Celestia - A new Indian Dining Experience
If you're craving bold Indian flavours and a spicy heat haven, Edinburgh’s newest restaurant, Celestia, is the place to be! Bringing a modern twist to traditional Indian cuisine, Celestia blends authentic spices, rich aromas, and fiery flavours to create a sensory dining experience like no other. From perfectly balanced curries to charred tandoori delights, every dish is crafted with depth, warmth, and a touch of heat. As the newest addition to Edinburgh’s food scene, Celestia is already making waves with its innovative menu, luxurious ambiance, and dedication to Indian culinary excellence.
Edinburgh’s culinary scene has received a dazzling new addition with the arrival of Celestia, a restaurant promising to redefine Indian fine dining. As someone who’s passionate about both Indian cuisine and elevated dining experiences, this fusion had me more than a little excited.
Celestia, the latest venture from Mohammed Abbas—who already has the well-loved Cilantro on Leith Walk and Bo’ness Spice in Bo’ness—is bringing a refined take on Indian flavours to the heart of the New Town. If you’ve visited his other spots, you’ll know that he and his team have a deep-rooted understanding of Indian cooking, expertly tailored for the Western palate.
Nestled in the sophisticated New Town neighbourhood, Celestia now stands where the much-loved New Chapter once was, offering a fresh yet familiar space for diners looking for something extraordinary. With Edinburgh’s love affair with Indian food continuing to grow, could this be the next must-visit destination for lovers of bold spices and elegant plating?
UNASSUMING IN THE NEW TOWN
With its dark off-blue façade adorned in elegant gold lettering, Celestia keeps its secrets well. There’s nothing to immediately hint at the Indian fine dining experience waiting inside—it’s deliberately contemporary and understated. The only real clue? Those burnt-orange chandeliers casting a warm, mysterious glow through the windows. It’s a subtle nod to the city’s latest restaurant trend—minimalist exteriors, like Cardinal next door, where names take centre stage over elaborate signage.
A TASTE OF ELEGANCE
Step through the doors, and the drama unfolds. To the right, the bar is encased in a glowing purple box, radiating opulence. To the left, the ceiling mirrors the same bold violet hue, bathing diners in a surreal, atmospheric glow. It’s extravagant, certainly, but it strikes the perfect balance between elevated dining and cultural reflection. A touch flashy, yes, but undeniably fitting for a venue that seeks to celebrate Indian heritage through a refined lens.
Mohammed pops by our table mid-meal, a kind of host who genuinely wants to know how you’re finding things—not just the food, but the whole experience. We get chatting, and it’s clear this isn’t just another restaurant for him. Celestia is a passion project, a carefully curated offering that aims to position Indian cuisine within the fine dining landscape of Edinburgh.
We know how most Indian restaurants in the city lean towards the traditional, comforting, familiar, and absolutely essential in their own right. He tells us that Celestia is something else entirely. Here, it’s about precision plating and exceptional service. The pricing reflects this ambition with starters around the £9-£15 mark and mains on average around £22.
THE MENU - A JOURNEY THROUGH FLAVOUR AND CREATIVITY
If you’re someone who tends to tread cautiously around the spice rack, consider this your friendly forewarning—Celestia doesn’t shy away from heat. The menu comes sprinkled with little chilli symbols, a clear hint that the chefs here are embracing bold flavours with gusto.
There are a couple of gentler options tucked in there for the spice-sensitive—think Chicken Korma, creamy and comforting with zero chilli, or the rich and buttery Paneer Makhani. But beyond that? It’s a playground for lovers of that fiery kick. Even dishes that don’t scream “spicy” on paper tend to arrive with a confident nudge of heat.
It’s refreshingly unapologetic in that sense. This isn’t an Indian menu reined in to play it safe—it’s spirited, it’s authentic, and it invites you to lean in and embrace the warmth.
We kicked things off with the Kerala Chilli Garlic Prawns—a dish that sounded deceptively tame with its single chilli rating, but don’t be fooled. These beauties came rubbed in freshly ground spices, packed with roasted garlic and a tang of malt vinegar, bringing a full-on flavour punch straight out the gate. There’s a mouthfeel of Szechuan pepper there too, a numbing tingle!
The prawns were plump, juicy, and perfectly cooked, absolutely no complaints there. But the heat? Let’s just say it leaned far closer to “firecracker” than “gentle warmth.” For someone like me who’s not usually phased by a one-chilli warning, it came as a bit of a surprise—fiery from first bite to finish. Spice lovers will be in heaven, but if you're a little more cautious like I am, maybe have a cooling lassi at the ready.
Next up was the Joshilla Murg Tikka—touted as a one-chilli dish, and thankfully, it was a much calmer ride on the spice scale compared to the fiery prawns. The boneless chicken chunks were just the way I like them: succulent, tender, and infused with those deep aromatic Indian spices that linger pleasantly on the palate without blowing your head off.
SIGNATURE DISHES
For mains, we shared two dishes.
The Celestia Special Lamb Biryani arrived in a beautiful lid-topped bowl, and the moment it was opened, a wave of aromatic steam hit the table, promising something good. Inside, generous chunks of tender lamb nestled into perfectly spiced rice, every bite warm and comforting. Despite the heat levels being on the gentler side, it didn’t skimp on flavour—deep, fragrant, and completely satisfying. A great shout for those who want to sidestep the spice but still get that classic biryani richness.
Then came the Lamb Karahi—bubbling in a rich, tomato-based sauce, loaded with caramelised onions, bell peppers, ginger, and chilli. This one definitely upped the spice game, with the kind of slow-building heat that wraps around your taste buds and demands your attention.
And of course, we mopped up every last bit with a Peshwari naan.
To round things off, we cooled the spice with a couple of scoops of pistachio kulfi. Sadly, the panna cotta didn’t quite live up to the same standard. Over-set and underwhelming, it lacked the silky texture and punch of flavour you’d expect.
As for service, the team were warm, attentive, and full of genuine charm.
All in all, Celestia delivered a truly enjoyable dinner, with vibrant flavours and dishes that showcase a clear passion for Indian cuisine. But for me, fine dining is all about great food—it’s the whole experience. It’s that seamless blend of flawless service, immersive atmosphere, and a touch of theatrical flair that leaves a lasting impression long after the plates have been cleared and Celestia certainly do that!
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT CELESTIA
They are open 7 days a week
They serve vegetarian options
They are not dog friendly
They are disabled accessible but there is one step up from the street into the restaurant and w/c’s are on the same level
They have a PDR downstairs
Celestia, 18 Eyre Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5EP www.celestiarestaurant.co.uk
My Spoon Award : Gold Spoon 9/10
I was invited by Celestia to review their menu. Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk
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