Divino Enoteca: Edinburgh Old Town’s finest family-run Italian with an enviable wine list

Family-run

There’s no denying that you quite simply can’t have bad Italian food – but whether it’s a memorable dining experience is a different story. Nestled in Edinburgh Old Town is an exception to that cause. 

Once awarded with both Edinburgh’s ‘best wine list’ and the city’s ‘best Italian restaurant’, the elegant Divino Enoteca needs little introduction. The third-generation Italian-run family business, set up by the Crolla family – who founded the Vittoria Group, of Antoinetta and La Favorita fame – is dedicated to producing genuine, delicious Italian food that’ll race through your mind on many sleepless nights. The Crolla name is now in the mouths and minds of many when it comes to conversations about Edinburgh’s best restaurants.

Wine not

The fine dining restaurant’s passion for wine is clear from the moment you set foot in the dining hotspot, as bottles adorn every bare stone wall, nook and cranny of the historic building, giving it a unique, archetypal wine cellar feel. The walls showcase 32 different types of wine from around the world – perhaps even including some beyond your wildest dreams – ready to sup, sample and savour on any occasion.

Pride of place at its heart is the eatery’s revolutionary ‘Enomatic’ wine dispenser, and it’s like nothing we’ve ever seen before. The unique invention takes centre stage, and allows its thirsty guests to try a range of unique wines by protecting opened bottles from oxidation, stopping the nectar from spoiling once opened. 

Can’t decide which wine to choose? We get it, dropping a hefty sum on one pricey wine you might not even like is daunting, but at Divino Enoteca, wine is available in three sizes: large (175ml), medium (125ml), or taster (25ml). Helpful sommeliers are on hand to help too, with no judgement if you don’t know your Merlot from your Malbec. Go all out and book a wine tasting, or even a bespoke wine tasting dinner, if you really want to treat yourself.

Makeover time

To go with your new favourite wine, plush armchairs, low-level lighting and sumptuous fabrics makes the venue feel fresh, inviting and exciting – all part of a £100k makeover from the brand, in efforts to depart from its former dark and moody feel. Now, it feels ambient and romantic, perfect for one-of-a-kind romantic dates, solo take-me-outs and unique get-togethers. The spot has also been awarded Scotland’s ‘most romantic restaurant too’, so it’s time to cosy up to your better half and plead with them to make a reservation.

As well as the stunning new dining space refurbishment, the restaurant’s outdoor courtyard has had a facelift, too, with the addition of an electric roof. Now heated, it means you can enjoy an authentic, unique dining experience whatever the weather (and since we live in Edinburgh, we mean the rain) all year round.

On the refurbishment, Leandro Crolla said: “We are so excited to continue to welcome our wonderful customers, old and new, into our beautifully redone Divino. The fresh and vibrant scenery brings a new energy that we hope will provide the perfect setting for any occasion.” 

Co-owner Alberto Crolla added: “We’ll never depart from serving the same authentically Italian food we’ve always been known for, but now guests can enjoy their meal in a more luxurious and welcoming environment than before.”

Food for thought

On that note, are you sitting comfortably? With a wine in hand? Now, it’s time to introduce Divino Enoteca’s food. With a focus on fresh, seasonal, local produce – carefully selected to create authentic, genuine and gourmet Italian cuisine – the menu is special indeed. Impressive relationships with winemakers and artisan food suppliers across Italy help, too.

We recommend grazing on a grande antipasto Divino to start with – a sharing platter for two boasting Italian cheese, charcuterie, bruschetta, grissini, oatcakes and giardiniera di verdure (pickled vegetables). As for mains, the menu is short – but tight. If you’ve a penchant for pasta, choose from an authentic carbonara; pappardelle al ragu toscano – a rich and aromatic sauce made with braised beef and pork, Tuscan red wine and herbs; or rigatoni alla norcina – rigatoni tossed with Tuscan sausage and Porcini mushroom cream. 

Main attraction

As for mains, it’s both a carnivore and fish-lover’s paradise. Feeling fishy? Choose the tonno in salmoriglio – marinated and grilled tuna steak, with heritage carrot and courgette ribbons, saffron and kaffir lime broth, olives and cashew crumb; or nasello con salsa al prosecco e melograno – pan-fried hake supreme, with prosecco and pomegranate sauce, squash and samphire.

There’s also ox cheek braised in Aglianico red wine, radicchio Trevigiano and creamed potatoes to choose from; as well as slow cooked lamb rump with braised Puy lentils, pickled carrots and Pecorino Sardo shavings; and beef fillet steak with Merlot red wine jus, sautéed rainbow chard and burnt onion crushed potatoes. Just be sure to leave room for dessert, either in the room of a cheese and grape board, vanilla pannacotta, blood orange sorbet or the piccola caprese – a hazelnut chocolate cake with coffee ice cream. There’s also the chance to end on a high with a dessert wine flight – don’t mind if we do…

Forget everything you think you know about Italian food – and wine, for that fact – Divino Enoteca goes above and beyond your usual Italian dining experience, and offers a romantic getaway in the heart of the historic city. It’s sure to be a night to remember for all the right reasons.