ASK Italian - Edinburgh in Edinburgh, City of

Enjoyed a nice dinner here after a concert - the place was busy with customers spanning all demographics - real Italians eat here and enjoy it and that says a lot. Food was great and reasonably priced. Staff were friendly and ensured great service. Highly recommend eating here.

Very poor service. Waited 1/2 hour for starters to come out and over an hour for mains. Probable issues over length of food wait was due to noticeable amount of food being sent back by various customers, we heard in one case was sent back as was cold. They tried to pacify us with free drink etc but refused this as jus wanted to get our of place.

We have already visited this restaurant in Edinburgh couple of times, each time before going to the airport. This is the first time that we felt comfortable and welcome, this is due to the lady name Dumi who served us. We had an honest and pleasant conversation with excellent food every time. Don't miss this restaurant.

Very good restaurant. We were welcomed with a mini glass of lemonade. The mushroom pasta and pizza were delicious. The dessert was also very good. Good service (orders by QR code).

Thank you so much for the service on our visit. Enrico and Ausra have been great hosts! 🫶

leo miller made my pasta, 10/10 absolutely unreal

Ask Italian in Edinburgh offers a delightful dining experience with delicious food, impeccable service, and a cozy atmosphere. The menu features a wide variety of Italian dishes prepared with care, and the staff is friendly and attentive. Special thanks to , Enrico, and Ausra for their exceptional service. Whether you’re craving pasta, pizza, or risotto, you’re sure to find something to satisfy your appetite here. Highly recommended for a wonderful dining experience!

The food was delicious, I recommend trying the lasagna 10/10. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, Dumitrita was very helpful Friendly and gave very good recommendations. I felt welcome

Very warm welcome, fast and friendly service Small welcome drink I recommend

Super endroit , équipe très sympathique et souriante On demande de suite s’il y a des allergies avec possibilité de consulter par qrcode ce qu’il y a dans pas mal de plat

Great food, amazing service, our waitress was so lovely and helpful, fab start to our weekend in Edinburgh

The food is delicious and the staff are very friendly especially Dumi she is very nice, helpful and professional.

Lovely, delicious food and wonderful service!

I popped in for quick Sunday lunch, food was amazing. Especially burrata caprese. Lovely service from Ausra. Visited before many times, always great.

In this financial climate eating out is an occasional treat rather than a regular occurrence, so a mediocre dining experience is particularly disappointing. Even plates that were clearly made fresh like pasta dishes were presented without any finishing touches. My calzone was sitting alone in the middle of a plate looking sorry for itself when it could’ve been accompanied by a little spray of salad to make it look like something special. But it was my wife’s Pollo Milanese that was the most tragic. Basically a reformed, processed chicken escalope that looked like something I can buy frozen in Iceland for 50p. And yet they have the audacity to charge £17.50 for it… The service was generally good, apart from one woman who cleared plates and laid out dessert menus WHILE ONE OF OUR PARTY WAS STILL EATING. It’s generally considered rude to clear plates while someone at the table is still eating, but to also provide everyone (including the one still finishing their main course) with dessert menus was just outrageous. This is supposed to be fine dining not McDonalds. I don’t think we’ll be back.

Good food, amazing service with friendly staff and overall great feel to the restaurant

The food was amazing and the waitresses were very welcoming, a really good experience overall!

Delicious, freshly prepared food and a warm welcome. Staff who go the extra mile with a smile. Sasha is an excellent waitress who is genuinely interested in the customers. We returned especially to see her and eat the great food. Try the vegan salad and add the goat’s cheese. Try the risotto al funghi. Desserts not ordered yet. We may return for a third visit.

I had a disappointing experience at this restaurant. From the moment we arrived, the waitress seemed unfriendly, giving strange looks and making odd gestures with her mouth. Despite requesting a table with a baby stroller, her response was curt and dismissive. Later, when we asked for a table for two with an extra chair for our one-year-old, she initially accommodated us, but then abruptly insisted we move because we were suddenly considered three people, even though we had the baby with us from the start. Her demeanor was consistently rude, and it felt like she didn't want us there

Quite disappointing experience Food was at least average - comparing to other Italian places in the area it was actually poor. And overpriced. At least service was good but unfortunately that doesn't make up for food. I won't go there again.

