Kalpna

Kalpna
2-3 St Patrick Square
Edinburgh
EH8 9EZ

+44 (0)131 667 9890
Website

Overall score: ★★★★★

Kalpna has long been one of my favourite places to eat in the city. This vegetarian institution has been on the go for over three decades and has a well-deserved legendary reputation with the veggie community in Edinburgh. Speaking as a relatively new member of said community, I am proud to say that even before my vegan days, I absolutely loved this place.

Vegan food available at Kalpna

Kalpna is an Indian vegetarian restaurant, so absolutely everything on the menu is meat-free. A lot of the South Indian Cuisine is vegan (as always, double-check before ordering), but for me, the vegan thali is an absolute must. This beautiful Indian platter comes in two sizes: the regular (which is big); or the “raj bhog” (which is absolutely monstrous).

I always go for the vegan thali raj bhog, of course. This dish currently costs just over £17, but believe me – it is very good value for money! At the time of writing, here’s what you can expect in return for your dosh:

• Pakora
• Pakora dip
• Salad
• Tomato and chickpea dip
• Poppadom
• Bread
• Rice
• Mushroom and sweetcorn
• Tarka dahl
• Aloo gobi
• Vegetable korma
• Mixed veg
• … and semolina pudding

So what does a big dish with all those things look like, I hear you ask? Well:

I love the thali here because 1) it looks absolutely gorgeous but 2) it changes up from time to time so you never get the exact same meal twice. For me, the mushroom based curry is always my favourite, but I also have a lot of time for the comforting taste of the tarka dahl. With a starter, main and dessert all on one plate, you don’t need to order anything else, and you’ll find yourself satisfyingly stuffed for the rest of the evening!

Kalpna is still one of my favourite places restaurants in Edinburgh. If you’re wanting to impress with a show-stopping meal, this is the place to go.

P.S: A good meal deserves good company. Last time I went, I was with my friends from Edinburgh Feasts and A Quirky Lifestyle. While they’re not vegan themselves, their sites are definitely worth checking out. 😉

Choice: ★★★★☆
Menu info: ★★★☆☆
Deliciousness: ★★★★★
Value for money: ★★★★☆