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Bombay, March 1923

Everyday people all sitting, working and sleeping, cheek by jowl. And amongst them, of course, sits Geddes, a big-hearted Scot of excitable character. Bombay has been his home since 1917. He is meeting his friend Khambatta in a favourite place: Kyani & Co., a so-called ‘Irani’ café opened by some of the Zoroastrian immigrants who had been arriving in Bombay since the turn of the century. On seeing his friend – a jovial Parsi with a remarkable talent for theatre – Geddes reflects for a moment. How welcome and refreshing a space like this would be in Edinburgh…

Welcome to Dishoom Edinburgh

Scottish botanist, sociologist and town planner Patrick Geddes (1854–1932) was invited to Bombay in 1915. While there, he founded the department of Sociology & Civics at Bombay University, and continually sought to better society by improving civic facilities and creating shared environments.

At Dishoom Edinburgh, we pay tribute to Geddes’ big-hearted character, his visionary thinking and his humanist ideals. Open all day, every day, serving Bombay comfort food for breakfast, lunch, dinner and evening tipples. All are welcome.

Food & Drink at Dishoom Edinburgh

Begin your day at Dishoom with breakfast, which might be a Bacon Naan Roll, a Kerjiwal or The Big Bombay. Then, lunch lightly on a Paneer Roll and fancy Salads, or linger with a feast. Refresh your afternoon with a drop of Chai and a small plate or two. Dine early or dine late. Or just join us for a tipple – perhaps the 1948 Sour, shaken with Amrut whisky founded in the year between India’s Independence and Bombay’s Prohibition.

Edinburgh Specials

SALLI BOTI

This is a first-rate Parsi classic, a notable example of which is served in the inimitable Britannia & Co. Tender lamb is braised in a rich and flavoursome gravy then finished with crunchy salli crisp-chips. Served with buttered Roomali Roti.


Horniman’s Old Fashioned

Muddle of best rum, pineapple syrup and bitters, named for the upstanding editor of the Bombay Chronicle, fervent supporter of Indian Independence. The paper had a strong anti-colonial voice and became a mouthpiece for the freedom movement under Horniman.

CHAI
Drink

CHAI
PUNCH

by the Peg

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Reservations at Edinburgh

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Dishoom is mostly a walk-in café. All are welcome, any time, no reservations needed. However, if you'd like to make a reservation, groups of any size may book during the day. After 6pm, we accept bookings for groups of six or more.

A twinkle in Geddes’ eye. How welcome and refreshing a space like this would be back in Edinburgh: a space away from the hubbub of the city – sharing the experience of daily living. Always conscientious in his observations, he climbed out of his chair towards a book exposed on the shelf. One of the many artefacts to nestle inside our café.

Mehru Madon, Pheroze Antia in Mehera ne Khatar

Jerry Kumana, Aban Patel and Ruby Patel as three stewardesses having an affair with the same man in Tirangi Tehmul

Bellin Map of Bombay, 1764

Ruby and Burjor Patel in Kataryu Gap

Dinshah Daji Hilla and Nariman Piroja Bhavan

Dinyar Contractor in Taru Maru Bakalyu

The cast of Lafra Sadan gathered around the bar in a dramatic scene

Bombay via Edinburgh

Planning your visit

Edinburgh
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Dishoom Edinburgh

3a St Andrew Square

Edinburgh

EH2 2BD

“By living we learn”, he would say to his students from the University of Bombay. And so he would walk, observe, ask, listen – a cheerful nomadic flâneur buoyed by curiosity.

Fellow guest-walla

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