Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh is a indian restaurant in Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Rated 4.9 stars from 2972 Google reviews. Known for authentic nepalese cuisine and attentive, knowledgeable service. Best for groups and families with children. Price range: £20–30.
Rankings updated May 2026
Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh
Across 2,884 Google reviews, 98% gave four or five stars.
Quick Verdict
Gurkha delivers authentic Nepalese cuisine with attentive service and complementary touches that justify its 4.9 rating and loyal repeat visits.
You want genuine Nepalese curry and momos with staff who genuinely engage on flavour and ingredients.
About Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh
Gurkha Bar and Restaurant sits in Grassmarket as a casual, cosy neighbourhood anchor for Nepalese and Indian cuisine. The kitchen delivers authentic curries—Nepalese chicken curry, chilli garlic chicken, and king prawn dishes—with consistent depth of flavour and spice balance. Momos (dumplings) are a signature draw, praised across reviews for their execution. Service stands out: staff are described as polite, attentive, and genuinely interested in guiding diners through the menu; the chef regularly visits tables to recommend dishes and adjust spices for dietary needs. Complementary touches—warm napkins, a small cup of milk tea, a chef's greeting appetiser—signal care beyond the plate. The space suits families (including those with young children), groups, and solo diners alike. At £20–30 per head, it punches well above typical high-street Indian pricing. Wheelchair accessible throughout, with vegetarian and vegan options clearly available. Dogs are welcome outside. The bar stocks beer, wine, cocktails, and hard liquor. Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner.
What Stands Out
Authentic Nepalese cuisine
Multiple reviews highlight Nepalese chicken curry, momos, and king prawn dishes as 'some of the best curry I've had' and 'one of the best Nepalese food I ever had', with authentic spice and flavour depth.
Attentive, knowledgeable service
Staff consistently described as 'really kind and attentive', 'extremely attentive', and 'polite'; chef personally recommends dishes, explains flavours and ingredients, and adjusts spices for dietary needs.
Thoughtful hospitality touches
Complementary appetisers, warm napkins, milk tea tastings, and a chef's greeting set this apart; one reviewer noted the chef made a mild dal for a guest with food poisoning.
In Their Own Words
Review highlights surfaced by Google, in the language they were written
“Excellent all round service, food, atmosphere, staff.”
“Great place to eat, cosy and slightly small inside.”
“We enjoyed our dinner as the foods we ordered were amazing and yummy.”Practical Information
Opening Hours
Contact
Common Questions
How consistently good is Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh?
Across 2,884 Google reviews, 98% of visitors gave four or five stars — placing Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh among Grassmarket's most reliably rated indian restaurants.
Do you need to book Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh in advance?
Booking ahead is recommended for dinner — Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh is a popular choice in Grassmarket and tends to fill quickly, particularly at weekends.
Is Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh family friendly?
Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh accommodates families — Google visitors note facilities for children, and the casual atmosphere suits all ages.
Frequently Asked Questions about Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh
Yes. Multiple reviews confirm it's family-friendly and casual; one parent brought a five-year-old and praised the 'casual ambiance appropriate for my exhausted five year old'. Wheelchair accessible seating and restrooms available.
Momos (dumplings), Nepalese chicken curry, chilli garlic chicken, and king prawn dishes are consistently highlighted. The Thali set is also praised as 'one of the best I've had in a long time'.
Yes. It's listed as popular for solo dining, with a casual, cosy atmosphere and friendly staff who make diners feel welcome without pressure.
Dinner reservations are recommended, especially for groups or weekends. The space is 'slightly small inside', so booking ensures a table.
Yes. Vegetarian and vegan options are available on the menu, and staff are happy to adapt dishes to dietary needs.
£20–30 per head, including mains and sides. Complementary appetisers and touches add value.
Also in Grassmarket
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Rankings are recalculated monthly from live Google Business Profile data. Our Hot Score weighs review velocity (new text reviews in 90 days), recency (how fresh), baseline rating, and Google Business Profile completeness. No editorial picks, no paid placements — just what the data says this month.
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