Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh is a indian restaurant in Grassmarket, Edinburgh. Rated 4.9 stars from 2674 Google reviews. Known for authentic nepalese cooking that repeats and service that goes past the script. Best for group dinner and family meal. Ranked #2 of 15 in Grassmarket. Price range: £20–30.
Rankings updated April 2026
Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh
🥈Zone Ranking
Top 2 in Grassmarket
in Grassmarket
Holding steady
Quick Verdict
A Nepalese restaurant that's built loyalty through genuine cooking and attentive service. Locals return because the food tastes real and the staff treat you like you matter.
You want Nepalese food that tastes like it's cooked with intention, and you're willing to call ahead for dinner (reservations recommended, no online booking).
About Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh
Gurkha Bar and Restaurant sits in Grassmarket serving Nepalese cuisine to a steady stream of repeat visitors. It's a casual, cosy space—family-friendly, LGBTQ+ safe, dogs welcome outside—where the chef greets tables with a small taste, warm napkins, and finishes with milk tea. The kitchen sticks to Nepalese flavours: chicken momos arrive perfect, the Nepalese chicken curry lands consistently, and dishes like chicken raski and fish starters draw repeated praise. Staff know the menu and the stories behind it (one reviewer had a conversation about Nepal itself). Prices run £20–30. The reviews are strikingly consistent: people come once, come back, and recommend it. No reservations online, but dinner reservations are a good idea. Takeaway and delivery also available.
What Stands Out
Authentic Nepalese cooking that repeats
Reviewers came twice specifically because 'the food was so excellent.' The Nepalese chicken curry, chicken raski, and momos are named repeatedly. One diner called it 'one of the best Nepalese food I have ever had.' Another noted 'the flavours were authentic, rich, and very generous in portion.'
Service that goes past the script
The chef comes to the table to recommend dishes and explain flavours. Staff are described as 'really kind and attentive,' 'extremely attentive,' 'very warm and genuine.' The complementary appetiser, warm napkins, and finishing milk tea are mentioned as touches that 'don't feel gimmicky but more like a well crafted experience.'
Casual space that works for groups and families
Reviews mention groups of four, families with five-year-olds, and solo diners all finding it welcoming. The atmosphere is described as 'casual' and 'cosy,' with music at 'the right volume.' Google attributes list it as family-friendly, LGBTQ+ friendly, and good for groups.
What Customers Say
Had a dinner 4 of us at gorkha kitchen suren dai give us excellent service we love it xxxx Always recommend.
There’s a chefs greeting in form of a small taste, warm napkins to clean your hands, and a small tea at the end.
We came to this restaurant twice because the food was so excellent.
Real quotes from Google Reviews
Practical Information
Contact
Frequently Asked Questions about Gurkha Bar and Restaurant Edinburgh
Dinner reservations are recommended. There's no online booking, so call the restaurant directly. Lunch is typically easier for walk-ins.
The Nepalese chicken curry and chicken momos appear in multiple reviews as standouts. The chicken raski, fish starter, and Thali set also draw consistent praise. Ask the staff—the chef comes to tables to recommend dishes and explain the flavours.
£20–30 per person. Reviewers consistently say it's worth the money. The meal includes a chef's greeting (small taste), warm napkins, and a finishing milk tea.
Yes. One reviewer brought a five-year-old and found the casual atmosphere 'appropriate for my exhausted' child. Dogs are allowed outside. The space is wheelchair-accessible with accessible seating.
Yes. The restaurant offers delivery, takeaway, and no-contact delivery as well as dine-in service.
Also in Grassmarket
View all11 venues changed rank in Grassmarket this week → See full zone ranking
How We Rank Venues
Rankings are recalculated weekly 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 week.
How our weekly rankings work