FOOD : Pakora Bar, Holyrood, Edinburgh
Pakoras. A beloved staple of Indian cuisine, recognised worldwide for their irresistible flavour and satisfying crunch. Mention Pakora in Edinburgh and we automatically add on the word ‘bar’. The Pakora Bar is an Edinburgh institution, having started off in a wee shop on Hanover street with a bright green exterior that caused quite a kerfuffle! Since then, a move to Canongate on the Royal Mile was good for business but it never felt like that was the forever space. However their latest move to a large indoor and outdoor space on Holyrood Road now feels like home.
REVIEW OF PAKORA BAR IN THEIR NEW HOME ON HOLYROOD ROAD, EDINBURGH
Firstly, I adore this space, with an upstairs mezzanine, and Instagrammable ‘garden’ spots, overlooking the downstairs area. The decor is bright, vivid and happy. There’s no way your gonna get any dour vibes in here!
The outside area buzzes during the Summer and actually a pretty decent spot for Winter too. It’s covered, fairly sheltered and the spicy curries and crunchy pakoras will keep you warm.
Secondly, I have to applaud the Pakora Bar for making an absolute belter of a beer. Not only does this Chakke de Phatte beer pack a fruity mango and pineapple aroma, the taste of the tropics lingers right to the very last sip! Superb beer!
Their menu is filled with substantial Punjabi street food delights. Obviously the Pakoras take centre stage but we ate like Kings and Queens trying numerous other dishes too.
Aloo Tiki Chaat (£7). A potato patty with a chickpea curry, chutney and spices
Golgappa - Puni Puri (£5). These are the perfect vessel for every bite
Punjabi Chicken Curry (£15). Bags of layered flavour here with loads of fresh spices and coriander
Chole Bhatura (12.00). Chickpeas in a tangy spiced gravy served with two bhatura deep fried fluffy bread, crispy and easy to tear providing lots of savouring goodness
Chef’s Choice of Pakoras (£7.50). We tried the haggis, black pudding, cauliflower, chicken. You can choose vegetables or meat or a mix of both
At the Pakora Bar their Punjabi street food is a tantalising explosion of flavours one bite after the other. From the spicy tang of their Punjabi Chicken Curry to the fragrant potatoes and chickpeas. You can almost hear the sizzle of their Lambicious Burgers, the aroma of freshly made rotis and parathas, and the irresistible allure of chaat, a delightful medley of crispy fried dough, tangy chutneys, and cooling yogurt. Punjabi street food is a celebration of vibrant, mouth watering flavours and the Pakora Bar know how to serve that up by the bucketful to everyone in Edinburgh!
Hospitality and service is outstanding and the food is downright delicious!
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT THE PAKORA BAR
Ideal space for large groups, couples or solo dining
Disabled accessible - street level entrance and w/c on the ground floor
Loads of vegetarian dishes to choose from
They do Gluten Free dishes
They are not dog friendly
The Pakora Bar, 111 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh. www.the-pakora-bar.co.uk
My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10
I was invited by Pakora Bar to review their menu.
Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.