Overview

A multi-storey, incense-filled, Bombay cafe overlooking St Andrew Square in Edinburgh. The food is superb, the staff (so many of them!) are friendly, and the access is pretty good.

Transport & Parking

The restaurant is close to accessible public transport links, including a nearby Edinburgh Tram stop and various Lothian busses which pass by on Princes Street or near the Square. There is a car park around the other side of the Square.

Access

I would say that Dishoom has thought about access enough to ensure that all visitors can get in and out of the restaurant without a hitch, but it maybe hasn't gone the extra mile. The path outside is massive, smooth and there is level entry into the restaurant. Unfortunately the double front doors are very heavy, but the plus side is a member of staff will always open them for you anyway, because that is part of the Dishoom welcome. The ground floor is actually the kitchen where you can see what's going on, but the passageway into the various levels of the restaurant is very narrow, and all the seats in the 'waiting area' are high stools around the window. The welcome desk is also very high. It isn't possible to make a booking for a table smaller than six on the website, as the restaurant wants to encourage walk ins. Hence the welcome desk, to make sure you are taken to a comfortable seat or are advised on the wait time. Now, the main reason Dishoom loses stars is that the dining and drinking areas are either up a very tall flight of stairs, or down a very tall flight of stairs. There is lift access, but it would have been so much better if the kitchen was downstairs and there was the option of dining and drinking on the ground level. Nevertheless, the lift does mean that step-free access is available between the floors. Upstairs, there are lots of tables at a good height with movable furniture should you need more space. Downstairs, it's a lot darker and there are more booths/high tables.

Toilets

The toilets are in the basement, which means that if you are dining on the top floor, you need to take the lift down three flights and then cross the bar area in the basement to reach the toilets. This will require going through several sets of doors, as they chose to cordon off both the lift area and the toilet corridor from the tables and chairs in the 'Permit Room' (drinking area downstairs). However, if you are already drinking downstairs, the toilets are nearby. I didn't use the toilets on this visit so can't comment on them.

Staff

I was taken aback by the number of waiting and welcome staff at Dishoom. Most of them offer a very warm welcome from start to finish.

Anything else you wish to tell us?

The food is exceptional, I highly recommend the Pau Bhaji!

Photos