Prompt Replenishment
For two persons requiring extra lunchtime fortitude. Price: £20 per person
Swift Vitality Lunch
Rapid and light midday refreshment for two persons. Served Monday to Friday, 12pm – 5pm. £16 per person. Drinks, add-ons and optional service charge are not included in the price.
Malai Chicken Salad
Creamy charred chicken, leafy greens, sprouted beans, bulgur wheat, vegetable fiddlesticks, toasty coconut and tarty curry-leaf dressing. Brimming with zing.
Chilli Broccoli Salad
Toasted pistachios and shredded mint leaves with finest, greenest broccoli, fresh red chillies, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, dates and lime. (Ve, V)
Murgh Malai
Chicken thigh meat is steeped overnight in garlic, ginger, coriander stems and a little cream. Slightly pink when fully cooked.
Dishoom Chicken Tikka
A family recipe, using a marinade of sweet vinegar, not yoghurt. Laced with ginger, turmeric, garlic and green chilli. (S)
Sheekh Kabab
Sorcery of softest smoky minced lamb, lively with black pepper and green chilli. (S)
Makhmali Paneer
Such simplicity. Pillows of paneer, marinated, charred and spiced gently. A flourish of fried cashews and pomegranate. Makhmali means velvety. (V)
Gunpowder Potatoes
The seduction is in the tumble. New potatoes are smoky-grilled, broken apart, tossed with butter, crushed aromatic seeds and green herbs. (V)
Saffron Cauliflower
Glowing golden, hot from the grill. Soft, buttery magnificence with warm masala tingles. (V)
Prompt Replenishment Lunch
For two persons requiring extra lunchtime fortitude. Served Monday to Friday, 12pm – 5pm. £20 per person. Drinks, add-ons and optional service charge are not included in the price.
Vegetable Samosas
Crunchy Punjabi-style shortcrust pastry, pea and potato filling warmly spiced with cinnamon. Tamarind chutney for dipping. (Ve, V)
Lamb Samosas
Golden Gujarati filo (not Punjabi shortcrust) stuffed with minced lamb, onions and spices. Lime for tang.
Dishoom Chicken Tikka
A family recipe, using a marinade of sweet vinegar, not yoghurt. Laced with ginger, turmeric, garlic and green chilli. (S)
Makhmali Paneer
Such simplicity. Pillows of paneer, marinated, charred and spiced gently. A flourish of fried cashews and pomegranate. Makhmali means velvety. (V)
House Black Daal
A Dishoom signature dish – dark, rich, deeply flavoured. It is cooked over 24 hours for extra harmony. (V)
Chicken Berry Pulao
Delightful deception. Fluffy mound of saffron rice jewelled with barberries, sultanas and crispy onions. Beneath waits fall-apart chicken in richly masala’d tomato sauce. Dig deep.
Jackfruit Berry Pulao
Warmly spiced jackfruit and jaggery-sweet tomato linger below fragrant saffron rice studded with barberries and sultanas. Few platters are so disarming. (Ve, V)
Tipples
BELLA STORIA: SPUMANTE, NV, VENETO
Insist on having a ‘beautiful history’ (bella storia)! Old-established family co-operative grows organic Garganega grapes to make this refreshing aperitivo akin to Prosecco. Extra dry.
BLOODY-GOSH MARY (ROCKS)
Tomato juice, Finlandia Vodka, savoury makhani sauce, warming spices and array of comely edibles. Outlandishly served in a rocks glass – which looks like less, but isn’t. Nothing cursory here.
VIRGIN MARY (ROCKS)
Feistiness abounds, but there is no swearing.
DHOBLE (ROCKS)
A discreet cocktail, named for the notorious Assistant Commissioner of Police of Bombay. Fresh orange and lemon juice conceal vodka, jaggery and a furtive dash of orange bitters, on ice.
BABA’S SESAME ESPRESSO MARTINI (UP)
Baba’s espresso meets Finlandia Vodka, with molasses bitters, chai syrup, white sesame tincture and a smattering of black sesame.
TEETOTAL ESPRESSO MARTINI (UP)
An elegant glass of Baba’s espresso with complex black cardamom, cinnamon syrup and a warm, gingery kick. Enhances sobriety.
Fresh Juice, Shots & Lassi
No poppycock.
Fresh Orange Juice
Fresh Ruby-Red Grapefruit Juice
GINGER SHOT
Fiery ginger-apple tonic. Put pep in your step.
TURMERIC SHOT
Harmonising, healing, mind and body pleasing blend of turmeric, ginger and apple.
BREAKFAST LASSI
A concoction of yoghurt, banana, mango and oats. Keep regular.
Chai & Coffee
HOUSE CHAI
All things nice: warming comfort and satisfying spice. Made the traditional way, or with oat milk. All who have tried it, swear by it.
CHOCOLATE CHAI
A charming couplet of dark chocolate and spicy chai.
BREAKFAST ASSAM (POT)
Assam is the most well-liked tea-leaf in India. Malty, brisk and bright.
DARJEELING GREEN TEA (POT)
The finest tea grown organically on the rolling hills of the Darjeeling region. Gentle in fragrance, unmatched in prestige.
FRESH MINT TEA (POT)
A spearmint steeper to cleanse the palate.
GINGER, LEMON & HONEY TEA (POT)
Fresh vigour and increased joie-de-vivre.
GUEST BREW
Consult your server about our finest grade guest filter coffees – hot or iced.
BABA’S COFFEE: DISHOOM x ALLPRESS
Arabica beans from a single forest estate on the misty hilltops of Chikmagalur in Karnataka – where Sufi mystic, Baba Budan, sowed the smuggled seeds of India’s first coffee in 1670. Mingled with Brazilian Minas. Smooth notes of milk chocolate, orange and jaggery.
HALDI DOODH
Turmeric, black pepper and jaggery frothed milk. Nani’s golden remedy.
Dessert Cocktails
Baba’S Sesame Espresso Martini
Baba’s espresso meets Finlandia Vodka, with molasses bitters, chai syrup, white sesame tincture and a smattering of black sesame. (Ve, V)
Naughty Chocolate Chai
The charming couplet goes a little madcap with Slane Irish Whiskey. (V)
New Permit Room Old-Fashioned
With coconut-washed Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Pedro Ximénez Sherry and Medjool-date liqueur, this newly-fashioned old hat is light, strong and smooth. “High-class Bombay in a glass” – so they say. (V)