A budget-friendly South Indian spot with genuinely strong dosa and Kerala-style dishes, but the experience can be uneven thanks to long waits, rigid service, and occasional portion/value complaints.
Nilgiri Spice delivers strong food quality with signature dosa, biryani, and fish curry earning consistent praise, but inconsistent execution around salt levels, temperature, and portions prevents a higher grade. Service splits between attentive and rushed, while the simple, slightly worn dining room lacks the polish or destination appeal needed to elevate the experience further.
Nilgiri Spice feels like one of those Edinburgh places people remember for the food and argue about for the service. The best reviews describe a warm, aromatic room with friendly staff, quiet music, and dishes that arrive hot and fragrant; the worst ones talk about long waits, rigid table handling, and a room that looks its age. In other words: the cooking clearly has fans, but the experience can wobble depending on the night. Culinarily, this is a South Indian and Kerala-leaning restaurant rather than a generic curry house. Dosas, idli, biryani, fish curries, and Kerala specials come up again and again, and when the kitchen is on form, diners call the flavors vivid and comforting. It is not a polished, high-concept place; it is more of a no-frills, regional specialist with a few dishes that really punch above the price point. Expect a menu that rewards people who like spice, fermented batters, chutneys, and home-style Indian flavors rather than conservative British-Indian defaults. For families, it can work, but only if your kids are open to South Indian food. The menu has familiar-ish anchors like chicken biryani, chicken curry, paratha, chapati, and plain dosa, so there are options beyond the adventurous stuff. But this is not a nuggets-and-chips safety net, and several reviews warn that portions can be modest while service may be slow. If your children eat dosa, rice, or mild curry, you’ll probably be fine; if they only eat ultra-basic kid food, this is a tougher sell.
Area vibe: Georgian commercial and residential district with shopping, offices and dining.
Safety: Generally safe with good lighting and evening footfall near main streets; quieter side streets are calmer at night.
What's nearby: Close to Broughton Street shops, Stockbridge, bus routes, and a short walk to Princes Street and the West End theatres.