Our favourite Mediterranean spots in Edinburgh

An authentic family-owned Italian restaurant located in the Dalry neighbourhood, this charming eatery has gained a well-deserved reputation for serving traditional cuisine. It offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with rustic decor and menus by Chef Rosario. Being a coastal city, Edinburgh provides an abundance of fresh seafood. Locanda de Gusti takes full advantage of this by offering mouthwatering fish and shellfish dishes.

Every dish is made from scratch, incorporating local and imported artisanal products, for food that’s won the hearts of countless locals. If you’re looking for a little piece of Napoli in the heart of Scotland, Locanda de Gusti is a place worth exploring. Locanda de Gusti is open every day except Sunday and is just a few minutes walk from Haymarket Station.

These two restaurants were launched by two ladies. You’ll find the first on the upper curve of Cockburn Street — a pretty spectacle with lots of outdoor tables and floral decoration — and in the New Town with a charming pastel pink frontage. The Middle Eastern Blossom Brunch has items such as Shakshouka, with spiced tomato sauce, mixed peppers, poached free-range eggs, lemon yoghurt and pitta.

While the evening menu is more of a tour around the Med, with dishes like Fritto Portofino (dusted and fried calamari with black tiger prawns, aleppo aioli and lemon); paprika cod fillet (with Spanish chorizo and pea medley, lemon yoghurt and crushed spiced potatoes); and Steak Frites, served with either salsa verde, bearnaise, aleppo aioli, or harissa butter, depending which country’s flavours you want to channel.

These two restaurants were launched by two ladies. You’ll find the first on the upper curve of Cockburn Street — a pretty spectacle with lots of outdoor tables and floral decoration — and in the New Town with a charming pastel pink frontage. The Middle Eastern Blossom Brunch has items such as Shakshouka, with spiced tomato sauce, mixed peppers, poached free-range eggs, lemon yoghurt and pitta.

While the evening menu is more of a tour around the Med, with dishes like Fritto Portofino (dusted and fried calamari with black tiger prawns, aleppo aioli and lemon); paprika cod fillet (with Spanish chorizo and pea medley, lemon yoghurt and crushed spiced potatoes); and Steak Frites, served with either salsa verde, bearnaise, aleppo aioli, or harissa butter, depending which country’s flavours you want to channel.

When you think of Mediterranean food your mind may jump to thoughts of Italy, Spain and Portugal. But Lebanon is located on the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and offers a rich culinary heritage with some mouthwatering mezes. Pay a visit to Sofia’s Lebanese Street Food, for some exotic fine dining presenting the recipes of this region. Pair your meal with a bottle of Chateau Musar, Lebanon’s own iconic wine, a blend of Cinsault, Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon. There are three branches of Sofia’s; one south, one west and the other north of the city.

If you love Aizle and Noto, you’ll go crazy for this new venture in town from the same team. The menu has an Italian/Med vibe, made up of stylish small and large plates. Try their house-made perfectly al dente pasta (the restaurant itself has been named after the ’00’ flour used to make it), cured meats, aged charcuterie and cheeses and soft-serve ice cream, just like the kind you’d find on the Riviera. And sip on some European wines and cocktails befitting sunnier climes. Reserve a table in the restaurant, a seat at the bar, or if you want to host a private gathering for more than none of you, book the “pasta room”. Tipo has found its home in an elegant townhouse (formerly The Dogs) and its way into the Michelin Guide since opening early in 2023.