Chaakoo Bombay Cafe, a popular Glasgow restaurant, is set to open its first Edinburgh branch next month. The cafe will be located on Lothian Road. They will serve a tapas-style small plates menu inspired by Mumbai and Iranian cuisine.
Iain Gallie, the operations manager, said, “We are excited to bring the Chaakoo experience to Edinburgh. Authenticity is always at the heart of what we do. From the buzz of our cafes to the flavour of our dishes, they’re as close as possible to the original Bombay Cafés that Chaakoo is inspired by.”
“We’re excited to be bringing another restaurant to the scene on Lothian Road. Our sister venue, Topolabamba, was one of the first to kickstart the buzzing foodie scene here. The area has become a hotspot of brilliant bars and restaurants, and Chaakoo will bring another great choice to the table,” he commented.
The first Chaakoo Bombay Cafe opened its doors at Glasgow’s St Vincent Street in 2016. The eatery, in fact, aims to “transport diners back to the original bustling Irani cafes, set up by Iranian and Persian immigrants who travelled to India in the 19th century”.
The Experience
Chaakoo Bombay Cafes are especially famed for their Irani chai tea. They are a melting pot menu of classic Iranian grill dishes and classic dishes of the city of Mumbai. So, the diners at Edinburgh can expect classic Indian and Persian dishes, like savoury curries, kebabs, samosas, and pakoras. Chaakoo also has an extensive drinks list. This includes inventive cocktails, and also exotic non-alcoholic drinks like lassis, milkshakes, iced tea, and mocktails.
Rohit Benjwal, Chaakoo head chef, said: “We take pride in the fact everything is freshly made, and it’s as close to authentic as you’ll get. It’s a unique experience. Every curry is freshly made in batches from scratch – it’s as close to authentic as you’re going to get. Our chef Mani has worked all over the world and he draws flavour inspiration from his travels that customers experience in our dishes.”
Chaakoo Bombay Cafe will open in Edinburgh on 12 June.