Balbir’s Saffron Lounge

Unfortunately Balbir’s is gone forever, to be replaced by Spice of Life — part of the Ashoka group of restaurants…
farewell cruel mistress!

My family are fans of the Saffron Lounge, but not living in Glasgow anymore I haven’t had a chance to sample it yet — until last night when we went for Fathers’ Day. And it was just as good as I’d heard!
Calling the menu Tiffin & Thali, means you are invited to select a number of small dishes to try rather than one large curry (although the ‘mains’ do all come in a regular size too if you’d rather stick to one thing). We ordered a number of starters, including delicious chicken kofta, pleasantly surprising and lightly spiced paneer and little soft breads with daal. amongst other things. We demolished them.
Mains followed soon after, I ordered two small portions of Chicken Dansak and Lamb Saag. Not particularly spicy, but both delicious and great to be able to have more than one curry without seeming greedy! I was tempted by the Chicken Harilayi, which sounded similar to Saag, and which my dad ordered. He said it was a little spicier than he’d expected, not that this bothered him, and also very good. Everyone really enjoyed their meals.
Downsides? The service isn’t perfect, I actually asked my mum if it was new, but no it’s been here for a few years. Maybe the staff were new and still training? Possibly the bar staff too as I was served a draft Diet Coke that still tasted of the cleaning product used to clean the lines (though to be fair this was replaced with a bottle with no fuss). There’s no drinks or desserts menu, meaning the poor waiting staff had to remember this off by heart (not particularly successfully either, with the waiter telling us the beers they had and having to be prompted by us that they also serve Tiger). And desserts are a disappointment with Kulfi being the only Indian choice (the others were various flavours of ice cream and chocolate cake — but hey at least it wasn’t that pre-​bought frozen dessert menu many Indian restaurants seem to use). In fairness though the pistachio Kulfi was very nice and pretty crunchy.
The food though is very good, and if we weren’t already loyal to the Ali Shan in Battlefield for our southside carryout needs I’d definitely consider getting one from the Saffron Lounge and no doubt my family will be back.

Having been to a few Indian places in Edinburgh and Glasgow, I definitely place Balbir’s one among the top ones! I tried lamb biryani and my friend got a Chalsi (?) chicken, one of Scotland’s favourite ones according to the menu, and we were delighted. They must have just finished decorating as there was a faint smell of paint, but other than that, I look forward to trying more dishes! Thanks!

Totally amazing — some of the best Indian and Pakastani food I’ve ever eaten.

The food in this restaurant is simply gorgous. The place its self is big and spacious, and has private booths as well as individual tables. We went for the buffet, and were served a selection of starters, until we told them we had enough, and it was a great selection of authentic indian food. The buffett main courses were delightfully tasty, not too hot, but with a seperate dish of chillies for those who are feeling a tad brave. Everything is hot and fresh. You can also choose to go for Balbirs Banquet, which is buffett delivered to your table according to your tastes and dietry requirements. We finnished our meal with a small selection of their icecreams, and then a trip or two to the chocolate fountain, which i may add is yummy, with fruits, marshmallows and tablet to dip in the fountain, simply great. The service we got was brilliant, and i certainly will be calling here again, too good to miss.

Nice décor, the restaurant area is very spacious which is always a plus, service is adequate, although the portions are fairly generous I found that the sauces were far to salty!

A Balbir on the south side? Superb: at last a curry house that doesn’t stint on the quality of ingredients and offers a stylish dining experience.
Having had take aways from the West End Balbir, I was delighted to see the chain arrive in Shawlands, and the meal did not disappoint. Creamy main dishes, excellent vegetarian curries, delicious rice and the sort of restrained, polite service that is the hallmark of a good restaurant.
Even from the outside, the Saffron Lounge looks different from the other Indian restaurants. One to go out of the way for.

The service is extremely efficient and polite, always welcoming. The food is fantastic and fresher and healthier than most Indian restaurants. Best in Shawlands by far.

Pleasant venue, average food and dreadful service. An average meal ruined completely by all but non-​existent staff. My verdict, avoid this place and choose one of the other curry houses on Kilmarnock road.

Very well decorated and only new. The waiters were spectacular and very knowledgeable about their food, would easily bend over backwards to help!
The food was average-​good, not fantastic but I think you need to cut them some slack for being so new.
I would go again in a few months time to see if they have lived up to their full potential.
Moderately priced, not too high not to low.