Locanda De Gusti in Edinburgh, City of

fantastic food+great people+nice environment=perfect meal

The perfect combination of flavors in every bite!!!!!!

An absolute must-try for food enthusiasts!!!!!!!

Excellent food, quality, portions, and service. Definitely recommended for anyone looking for a fresh nice meal.

A real gem. Great seafood. Great service. Dessert, the calories are burned long before the smile on your face, dont miss out.

A few weeks before our trip to Scotland, I started researching the best seafood spots in Edinburgh, and Locanda Di Gusti kept popping up as a top recommendation. I’m so glad I followed the reviews and made a reservation—it was hands down one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. Located about a mile and a half from our hotel on the Royal Mile, the walk itself was charming, offering peaceful views of the less touristy side of Edinburgh and even the backside of the castle. But let’s talk about the real star: the food. We arrived hungry and started with a pasta dish to share, followed by the seafood bowl for two. This platter was a dream—octopus, clams, prawns, langoustines, calamari, and mussels—each bite incredibly fresh, perfectly cooked, and bursting with flavor. Truly the finest seafood we’ve ever tasted, and not even a hint of that overly “fishy” taste you sometimes get elsewhere. We finished with a couple of desserts and two lattes, which capped the meal beautifully. While the bill was on the higher side, every penny felt well spent for the quality, flavor, and experience we received. No regrets whatsoever—Locanda Di Gusti is a gem and absolutely worth the visit. Don’t miss it!

Very lively and authentic. Great food, esp the seafood and the pasta. Cannolo is something not to miss for dessert! Very professional and friendly staff, service was prompt and flawless. Will come back!

The food was very very tasty and good!!!

Incredible food - we were truly blown away with every single dish coming. Visited so many restaurants in Edinburgh and hands down - this is by far the best one !

Locanda de Gusti in Edinburgh serves up authentic dishes straight out of a kitchen in Naples, Italy! The staff are mostly from Italy and Giovanni and his team were wonderful and made my birthday meal special. You need to book a reservation as it is a small restaurant. You are treated like family!! Upon the recommendations of Giovanni, we got the Crostata to start (baked cheese pie- shortcrust pastry tartlet filled with asparagus, peppery ricotta, smoked mozzarella) followed by the Genovese pasta dish (Paccheri pasta tossed with braised white onion and shin of beef sugo, basil, white wine and Parmigiano). Then if that wasn’t enough, our table of 2 shared the Grigliata di Pesce, a house special (charcoal grilled assorted Scottish fish and crustacean medley- sea bass, tuna steak and swordfish, and trout along with langoustine, scallop, and king prawn). We had to get a desserts of which I forgot the name of one. Look at the pics though, simply incredible!! Go with the filo pastry with hazelnut cream. Baba is the name of the other- a rum cake. Again, make a reservation and get over to Locanda de Gusti!!

As an Italian, this place truly feels like home. Excellent food, excellent quality of ingredient, excellent service.❤️

Set lunch. Meat was poorly grilled. Fish didn’t taste fresh. Olives were not good. Fried potato side was not good. A raw clove of garlic was served with the meat. It was inedible and burns one’s mouth when biting into it. Panna cotta didn’t feel fresh. Neighbouring tables were audible, rude and discomfort. Quite a nice meal regardless. Double the price of other set lunches.

Excellent food, delicious starters and seafood linguine main. The staff are very knowledgeable and great banter as always!

The delicious food is why you go. The autentico gusto di Napoli. The experience is why you'd come back. We went for my birthday and I had a wonderful time. Thank you so much. Il cibo es stupendo qui

Fantastic food and great atmosphere. Loved it!

The food was excellent, and the staff were warm and friendly. It was one of the best food experiences we had on our entire trip. We would absolutely eat there again.

We took a couple of friends to Locanda de Gusti for the first time and they were absolutely blown away with the quality and choice of vegetarian dishes on offer. They were also impressed with the friendliness of the staff, the owner Rosario and the atmosphere of the restaurant. We always go for the fabulous “grigliata” of Scottish fish & seafood, which again, was cooked to perfection. For lovers of authentic Italian cuisine Locanda de Gusti is still the best in Edinburgh.

Fabulous evening with delicious food and great service. We felt very well looked after so thank you and will definitely return!

Flavours, textures, service and everything around it was exceptional. Chairs are not the most comfortable but everything else is perfect.

