Reviews/Guest Book
Complete the form at the bottom of this pageto let us know what you thought of your meal at Hanam’s. If you’d like a reply, don’t forget to include your email address.
Press Reviews
THE LIST EATING & DRINKING GUIDE 2010/11 – Hitlisted
“Kurdish specialities abound in this bustling Old own restaurant – there’s nowhere like it in town. Now well established on Johnston terrace, Hanam’s presents an engaging introduction to the intricate, multi-layered cuisine of the Kurds…”
THE LIST EATING & DRINKING GUIDE 2009/10 – Hitlisted
“A warm welcome from owner Jamal Ahmed greets diners every night of the week at Hanam’s, where a dedication to delivering high quality traditional Kurdish food guides the menu and the mood…”
THE INDEPENDENT, 2009
“At Jamal Ahmed’s popular restaurant you can try traditional Kurdish dishes as well as a wide range of Middle Eastern mezze, then puff a shisha on the covered terrace…”
THE TELEGRAPH, 2008
” Your host for the evening is likely to be Jamal who has the biggest smile in Edinburgh and who always chats to customers with effortless charm…”
THE LIST EATING & DRINKING GUIDE 2007/8
“Hanam’s already commands a loyal following, thanks to proprietor Jamal Ahmed, who works hard to create an authentic Kurdish dining experience. While this extends to dressing in Kurdish costume and cutting a rug to traditional music, it;s the food that provides the most memorable insight…”
THE TELEGRAPH, 2007
Xanthe Clay picks her top five Middle Eastern restaurants in Britain, including Hanam’s
THE SKINNY, 2006
“The most pleasing thing about visiting this restaurant is the welcome and the atmosphere its hosts create…Kurdish food is just what Scotland needs”
THE LIST EATING & DRINKING GUIDE: 2006/2007
“Friendly, affordable and unique”
Customer Guestbook
MAY’10 “We always visit Hanam’s when we come down to Edinburgh (about twice a year) We always enjoy the delicious food and the set meal for 2 is great as you can taste a selection of different foods.
The staff are welcoming and very obliging. I will definitely recommend this restaurant to all my friends and family in the North. Looking forward to our next visit to Edinburgh and a meal at Hanam’s will definitely be on the agenda.”
APR’10“Having trawled the Internet in search of the perfect restaurant for my stay in Edinburgh, I found a recommendation at least 5 times for Hanam’s. My friend and I were not disappointed. Under the neon lit evening skies of the castle, Hanam’s shines with magnificence in it’s own right.
The dessert’s were clocked on the way in (Baklawa).
My equally greedy friend and I had a middle eastern banquet of Falafel, the most aromatic and sweet Dolma, tender and fragrant grilled meats, served with mountains of Iranian rice sparkling with cardamon and nuts. The bread was bubbling to perfection, soft, buttery and chewy in all its charred glory from the clay oven. As predicted, the dessert of my choice was a tiny piece of Kurdish heaven. I can honestly say, having eaten at many a haute cuisine restaurant in my time and restaurants in general. The Baklawa and the Rose ice cream were by far the most beautiful and decadent dessert that I or my eating partner had ever tasted. The subtle and gentle flavours of the velvety thick ice cream on the same spoon as the crisp, syrup induced parcels was just divine. Much to the amusement of our fellow diners, I think we enjoyed the whole plate. The proud owner Jamal, whose mega-watt smile I believe may itself power the light display on the castle made the evening very special and attended to your every needs. A true foodie, fiercly passionate about his culture and heritage and ingredients, I got a sense that this food is made with love and true passion. Jamal is even more so a true gentleman as he provided my friend and I with some much needed “tourist treats” for our pavement pounding the next day in the shape of our beloved Baklawa. Thank you Jamal and your gorgeous restaurant. Next time I visit….I would like the colonel’s secret recipe! Thank you! Elle”
APR’10 “We visited Hanam’s Kurdish restaurant on our last night in Edinburgh expecting an authentic Middle Eastern dining experience and we weren’t disappointed. The decor inside is tasteful, staff are extremely friendly and the food was excellent”
MAR’10 “Had a fabulous time smoking the pipe there, and probably the most commendable customer service in town! Were served with a free pot of tea in the end. Thank you all at Hanams”
It was the exceptional service that stood out… Owner Jamal Ahmed, dressed in national costume was the epitome of politeness” “The only word to describe the food is “yummy”!…. The authenticity of the dishes was in no doubt and the food was simply wonderful, but our host Jamal was what made the meal a really special occasion. His charm and wit, as well as his geniality all added to the sociable atmosphere.”
“We visited on a Saturday night and the place was full… we ordered a plate of shared starters.. it was delicious and we devoured it….
The hot, crispy naan was particularly good. The star of the menu was the house specialty, the Kurdish chicken kebab…. A different class entirely….”
“To round of a fantastic meal we sipped cups of cha (tea) served in delicate glass cups….”
“Hanam’s is a real find… The host is liable to break into Kurdish dance, the tea is served from a Samovar and the meat is all halal.”
“Perfect for a cheerful meal out with friends or family the Kurdish way”
“The restaurant offers a backdrop of reds and yellows – warm and inviting. You will
be met by the incredibly cheery owner Jamal Ahmed….. resplendent in traditional dress, Ahmed is an ideal host.
“The Kulicha starter, crispy fried balls of fresh naan dough, finished in rapid time, proved an immediate hit…. the kubba, which are traditionally seasoned balls of mixed vegetables encased in crushed wheat… simply delicious.
So too, was the bayengaan, roasted baby aubergines, but the pick of this impressive selection were the dolma – exotic stuffed vine leaves which oozed piquancy and freshness in abundance…
very airy naan featuring some impressive air bubbles!”
“My husband and I wanted something different, and searched the Internet and found positive reviews for Hanam’s. The restaurant has a lovely atmosphere, it’s a close walk from the Royal Mile, the staff is very friendly, and the food is wonderful. We had the set meal for 2, and everything was delicious…”
““Unique – worth travelling 300 miles for” “A Wonderful Find…” “Just off the Royal Mile, A Great meal at a good price. Everybody in the family loved the food from my father down to my seven year old..”
“My husband and I visited Hanam’s around 7pm on a Wednesday evening. The restaurant was already starting to fill up! We ordered the set meal for 2 as there was so much to choose from and we couldn’t decide. When the food came it was presented really well and tasted heavenly!! The rose ice cream was particularly delicious!! I would definitely come to this restaurant again and recommend it to all my friends and family”