Lemoncello and great starters!!

Had a lovely meal on Monday. Warm greeting on arrival. Taken to our precooked table directly Street view, nice. Started with baked butterfly prawns on bread. Lasagne for main with extra meatballs. Washed down with a really nice bottle of Primitivo. No desert required this time. I'll be back

1st time @ASK Italian didn't disappoint. Lovely staff, & food was amazing, freshly made, best Italian food we've had, Thank you

We ordered a pizza margherita, a Stromboli, a pasta carbonara and a pasta pomodoro. It was very basic I am afraid… we had to add pepper to get a little taste. In any case close to Italian tastes I am afraid. It needs improvements.

Beautiful food but front of house could do with work

We visited this lovely restaurant and were 7 family members, we booked a table and had plenty of room, the restaurant was very busy which was good, the staff and service was great, the food and drink was brilliant, although the restaurant was busy the atmosphere was great.

Main courses was cold had to send them back. Not enough staff to keep the service moving. They were friendly and trying there best

Great pasta in the center of Edinburgh, super recommended :)

Had a lovely meal from here when stayed in the area yes it was only a spaghetti Bolognese but it was amazing and staff where fantastic left happy 😁

Had a lovely meal so my rating is nothing to do with food or service staff, my rating is aimed at the extremely rude woman who we met as soon as we walked in the door, I had booked a table online for 9 people, received no confirmation of booking from ask italian so decided to phone 2 nights before we were due to attend, spoke to a very nice gentleman who assured me my booking was confirmed, he told me he thought nobody had checked the bookings so this was why I hadn't heard anything back, turned up on the night to be told with attitude, we did have a table ready for you but you didn't confirm then she processed to tell me some of my party had already arrived and as it turns out they were met with the same negative attitude, we spent over £377 that night but will not be returning due to one negative member of staff.

Delicious! Best pasta I have had in a long time! I highly recommend the Burrata and Pancetta Carbonara and the Biscoff cheesecake.

Brilliant place good size portions decent prices Only downside tip already added to bill

Ellis, Enrique and George gave wonderful service, I highly recommend the zucchini fritte. Staff very friendly and knowledgeable of allergies.

Got a voucher so tried ASK Italia, I have to say I was surprised! Not a big fan of chains but have to say I enjoyed my lunch and will return! Started with cheese fondue AMAZING!!! With lots of fresh garlic flatbread with it, I had lasagna bites which was ok wouldn’t get again, mains linguine carbonara classic tasted great and fresh! I got beef brisket pasta it was ok probably wouldn’t get again, bit disappointed as it’s recommended on the menu! Not bad but not memorable. When I do go again I think I’d get a few sides and starters and definitely go back just for the cheese fondue 😂 lovely staff definitely worth trying!

You will get a free try shots of lemonade . It’s really nice , recommend it . I tried pollo pizza which is in the beginning of pizzas menu . It was 15.96ish don’t remember . Didn’t enjoy it . It took so long to cook it and then it came cold . There was like 3 or 4 small pieces of chicken and loads of rocket . It was disappointing tbh. Anyways i want to try their best sellers mushrooms or whatever . Maybe they’ll be better. No photos unfortunately.

Service very slow, not that we were in a great hurry but children get restless. I think my guests were happy with what they chose but I was really disappointed in the Sea Bass al Forno . It was described as having a white wine sauce but instead there was a lot watery liquid, probably unstrained spinach. On the positive side it was child friendly.

Great place to get pasta. Service was stellar

Great food nice place to eat very relaxed atmosphere we'll be back

Couldn't fault it, linguine carbonara was amazing, as was the chocolate gnocchi for dessert. We'll be back very soon. Loved it. Service top notch, food was quick and high quality.

