17 of the best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh

The best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh aren't hard to find if you know where to look. You see, Edinburgh is a city of many culinary delights - between a host of Michelin-starred restaurants and hidden gems, Edinburgh lays a fair claim to being the best food city in Scotland (though Glaswegians may fairly argue that Glasgow’s best restaurants trump those in the capital in some ways).

Among a remarkable, resurgent dining scene, there are a number of fantastic Italian restaurants in Edinburgh too. Italian food remains wildly popular all over the British Isles. Despite the ebbs and flows of food trends, and exposure to food cultures from all over the world, we never seem to tire of fresh pasta draped in silky sauce, the speckled char of wood-fired pizza, cured meats, cheeses and snowballs of burrata with soft, curdy innards.

If the above sounds like something you’d order, you’ll want to scroll down and take a look at some of our favourite Italian restaurants in Edinburgh. We’ve tried to cover a variety of styles and locations, from the beautiful, light and airy Amarone in the city centre, to popular Napolitan trattoria Locanda de Gusti in Haymarket, or Contini - the ever-popular, much-photographed Italian eatery, housed in a grand old bank building on George Street.

Edinburgh is also a city that knows its way around a pizza and there’s a number of great pizzerias in the capital, from the ultra-authentic Razzo Pizza to local favourite Civerinos, and some cracking vegan pizzas courtesy of Novapizza.

Enough from us - you’re here for pizza, pasta and everything in between. Scroll down for our selection of the best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh - or skip to the best section if it's a pizza you have a craving for. 

Best Italian restaurants in Edinburgh

The great thing about Edinburgh is there's an Italian restaurant for every mood and occasion, from casual cafes serving filled ciabatta sandwiches, to family-friendly places, modern bistros and a spot that specialises in Sardinian cuisine. 

Contini

What: Founded in 2004 by Victor and Carina Contini (who also run a handful of other restaurants in Edinburgh), Contini is a recognisable landmark on Edinburgh's restaurant map. Many come to Contini for the gorgeous interiors and grand setting (it's nestled inside a 19th century banking hall), but there’s a very solid menu of Italian crowd-pleasers here, from polpette and gnocchi cacio e pepe to chicken Milanese and tagliata. 
Where: 103 George Street, EH2 3ES
Book now: Contini

Veeno

What: Veeno is as much about great wine as it is fantastic food, even boasting its very own vineyard in Sicily - Caruso & Minini – which has belonged to the family since the 19th century. Take your time exploring the extensive wine list which features bottles from across all regions in Italy, or let the team do the choosing for you with a curated wine pairing. You can choose from vegan wines, a natural wine pairing, a bubbly flight and more. We recommend you enjoy a couple of wines alongside its famous ‘Grande’ cheese and charcuterie board, perfect for sharing with a mate or date.
Where: 76 Rose Street, EH2 2NN
Book now: Veeno

Divino Enoteca

What: This restaurant and wine bar in Edinburgh Old Town is a popular destination for romantic dinners and intimate get-togethers. We can see why; rich oak floors, comfortable banquettes and soft lighting create a cosy atmosphere that's perfect for hunkering down with your nearest and dearest. It’s been in the Crolla family for three generations, who are dedicated to serving high-quality Italian food and genuine hospitality to rival any other Italian restaurant in the city. Ingredients are sourced direct from Italy if possible, and the wine offering is second to none – take stock of the 'enomatic’ wine dispenser in the centre of the restaurant, a modern machine that's able to open bottles without them spoiling from oxidisation. Genius!
Where: 5 Merchant Street, EH1 2QD
Book now: Divino Enoteca

Mamma Roma

What: Mamma Roma is a quirky, family-run restaurant just opposite the Edinburgh Playhouse split over three areas. There’s a theatre-themed restaurant upstairs, a rustic downstairs dining room and a third dining area next door inspired by a family trip to Venice. There’s a lengthy a la carte menu featuring every Italian dish you could possibly want or need, or if you’re in a hurry to catch a show at the playhouse next door, you’ll find a handy three-course pre-theatre menu for less than £25 a head.
Where: 4/7 Antigua Street, EH1 3NH
Book now: Mamma Roma

Piccolino

What: Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh Old Town, Piccolino is instantly recognisable for its electric blue awnings out front, a theme that continues inside with cobalt glassware and blue light fixtures. Piccolino has something for everyone, from indulgent signature dishes like prawn and pistachio linguine, or slow-cooked venison ragu, to a wealth of gluten-free and vegan options. Plus, dogs are welcome to join!
Where: 103 High Riggs, EH3 9RP
Book now: Piccolino

L'artigiano

What: L'artigiano translates as ‘artisan’ in English, a reflection of the restaurant's commitment to using high-quality produce from only the best suppliers. It’s a cute little spot with exposed brick walls, mosaic tiles and hanging woven lampshades, while dishes are familiar and affordable.
Where: 73 Fountainbridge, EH3 9PU
Book now: L'artigiano

Terra Marique

What: Lovely Terra Marique is a little more upmarket than your average pizza and pasta trattoria, but no less accessible thanks to friendly staff and down-to-earth cooking that celebrates great Scottish and Italian ingredients in tandem. Owners Ilaria and Fabrizio are from Puglia and Tuscany respectively, whilst head chef Maddalena is Sardinian - as a result the menu is Italian in broad strokes rather than taking a regional specialisation, and it adapts and changes with the passing seasons.
Where: 36 Castle Terrace, EH1 2EL
Book now: Terra Marique

