Decked out with a vintage Indian train theme, Punjabi Junction is a welcoming and cosy, little café run by the Sikh community. As well as home-style Punjabi cooking, this Leith Walk venture offers outside catering and cookery classes. It is a Social Enterprise Community Café which aims to help women from the capital’s minority ethnicities.
Whether you want a quick chicken curry wrap or multi-course sit down feast, Punjabi Junction has it covered. The all-in-one meal or Punjabi thali is always popular or diners can go a la carte and tuck into samosas, pakora, fenugreek-flavoured methi chicken, parathas stuffed with a spicy potato mix and steamed momo dumplings.
The haggis pakora are always a hit while the lamb kofta curry was given the thumbs up by Madhur Jaffery when the venerable cookbook author filmed a TV show at Punjabi Junction. Naturally, there are rotis, poppadums and cumin-infused rice options to accompany the curries. Diners who like the chutney or pickles served in the restaurant can buy jars to take home.
Punjabi Junction is about two thirds of the way down Leith Walk. There is restricted on-street parking and Waverley train station is a five minute drive. There are several bus routes to and from the city centre on Leith Walk and taxis are plentiful. Local attractions include Pilrig Park.