Great for families, nice food friendly and helpful staff

I was working in the Ghillie Dhu & called in here to get a takeaway coffee. The place had a great atmosphere, the staff were very welcoming & friendly. It was pouring outside & I wish I could have stayed & ate. The guy handed me my coffee and as I went to pay he told me it was on the house & to enjoy it. I was taken aback at such a kind act. It actually made my night. Something so simple but yet heart warming at the same time. I’m never in this beautiful city much but I’ll tell you what, I love Edinburgh, the culture & most importantly the people. Well done to this guy for making an anxious girl feel wonderful before her gig Xxx

The restaurant is beautiful, but the prices are a little high The service is very nice Thanks to the staff: aushra also lyli

Was at shandwick place ask italian there was no lasagne left the chef went out of his way to make one this is my favourite restaurant well done everyone thank you x

Good selection for pizza and pasta lovers for sure. Loved the bruschetta. 5 stars for the bruschetta

Alles war perfekt 👌🏻 Keine Wartezeit. Super Service. Klasse esse 👌🏻 gerne wieder.

First time visiting here with my pal. Had a lovely Spaghetti Al Pomodoro then Sicilian lemon tart. Pink grapefruit spritz, delicious mocktail. Pal have no issue with his meal and he enjoyed his flat white cuppa. We are deaf and really friendly staff help to communicate with us including bit of sign language and great atmosphere.

First time visiting here with a friend. I had lovely Spaghetti Al Pomodoro then Sicilian Lemon Tart, it was good. Pink grapefruit spritz mocktail was delicious. Friendly staff and great atmosphere.

The food is really nice staff is really nice too I recommend coming.

They were all so helpful and I am so glad to have had such a lovely experience with great staff members and delicious food. The food was a good portion size and I had 2 drinks which both tasted brilliant. I will be going again when I next visit Edinburgh

Really lovely lunch. Everything cooked fresh. Delicious garlic bread. Great service too. loved their own made lemonade.

I highly recommend the king prawn and crawfish tagliatelle (**the egg noodles were homemade). Lovely staff and environment for a relaxing lunch.

Having been to Ask Italian in Edinburgh several times previously we decided to book for a friend’s 60th birthday. Apart from the location being very central in the city and the food being very good, the staff are always friendly and efficient. However they went above and beyond this time with a birthday card and flowers on the table for the birthday girl! They really played a part in making it a very enjoyable evening for 12 of us. We will be back!

Lovely food some of the best Italian food I've ever eaten, service was amazing very attentive and will definitely be back. Manuel who was on the floor was so polite and welcoming.

Amazing food and great service from our waitress Lilly!! Would recommend!!!

Very disappointing, was in the restaurant by 21oo hrs, the google says closing time is 22oo hrs, was refused the entry, I am not sure which is correct, for a chain of restaurant with this standard I don't know what to say

I went there with some friends for dinner on a Saturday. When we were sat on our table they offered us a shot of raspberry lemonade (non alcoholic) but very nice. We ordered some drinks while we were chosing what to eat. Then we ordered our food and we wait for more than 20 min to be served, I have to say that the restaurant wasnt full so there was not reason for us to be waiting so long. After our food is served, I was expecting a nice dinner to find out that my carbonara wasnt carbonara at all.... More like a pasta with a heavy cream sauce, very milky taste. I couldnt find the flavour of the cheese anywhere, Very expensive 15.50 for a fake carbonara. Dissapointed.

All good today, good service and prompt turnaround 👍

The bar tender made a really good hot chocolate. Will be back again ☺️

I stayed 4 nights in Edinburgh and “Ask Italian” its the best Italian food in the city. All the plates and a lovely garlic bread are delicious. Amy and all the staff are very kind. Marvellous expirience!!!

Très bon restaurant, la cuisine était excellente. Les pizzas, calzone aux Champignons et truffes un régal. Le service était excellent, le gérant est extrêmement gentil, serviable et bienveillant. Nous étions en famille avec deux enfants. On vous recommande ce restaurant sans soucis.

Great service from Enrico, food was excellent!

