For a short while, Sabzi was the best secret in Edinburgh.
I noticed it first because, unlike many other eateries that have come and gone or come and stagnated into Ferry Road, Sabzi put some seats outside, some plants and some colour.
I remember thinking, “Oh, are they new? I should support local. I should check them out.”
A few weeks later, I did. I wish now that I had done it earlier, but at the time, it felt like a gamble, and I wasn’t sure it was paying off.
I was at an old wooden table with no one else in the room and tucked into a corner. Posters covered the wall, cutlery came from a metal tub, and paper plates were delivered.
I couldn’t even get a mobile signal. Nightmare.
Then the food arrived. It was an easy choice since the menu, which changes weekly, was so simple.
Food
AMAZING!
Yes, it comes with paper plates, but it arrives in metal dishes. It’s so fresh, so tasteful, clean and energic.
I’ve mentioned paper plates twice now as if they’re a terrible thing. They’re not. I love street food and dislike posh restaurants. It’s just rare to get street food on plates at all.
Sabzi is, in one way, street food excellence that just happens to have found a corner building which is open Friday to Sunday. Ah, now they’re kinda open on Thursday, too; you can book for takeaway.
I’d say Sabzi serves up mouthwatering food. It does so at low cost and low drama. Food that tastes as it could come from a high-end restaurant that has critics praising it for authenticity. I love it!
There’s generally one meat option, and the rest is veggie. I think that’s poetic; rather than a token veggie option, there’s a nod to meat-eaters.
Oh! I tested the takeaway too… pleased to say it’s just as delicious and got all the way back to deepest Granton and was still warm.
Atmosphere
If you manage to get to Sabzi when it’s not busy, as I’ll try again tomorrow, then you’ll still like the atmosphere. It’s a place waiting to fill up, and the staff are friendly. Generally, there’s one hard-working and clever front-of-house guy (who is also responsible for all those great Instagram food shots).
It’s clean, and with those posters and wooden tables, it feels like the street food it reminds me of.
Now, the word is out. I’ve rarely seen Sabzi quiet in recent weeks. With excellent photography, their social media accounts alert customers that certain items sold out within minutes.
The eatery feels like a family, always a friendly vibe and banter. People who eat here support local, did so early, and/or tapped into the food scene.
Value for Money
Hard to do better!
Portions are good and the prices fair. I’ve described the basic set-up of the restaurant, you don’t pay for any drama and that’s perfect for me.
Overall
Just to be clear; Sabzi gets two happy thumbs up.
I prefer it a bit quieter, I go here for an early lunch to avoid the crowds, but I’d happily arrange to meet a group of friends for dinner here too.
I just hope that Sabzi remains this good. Surely there’s a risk of too much success, too much growth and attention and the problems that come with that? For now, though, Sabzi is always a restaurant I consider when Friday rocks up, and I think I might be able to afford a meal out.