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The Nile Valley Cafe

6 Chapel Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AY, Scotland
+44 131 6678200
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Ranked #507 of 1,095 restaurants in Edinburgh
4.0 of 5 stars 11 Reviews
Price range: -2 AUD - 40 AUD
Cuisines: African
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Restaurant details
Good for: Outdoor seating
Dining options: Reservations
Neighbourhood: South Side
Description: The only restaurant of its type in Edinburgh, The Nile Valley Caf�� is a vibrant celebration of African food with a strong Sudanese flavour. For some years now, Nile Valley has been building up a reputation for excellent and utterly unique food, gaining quite a following amongst those tired of the usual High Street offerings. So laid back it���s practically vertical, The Nile Valley's surroundings are extremely unassuming ��� a caf�� during the day, and candlelit at night for a more romantic vibe, the restaurant is spread across two floors, the ground level small and informal, the basement more spacious and suited to restaurant dining. Service is accommodating and polite, the staff happy to take time out to chat and help first time visitors through the exotic menu, which really is different from anything else you���re likely to have tried. Combining the flavours of North Africa and the Middle East, Nile Valley���s menu includes numerous fish dishes, veggie options and richer, hearty meat offerings as well as a wide choice of mezze style dishes very much suited to the restaurant���s chilled out style.
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11 reviews from our community

72% Recommend
    5
    3
    1
    1
    1
Rating summary
    Food
    Service
    Value
    Atmosphere
Date Rating
Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Senior Reviewer
6 reviews 6 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 April 2012

Provides a variety of African inspired meals. Interestingly spiced but not adventurously so. A good, cheap dinner.

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See 2 more reviews by Gabrielle A for Edinburgh
Scotland
Reviewer
4 reviews 4 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
1 helpful vote 1 helpful vote
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 8 April 2012

My friends and I always enjoy the informal atmosphere and BYOB at Nile Valley - a great place to while away an evening with friends- we are usually the last to leave! Very friendly service and the food is always good too. Great for lunches,but do try their dinner menu if you've never made an evening visit.

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scotland
Senior Contributor
22 reviews 22 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
12 helpful votes 12 helpful votes
2 of 5 stars Reviewed 17 February 2012
1
person found this review helpful

despite the fact we had a reservation, we were made to wait, it was like they were too busy and couldn't cope with any extra customers. The service was rude and rushed, to the point that they even slapped a 'reserved' sign on our table while we were still finishing off our wine, and wiping the table down. There was... More

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See 10 more reviews by lesmagsam for Edinburgh
London
Senior Reviewer
8 reviews 8 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
4 of 5 stars Reviewed 15 February 2012

My son is a regular here, and I am very glad he suggested we go. Agree with the other positive reviews here - this is class food in a cafe atmosphere. It was very quiet - not surprising perhaps, Monday mid-Feb. We shared three starters - all excellent - and had different main courses which we all tasted and were... More

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See 3 more reviews by chrisbaz for Edinburgh
Senior Contributor
30 reviews 30 reviews
Reviews in 12 cities Reviews in 12 cities
11 helpful votes 11 helpful votes
3 of 5 stars Reviewed 30 December 2011

This restaurant is a winner. The decor is not great but food Is great. Main courses are the winners. Starters are a dissapointment. The real winner is the location and BYO with no corkage! Great for a fun group night out.

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See 17 more reviews by coxy_gj for Edinburgh
London
Senior Reviewer
9 reviews 9 reviews
Reviews in 4 cities Reviews in 4 cities
16 helpful votes 16 helpful votes
1 of 5 stars Reviewed 2 November 2011 via mobile

I visited here about 5 years ago and loved it however revisited last night and despite us being the only people in there we were rushed whilst eating and pushed to pay as soon as our plates were clear. The food was really average, the place looks really tatty as always but nothing else makes up for it anymore. What... More

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angus
Senior Reviewer
10 reviews 10 reviews
Reviews in 3 cities Reviews in 3 cities
5 helpful votes 5 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 24 October 2011
1
person found this review helpful

Thanks guys, what a lovely lunch, we will be back fantastic service, brilliant food... great atmosphere a gem, a great find loved it

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See 5 more reviews by purple_funky_buddha for Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Contributor
14 reviews 14 reviews
Reviews in 8 cities Reviews in 8 cities
10 helpful votes 10 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 23 August 2011

One of our favourite places to eat - in fact planning to go again this evening. I had a meal there last week with a veggie friend and we both enjoyed our main dish choices. I had a lamb dish & my pal had the falafel. With it we had a tomato rice and a serve of African flat bread.... More

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See 5 more reviews by Pitstop50 for Edinburgh
uk
Senior Contributor
28 reviews 28 reviews
Reviews in 13 cities Reviews in 13 cities
13 helpful votes 13 helpful votes
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 13 August 2011

I loved it here. I've never been to a more accommodating restaurant. They were all so lovely and made me feel very welcome. I'm a vegetarian, so I appreciate bean means and that is what I got - their falafel has almost a lovely sweet taste to it. it was all delicious and very healthy and no corkage fee! I... More

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Edinburgh, United Kingdom
1 review
5 of 5 stars Reviewed 6 May 2011

The decor is a bit 'put together' and could fee a bit warmer but apart from that I can't fault this place! Since going, my partner and I often talk about our visit there, the food was fantastic, homely and unusual. We both had a lamb dish and it was beautiful! The service was spot on, not fake, not in... More

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