10 Best Italian Restaurants in Edinburgh for Quality Dining

With no shortage of Italian restaurants in the Scottish capital, it can become a bit tricky to choose if you decide to head out for some Italian food in Edinburgh. Here are 10 top destinations that might satisfy your cravings.

Pomo Pizzeria, famous for its Romana and Neapolitan-style pizzas, is more than just an ordinary pizza parlour. With a vast menu of over 100 dishes, you can savour the authentic taste of freshly made Italian food.

The belief that pizza should be for everyone runs strong at Pomo Pizzeria, which is why they offer pizzas suitable for people with all kinds of dietary restrictions. While all its pizzas can be made with a gluten-free base, vegan options are available for popular choices like Margherita and Saint Lucia.

Beyond their pizzas, Pomo Pizzeria’s reviews frequently highlight dishes like Risotto Pescatora and Gnocchi Sorrento. The ample portions and reasonable food prices are well complemented by a beverage menu, ensuring a well-rounded and satisfying dining experience.

Vittoria on the Walk, located in Leith, is a family-run restaurant that has been a part of Edinburgh for 45 years. Just a short distance from the centre of the city, Vittoria on the Walk’s menu offers a mix of traditional cuisine with slight hints of novelty.

Renowned for its fresh handmade pasta, dishes like the innovative Raviolini Gorgonzola and the classic Tagliatelle Bolognese are favourites among customers. Other noteworthy dishes include the 6oz Vittoria burger with pancetta, smoked mozzarella, and Puttanesca pizza.

Vittoria on the Walk is also known for its extensive wine list and an exclusive private dining area, which is available for parties and events, with multiple set menus to choose from. It is a perfect place to visit if you want to experience the charm of a traditional Italian restaurant in Edinburgh.

Frizzante Proseccheria was started by Pasquale, a seasoned Italian chef who moved to Edinburgh from Naples in the 1970s. The restaurant serves classic Neapolitan fare inspired by Pasquale’s upbringing in Italy.

Frizzante Proseccheria reviews often highlight the restaurant’s authentic flavours, making it a popular choice for those seeking traditional Italian dishes. Serving dishes like Bolognese and Carbonara with a homely touch is a hallmark of the restaurant. 

The Casareccia pizza, topped with Italian sausage and San Marzano tomato sauce, is a favourite among pizza lovers. When paired with their homemade gelato, it creates a perfectly satisfying meal.

An excellent selection of Prosecco and other Italian wines complements the food. The restaurant’s welcoming atmosphere and homestyle Italian dishes make it one of the best places to eat in Edinburgh for families.

Radicibus is a modern fine-dining restaurant opened in May 2017 by Mara Allevi and Giovanni Petitto, a husband-and-wife team. The restaurant showcases classic Italian dishes with a modern twist while staying deeply rooted in tradition. The name Radicibus, meaning food from the roots, reflects the couple’s commitment to Italian heritage and the culinary techniques of the Marche region, where they hail from.

The menu includes a la carte options and multi-course tasting menus, which feature creative dishes like pulled Porchetta stuffed Cappellacci and Sea trout tartare. Mara, the head chef, is very skilled and passionate about curating vegan dishes like Chickpea farinata and Saffron polenta with aubergine and cavolo nero. 

To provide a complete dining experience, Radicibus offers a range of wines, cocktails, and aperitifs curated by Giovanni, a certified sommelier. Blending innovation and tradition in a cosy Georgian building, the restaurant has quickly become a trendy and cool place to eat in Edinburgh.

Named after the fine Italian ’00’ flour that’s used for making pasta, Tipo is a modern Italian-inspired restaurant founded by renowned chef Stuart Ralston. The restaurant has quickly gained recognition, earning a Michelin Bib Gourmand in 2024 for providing refined dining that combines traditional Italian flavours with high-quality Scottish ingredients.

With its popular handmade pasta like Bigoli cacio e pepe with truffle and Strozzapreti pasta with mangalitsa pork, Tipo is already hailed as the go-to place for the best pasta in Edinburgh. Additionally, they offer a selection of aperitifs, digestifs and artisanal wines, providing a full Italian dining experience.​

Laconda Di Gusti, by Chef Rosario Sartore,  is a celebrated Italian restaurant located at Dalry Road in Haymarket. It is known for its authentic Southern Italian cuisine, with a keen focus on seafood. All preparations are done with carefully selected premium Italian and local Scottish ingredients, reflecting a perfect marriage of tradition and local culinary treasures​.