This is our third visit to this most amazing restaurant!! The food is just fabulous and the staff is so warm and wonderful. We can not wait to come back again next year!!! Thank you so much for such a fantastic night!

Napoli inspired restaurant. An incredible gem in Edinburgh with tasty Italian food. We tried the burata, astalata, pasta, ravioli, and the seafood. It’s a must visit restaurant that deserves a Michelin star.

Amazing food, both seafood and pasta! If you want pure joy in food, eat here - such a generous heart-warming place and hosts. I am going to use all possible excuses and reasons to come again as soon as possible as this is now my Edinburgh favourite. Thank you, Locanda de Gusti, see you soon🫶💜🍀

We had a wonderful meal at Locanda di Gusti. Four of us all chose different dishes and we all thoroughly enjoyed our food. The seafood was fresh and delicious and the meat was plentiful and good quality. We were offered an alternative wine as they didn’t have the one we wanted. They suggested we taste it and they would change it if we didn’t like it. Of course we did like it! The service was excellent and also warm and friendly. You won’t be disappointed here!

A nice homely feel, maybe taken a but too far with somewhat cramped tables and appliances. Food was tasty, however we expected tastebud explosions which we didn't get. Service was absolutely wonderful, and complementary appetizer was lovely

I came all the way from Saudi Arabia and had the pleasure of dining at this amazing restaurant—and it was absolutely worth it! The dishes were delicious, full of flavor, and clearly made with love and care. Each plate was a highlight!🤍🤍 “Try the affogato after lunch 😙” The atmosphere was warm, welcoming, and had a great vibe that made the whole experience even better. What made it truly special was the chef—so friendly and genuinely passionate about the food. He even took time to chat with us, which added a personal touch I really appreciated 🙏🤍

Super welcoming atmosphere, the food is very authentic, every dish I tried was a delicious experience. Had the opportunity to go twice the same week and enjoy different entrees, main meals and deserts, not to mention the wine. Staff is very friendly is like you’re going to eat at a family dinner.

Lovely little authentic Italian restaurant, the owners and staff are really friendly and have amazing customer service. Their food is unreal and could not recommend this restaurant enough if in Edinburgh! Defo worth the visit!

Beautiful food and attentive service. The most authentic Italian food I have tried in Edinburgh!

Fantastic foox and even better service! Very friendly and welcoming.👍

Had diarrhoea from this and got diabetes but good food

This for me claims the titles of both best Italian restaurant in Edinburgh and best Seafood restaurant in Edinburgh. Had my birthday here over the weekend and had a 10/10 experience. Seafood platters were to die for and the service was exceptional.

Beautiful food, excellent service. Will definitely return.

Great food and great service as usual-our favourite Italian restaurant in Edinburgh by a mile-never disappoints-always a pleasure

Top class service. Very friendly and helpful staff. I’ve never had better Italian cuisine in my life. A taste sensation.

Delicious food, wine and ambience as always. Exceptional service. Cannot fault this place - the very best of Italian hospitality

Everything was wonderful. The food was incredible. I had ravioli stuffed with mushrooms and my friend has a pork ragú. The wine was so delicious. Sadly, I can’t remember the name, but it had a gold and white label. Service is delightful. Gelato was fabulous. I have been here about 6 times. It is always amazing. Can’t wait to go back.

Typical Neapolitan restaurant, finally a Chef who does not compromise and cooks dishes AS GOD COMMAND!!! thank you (also from Anna) for an evening to remember!!!

Finalmente dopo 15 anni ad Edimburgo sono riuscito a cenare in questo ristorante... l'ambiente è veramente napoletano, molto amichevole e familiare. Il cibo.... che ve lo dico a fare.... TOP

