Gautam's

Family-run neighbourhood venue that isn't afraid to experiment with its Indian and Nepalese offerings.

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Despite having only opened its doors four months ago, Gautam’s has already become a fixture in its Meadowbank neighbourhood. Weekends find the place packed with locals enjoying generous plates of Indian and Nepalese fare, which feels particularly appropriate given that Gautam’s is a family affair: a pair of brothers cook up a storm in the kitchen, while their children run the front of house. A clear pride in the details – as displayed in the real flowers on every table and the Nepalese paintings on the walls – extends from the décor to the food itself, from the Scottish-sourced meats to their innovative touches on traditional cuisine. The handmade samosas are a real revelation, full of flavour and served with a side of chickpeas for that extra savoury bite. The chicken of the gau’ ko kukhuro falls off the bone and into a spiced tomato sauce that is surprisingly subtle in flavour, while raja’s nihari gohst boasts a similarly tender and delicately-flavoured lamb swimming in an aromatic gravy. Such a strong start can only augur great things for Gautam’s future.