Edinburgh doesn’t have a huge Muslim population but it has enough to justify a mosque in our University district. And you are welcome to visit, incidentally. In these days of religious intolerance and challenges it’s nice to know that Edinburgh’s Muslims are making visitors welcome and this is superbly magnified by their provision of a ‘canteen’ or kitchen that serves a small selection of BRILLIANT curries, daals and pakoras at non-commercial prices, in a very basic accommodation.

That’s not to say it’s not delicious, because it is, and if you’re on a budget then this (and the nearby amazingly named Kebab Mahal) offers good, filling food for under a fiver.

It’s no frills – plastic cutlery and poly plates (so maybe not all that eco-friendly I suppose) but it has charm in spades, and flavour likewise.

Now, there are two Mosque Kitchens. One is a fancier on street affair, but it’s essentially the same place. Although slightly more expensive. Me? I prefer the gritty reality of the original that also has tented outside accommodation.

A word of advice, given the strict Muslim beliefs of the place, there is no alcohol for sale and they do not encourage a bring-your-own-thing. Just go for the food. Enjoy and marvel at the fact that you will be served, in and out, in under half an hour.

Its big brother has all the online stuff and you’ll find it here, but go for the original and best.