Edinburgh, Italian Restaurant Guide

“Making other fine dining establishments in town look somewhat staid, out of touch and overpriced” – this April 2018 newcomer is “superb”, and some would say “the best restaurant to have opened in Edinburgh in recent times”. “A charismatic space” with “splendid service” – “the reference on its website to ‘progressive Italian dining’ is accurate” and the modern cuisine is “outstanding” – “go downstairs to see the kitchen in action”. To match the fine cooking there’s “an exceptional, mostly Italian, wine list”.

This “stylish and relaxed” Italian wine bar and restaurant occupies a basement in the Old Town, and provides a “guaranteed night out” with “high-class food” and in particular an “excellent wine list” – “under the masterly direction of maître d’ Silvio Praino”. Part of the Vittoria group owned by a branch of the Italo-Scottish Crolla clan, it celebrates its 10th anniversary this year.

A converted banking hall provides the “amazing setting” for Victor and Carina Contini’s relanched venture, which now puts small plates centre stage. Reporters praise the “good Italian food with very fresh ingredients” but “friendly and professional staff” also play a big part in “making this place a pleasure”.

The all-day caffè-bar attached to Edinburgh’s legendary Italian deli (est. 1934) is most tipped for a quality coffee-stop or light bite. Open later on Friday and Saturday evenings, the big draw is a wine list, which “must be the best Italian-based (and priced) in the UK” – effectively it includes every bottle stocked in the deli’s drinks department, for the shop price plus a £5 corkage charge. The accompanying food is “OK… enjoyable” but unlikely to evoke Tuscan hillsides, the Amalfi coast…

In Leith Walk, this “family-orientated” staple can be relied upon for “superb” wood-fired pizzas, pastas and so forth in a “buzzing atmosphere”.