The Dine Out Edinburgh promotion is in full swing.
Until 2nd October, over 30 of the capital’s restaurants are offering two or three course menus, sometimes with a drink, for £15.95.
You can book online and search through menus and user reviews to find the dining experience that best suits you.
Today, we have picked out five that showcase la bella cucina of Italy.
Buon appetito!
Asti
Asti is a casual Italian restaurant and cafe on Edinburgh’s ever lively Broughton Street. Open from morning to night, it serves coffee and cakes, lunch, after work drinks and evening meals. A bustling cafe space out front leads through to a slightly quieter dining room which looks out over leafy gardens.
Visitors to the nearby Playhouse make the most of the hearty pre-theatre menus at Asti while local workers keep the lunch menu trade rolling along. Good pasta, gnocchi and risotto dishes are at the heart of both menus.
5pm diners love it:
‘Superb meal. First time visit to Asti and it won’t be our last. Delightful little restaurant with amazing menu and welcoming staff. This was real Italian cooking and not run of the mill restaurant chain fodder. Small room kept the noise down and it was pleasant for chatting while enjoying your meal. Starter portions were large so we recommend sharing unless you’re very hungry.’
As part of the Dine out Edinburgh promotion, Asti is offering three courses from their pre-theatre menu for £15.95. Book here.
Bar Italia
Located on Lothian Road, Bar Italia is in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End and offers contemporary and classic Italian dishes in relaxed surroundings. The family-run restaurant is accessible for wheelchair users, child-friendly and has the distinction of stocking house wines produced in the family’s very own vineyards in the south of Italy.
Options on the Dine Out Edinburgh promotion include spaghetti with chicken and pesto with cream sauce and cozze al vino bianco – fresh mussels sautéed with garlic, black pepper and white wine.
As part of the Dine out Edinburgh promotion, Bar Italia is offering two courses from their pre-theatre menu plus a glass of wine for £15.95. Book via 5pm Dining here.
Ciao Roma
Ciao Roma is a popular family run Italian located in Edinburgh’s Old Town. With a traditional and authentic décor including an open kitchen, Ciao Roma offers diners a warm Italian welcome and a relaxed dining experience.
Authentic recipes cooked with fresh and seasonal produce are high priorities on the menus at Ciao Roma. From the Dine Out Edinburgh menu we would go for the Pizza Cardinale topped with tomato, mozzarella, ham and mushrooms
As part of the Dine out Edinburgh promotion, Ciao Roma is offering two courses from their pre-theatre menu plus a glass of wine for £15.95. Book here.
Cucina
Located in Hotel G&V Royal Mile Hotel in the heart of Edinburgh city centre, Cucina is a vibrant, bustling restaurant, open all day from breakfast until late. Using fresh, seasonal ingredients and hearty flavours, Cucina’s authentic modern cooking is inspired by classic Italian cuisine.
With a combined rating of 4.1/5 from some 150 reviews, 5pm Dining users have a lot of time for Cucina. As this review shows:
‘Excellent meal. We had an excellent birthday meal. The food was extremely imaginatively cooked. My wife’s pasta was as good as she has had. We had a really good night out.’
As part of the Dine out Edinburgh promotion, Cucina is offering two courses from their 5pm menu plus a glass of Prosecco for £15.95. Book in here.
Zucca
Zucca, located on Grindlay Street in Edinburgh’s theatre district behind the Traverse theatre, in between the Royal Lyceum and the Usher hall, aims to offer a combination of friendly service, creative but simple menus alongside a good selection of wines. The food is elegant but simple, including some locally sourced produce.
Dishes on the Dine Out Edinburgh menu include starter such as the Mediterranean vegetable tart and the pig’s head terrine with plum and apple chutney. Main courses include tempting options like the fettuccine with spiced king prawns, zucchini and cherry tomatoes or the wild mushroom risotto with truffle oil and aged Parmesan.
As part of the Dine out Edinburgh promotion, Zucca is offering two courses plus coffee from their dinner menu plus a glass of wine for £15.95. You can book in via 5pm Dining.