Bombay Bistro

Head down to Bruntsfield and you'll find Bombay Bistro tucked into a corner that's become something of a destination for anyone who actually knows what they're after. The kitchen treats spices with respect rather than theatricality—this is the kind of place where the lunch crowd are mostly regulars who know their dhal from their dopiaza. The room itself is warm and unpretentious, the sort of spot where you can linger over a drink without anyone making you feel rushed, and the ratings speak for themselves. It's the kind of neighbourhood restaurant that makes you realise how tired the city's posher curry houses have become.