Mamma Roma Restaurant in Edinburgh, City of

Terrible service. The staff over there was very disrespectful.

I would give 0 stars if I could. My friend and I made a reservation for this restaurant. When we entered the restaurant, no one came to serve us. They even ignored my gaze. About 25 MINUTES later, we asked the waiter to order, but I WAS TOLD THAT WE HAD TO WAIT FOR ALL THE GUESTS WHO ARRIVED EARLIER THAN US TO ORDER BEFORE WE COULD ORDER. After that, we waited for another 25 MINUTES before someone finally came to take our order. The food also took an unreasonable long amount of time to come. When we needed to pay, no one came to ask us. We asked again and waited for 20 MINUTES before someone came to take payment. Your waiter wasted over an hour of my and my friend's time. I don't understand if it's because we are the only race that looks different in the whole restaurant? Another thing, before that, everything was fine when I first went to your restaurant. Is it because the other friend I was with who went there for the first time is a local?

Honestly, if I could give zero stars, I would. My friend and I had a reservation, but the moment we walked in, no one even looked at us. We waited around 25 minutes before someone finally came over—only to tell us we had to wait until everyone else who arrived earlier ordered first. Seriously? Another 25 minutes passed before anyone took our order. Then the food took forever to come out. And when we were ready to pay? Same story—ignored again. We had to ask twice and still waited 20 more minutes just to pay. What a joke. But here’s the part that really pissed me off: we were the only people who looked different in that restaurant, and it honestly felt like we were being treated that way because of it. Last time I came here with a local friend, everything was smooth. This time, it was a nightmare. Coincidence? I don’t think so. This wasn’t just bad service—it felt personal. Disrespectful. I’m never coming back, and I’ll be telling everyone I know to stay far away.

I love Italian food. Period. Everything about the experience at Mamma Roma exceeded expectations. The food was flavorful, there is a melted cheese and sauce small plate that I would eat every day, if I could. Service was impeccable, true professionals who love what they do and enjoy making people happy with food. It shows. Definitely recommend. We accidentally went to the lower level which was okay but had more of a "locals only" vibe.

Delicious food and friendly service. Despite being busy service was attentive and the right pace. Highly recommend the baked neopolitan cheese starter!

great place good food nice workers but I did hear the chef shouting at someone

Fabulous lunchtime food we had pizza and cannelloni carne, both delicious. Just a couple of niggles which prevented 5 stars, we were sat at the street level, as requested , but the front door was left open and it was a chilly day so we were cool. We had a few flies dancing round our food too. Service was good

The food was lovely and the staff was nice and welcoming. I had booked a table for two for a birthday and booked well in advance even mentioned the occasion on the booking they somehow managed to give us the seats near the bathrooms. Which was kind of disappointing. Everything chanced after receiving our starters we completely forgot about the inconvenience the food was amazing.

A wonderful ambience, the food is great and the catering service is perfect. If you are in Edinburgh you should definitely eat there. We had a wonderful evening.

Perfect! We had the most lovely waitress serve us, she was so kind, welcoming and helpful. Food was scrumptious!

Went in this evening for my 21st birthday (which I mentioned when I booked) which wasn’t acknowledged. The lady that served us was lovely, the food on the other hand not so much. Our friends had a pizza which they enjoyed however, the salmon pasta I ordered was oily and honestly just not very nice (only ate it as I was starving). My boyfriend ordered the Stirlion steak, and all I can say was it definitely wasn’t a Stirleon steak. It was full of burnt hard fat, cooked terriblely, and not worth £24 (plus £4 for peppercorn sauce)! I happily paid at the end, however I said to the gentleman taking our payments about our complaints and he just stared at me blankly and then offered us our receipt. Can genuinely say after looking forward to this meal, it was extremely underwhelming.As a manager of a restaurant, I would be appalled if any of my staff acted the way the gentleman taking our payments did. All in all was an awful birthday meal ruined more by the server than our awful food. P.s prices were expensive for inadequate food and lack of acknowledgment for complaints

Fantastic good food and very nice people, really good Italian cuisine.

Best Italian restaurant in Edinburgh, delicious amatriciana and meatballs

Impromptu visit absolutely incredible food staff price a must if an Italian food fan !!!!!

Very good food friendly staff and reasonably priced we are in the downstairs restaurant as upstairs was fully booked.There was a few of the other customers were Italian so the food must be authentic.If you go I would book in advance as seemed busy even on a Monday as it is across from theatre.

Florinda immediately put us at ease, making us feel all her warmth. We ate very well and spent a sweet evening. Would I go back? Safe!!

Lovely food, great price and staff were very friendly

Super delicious food, very friendly staff. Despite high demand, we managed to get a table for four. The food, pasta and pizza, was very good and plentiful. We'd be happy to come back if we're ever in Edinburgh again.

Popped in for a birthday lunch with my wife , service and food was amazing will definitely be back .

Absolutely loved the food. Made a few changes and the staff were super accommodating. Giovanni had outstanding service, he was really warm and helpful. Best service I’ve received from a waiter in a long time. Definitely recommend this restaurant with a great selection of dishes and fresh ingredients.

Absolutely fantastic service, the food was delicious and the service was impeccable. Staff were amazing and very attentive.

Staying in Edinburgh for weekend and so glad we chose to book a meal here. Very friendly, attentive service and pizzas were very fresh and tasty . Good choice of options on menu and reasonable prices .

Beautiful food, vibes and excellent service. Highly reccomend.

Exceptional italian restaurant.

