We reveal the best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh along with the best shops, takeaways, delis, wine bars and pizza vans. This is our guide to all those great hidden gems where you can find truly authentic Italian cuisine for every occasion.
This exposed brick wall cafe in Canonmills oozes Italian warmth and charm. With award winning gelato from Turin, arguably Edinburgh’s best homemade lasagne, and drinkable Italian reds on the menu, it’s an enticing haven of great Italian food at all times of the day. But is there anything better than sipping on an espresso from Italian supplier Continental Quattro Stagioni, no less, whilst dropping buttery croissant flakes onto your morning newspaper? We think not.
For a special dinner…
radiCibus
Tucked downstairs on the corner of Deanhaugh Street in Stockbridge, you could easily stroll past this magnificent compact Italian restaurant without realising. There’s just a handful of tables inside Giovanni and Mara’s contemporary fine dining establishment and, trust us, you’ll want one of them. Here, a marriage of local Scottish ingredients meets Italian flair, served a la carte or as a tasting menu, with matching wines chosen by sommelier Giovanni as an optional extra. Expect beautifully presented plates of risotto, frutti di mare, fresh filled ravioli in butter and sage, turbot, mallard and more.
For great groceries…
Il Fruttivendolo
Born out of Francesco’s desire to have the best produce right here in Scotland, Il Fruttivendolo on Dalry Road stocks gorgeous organic produce, sourced direct from farmers across Italy and the U.K. Expect over 10 varieties of tomatoes, next to varieties of cauliflower and aubergine that you didn’t know existed. Then, load up your wicker shopping basket (provided), with the likes of artisanal dried pasta, buffalo mozzarella and hard to find imported Mulino Bianco Italian cookies.
For something sweet…
Sicilian Pastry Shop
Those with a weakness for fresh cream slices, chocolate gateaux, fruit tarts and proper pistachio cannoli will be delighted to stumble upon this slightly off the beaten track gem. Since opening in 1979 The Sicilian Pastry Shop has become an Edinburgh institution, and glancing at the queue straight down Albert Street, it seems many have cottoned on to how superb Franco and Jacqui’s pastries are.
For something on the go…
Polentoni
Since the pandemic, Franco and Sarah have pivoted their bustling Italian restaurant off Edinburgh’s Easter Road, boasting innovative brunches and fresh seafood, into an equally great takeaway-only venture, warranting a queue down the street. Their freshly squeezed orange juice and focaccia laden with pancetta, egg and parmesan or mushroom, spinach, egg and truffle oil set them apart and make for a brilliant brunch or lunch on the go.
For wine & cicchetti…
Bacco
It’s always a happy sight, strolling along Dundas Street and seeing couples wrapped up warm, sipping on bold and juicy Italian wines on the pavement, in the height of winter. Such is the case at Bacco, which is always bustling with Edinburgh’s Italian community; a very good sign indeed. Their offering of cicchetti presented on slate sharing boards and warm mozzarella smothered bruschetta, is far greater than the number of seats. So, if you can’t bag one of the four tables inside or two outside, we recommend picking up a bottle to go. From Primitivo to Valpolicella, Falanghina and Gavi, the gang’s all there.
For fresh pasta at home…
Aemilia
Fresh pasta maestros, Giada and Kip, lovingly make and dhape their pasta for all to see from their open kitchen on Portobello High Street. You can get your fill of their Emilia Romagna specialities from the Aemilia shop to cook at home. The nduja and ricotta agnolotti with truffle butter is divine.
For epic pizza…
Wanderer’s Kneaded
Originally from a small town outside Bergamot in Italy, Francesco has spent the last 10 years honing his craft as Edinburgh’s pizza king. He now serves his soft and elasticated artisanal dough, topped with bonkers toppings like hot buffalo cauliflower wings, celery and blue cheese sauce, from his traveling pizza van on The Meadows. It’s a custom built old-school converted 1998 LDV Convoy with a pizza oven inside, and whilst there’s barely room to swing a cat, the pizzas that come out of it might just be the best in the whole city.
For outstanding pizza and pasta…
Pizzeria 1926, Locanda Di Gusti
If you prefer to enjoy your pizza in a restaurant, or delivered piping hot to your door, then Pizzeria 1926 gets our vote. This is one of Rosario Sartore’s homages to Naples, and it’s right opposite his world class Locanda Di Gusti (specialising in Scottish seafood and fresh pasta). In both Italian ingredients, handled with flair, are served up by a super chatty, occasionally singing, all Italian team. This is the holy trinity of Italian excellence. The best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh? You’ll just have to go and find out. Prego!
