Dishoom Edinburgh

Dishoom Edinburgh is the Scottish outpost of a group of restaurants inspired by the old Irani cafés of Bombay, the all-day cafés that once mixed people from all walks of life over chai and simple food. Each Dishoom has its own story; the Edinburgh café pays tribute to Patrick Geddes, the Scottish town planner who worked in Bombay. It occupies a site on St Andrew Square in the New Town.

The menu covers the whole day. Breakfast is a big draw, especially the bacon naan roll, which many regulars consider the reason to come. Later in the day the menu moves on to lunch and dinner dishes, with the house black daal as one of the signature dishes. The Edinburgh café also serves the Salli Boti, billed as an Edinburgh special, alongside a drinks list.

Opening hours are long: from 8am to 11pm Monday to Wednesday and on Sundays, and from 8am to midnight Thursday to Saturday. Dishoom keeps most tables for walk-ins, which means queues can form at peak times, particularly at weekend brunch and dinner. During the day you can book for any group size, but after 6pm bookings are taken only for groups of six or more. Groups of up to 20 can book online up to four months ahead. Arriving early for breakfast or in the mid-afternoon is the easiest way to avoid a wait.

Dishoom suits almost everyone: families, groups of friends, solo travellers and anyone wanting good-value, flavourful food in a lively setting. It is a reliable choice for a hearty breakfast before a day of sightseeing or a late meal after the theatre.

St Andrew Square is at the eastern end of George Street, a few minutes' walk from Waverley station, Princes Street and the St James Quarter, and trams stop at the square. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is a short walk north, Calton Hill is around ten minutes east, and the bars of George Street and Rose Street are close by for drinks afterwards. If there is a queue, St Andrew Square's gardens are a pleasant place to wait. Larger parties planning an evening visit should book ahead, as evening bookings are only accepted for groups of six or more.