Really enjoyable meal with 9 sitting. Well looked after and great service

This was disappointing 😞 the restaurant could be so much nicer in terms of decor. We wouldn't have tried it if it wasn't for tesco vouchers.....turned out we couldn't use them anyway despite it not saying that upfront.

Some of the best service i have ever had in Edinburgh! Never felt more looked after, and the food was amazing! The manager Ellen made us feel so welcomed and went above and beyond!

My family enjoyed a fantastic lunch here in between Christmas shopping. The food was excellent with a wide variety of options. I’d like to give special thanks to the manager Ellen who was careful and knowledgable about our allergens as well as being very friendly. Overall a fantastic service with a nice atmosphere.

Good food and excellent service, it's a bit pricey is okay for an occasional treat.

Accoglienza perfetta, siamo stati serviti subito con 2 limoncelli all'arrivo. Riguardo l'aspetto del locale molto bello, intimo e romantico. Servizio eccellente, ragazzi cordiali, preparati e disponibili. Cibo ottimo, qualità prezzo valida. Se vi capita consiglio di passare assolutamente. Baci da Andrea ed Emiliano.

Ordered using Uber Eats, food arrived damaged in a paper bag, containers opened, no plastic forks - knife included. A complete mess. No compensation. Customers deserve more! Beware.

Do NOT be put off by the fact that this is a chain restaurant. Despite it being very busy, the service was first class, quick, helpful and friendly. Food was absolutely delicious, one of the best lasagnas I've ever eaten, full of flavour, plenty of sauce, great portion size. Every one of the party commented on how lovely their meals were....a sausage pasta, vegan lentil pasta and king prawn and crayfish pasta. Starters and desserts were equally as delicious. I would definitely return here, a very impressive meal. Well done to all the kitchen and waiting staff!

visited here for the first time today & the food was amazing but the service let it down. we found the manager to be extremely rude & she came across racist as she acted completely differently towards us (POC) than she did with the white customers. unfortunately wouldn’t be back..

Loved it ..worth a visit. Very busy but served well

We had a really nice meal here after a day shopping and exploring the Xmas markets. The Christmas menu was great (particularly the festive carbonara!). There were four of us and all of us enjoyed our meals (and cocktails) without complaint. One of the nicest meals I’ve had from a chain restaurant. Our server was fab; had a great sense of humour and made sure we were looked after. I’d recommend pre booking a table if going at the weekend - we booked online the night before as it figured the city would busy (it was!).

Go elsewhere. We had booked for an early family dinner using a blue light code. I had written it on the booking and asked if there was any problem with the code if they could let us know before hand. When we arrived they said they would not accept it as they were too busy. There was 4 people in the full restaurant. It was 3.30pm. Staff were very dismissive and basically said it was just tuff and totally our fault. Not handled well at all. Which was my main grievance. Restaurant was dead with no atmosphere and we decided to leave. We went to Bella Italia just a 5 minute walk and oh my goodness what a difference they were full but we were made to fell so welcome, food atmosphere, cocktails and staff absolutely amazing. We will NEVER return to ask.

Food was excellent, staff fantastic overall 5* Would recommend and would return Yummy 😋 Waitress was informative and extremely pleasant but not overly intrusive. Recommendation for thin crispy base was fabulous really delicious. Complimentary taster homemade lemonade is lovely touch and was very pleasant to the palate. No desserts as we were completely full but they looked yummy

Fantastically friendly staff who gave me a complimentary soft drink as I arrived. Fantastic lemon and gin cocktail really set the evening off. Great atmosphere with everyone appearing to have a lovely time. Open kitchen so you can see what’s happening and again, the chefs...

Central location for a quick meal.

Don’t normally add reviews, but thought on this occasion I had to as I had the best pasta dish I have ever eaten here last night. Busy, lively place with very helpful staff. Great night.

