Vibrant Nepalese-Indian spot with standout curries, creative cocktails, and a downstairs speakeasy; excellent food but service consistency, crowding, and auto service charge can frustrate.
Thamel delivers solid neighborhood dining with exceptional food quality—the slow-cooked Nihari lamb shank and Manchurian chicken are consistent standouts—and strong service attentiveness that earns genuine praise. However, inconsistent execution on busy nights and crowding concerns prevent grade A territory, while the mild review authenticity concerns create moderate uncertainty in assessment. The hidden speakeasy and cocktail program add appeal, but the restaurant competes solidly rather than distinctly within Edinburgh's dining landscape.
One caveat: Auto 10% service charge appears on bills; removable but disliked by several diners