Topolabamba — Restaurant in City of Edinburgh

I ate here today with my family of four, my wife and I and our two boys (8 months and 4 years old)

We didn't have a booking but the restaurant was pretty much empty when we arrived (given it was 5ish on a Wednesday that wasn't a surprise)

The host at the door took one look at us (the baby) and said he could fit us in but onto for an hour as they had bookings and we would need to out by 5:50

From there on out it felt like we just weren't wanted in this restaurant, one member of staff was helpful and friendly but all others looked like we were inconveniencing them.

Worryingly when we ordered, possibly because they wanted us out of there, the food arrived within minutes ( and we're talking like sub-4 minutes) so I'd question the freshness of the food generally. We also had to remind them that our son was waiting on food from the kids menu (yes they do have one despite not apparently wanting families at their restaurant).

The food was ok, there was a lot of things that arrived dumped on top of the food that wasn't stated in the menu, and we weren't at any point asked whether we had any allergies, so it's a good job we didn't. These are small things that could be added to the menu quite easily so diners know what they're eating before it arrives.

Similarly on the drinks menu, two beers are stated on tap, they're not mainstream beers which I'm all for but I had to ask what types of beer they were before ordering and the waitress had to check. Just a simple (Lager) and (IPA) on the menu would be so much better.

Overall it was disappointing to be treated in such a way apparently because we had kids. There was no queue of people at the doors when we left (we overstayed our welcome by about 4 mins - oops!) And there was probably 10 tables that were just vacant, so I really struggle to believe that the rush to get us in and out was down to high numbers of bookings.

I didn't have time or the patience to ask them to remove the discretionary service charge they added to the bill, despite not really receiving...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Exceptional hospitality and delicious food at Topolabamba! After being turned away from Las Iguanas on George Street where we were refused even indoor waiting space despite having a reservation and having young children and a senior in our group, finding Topolabamba just 1km away was an absolute blessing.

The contrast couldn't have been more striking - despite being busier than Las Iguanas, the staff at Topolabamba welcomed us warmly and went above and beyond to accommodate our family group of 6 immediately, with no fuss or hesitation. This is what true hospitality looks like!

The service was outstanding from start to finish. The staff was incredibly attentive to our children (ages 5 & 7), making them feel special with extra attention and ensuring they were comfortable. They brought the kids' meals promptly, understanding that hungry little ones can't wait too long!

Food arrived surprisingly quickly despite the restaurant being busy, and everything was delicious and piping hot. Our server regularly checked if we needed anything and was particularly thoughtful about making sure our elderly family member was comfortable and had everything they needed.

What truly sets Topolabamba apart is their genuine warmth and hospitality. After a long day of sightseeing and dealing with cold weather, finding such a welcoming restaurant was exactly what our family needed. The atmosphere was lively yet comfortable, and they demonstrated what true restaurant hospitality should be.

The food quality matched the excellent service - fresh, flavorful, and generously portioned. Everyone in our group, from the kids to grandparents, found something they loved.

This place understands that great restaurants aren't just about the food - they're about creating a welcoming experience for all guests. When faced with the same situation as another restaurant, they chose kindness and accommodation over rigid rules. Will definitely return on our next visit and highly recommend to anyone,...

Vegetarians/Vegans Beware!! AWFUL Experience!!

If you are vegetarian or vegan, be aware that all of the food marked as "vegetarian" on the menu that is deep fried in oil, is cooked in the same oil as the meat dishes.

This is not made clear and I only discovered this as I asked if the vegetarian dishes could be made vegan - I was told no, as they were cooked in the same oil as the meat dishes. I found this confusing, as these dishes including the Tortilla Chips, Salt & Chilli Pepper Fries, and Cauliflower Wings were marked as vegetarian on the menu. I asked the staff why were they marked as veggie if they are cooked in oil that is shared with meat dishes and they shrugged it off without much consideration/care.

The food in general was very poor. I'm not sure what is crazy about the "Crazy Corn" - it's just boiled corn on the cob served with a wedge of lemon. The cauliflower wings which are marked with 4 Chili's were not hot - they were sweet, not spicy. And the fillings in the tacos wouldn't fill a hole in your tooth.

I asked for my food to be vegan, when it came out it had both cheese and crema on it which - to be fair - was fixed when I asked the waiter.

Altogether, I had an incredibly disappointing meal at Topolabamba. Definitely to be avoided - there are MUCH better Mexican restaurants in Edinburgh.

To top to all off, when I was leaving, I brought the issues above to the attention of the staff and was told to leave a Google review because there was "nothing they could do". No apologies, no responsibility taken... a manager didn't even bother to come to address the issues, even after most of the food was left on the table.

TERRIBLE experience - if you're veggie/vegan, you like spice, good service and going to restaurants that care about their customers, be sure to AVOID...