This week we visited Edinburgh's new award-winning restaurant which is located in front of the Castle in the heart of town.
Nestled on Lady Lawson Street, Shinwari opened in February last year and I can't believe it took me a whole year to go and visit, as it has been on my list of places to try since it opened up.
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In December 2022, the owners celebrated winning New Business of the Year at the Scottish Asian Business Awards.
The Pakistan and Afghanistan-inspired Edinburgh restaurant opened just in time for Ramadan and does delicious unique dishes as well as lunch deals and buffets that are incredible value.
Among the options advertised as starters are: fruit chaat, vegetarian and meat samosas, vegetarian pakora, potato fritters, chicken and lamb kobeda kebab, steam chicken leg and chicken wings amongst many others that vary from day to day.
Whereas for the mains there are options of: Lamb shinwari karahi, chicken charsi karahi, kadhi pakora, daal tarka, channa masala, chicken biryani and naan amongst many other options
For starters, we had classic poppodoms with the classic dips which were scrumptuous and perfect to keep us going while waiting for the pakora.
Chicken pakora is a starter I get at most Asian restaurants as it's a good marker for quality to see how each place does it.
Most are pretty similar and usually pretty standard but the chicken pakora we tried at Shinwari was the freshest and one of the most amazing pakoras I have ever tried and that's out of the dozens of restaurants I have visited in my 25 years.
We got one to share but I could have scoffed a full portion to myself, they were smaller than most I have had in the past with a light but crunchy coating served with a fresh salad.
For mains, I went for the mixed grill which was HUGE and really good value. It had lamb chops, Seekh kebabs, chicken tikka pieces, chicken wings and unique Lamb Koobideh which I had never tried before - all for £23.
I'm a creature of habit and usually always have the same or very similar dishes every time I visit a restaurant and for Asian restaurants, if I am not having a curry I go for chargrilled lamb chops or a whole mixed grill.
Shinwari are quite well known for their grilled dishes so we both opted for one, mine was spectacular with the chicken cooked beautifully and the flavours really tasty.
The lamb chops - which were my favourite - were also cooked to perfection and the portion was a great size with around four lamb chops in the mixed grill. The variety of meat was fantastic and it was also served with rice or a naan.
Although I knew I wouldn’t manage anything on the side, I had to try the garlic and chilli nan, which were flavoursome but definitely too dry to have with my mixed grill. I look forward to returning and mopping up a curry with it.
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My mum went for the Lahori Masala Fish which was one of the best value things on the menu and outstanding. A whole butterflied seabass with a nan or rice for just £13.
I think you would struggle to find a seabass for that price in any Edinburgh restaurant. I of course had to try some, and it was amazingly delicate flaky fish cooked to perfection and gently marinated in a sublime combination of spices.
As usual, we were too stuffed for dessert but went with a drink to settle our food. We got a sweet mango lassi and a traditional tea which was very strong but did the trick.
Shinwari does not serve alcohol but a range of soft drinks are available. You can check out the full menu and more information here but whether its for a quick midweek lunch or a family dinner Shinwari is definitely one to visit which will no doubt become a favourite.
If you know a unique independent restaurant with something great to offer let me know in the comments or drop me an email at iona.young@reachplc.com
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