The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café

The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café

Edinburgh Central Mosque, 50 Potterrow, Edinburgh, EH8 9BT

Telephone 0131 662 9111
Average price £7 (lunch); £7 (evening meal)

The Mosque Kitchen -- New Premises as of Summer 2011

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Eating & Drinking Guide

The 2013 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2013) edition.

Debates over its actual ‘Originality’ still rage, with the (unconnected) Mosque Kitchen over the road claiming copyright, but the Original Mosque Kitchen remains a popular spot, still resolutely lo-fi, ladling curries from school dinner drums on to paper plates. Seating is either in the low-ceilinged servery itself, or on some decking under a tarpaulin outside. That it remains a popular spot, whatever the weather, is down to two things. Firstly, it’s very, very cheap and the servings are plentiful. Secondly, and more importantly, despite the old-school stylings, the food is wholesome and satisfying in a way that puts many ostensibly finer Indian restaurants to shame. The chicken samosas are light and crisp and the lentil dhal is a vibrant turmeric yellow, smooth and buttery, its richness offset with a deep and subtly warming spiciness. By contrast the sag aloo is a more fiery affair, the soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture belying a sharply spiced burst of flavour. Your choice may be from a limited menu, but it comes served with plentiful pilau rice or a naan bread.

High point: A meal for two won’t set you back more than £10
Low point: Don’t mention 'The Mosque Kitchen'

Provides: Children's portions, Wheelchair access, Outdoor tables
Capacity: 50
Open since: 2003

Reviews & features

Neighbourhood watch: Newington, Edinburgh

27 May 2011

A guide to the ares of the Scottish capital dominated by Edinburgh University

What’s it like? Okay, we’ll get the inevitable out of the way first. There are a lot of students living in Newington. And while we know some of our readers aren’t that keen on students, their presence does imbue the area with a certain bounce and life…

Comments & ratings

18. Random Dude Edinburgh – 8 Mar 2012, 9:37pm Report: Paper plates and pink chicken - what more can you ask for?

17. Random Dude Edinburgh – 8 Mar 2012, 8:59pm Report: I just got food poisoning from the chicken curry - so y'know, don't eat here unless you want to see your meal twice.

16. GROZETI – 28 Apr 2011, 3:57pm Report: Today husband and I went to this place. I was first to order and had money in my hand . Ordered and gave ten pounds to cashier - cashier then waited for me to pick up one curry and then told me I had given a fiver. He had palmed the money. Honestly breathtaking theft because he thought I was on my own. The he saw husband and eventhough he said I had given him a fiver " his words was I could take the food and drink". He is aiming at single females so I am warning all review sites if you are single and go in here to pay in coins as he is using the crowds as an excuse to steal. Total bad experience - could not care less about the food - we were out of pocket

15. charmoni – 27 Jul 2010, 4:45pm The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café Report

To #9: your claims ARE unfounded as #10 says so - you have not even been to the place so how do you know its unhygenic?!@%!!- and for your information they do hold a hygene certification as all restaurants and eateries in Scotland must before they can sell any food- yes some do slip under the radar but once found are fined and given oportunity to upgrade or are shut down...

ps as for hygene factor in tesco's -take a look at this article may change your view- may not want to spend you little extra money there!!

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/news/1420788.sickening_truth_of_food_sales_at_tesco/

point being : #9 atleast visit the place before you make false accustaions and uninformed -mornoic - statements!- your argument has nothing to do with a free world!

14. M – 17 Jun 2010, 10:45am The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café Report

This is excellent 'home cooked' indian food which delivers plenty of flavour and is excellent value for money. It's a canteen and the basic surroundings may not suit everybody, but I like the set up.

I've always found everyone there to be freindly and helpful.

#7. I think you'll find that there are plenty of 'Scottish Islamic guys' working there; perhaps even the majority.

13. Pinkdawnus – 22 Feb 2010, 2:15pm Report

The Mosque Kitchen has just been shortlisted for best Indian Restaurant at the Scottish Restaurant awards. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/8528282.stm

So perhaps it is 'THE BEST CURRY IN TOWN' !

12. Vile – 9 Jan 2010, 5:09pm Report

Writing that the Mosque Kitchen has no hygiene policy is libellous. Writing it after stating you have never been there is moronic.

Bringing democracy into it is just bizarre.

I'd guess #2 and #4 also made unfounded claims.

11. simontata – 27 Dec 2009, 9:40pm Report: #10 Having just had a great meal at Kebab Mahal,i think that there are much better places in Edinburgh to spend my money on a curry.Definitly not "THE BEST CURRY IN TOWN" as the board says outside the mosque.As to your veiw of me(ie MORON!) you have your opinion i have mine, remember we are living in a democracy! I somehow think my review will have the same fate as #2 and #4 ,i wonder who they upset to have there reveiw removed?

10. Vile – 26 Dec 2009, 10:43pm Report: #9 You've never been there and yet you're prepared to make a libellous accusation. What a moron!

9. simontata – 26 Dec 2009, 8:09pm Report: Have never been to the place ,but cannot understand who would want to sit in the cold with the pigeons and try to enjoy a meal thats been cooked in a make- shift kitchen with no Hygiene policy.Better of going to tesco/asda for that little bit extra money.

8. Clark – 2 Aug 2009, 11:40am The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café Report: A fantastic place for a bit of mid afternoon lunch on a budget, always had great food, always leave full and I love taking friends who don't know about it, it's like a wee hidden gem!

7. Tony Dolan – 10 Jun 2009, 2:11pm Report: Love the food here and been coming here since it opened although I have to say have been gettinh harassed by the Scottish islamic guy thats works there, I will give an alround view from the food to the table and if the mosque want to keep their clientel, they should get this guy working somewhere else in the mosque because he is down right rude to all the customers.

6. scotsmale – 2 Jun 2009, 5:25pm The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café Report: Best curry i've ever had & will deffy be going back.

5. Barta303 – 4 May 2009, 1:48am Report: Been dining here frequently for nearly four years and never once had a bad 'gastro' experience... or a bad curry for that matter. I also ate here with friends on 3rd with no ill effect. I find 'TomToms' account surprising as the catering is canteen style and therefore any 'nastiness' would have probably been widespread... are you sure you washed your hands before dinner boys? Or did the curry taste so good, you couldn't resist licking the table... admitedly that wouldn't be the best idea.

4. comment removed: This comment has been removed by a moderator.

3. EdinburghLady – 28 Jan 2009, 1:23pm The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café Report

If you're expecting 5 star dining then you will be disappointed.

If you're looking for good, hearty Indian food then you're in for a treat.

The Mosque Kitchen provides great, fast, slow-cooked food and an unbeatable price. It's tasty and filling and leaves you feeling comfortably stuffed for less than a fiver.

2. comment removed: This comment has been removed by a moderator.

1. Stewart Craigie – 13 Jul 2008, 8:38pm Report: Best curry in Edinburgh

Average rating 4.5/5 from 5 reviews of The Original Mosque Kitchen and Café.

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