Review: Why the newly opened Thamel is a must-visit for curry fans in Edinburgh

Girdy & Birdy headed to East London Street to check out the brand new Thamel restaurant, with its cosmopolitan Nepalese kitchen and speakeasy bar. Birdy writes about the experience below.

I was really excited when Girdy suggested we make an “emergency dinner reservation” at the newly-opened (just last week actually) Thamel restaurant. Why?

a) Because it’s from the same people behind Gautam’s, and I was absolutely gutted when I had to bail out on that one, leaving Girdy to dine by himself that night.

b) I’m also really REALLY into curry and trying new spicier things right now. It doesn’t always work in my favour, but it’s fun seeing what I’m able to enjoy that’s not just a korma.

Thamel’s vibe

Thamel’s vibe is deep orange, calming plants, pretty lights and with paintings like the above on the walls. I like it very much, and I instantly felt comfortable when I found my plush comfy seat across from Girdy, who had been waiting patiently (I arrived a little late, for once!).

Luckily, he got my drink order in via the wonders of text message, and I soon had a sparking tropical mojito mocktail in my hand – which was absolutely delicious! More of this type of thing, please. Girdy had a Diet Coke, as is his wont.

And then it was time to look at the menu!

Thamel’s food and drink

I already knew what I was likely going to have, and that was a butter chicken curry with some garlic naan and rice. There were so many other interesting-looking things on the menu, though, so I knew I’d have to go back at some point (and probably bring family).

I was hoping my butter chicken would be not too spicy, and pleasant to eat. Reader, I was not prepared for the incredibly delicious dish that came my way, and without a doubt this is the BEST butter chicken of my life by a long shot! Just like my mocktail, it tasted amazing, not too spicy but a clever blend of spice.

The naan bread was the absolutely perfect accompaniment, and the rice was… well, rice. It did the job and I thoroughly enjoyed every bite of my meal. I couldn’t quite eat it all, so Girdy helped.

As for Girdy, as well as helping me not waste any of my incredible butter chicken, he ordered a chicken biryani, that came with the biryani roti crust that all good biryanis should (apparently) come with. It looked very nice, but let’s hear it from him!

Girdy’s verdict: “Most importantly; it was tasty and filling. However, I’m not going to deny it’s also pretty cool getting an unusual dish, and carving through a roti to get to your meal is neat. It all helped make Thamel an experience.”

Thamel’s staff

Thamel’s staff were friendly and welcoming, and we were served promptly without having to wait too long on our food or drinks. Girdy asked one of our servers how business had been since opening last week, and she was very happy to say it was going well, and thanked him for asking.

I’m glad to hear Thamel is off to such a good start, no doubt partly due to the fantastic reputation of Gautam’s. It seems word of mouth is playing a big part in Thalem’s being so busy already, and with the quality of the food and service, I’m sure it’s going to do exceptionally well.

Things to do in the city centre

Thamel is just a short walk away from the Omni Centre, with a Vue Cinema, Boom Battle Bar, and only one Wetherspoons to avoid. The Playhouse is located nearby, and there’s usually something good on.

Keep walking, cross the road and you’ll find St James Quarter, which is home to some fantastic shops, some “So-expensive-that-I’ll-never-shop-there” outlets and the Everyman Cinema. There is also, of course, John Lewis – which was there first.

Onwards and it’s only a few minutes’ walk to Princes Street and all the city centre attractions you’ll find there, including the looming but unmistakable view of the Scott Monument, Edinburgh Castle in the distance, and many shops, cafes, hotels.

The National Galleries and Princes Street Gardens are also worth checking out.

Overall

I’m so happy I made it to Thamel, and big thanks to Girdy for suggesting it! I couldn’t have been happier with my meal, and this may be my new favourite curry place in the ‘Burgh! Surely that’s saying something.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Thamel to anyone looking to try somewhere new, especially if they’re fans of good curry. I’m already thinking of several people I want to introduce to this place!