Cafe Elam

★★★★★

“Had a really nice time at Cafe Elam. The place has a relaxed, no-pressure vibe and feels comfortable whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee or staying a bit longer. The staff were genuinely friendly and welcoming, which honestly makes a big difference. The prices are very affordable and the food was surprisingly good for what you pay. Everything tasted fresh and filling, and the menu has a decent variety so there’s something for everyone. Drinks were also well made and came out quickly. Overall, Cafe Elam is a solid spot if you’re looking for good food, good service, and a chilled atmosphere without spending too much. Definitely somewhere I’d come back to and recommend to others.”

★★★★★

“Elam cafe is a fantastic little spot. Their cakes are absolutely delicious fresh, flavourful, and beautifully presented and the drinks are just as good. The café has a warm, welcoming atmosphere that makes it an easy place to relax, catch up with friends, or enjoy a quiet break. Friendly staff, great quality, and a perfect neighbourhood gem. Highly recommended!”

★★★★★

“We visited Elam Cafe in Edinburgh for the first time after reading the Google reviews, but unfortunately, it was quite disappointing. The ambience was nice, but the food quality and service really let the place down. We ordered egg puffs, banana fritters and tea as starters, and appam with chicken stew & cutlet combo and appam with chicken curry combo as the main course. To begin with, the banana fritters were served after we had already finished our main course, which was very unprofessional. The appam itself was soft and tasty, but both the chicken stew and chicken curry were cold – not even warm. It felt like they were prepared long before or poured straight from a packet. Either way, it completely ruined the experience. The chicken cutlet was another disappointment – the chicken inside was not properly cooked. There were only two women handling everything – taking orders, serving, and working in the kitchen. Most of the time, no one was at the counter. Even to ask for napkins (which were not placed on the tables), we had to wait for someone to come out of the kitchen. They would serve the food and disappear again immediately. I don’t blame the staff; this seems like poor management. The owner should ensure proper staffing and basic food & beverage service training. Also, when we went to pay the bill, no one even asked how the food or our overall experience was, which is normally basic courtesy in any restaurant. The prices are lower compared to other Indian restaurants, but food quality and basic service matter more. Sadly, this was our first visit and will be our last.”