Contini George Street
103 George Street
Carina and Victor Contini have had an enormous impact on the Scottish eating and drinking scene; their grand George Street restaurant is a picture-perfect example of Italian roots melding with Scotland’s larder to produce restrained food that bursts with flavour. Chicken Milanese is still homey and comforting, but accompaniments of almond purée and capers take this simple dish to somewhere quietly thrilling. A treasure.

Divino Wine Bar & Restaurant
5 Merchant Street
This Old Town basement wine bar and restaurant shirks regional to serve cuisine from the length and breadth of Italy. Think mussels and prawns with paccheri pasta in lobster bisque, and steak served rare as you like. Wine flights offer a taste of each Italian region. The wine-lined private dining room is perfect for groups.

Little Capo
18 Howe Street
'Italian-ish' Little Capo is all about feel-good drop-by neighbourhood vibes. The menu is kept short, with a few snacks and charcuterie alongside four or so mains, at least two of which are veg based: grilled aubergine with caponata is rustic and punchy, and there’s always a hearty pasta on offer too. 

Locanda De Gusti
102 Dalry Road
Rusticana is the watchword here and Neapolitan/ southern Italian cuisine is king. Specials of fresh fish and handmade pasta change daily. It’s a family-run establishment and you can feel the love in every sun-ripened Sicilian pepper and beautifully balanced vegetable ragù. The tasting menu, served family style, is reasonably priced and makes for a delicious convivial evening. 

Radicibus
2 Deanhaugh Street
This sleek but cosy basement spot in Stockbridge takes Scotland’s abundance of wild game, foraged mushrooms and seafood, and turns it into Italian fine dining. Choose between a seven–course tasting menu or go à la carte: artisanal Italian wines are carefully selected to pair with each dish.

Also try… the elegant Sotto in Stockbridge (with its excellent wine list), the cosy back room at long-established Domenico’s in Leith, and pasta-palace Eve on Cowgate. For a plant-based focus, try Sora Lella and Sora Diana, family-run restaurants re-imagining classic Roman cooking without animal products.

This TipList is taken from Eat & Drink 365, our sister mag recommending the best in restaurants, bars, cafés and more across Edinburgh. Want a copy? It’s available online or across all good stockists in Scotland’s capital.