We had a nice dinner overall. The food was tasty, but the portions were quite small. We were two people and ended up ordering three portions of rice and four main dishes — it sounds like a lot, but it really wasn’t. The lamb biryani was average, as the lamb was overcooked and a bit tough. On the other hand, the butter chicken was excellent, followed by the chicken masala and the garlic cherry chicken, both of which were very flavorful. The prawn curry, however, was just average. The staff were friendly and welcoming, which we appreciated. However, the cutlery wasn’t very clean, which took away from the overall experience.
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Before you go
- Chef / owner
- Paul Sloan and Mario Gizzi (Hunky Dory Dining Group)
- Opened
- 2016
- Style
- Bombay Irani café–style Indian sharing plates, grills and curries
- Setting
- St Vincent Street townhouse; Irani café–inspired interior (fans, booths, Bollywood-era detail)
- Awards
- Deliveroo Restaurant Awards – Scotland’s Best Indian and Nepalese Restaurant 2024; Deliveroo Restaurant Awards – Best Indian Restaurant in Scotland 2023
- Known for
- Irani café atmosphere, sharing plates, city-centre Indian street food
- Signature dishes
- Thali trays (Sabzi, Murga, Memana), Daal makhani, Grills and Bombay small plates
- Good for
- groups sharing plates, pre-theatre / early evening, casual date night
- Prices
- Weekday lunch thalis about £15–18; grill & curry from £14.95; early evening set from £22.95pp
- Typical spend
- Roughly £25–45pp without much drink; more with cocktails
- Lunch
- Mon–Fri 12–4pm: thali trays or grill & curry sets
- Reservations
- Walk-ins often fine
- Booking
- Online booking via ResDiary; busy evenings fill up — book ahead or try West End / Edinburgh sites
- Book online
- Open booking page
- Dietary tags
- vegetarian options, vegan options, gluten-free options
- Dietary
- Vegetarian and vegan dishes available; vegan range is limited. Ask staff for the allergen guide (including gluten-free).
- Outdoor seating
- Yes — Outdoor tables first come, first served; open until 10pm
- Drinks
- Cocktails, beer, wine, lassi and Irani chai
- Noise / pace
- Often lively and busy, especially evenings; can feel snug
- Getting there
- Buchanan Street Subway about 4 minutes’ walk; also handy for Glasgow Central and Queen Street
- Parking
- City-centre street and multi-storeys nearby (e.g. Buchanan Galleries / NCPs); no on-site car park
- Also by them
- Chaakoo West End (61 Ruthven Lane); Chaakoo Edinburgh (117 Lothian Road); Topolabamba Glasgow (89 St Vincent Street)
- Also
- Open daily for sit-in (Sun–Thu to 10pm; Fri–Sat to 10.30pm per contact page); Takeaway available
Glasgow restaurant
Chaakoo Bombay Cafe
Opening hours
- Monday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Tuesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Thursday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM
Overview
Chaakoo Bombay Café opened on St Vincent Street in 2016, the first Glasgow site from restaurateurs Paul Sloan and Mario Gizzi (Hunky Dory Dining Group, also behind Topolabamba next door). The idea is Bombay’s old Irani cafés: sharing plates, grills, curries and cocktails in a late-Victorian townhouse done up with fans, booths and Bollywood-era detail. The name is Hindi for knife. Weekday lunch runs Monday to Friday, 12–4pm, with thali trays from about £15–18 or a grill-and-curry set from £14.95. An early evening menu (two Bombay plates plus a curry with rice or masala fries, from £22.95) is Mon–Thu 4–6.30pm and Friday 4–6pm. Sit-in hours are roughly noon to 10pm Sunday–Thursday and until 10.30pm Friday–Saturday; outdoor tables are first come, first served until 10pm. In 2024 Deliveroo customers voted Chaakoo Scotland’s Best Indian and Nepalese Restaurant (it also took the title in 2023). Diners often mention the lively room and sharing format; book ahead for busy evenings. Vegetarian and vegan dishes are on the menu, though the vegan range is smaller; ask for the allergen guide. Sister spots sit in Glasgow’s West End (Ruthven Lane) and on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road.
Reviews
I recently visited this restaurant and had a pleasant experience overall. While the portion sizes were on the smaller side, the quality of the food was excellent. Every dish was well-prepared, fresh, and full of flavor. The ambiance was cozy, and the service was courteous and prompt. If you're someone who prioritizes taste over quantity, this place is definitely worth a visit. However, if you're expecting generous portions, you might find it a bit lacking. Still, for the quality of food and the overall experience, I would recommend giving it a try!
Read on Google MapsMy husband and I were extremely surprised of the quality and taste of the food. Not your traditional British Indian, but outstanding quality flavours and presentation. Small plates which meant that you could try samples of more food than you would normally. Would really look forward to coming back to try all the other dishes. Cosy ambience too.
Read on Google MapsBeen to Chaakoo a few times now and the food never disappoints! Every single dish we have tried we have loved. The curries are so authentic and full of rich flavour. Would highly recommend the lamb madras the tender meat in the spicy sauce is a winner. The vegetarian lentil based curries are also top of the list to have, so much flavour packed into the dhal. The pakora still has the Scottish swing to it, crispy and delicious. The interior is very cool to sit and enjoy a meal in and the atmosphere is always great to enjoy with a large group of friends to share curries with!
Read on Google MapsThe atmosphere is bustling street food cafe with quirky signage and a large bar. Food is tapas style so multiple are meant to be ordered but I had 1 dish, 1 naan and 1 rice and was absolutely stuffed and couldn't finish it all. The saag paneer was delicious and the peshwari naan soft, fluffy and sweet. Have been here a few times before and would go again. Staff were super attentive.
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