This is an excellent Italian restaurant. Unlike other posh Italian places, it gives me the warm feeling of visiting a friend’s home whenever I walk in. The atmosphere is relaxed, and the staff—both waiters and waitresses—are exceptionally friendly. As soon as we sat down, they kindly offered to hang our jackets, which made us feel well taken care of from the start. Before we even ordered, I noticed a small but impressive detail—the hand-drying machine in the bathroom. Though the bathroom itself is not large, I was genuinely surprised by the machine that automatically dispenses paper towels. It’s a thoughtful touch that reflects the restaurant’s attention to detail. As for the food—it was fantastic. The staff gave us helpful recommendations, and we started with an octopus dish and some fresh bread. For the mains, we ordered “Seafood on the Plate” and a beef pasta. Both were outstanding. The pasta with beef was truly legendary—rich, juicy, and cooked to perfection. The seafood platter was generous, with an impressive variety of fresh seafood. We finished everything, even the bread. We also had two vanilla desserts, which were excellent. I ordered a glass of rosé wine, which was smooth and paired perfectly with our meal. Additionally, we were given two small portions of tomato sauce, which tasted incredibly fresh. To top it all off, the staff brought us two complimentary shots of lemon vodka—an excellent way to end the meal. While the price is slightly on the expensive side, it is fair considering the quality of the food and service. Unlike many fine-dining restaurants, they don’t automatically add a service charge to the bill. I chose to leave a 15% tip, along with a little extra, as the experience truly deserved it. Having lived in Edinburgh for four years, I can confidently say this is a restaurant I will return to often. If you’re looking for an exceptional Italian dining experience, or a special place to celebrate an anniversary, I highly recommend this one.

fresh and well cooked products...accompanied by good service and a homely atmosphere !finally a taste of Italy in Edinburgh! Rit!orneremi

Just the perfect place to eat some Italian freshly made food .. thank you to the front of the house suite friendly and polite and to the chef for the huge portions of delicious food … we will be back !

We had a wonderful meal at locanda de gusti, the quality of the food and service were impressive. We tried a bit of everything, seafood and meat dishes and desserts as well! Everything was delicious! The atmosphere was also amazing, we felt right at home.

Would provide six stars when possible. Authentic Italian atmosphere and food. Great list of wines, very good cakes, all breathing of Italy. Bravi!

Exceptional food and warm service. Transported me back to days in Italy. Booking is advised Well done Locanda

Wow! What a gem. If you like seafood this place is for you. The food was amazing, the staff are very friendly and welcoming. I'd visit Edinburgh just to eat here!

Our experience was quite average, and we felt overlooked because we didn't receive the final treats like everyone else did. It seemed that every other guest who came and went received a small treat, while we unfortunately did not. We don't want to accuse anyone of racism without justification, but we couldn't help but feel potentially unfairly treated. While the seafood was quite lovely, we were disappointed with the overall experience, especially given the high prices. In hindsight, I wish I had spent over 100 pounds on fine dining elsewhere. Unfortunately, I won’t be returning. 💔🫠

Love their seafood pasta and burrata😍 But their ragu orecchiette are undercooked hence hard to chew🥲 Friendly services from staffs 💙

Wonderful birthday meal - Exceptional food, warm service and great wine. We were made to feel very welcome and will return soon!

Brilliant food and hospitality, had a great time chatting with the waiter

Absolutely stellar service and spectacular food. Went for lunch and the three courses and felt that the price was well worth. Thank you

Winner of 4 restaurants, Edinburgh episode. It was packed and I had to book (you need to put a credit card as a guarantee. If you don't show up they charge £30 each). Friendly service, Italian background music, cleanliness and excellent organization. Exquisite food, of excellent quality. The wines are also worth it. It's expensive but the whole city is. If you want to eat Italian come here.

A chance booking I made for my last night in Edinburgh. What a blessing! It’s a very hearty, homely space. Small and intimate, from the welcome to the goodbye, it felt like I visited someone’s home who was excited to feed me good food! And the food mama Mia!! The best Italian meal I’ve had in all my time in London too, and the perfect dinner in Edinburgh. I had the buratta to start, the seafood pasta with linguine as my main and some hazelnut ice-cream to finish. All of which were 10/10. My water glass was never empty and even when the space filled up, the ambience was very warm and I loved it. Will come here every single time I visit Edinburgh. Well done to everyone and I look forward to seeing this business continue growing without losing its heart! Gracia mille 🫶🏿

Warm, welcoming environment and amazing dishes!

Just off the train at Haymarket and after listening to Stanley Tucci wanted some authentic Italian food. Was not disappointed. House red wine was great. Staff are very nice and the food was delicious. What else could you ask for. Turned up 10 mins before they opened and they got a seat for us. After 30 mins the place was full. Think we got lucky but would happily book next time in Edinburgh.

We had a reservation and they cancelled on us

The food was excellent and quite original, everything that we tried there, we tried for the first time.

Great, unique place. Delicious starter and main, and interesting though not yummy dessert (we had the ricotta and pear and there wasn’t much pear!). Great speedy service and very caring staff - overall a unique and enjoyable experience!