Chef Rosario’s love for fresh seafood is evident in offerings like Mare nel Piatto and Grigliata di Pesce, which feel like a feast. Vegetarian options like Butternut squash ravioli and Baked aubergines are skilfully prepared, ensuring a welcoming experience for all diners.

With generous portion sizes at reasonable prices, Laconda di Gusti is one of the best places to eat in the Haymarket area.

Piccolino is a charming Italian restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town that serves classic Italian food with a broader focus on Campania and Romana-style cooking. This is reflected in its abundant use of fresh vegetables and dairy, along with coastal influences, capturing the essence of the entire region. 

Some standout dishes that reflect this style include the vegan Trio di Verdure, the vegetarian Parmigiana di Melanzane, and the classic seafood Linguine alle Vongole. And while the savoury offerings are exceptional, it’s worth noting that their Tiramisu has quietly become a favourite among diners, adding a sweet finish to an already delightful meal.

And guess what? Piccolino is one of the few dog-friendly restaurants in Edinburgh, allowing you to have a memorable time without leaving any family members behind.

Paolozzi Restaurant and Bar, named after the renowned artist Eduardo Paolozzi, is a collaboration between the Edinburgh Beer Factory and Scots-Italian restaurateur Gino Stornaiuolo. This partnership brings together freshly brewed beers, Italian-Scottish fusion dishes, and a vibrant atmosphere filled with Paolozzi’s artworks and fresh music.

Paolozzi’s menu reflects a blend of Italian culinary traditions with a Scottish twist, offering dishes like Haggis lasagne and Pizza patate salsiccia (pizza with potato and sausage). To add to the uniqueness, the restaurant features an impressive selection of locally brewed beers, including the signature Paolozzi lager.

The space is designed with an industrial-chic vibe, highlighted by Paolozzi’s iconic pop art, making it one of the trendiest and best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh’s city centre. 

One 20 Wine Café & Restaurant is a stylish and modern establishment offering a continental-style Italian dining experience, featuring a variety of simple yet delicious dishes made with high-quality ingredients.

The menu ranges from charcuterie and cheese platters to more substantial offerings like their homemade Potato Gnocchi and Open tart of Cod, Salmon and Scampi, with the Aberdeen Angus lasagne being a popular choice. In addition to its food, One 20 is well known for its extensive selection of wines sourced from small and independent producers. It holds the esteemed reputation of being one of the best wine bars in Edinburgh. 

What’s more? The cafe features a luxury food and wine boutique next door that sells artisan pastas, wines, biscuits, cheeses and marmalades. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, One 20 provides a welcoming space for all occasions.

Veeno is an Italian wine café located on Rose Street in Edinburgh, known for its authentic Sicilian wines and traditional spuntini (small plates) that offer a true taste of Italy. 

The Veeno Edinburgh menu features a variety of Italian-inspired dishes, including charcuterie boards, bruschetta, and homemade pizzas. These are designed to pair perfectly with their exclusive wines sourced from the owners’ family vineyard in Sicily. Some of their popular dishes are Speck and Gorgonzola pizza and Spaghetti trapanese.

One of Veeno’s unique offerings is its Italian afternoon tea, which includes a selection of Italian meats, cheeses, paninis, scones with jam, and desserts like cannoli. This delightful Italian twist on the Scottish tradition has made Veeno a formidable competitor for any establishment serving traditional afternoon tea in Edinburgh’s city centre. 

If you are craving a slice of Italy, an experience at one of these best Italian restaurants in Edinburg will transport you straight to the Mediterranean with its delicious and authentic flavours. However, most of these restaurants cannot accommodate a large group and fail to customise menus according to dietary restrictions.

Why not hire a local private chef well-versed in Italian delicacies?

Yhangry private chefs customise menus according to your dietary preferences and can also cater to large groups. From freshly sourced ingredients to serving and tidying up afterward, these chefs cater to every event with finesse and scrumptious delicacies. Browse through 100s of private chefs in Edinburgh to enjoy a private dining experience like never before.