Best Italian restaurants in Aberdeen

There is, perhaps surprisingly, quite a range of good Italian food in Aberdeen - for what is a relatively small city, Aberdeen is blessed with some exceptionally good Italian food. Many of the best Italian restaurants in Aberdeen share a similar story, where native Italian families emigrated to Scotland and settled in Aberdeen during the 60s and 70s. Some of those families turned to food in order to make a living, and thus, many of Aberdeen’s best Italians are decades-old, family-run institutions with loyal cult followings in the city.

Frankly, most of the towns and the cities in the UK would be lucky to have the breadth of choice that exists in Aberdeen’s Italian restaurant scene. Italian food remains among the most popular cuisines in the UK and the world, and no wonder - the breadth of different dishes and styles from north to south is surprising, even for those who think they know Italian food well. In the south of Italy, Italian food takes heavy influence from north Africa, incorporating nuts, dried fruit, spices and more. In the north, Italian food can easily be mistaken for Austrian or German, as dumplings, root vegetables and rich soups and broths come to the fore. And in the middle, of course, is the most famous, acceptable face of Italian food - classic Roman pasta dishes, risotto, focaccia, pizza and more.

Aberdeen’s best Italian restaurants represent all of what we love about Italian food, not just the breadth and diversity, but also the best of Italian comfort food. Scroll down for some of our favourite spots, and remember you can click through to book a table straight away if you take a shine to anywhere in particular.

Rustico

What: Rustico’s 1950s Italian trattoria decor and warm service has endeared it to Aberdeen-ites over the years, and the broad menu covers all bases, from your favourite pizza toppings to antipasti, pasta dishes and rich meat ragus. You’ll also find a fine selection of Italian wines available too, with a particular focus on Sicily and southern Italy.
Where: 62 Union Row, AB10 1SA
Book now: Rustico

Mi Amore

What: Open six days a week for lunch and dinner, and helpfully places near Union Terrace Gardens, Mi Amore provides a traditional trattoria experience with a menu chock full of well-known Italian classics. Whatever your favourite Italian dish you’ll find it on the gargantuan menu, and Mi Amore offers very reasonable set and pre-theatre menus as well.
Where: 80-82 Huntly Street, AB10 1TD
Book now: Mi Amore

Da Vinci Restaurant

What: Simple, hearty Italian cooking is what Da Vinci is all about, and it has made this centrally-placed restaurant extremely popular over the years. Expect all your usual antipasti, primi, pasta, secondi and desserts, with influence taken from all over Italy, and wood-fired pizzas into the bargain.
Where: 1 Alford Lane, AB10 1YB
Book now: Da Vinci Restaurant

Amarone

What: This upmarket Italian restaurant and bar has glamorous sites in Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Amarone’s slick palatial interiors are very welcome in Aberdeen too. There’s marble as far as the eye can see, backed up by no shortage of rich walnut and brass. Expect chic, artfully-presented plates that range from delicate antipasti and carpaccios to pizzas, pastas, and crowd-pleasing desserts, all washed down with excellent cocktails.
Where: 257 Union Street, AB11 6BR
Book now: Amarone

Mozza Aberdeen

What: Mozza’s multiple Scottish sites all specialise in Neapolitan pizza, and they do a darn good job of it too, from the crisp, fluffy, charred crust to authentic toppings and ingredients. The restaurant still does a great marinara for just five quid, which makes it dangerously hard to not just eat pizza seven days a week.
Where: Union Square, AB11 5RG
Book now: Mozza Aberdeen

Poldino’s

What: Poldino’s first opened up shop in Aberdeen in 1977, and it has long held a reputation for friendly service and consistent cooking. The family arrived in Aberdeen by way of Tuscany, so you can expect some faithful Tuscan cooking on the menu, as well as pan-Italian favourites and a wine list that has all the big hitters, from Valpolicella Classico to Chianti.
Where: 7 Little Belmont Street, AB10 1JG
Book now: Poldino’s

Aperitivo

What: Another of Aberdeen’s family-run neighbourhood Italians, Aperitivo has been set up as a relaxing, convivial spot to unwind after a long day and enjoy a drink and a snack. A la carte, vegan and kids menus have everyone covered, and the cooking is straight-forward but delicious.
Where: 15 Bon-Accord Street, AB11 6EL
Book now: Aperitivo

Borsalino

What: Borsalino is a family-run Italian restaurant in nearby Peterculter that has been serving up Italian comfort food since 1976. These days the restaurant has passed down to a new generation of the Balsamo family, and Luca runs the kitchen, maintaining Borsalino’s reputation for generosity, familial warmth and no-frills, delicious Italian cooking.
Where: 337 North Deeside Road, Peterculter, AB14 0NA
Book now: Borsalino

Got a taste for the finer things? Check out our handpicked list of the best restaurants in Aberdeen, which includes some quality affordable neighbourhood restaurants as well as break-the-bank celebration spots.