Siamo stati a cena la vigilia di Natale con la famiglia e lo consiglio a tutti. Cibo divino, servizio perfetto e camerieri super efficienti, cordiali e simpatici. Insomma se tornerò ad Edimburgo sarà una tappa imprescindibile.

Absolutely Perfect. Amazing staff who treated us like family. The food was outstanding. Possibly the best Italian meal we have ever had.

Impeccable service and just the best pasta in Edinburgh hands down! Thoroughly enjoyed the experience, will definitely be back

This was one of the top Italian restaurants I have tried outside of Italy. Authentic Neapolitan dishes and incredible service. I would highly recommend you visit while in Edinburgh!

Authentic Italian restaurant with exceptional food (especially the seafood 🦞) in a relaxed atmosphere. The staff are very attentive and we received a very friendly welcome. Looking forward to our next visit!

My favourite Italian in Edinburgh and for sure also one of my favourite restaurants in general!!!

If you love fish and you love Italian food come here!

Very very nice friendly restaurant that specialises in seafood platters. But be warned a platter for one is more than plenty for two .

This is the best restaurant in Edinburgh. Stop. Yes there are fancy venues with amazing furnitures and unique seats or fantastic cocktails BUT if you value Food and Service on top of your experience this the best you can have in EDI. I’ve visited hundreds restaurants in Edinburgh. This is the only one that still amaze me all times I go there. Chef Rosario and his top quality staff know how to give you a TOP food Experience. Try it and let me know if you know someone better around 100miles. We will definitely be back! Ps: Better book it at least 1 week in advance! Always fully booked!!

Beautiful place to eat, lovely fresh seafood. Although I've had tastier sauces before it was still very good. Service was fab too

Most likely the nicest meal I've ever had in my life, the seafood was fresh and cooked perfectly and the cannoli was perfect. The staff make the experience much more enjoyable as they all seem like they are having fun. Couldn't recommend here enough if you are anywhere near, although definitely book in advance. Can't wait to visit Edinburgh again in the future and come back here!

A really authentic and cozy place. Food was absolutely incredible. Staff were attentive and so lovely. Definitely a must visit if you're in Edinburgh (definitely book in advance)

Probably our family favourite place to eat in Edinburgh. Great food, lovely singing service, nice cozy and friendly atmosphere. You'll keep wanting to come back.....and great for lunch too.

If you haven't been, what are you waiting for ? Always the best atmosphere and a very different take on Italian cooking to the usual. Delicious food, and the best service !

A Slice of Naples in Edinburgh – A Must-Visit Locanda! From the moment you step into this charming Italian locanda de gusti, you’re greeted with warmth, humor, and professionalism by the incredible staff who make you feel right at home. It’s not just a restaurant; it’s an experience of authentic Neapolitan hospitality. The atmosphere brims with the vibrant charm of Italy, creating a perfect setting for a memorable meal. The heart of the place is undoubtedly Chef Rosario, whose warm and personable nature shines as he welcomes each guest with genuine care. It’s a delight to see him occasionally making rounds, ensuring every dish meets his high standards. His passion for cooking and connecting with people is truly contagious! The food? Simply outstanding—especially if you’re a seafood lover. Each dish bursts with the rich flavors of Italy, crafted with precision and love. Portions are generous and satisfying, leaving you with that wonderful feeling of contentment after a hearty meal. As if that wasn’t enough, you’re occasionally treated to a complimentary glass of champagne and a delightful homemade “pappetta” to kick off your dining experience—a lovely touch that sets the tone for what’s to come. The wine selection complements the cuisine beautifully, rounding out an exceptional dining experience. If you’re looking for authentic Italian cuisine and a genuine Italian atmosphere, this is the place to be in Edinburgh. Bravo to the team for creating such a gem!

5 stars for Locanda de Gusti. We thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Staff were attentive and offered great recommendations from the menu. Each course was delicious offering lovely seafood in the city. Would highly recommend.

One of the best meals I've had in Edinburgh in a long time. Staff super friendly and food delicious. Can't wait to return!

Very friendly and family atmosphere. The food is excellent.

It’s a bit over-priced! But worth to try it once!

Very good service, feel-good atmosphere and the house specialties are incredibly good! Before that, a greeting from the kitchen, which also tasted very good. Absolutely recommended!

Fantastic authentic Italian restaurant... delicious food friendly service.

