TOP RATED ITALIAN RESTAURANTS
The people of Scotland have a special relationship with Italian food. It has been popular in the UK since the first Italian immigrants arrived on these shores and opened cafés and restaurants in the early 20th century.
These immigrants brought with them new ingredients which allowed them to recreate classic Italian dishes which the Scots quickly fell in love with. Even through the last couple years where it has been hard on the restaurant industry the Scots love for Italian food persevered.
Some of the restaurants featured were provided by the Food Awards Scotland 2021.
AMARETTO (BRIDGE OF WEIR)
Since 2007 this family run cosy and modern restaurant has been providing Renfrewshire with the finest Italian food and drinks in its rustic restaurant and stylish new Bar. Their bar is open from 10 am everyday serving an extensive wine list, continental drought beers and cocktails.
They have a fantastic area in their bar for functions, business events and parties, or Al fresco dining when the sun shines.
DIVINO ENOTECA (EDINBURGH)
Hidden in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, Divino Enoteca offers a unique twist on contemporary dining with an archetypal wine cellar married to an elegant fine dining Italian restaurant.
Divino’s passion for wine is obvious from the moment you walk over the threshold – every wall and recess adorned with a glorious selection of wine bottles and taking centre stage is the ‘Enomatic’. This revolutionary wine dispenser enables bottles of wine to be opened and protected from oxidation ensuring an unspoiled glass.
At Divino our focus is on seasonal, fresh, genuine Italian cuisine using local produce and carefully selected in order to achieve a true evocation of Italian flavours. They encourage customers to leave room for their beautifully, hand-crafted desserts. For their efforts they have win several awards for best wine list and best Italian restaurant in Scotland.
LUPO’S (ST ANDREWS)
This restaurant describes its food as having Italian soul infused with the best Scottish ingredients. Their passionate team like to think of their menu as a love-letter to Italian drink, cuisine and design stretching from Tuscany to the Campania region. They invite customers to have a drink under the starry oval ceiling, or sprawled besides the fireplace in their cozy cocktail den. Their extensive drinks menu includes a Blood Orange spritz or a fresh house Bellini.
NONNA GINA’S (NEWTON MEARNS)
This popular family run restaurant has been operating for 28 years offering a range of traditional homemade Italian recipes and exciting new dishes. Their menu includes a range of Gluten free options as well as a full breakfast menu. They took away the award for Best Italian Restaurant at the 2021 Food Awards Scotland and were shortlisted for the 2018 Scottish Italian Awards.
CHIANTI (FALKIRK)
This restaurant invites customers to discover the magic of Italian cuisine in a warm welcoming environment and stylish surroundings. Their menu includes a wide selection of seasonal recipes that represent Italian cuisine and is made with genuine ingredients of local Italian products.
Their team of experienced chefs work hard to create a variety of exquisite dishes to suit the tastes of everyone regardless of food allergies or intolerance’s. They are very proud to say they use a vegetarian-based “parmesan” in their food. They doing bookings for larger parties and hosts live music on the last Tuesday of every month.
CHEESE & TOMATIN (INVERNESS)
This small family run restaurant first opened in Inverness in 2018 after a few years of selling woodfired pizzas to the local community. In 2020 they opened another branch in Aviemore.
Their signature dish is a traditional Neapolitan style pizza using a homemade sourdough base and Napoli sauce. The base is made with top quality Italian grade flour and slowly fermented over at least 3 days.
Their pizzas are topped with the finest locally sourced produce and locally grown organic vegetables before being cooked in a traditional woodfired oven in around 90 seconds.
AMORE (GLASGOW)
This restaurant/pizzeria first opened its doors in September 2008 in the heart of Glasgow’s Merchant City. It was founded by father and son team Eufemio & Romano Perallo with the aim of providing quality food in a great atmosphere. Romano still runs a lot of the day to day of the restaurant.
Its name is taken from the Italian word for love and that love is shown is every detail from the private booths, romantic setting and even the branded napkins. It has claimed accolades over the years such as Best Pizza in 2 categories at the 2019 UK PAPA Awards and Scotland’s Favourite Italian Business at the 2019 Scottish Italian Awards.
AMARONE (ABERDEEN)
Located on Union Street this restaurant puts a lot of emphasis into its wine. The name is taken from a wine rich region North East Italy with three areas that have their own style of wine. They have two other branches in Edinburgh and Glasgow with each of these restaurants themselves having their own style.
In 2019 they had a refurbishment, adding our fabulous central cocktail bar with striking tubular brass and deep booths for dining. The open pizza kitchen surrounded by vibrant green glazed tiles creating feast for the senses before customers before they order.
They offer private rooms for larger groups including the Salotto a vibrant dining area on a raised floor to the rear of the restaurant; it’s the favourite spot of many. Designed to have the look of an exclusive gentleman’s club, with lowered ceilings for a feeling of intimacy, making it a perfect spot for larger groups to dine.
ITALIA NOSTRA (STIRLING)
Italia Nostra Restaurant & Pizzeria is located on the hill up to the world famous Stirling Castle. The spectacular backdrop of the Castle that overlooks the National William Wallace Monument can be seen from the castle esplanade, just a short walk up the hill from the restaurant.
Nicola Salerno has been the owner of Italia Nostra for the last 25 years. Many of the staff have been loyal to the restaurant for 12 years with many regular customers who have been coming for years.
Their menu is wide and varied offering items such as succulent steak, chicken, veal, seafood, pasta and pizza dishes as well as mouth watering selection of special and authentic Italian dishes.
CARDOSI’S (PAISLEY)
This historic restaurant originally opened in the 1920’s by the Cardosi family as fish and chip shop soon followed by a café. The owners had to close due to ill health in the 80’s until their great grandchildren in 2002. The new restaurant can be found in the town centre of Paisley, in close proximity to the Paisley Museum & University of the West of Scotland.
They present a contemporary take on delicious Italian classics in a friendly & relaxed environment at affordable prices. They insist on using the finest seasonal ingredients available to support local producers.
Their menu offers a wide range of antipasti, pizza, pasta, grills and seafood, as well as their specials of the day. They have a gluten free and vegan menu to suit customers with different dietary requirements.
The restaurants featured were placed in no particular order. The purpose was to highlight not rank