Polentoni

What: One of Edinburgh’s best hidden gems, the Polentoni counter is a treasure trove of Italian goodies, from porchetta sandwiches to pizza and focaccia slices, pastries (the Nutella swirl is a thing of beauty), and cakes. Yes, there’s tiramisu. Yes, there’s Bolognese calzone. Everytime you return there’s something else delicious to try.
Where: 38 Easter Road, EH7 5RG
Book now: Polentoni

Amarone

What: Another George Street Italian housed in a grand old bank building, Amarone doesn’t boast quite the same jaw-dropping interior design as Contini but it’s still a great one-stop shop for anything from breakfast and coffee to pizzas, pasta and trattoria classics. The central location makes it ideal for a shopping lunch break, and Amarone is pretty expansive so you’ll rarely find yourself waiting for a table. Pizzas are particularly good - slow-proofed for 72 hours then blasted in a raging hot pizza oven for that classic crispy crust.
Where: 12-13 St Andrews Square, EH2 2BH
Book now: Amarone

Ristorante Isola

What: There’s no missing Isola’s proud Sardinian heritage, it’s plastered everywhere from the front signage of the restaurant to the ‘Discover Sardinia’ tab on its website. As such, expect typical Sardinian fare, from seafood, antipasti and pane carasau (thin crispbreads) to malloreddus (Sardinian pasta with sausage and tomato) and culurgiones (Sardinian ravioli). If you’re craving seafood pasta, this is the place to go.
Where: 85-87 Newington Road, EH9 1QW
Book now: Ristorante Isola

Paolozzi

What: Paolozzi is a collaboration between Edinburgh Beer Factory and local restaurateur Gino Stornaiuolo, and the concept is simple - freshly brewed local beers and freshly cooked Italian Scottish dishes. It’s a great mixture - the menu is pretty compact with a small range of pizza, pasta and assorted secondi piatti, and the tidy space has a brutalist edge with exposed concrete and piping, as well as showcasing artwork by Eduardo Paolozzi himself - the Leith-born originator of the pop art movement.
Where: 59-61 Forrest Road, EH1 2QP
Book now: Paolozzi

Locanda de Gusti

What: Head chef Rosario Sartore is a born and bred Napolitani, and he has managed to bring the spirit of that great city to Edinburgh at Locanda de Gusti. The interiors are simple - a comfortable modern bistro vibe - and there’s no room for frills on the menu either, but what you do get is honest Italian cooking. Slow-cooked pork cheeks, ravioli with sage butter and nutmeg, a cracking beef cacciatore - we could go on. It’s no coincidence that Locanda de Gusti is always busy.
Where: 102 Dalry Road, EH11 2DW
Book now: Locanda de Gusti

Best pizza restaurants in Edinburgh

Let's get straight to the point. Sometimes you don't want to faff about with all the extras and just want a pizza - good and proper. So, we've included an entire section dedicated to the best pizza restaurants in Edinburgh for when you fancy something casual, affordable and unashamedly cheesy. 

Salerno Pizza 

What: Salerno serves fresh, Neapolitan pizza using 24-hour proved dough for the best possible flavour. They're cooked hot and fast in a 500 degree oven, then topped with the likes of Tuscan fennel sausage, tomato and mozzarella, or aubergine pesto, cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and parmesan. Find it on the 4th floor of St James Quarter for a tasty pitstop post-shopping. 
Where: 405-407 St James Crescent, EH1 3AE
Book now: Salerno Pizza

Razzo Pizza

What: One of the newer arrivals on Edinburgh's pizza scene, Razzo has had rave reviews for its faithful recreations of classic Napolitan pizzas. Authentic ingredients are the order of the day here - San Marzano tomatoes and Italian ‘00’ flour make up the base of the Razzo experience. It’s impossible to ignore the absolutely magnificent pizzas, but if you can save room for a slice of ricotta pistachio torta or a baba al’rum, you won’t be disappointed.
Where: 59 Great Junction Street, EH6 5HX
Book now: Razzo Pizza

Civerinos Slice

What: A younger sibling of Civerinos in the city centre, Civerinos Slice is a striking, Instagram-friendly space of bold colours, pop art and geometric prints. Civerinos Slice is loud and vibrant, but retains that New York Italian diner vibe that works so well for the main restaurant, doling out pizzas that are available either by the generously sized slice or in their 20-inch entirety.
Where: 49 Forrest Road, EH1 2QP
Book now: Civerinos West Slice

Novapizza

What: Vegan specialists Novapizza have converted plenty of carnivores over the years with their delicious pizzas. The name is slightly misleading - Novapizza actually mixes things up with a pretty big menu, including a heap of delicious pasta, antipasti and salads, but it’s the awesome pizzas that keep people coming back to this New Town haunt. The team were deservedly named Scotland’s best vegan restaurant at Food Awards Scotland in 2021.
Where: 42 Howe Street, EH3 6TH
Book now: Novapizza

Pizza Posto

What: When you just want a proper Napolitan pizza at a reasonable price, Pizza Posto is the way to go. The menu is pretty compact but has a nice range of options, from classic margarita and marinara to salsiccia and friarelli (broccoli tops) and a great calzone too. Grab some crispy rosemary and Parmesan fries and scatter them over the pizza for the true Neapolitan pizza experience.
Where: 16 Nicolson Street, EH8 9DH
Book now: Pizza Posto

Between brunch, afternoon tea and dinner restaurants in Edinburgh, we've covered the capital pretty extensively. Maybe it's time to take yourself over to the west coast to check out Glasgow's best Italian restaurants. Or, start planning a gastronomic tour of the whole country and stop in at all of Scotland's best restaurants!