Kebab Mahal
Quick info
About Kebab Mahal
Kebab Mahal is a kebab shop at 7 Nicolson Square in Edinburgh, serving both sit-down diners and takeaway customers. The kitchen specialises in tandoori and shish kebabs, and the menu also runs to curries such as chicken tikka karahi and lamb pathia, with tandoori rotis on the side. Dishes are sized for sharing, which suits groups ordering several plates for the table. No alcohol is served. The shop opens daily, and the decor is plain.
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fresh naan, chicken tikka curry, samosas and tarka daal.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention fresh naan, chicken tikka curry, samosas and tarka daal.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken tikka curries are the most named draw, appearing as a jalfrezi, a karahi and a milder curry, with a lamb pathia also praised as tender. Close behind are the naan and rotis, described as fresh and hot, along with veg and lamb samosas served with good dipping sauces, parathas, tarka daal and mixed veg curry. Reviewers repeatedly cite large portions and low prices, and a group of vegetarians left happy. The complaints are varied and specific. A few mention slower service when the place is busy, and one says dishes can all arrive at once unless asked otherwise. One diner felt most dishes were reheated rather than freshly prepared, and was told bluntly they had come almost near closing time, with several items unavailable. Another asked for hot but found the curry mild, and a pizza was faulted for too much cheese and little chicken. The sharpest detail comes from a reviewer whose naan, ordered with a chicken tikka karahi, had large black burnt patches and a bitter taste.
Customer Review Summary
Chicken tikka curries are the most named draw, appearing as a jalfrezi, a karahi and a milder curry, with a lamb pathia also praised as tender. Close behind are the naan and rotis, described as fresh and hot, along with veg and lamb samosas served with good dipping sauces, parathas, tarka daal and mixed veg curry. Reviewers repeatedly cite large portions and low prices, and a group of vegetarians left happy. The complaints are varied and specific. A few mention slower service when the place is busy, and one says dishes can all arrive at once unless asked otherwise. One diner felt most dishes were reheated rather than freshly prepared, and was told bluntly they had come almost near closing time, with several items unavailable. Another asked for hot but found the curry mild, and a pizza was faulted for too much cheese and little chicken. The sharpest detail comes from a reviewer whose naan, ordered with a chicken tikka karahi, had large black burnt patches and a bitter taste.
Featured reviews
- Marcus F
“The best. Like a caff but Indian food. Share some plates, order abundantly. Everything’s excellent. The tarka daal and mixed veg curry are both a dream. Cheap too”
- Shivram Balakrishnan
“Unfortunately, the food was quite disappointing. Most of the dishes seemed to have simply been reheated in an oven and served, rather than freshly prepared. The naan was the only item that appeared to be freshly made. What made the experience worse was the service. We arrived around 45 minutes before closing time, yet the waiter told us quite bluntly that we had come “almost near closing time”. We were also told that several items on the menu were unavailable. If the restaurant is open and accepting customers 45 minutes before closing, guests should be made to feel welcome rather than made to feel like an inconvenience. Overall, the food and the attitude of the service left us very disappointed.”
- Robert Dunn
“Always fantastically tasty food, friendly service, large portions and great value for money. Reading some of the 1-star reviews i can't help wondering if some/many come from folk connected to other indian eateries in the capital. I guess we'll never know but it feels suspicious.”
- Malc x
“Absolutely the best curry place in Edinburgh no question , been an institution for 40 years + don’t be put off by the decor and surroundings it’s pretty basic but the food is the prize . Good service too but sometimes everything comes at once unless you tell them. Great choice of all the usuals but chicken tikka jalfrezi & lamb ( so tender) Pathia are excellent 👍 very reasonable prices too . Well worth a visit 🤗”
- Juniper Rose
“Delicious and speedy food in an unassuming kebab restaurant! Just brought back a few friends and they didn’t disappoint. They were hesitant since we’re all vegetarian, but it was honestly so delicious. It’s clear that they invest in their kitchen.. Fresh made food, naan for miles.. Wish I took a photo,, but really.. just go!”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Basic, bustling, budget diner-takeaway with tandoori and shish kebab specialities. No alcohol.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Location
Restaurants near Kebab Mahal
- El Jefe’s4.22850.1 mi
lamb quesadilla, sunday roast, cauliflower tacos
- Fountain Desserts4.62790.1 miWheelchair accessible
crepes, milkshakes, sundaes
- Nile Valley Cafe4.78080.1 miVegan optionsVegetarian optionsGood for kids
falafel wrap, chicken wrap, aubergine
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kebab Mahal | 4.21,510 | — | fresh naan, chicken tikka curry, samosas |
| El Jefe’s | 4.2285 | 0.1 mi | lamb quesadilla, sunday roast, cauliflower tacos |
| Fountain DessertsWheelchair accessible | 4.6279 | 0.1 mi | crepes, milkshakes, sundaes |
| Nile Valley CafeVegan options · Vegetarian options · Good for kids | 4.7808 | 0.1 mi | falafel wrap, chicken wrap, aubergine |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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