It was a very nice night out, staff were all very polite and friendly, they went above and beyond in making that customers happy. They also had very nice pepper grinders and where very polite when asked where they got them haha, and to the staff member who’s name we can’t remember who was very helpful at rhe end of the night we thank you for the laughs ❤️

We had a delicious meal, serviced by very friendly and helpful staff. Could not fault it, would happily recommend to anyone. Fab job guys

The most tasty food I have ever eaten

The best service thank you so much to Ella for making our night special! Brilliant all round. Nice options including vegan

Pizzas were very average, edible but not very exciting. Husband's chicken dish mediocre. Drinks and food expensive, £240 for 6 of us. Just mains & 2 deserts..Would not recommend.

A great Italian eatery and a 5 minute walk from the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. The food was fantastic. The only downside is that they don't do half portions.

Very good food, nice staff and great atmosphere! I recommend to visit

Loved the mushrooms and cheese starter and followed by calazoni

Embarrassing how a staff member can refuse two customers (and two before us) at 8.58pm saying the kitchen is closed and they only take takeaways. It doesn't make sense what she said. As far as I'm concerned worst service ever while not eating. Pointing out that closing time is 10pm, you cannot turn away customers more than an hour before closing time. Stay away from it.

Great Italian restaurant, great food, I eat a pollo pizza and my girlfriend some Carbonara both were great and for dessert we tried backed chocolate gnocchi which it was..... extremely good. The only thing I didn't like there it was the beer, it was warm. Definitely we will come back there.

Very impressed as it is a chain and not privately owned.

Totally forgot to leave this review. At 20.38 on the 3.11.2023, myself and my partner were turned away because the “kitchen was shut” but before the young lady informed us of such, she asked if we had a “reservation” there was only a few tables in too, there’s not any justification on a Friday night in hospitality that merits this nor any explanation to your area manager or head office. Zizzi were more than happy to take us and from that same competitor, this isn’t the first time they’ve had walk ins come across from your venue.

Good food nice pasta.. lasagne bites are to die for

Disappointed by ASK Italian. Like other reviewers of this branch have said, it seems there's a management problem. The kitchen seemed full of staff (when I walked past to the loos) so why was the service so slow? I sent my sea bass back because it was not hot enough (served in a cold dish) and the tomatoes it was supposed to be cooked with were actually raw. My husband had finished his (good) lasagne by the time I got Sea Bass no2 - which was yummy. Good: starters, wine, gin and ginger "cocktail", courgette frittes. Friendly waitresses but no one about encouraging the team in the kitchen or on the floor. Needs sorting. Interestingly no one from ASK Italian has commented on any of these reviews. Hmmmm.

Very nice Italian restaurant! We were only in Edinburgh for one night and as soon as we saw it decided to eat there right away! A little pricey but the food was delicious! All cooked fresh and full of flavour! Really friendly staff and fast service, especially Freya who was our very kind waitress!

Guter Italiener, bei welchem wir bei unserem Edinburgh Aufenthalt an zwei Abenden waren. Wir haben Vorspeisen und Pasta gegessen und diese für gut empfunden :) Schade nur, dass binnen weniger Tage die Karte gewechselt wurde. Die Pasta mit dem grünen Pesto und den Bohnen gab es beim zweiten Mal nicht mehr.

Order £65 of food to be delivered….never got delivered…

Lovely experience! We ordered a vegetarian carbonara with mushrooms instead of bacon and they made it perfectly fresh and it tasted amazing. The service was super good. We enjoyed our dinner here very much.

Amazing food and interior decoration! This would be a Must-go place!!

Went here with my partner for a bite to eat on 23rd, the welcome we were given on entrance to restaurant was very poor...no hello can I help you....have you got a booking....first thing we were greeted with was we are not taking any walk...

Over on holiday place looked lovely so stopped in. Didn't have any complaints staff was lovely.

One of our go to restaurants when eating out. The food is always very tasty and there is always a good choice of dishes to try. Unfortunately service was extremely slow due to not enough staff , there was only one waitress so had to wait a long time to be served. Hopefully this will not be an issue the next time !

A less than welcoming greeting when we arrived without a booking we nearly went elsewhere for dinner. However, when told that a table would be available in 20 minutes, with no room to have a pre dinner drink, we went to a pub down the...