A lively South Indian spot with genuinely strong dosa, idli, and curry fans, but pricing, portions, and service consistency can be a real swing factor.
Tanjore delivers genuinely tasty food with dosas, idlis, and curries that earn consistent praise, anchored by strong food quality that forms its foundation. Service and consistency remain dependable but uneven during peak times, while the pleasant Edinburgh location and functional setting lack the distinctive appeal needed to elevate the experience further. Mixed feedback on portions and value prevents a stronger showing.
Tanjore comes across as a proper South Indian specialist rather than a generic curry house: lots of dosa, idli, parotta, Chettinad and biryani talk, plus a steady stream of diners saying the food tastes the way they hoped it would. The best reviews are genuinely enthusiastic—words like “fresh,” “crisp,” and “authentic” show up a lot—and there’s clear affection for the owner/house style hospitality. On the other hand, a meaningful minority of diners complain about slow service, cramped seating, and bills that feel steeper than the portions suggest. The cooking leans traditional and comfort-first rather than inventive: this is about regional South Indian staples done with enough care to keep fans coming back, not chef-y reinvention. The menu backs that up with a wide dosa section, idli/vadai, uthappam, biryani, curries, and plenty of vegetarian and vegan choices. If you want vivid spice, fermented batter, flaky breads, and a strong vegetarian backbone, this is squarely in its lane. If you want mild, familiar, or budget-friendly Indian food, the price-to-plate ratio may not always land well. Families can do well here because the menu has proper kid-sized choices like Kids’ Dosai, Kids’ Idli, and Banana and Honey Parotta, plus plenty of mild or familiar items such as plain dosai, idli, rice, and coconut chutney. That said, this is still a South Indian restaurant first, so picky eaters may prefer the simpler dishes rather than the spicier curries or chilli-loaded parottas. Reviewers also mention that big dosai and sharing plates work well for groups, which makes it a decent family stop if you order with the kids’ tastes in mind.
Area vibe: Historic, tourist-heavy area with winding streets, landmarks, and lively dining options.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit with steady foot traffic in evenings though pockets can be quieter late at night.
What's nearby: Near the University of Edinburgh campus, Holyrood Park, the Canongate and multiple cafes, pubs and student-focused eateries.