Came here for lunch and I had an amazing time. Everything was great

Lovely meal with friends, service excellent. Pistachio panna cotta was truly amazing 😋

Probably the best plate of seafood I’ve eaten in a restaurant. Will definitely be back!

Simply outstanding The food is exceptional, every dish is excellent. The staff are lovely and the little touches like the tomato and basil dip before starters and the amaretto shots with the bill are great. Would love to visit again

Fantastic great quality produce. Very tasty food, attentive staff and good atmosphere. Our son has moved to a flat just around the corner, I think we'll be back.

Great service and very tasty food with nice ambience Staff were very pleasant and the owner came by to say hello which was a nice touch I hope to return in the near future

My wife and I were both incredibly excited to try the food after reading online reviews and seeing the menu, and we were not let down. Any potential expectations were far exceeded with the quality of the food and the service. We also very much appreciate the way the restaurant works, in that the food itself is often subject to change to ensure the freshest and highest quality ingredients. This is absolutely reflected in the food, and you can undoubtedly tell the chefs are passionate and highly skilled. We will absolutely be dining here again, and it’s well worth it the visit to Edinburgh just to come here (like we did.) We both had the pasta Genovese, I had the panna cotta and my wife had the affogato and they were all impeccably done. Many thanks to Rosario and everyone on the team at Locanda de Gusti for making the trip worthwhile.

The service was super amazing. The staff were very friendly. We liked the “Customer First” attitude. The food was very delicious. The best restaurant for sea food in Edinburgh Haymarket area. We must come back to this restaurant when we visit Edinburgh again.

Possibly the best Italian meal I have had in Scotland. Great menu options, fantastic food and great service. Closest thing you’ll get to Italy here! The delizia is possibly even better than the original version from Maiori - very impressed and would love to return when next in Edinburgh.

Wir waren begeistert von der Freundlichkeit und dem exzellenten Essen: Die Fischplatte war köstlich - ebenso die Pasta. Alles frisch zubereitet. Perfekter und aufmerksamer Service. 6 von 5 Punkten :-)

Great food and brilliant service. The ravioli was fabulous and the seafood (pesca Torá) also great! The staff were very attentive, knowledgable and friendly.

Just wow! If you are in Edinburgh you need to book this place! The food is amazing, the staff are amazing, the atmosphere is lovely. The pasta is fresh, the seafood is to die for & buratta with chocolate shavings is just so so good. Also the cannolo is fresh, nice & crispy, not like some where they have been sat foa ages with the filling becoming soggy. 100% book here it is such a gem!

Small, private and familiar environment. Neapolitan cuisine dishes, excellent and well presented. Friendly staff, friendly owner. It deserves it.

We had a lovely meal of genuine Neapolitan food. So fresh! So beautifully presented by enthusiastic staff. We had a starter and main course with a glass of Merlot from Sicily.

Highly recommend the grilled fish plate. All dishes had a nice bit of twist to them. Delicious. Very friendly (authentic Italian) and efficient service.

Great food, good friendly staff.

An excellent Italian-run Italian restaurant in Caledonian land. Dishes faithful to traditional Italian recipes cooked with quality ingredients. If you are in Edinburgh and you are Italian, or even if you are not, I highly recommend this place.

Super good food; extremely friendly ladies; service top; details are correct. Must go!

Food is phenomenal. Everyone in our party raved about their meals. Service was so friendly and fun. The restaurant is a little small and not the best atmosphere, but the food and servers more than made up for that. Would highly recommend this place!

I think this is one of the finest restaurants in Edinburgh. Walk up a gentle slope for about 5 minutes from Haymarket Station and it will be on your right. It has a bright blue exterior, so you can easily recognize it. It has the triple signature of good food, good service, and good atmosphere. Reservations are required as it is a popular restaurant. The dishes are typical of Neapolitan cuisine and are made with fresh seafood. I think what is noteworthy is the excellent customer service at this store. The staff at this store are not formal and provide very pleasant customer service. One female staff member in particular was very friendly and wonderful. My whole family has become a fan of this store. I will definitely visit again! !

Beautifully cooked seafood (Mare nel piano; Grigliata Di peace) and pasta (lobster linguine; paccheri with crab)! The first time we went, we had two kids with us. The staff were very polite and kind to the kids. The second time we went, the staff remembered us and greeted us like old friends. Will definitely return.

First time for me and my husband, the food was amazing definitely will be back.