Shish Mahal

The Shish Mahal is one of Musselburgh's oldest and most successful family owned restaurants. Not only that; the Shish Mahal was one of the first, if not the first, Fully Licensed Indian Restaurant throughout Edinburgh and the Lothian's to open and certainly the longest serving Fully Licensed Indian Restaurant open today. As East Lothian's most visi... ted Indian restaurant, the Shish Mahal has gained a reputation for it's authentic yet creative cuisine. Established by the Khan Family in 1979, much of the Shish Mahal's achievements are to the credit of Idris Khan, who has been the driving force behind the popularity of the Shish Mahal for over 30 years. When the Shish Mahal Indian restaurant first opened its doors in 1979, the public perception of Indian food was that the girls ate Korma and the boys wolfed down a Madras - accompanied by copious quantities of lager. Some brave hearts even took on the dreaded Vindaloo, much to the amusement of waiters all over the country. Throughout the 1980's and 90's, however, a revolution occurred. Through the gentle introduction of more and more authentic dishes from the subcontinent, more discerning palates have developed. Our menu is balanced between the need to maintain genuine all time favourites and urge to explore new styles of cuisine. At the Shish Mahal we are proud to present the best of both worlds. Indian and Pakistani cooking is an art, derived over the centuries from a variety of sources. Factors such as Religion, health, customs and even climatic conditions have played their part. Mealtimes in an Indian or Pakistani household are like ceremonial occasions. The food is a gift from the Deity and should be prepared with due respect. Spices have medicinal and antiseptic properties. The spices are full of iron and Tandoori dishes are ideal for those among us who are perhaps a little more diet conscious. Much thought has been given in designing this Restaurant to ensure that the classic theme of the food is enhanced by a suitably authentic atmosphere. We also have ...Read More