Celestia’s new lunch menu brings bold Indian flavour to Edinburgh’s New Town

Sharon Wilson
2 hours ago
2 min read

A window seat with green velvet banquette seating, hanging golden globe lights and a purple lightbox ceilding

Edinburgh’s lunchtime dining scene is famously changeable, but every so often a restaurant introduces something that shifts the midday landscape. Celestia — Mohammed Abbas’s contemporary Indian restaurant on Eyre Place achieves this with the lunchtime menu: bold flavours, refined technique, and exceptional value wrapped into one very generous offering.

Abbas, who also brought the popular Cilantro to Leith Walk, has built a sleek, elegant restaurant befitting of its New Town setting and of its esteemed neighbour Cardinal.

Priced at £15.95 (vegetarian) and £19.95 (non‑vegetarian), the lunch menu includes an appetiser, main, and accompaniment. Dishes span Paneer Tikka, Bhatti Murgh, Chana Masala, Scottish Lamb Curry, and Goan Fish Curry, served with pulao rice or naan. For quicker visits, the Lunch Plate selection offers standalone dishes such as Masala Fish & Chips (£12.95), Jashila Chicken Tikka (£12.95), and Paneer Tikki (£11.95).

Lunch is served daily from 1pm–3pm, and trust me — you won’t be thinking about dinner afterwards.

I visited with my friend Iain, grateful for the extra pair of hands (and appetite). He opened with the Paneer Tikka, a dish I’ve enjoyed before. He noted how the paneer absorbed the spices so completely that every bite felt layered and moreish. My Bhatti Murgh was outstanding: tender chicken pieces cooked in a deeply flavourful spice mix, seasoned with real precision. It was so good I attempted to coax the recipe from our server, but no secrets were shared.

For mains, I chose the Masala Fish ’n’ Chips, where the fries were dusted with spice, while Iain opted for the Scottish Lamb Curry. His dish was exceptional — tender lamb in a light, aromatic gravy that felt almost delicate. Saffron pulao rice and fresh, blistered naan arrived alongside, though by that point we were fit to burst and could only admire the puffy bread with longing.

Celestia’s new lunch menu is a standout addition to Edinburgh’s midday dining options. Generous portions, thoughtful cooking, and excellent value make it an ideal choice for anyone who enjoys a proper lunch.