We had a great night earlier tonight. Our waiter Josh couldn’t have been more attentive and just really amazing at his job. We had only told him what cocktails we wanted and the barmaid was already on the ball making them before he left the table! Thank you for a great evening

Wow, what an awesome experience. The food was just out of this world. Cooked to perfection 10/10. Service was friendly and with a smile. Professional waiters and waitress. Lovey authentic surroundings. Very well priced considering the quality of the cuisine served. I can give top marks and would certainly visit again when in Edinburgh. Well done to you all for a perfect 👌 experience. Visited again March 2025 and still the best Italian restaurant in Edinburgh. Superior food, great service. Again I will return.

All three of our party had supperb meals. The place was busy, but great service was maintained. The wine was also very good.

Good food. Great choices. Great service. Reasonably priced. NO SERVICE CHARGE. Staff deserved tip. Would come again.

Bravo for consistency in mediocrity! From the pizza ordered as an aperitif (frozen) to the polpette pasta (overcooked and tasteless) with parmesan served like truffle petals by the waiter while concluding with an espresso as cold as it is bad! Ideal address if you are traveling with people you don't like or who don't have a palate (no palace... no palace)

This place serves authentic meals. Service was awesome and welcoming. The food was fresh and delicious and we loved it very much. I recommend this place for friends and family.

Nothing short of an magnifico ( magnificent ) …. Thank you Ms Magda Ms Florinda and Mr Josh for the love and kindness and the suggestion… moth melting like literally

The restaurant had a clean and pleasant ambiance, and we were promptly seated for two. The server greeted us, offered us drinks and water, but unfortunately, only brought the drinks. The starter, bruschetta, was tasty and fresh. The main course, penne amatriciana, was an average dish—nothing extraordinary. I enjoyed it, but I wouldn’t go back.

A beautiful experience, we went without a reservation and they really treated us very well, the food was very delicious and the service was great. I would repeat without a doubt!!

Loved the food here. Well be back

Lovely place, well worth a visit

Very nice pizza. The prices are very normal. We didn't happen to sit down to eat, we had takeaway pizza, but the shop inside is very nice.

We had heard good things about this restaurant so we decided to try it for my mums birthday. The food was ok but unfortunately my dad’s meatballs had a hair in it so that put us off. The waiters were lovely and didn’t charge us for that plate of food but it did spoil the meal for us.

Came here as the reviews really hyped the place up and called the food authentic. The food was nice and of good quality but I also don’t feel it matches the rating it’s received. It wasn’t exactly that authentic, it felt like an English take on the food. Also my partner paid for a chicken dish and got potatoes on the side and that was not good value. £23 in total for a big chunk of chicken and then 5 baby potatoes that came out to well over £1 per potato! Would come back as food was nice but there’s better value and more authentic in a better atmosphere.

Staff member showed professional and personal service...this lady made my night because her attention to detail thank you ..ola .. .would definitely recommend

Valentine’s Day dinner, staff were lovely, service was very quick and the dessert special, a homemade chocolate cake, was delicious definitely recommend

Pizza was great, well balanced & hot Again for the pasta, came out beautifully piping hot And make their our desserts, so wasn't overloaded with sweetness

If you're in Edinburgh go here great food you won't regret it.

I was with my husband last night for our anniversary. It was a great experience. The food was great and the dessert was amazing. The service was excellent and the prices were very reasonable. We will definitely go back soon.

We were a walk-in and the staff found us a table and were very welcoming. The issue was more the food which arrived extremely hot and so there was not much taste to it. The cheeses didnt have much taste to them either.

After a horrible experience at an “Italian” restaurant across the street, we decided to try this one with some fear that it might prove a disappointment again. The food was so good that it silenced us all during the meal. The restaurant was AUTHENTIC Italian, not like the one across the street. Hands down, it was the best meal I've ever eaten in an Italian restaurant abroad. Our waitress was spectacular, unfortunately I don't remember her name but I send her a big kiss and thank her for the experience. We had a great time and if we ever return to Edinburgh we will make sure to eat there. THANK YOU. Ps. I also wanted to say hello to the waiter Bruno. The next day we returned in the hope of still finding a table but unfortunately the Restaurant was full, Bruno was extremely kind and even if he was unsuccessful, he went out of his way to look for a table. You are number 1 Bruno.

So friendly, amazing food, warm atmosphere

Nice little Italian just over the road from the Playhouse. Good food, pleasant service and a nice atmosphere. Nothing bad to say about it, and prices are reasonable.

Oh, Mamma Roma—where do I even start? We’ve been coming here for years, and every time, it just reminds us why we love it so much. But this visit? This one was extra special. We were served by a waiter we hadn’t seen before—never caught his name, but he was definitely Scottish. And let me tell you, he was brilliant. Knew the menu inside out, recommended dishes we’d never even thought to try before, and somehow managed to cater to our very particular (and slightly picky) tastes without batting an eyelid. Honestly, he just sold it to us. And on top of that, he was so charming! You know when someone just has that perfect balance of being attentive but not too present? That was him. Always there when we needed, but never hovering. That’s real service. And, of course, the rest of the staff were just as lovely as always—warm, welcoming, and just make you feel right at home. The food? As incredible as ever. It amazes me how this place just keeps evolving, always keeping things fresh while still feeling like the Mamma Roma we know and love. Honestly, this restaurant is such a huge part of why we love coming to Edinburgh. Already counting down to our next visit!

Delicious italian food! Staff were quick and attentive. We had the calamari starter which was ok but the tartar sauce was nice. For mains we had the calzone and penne arrabiate which was delicious! They also have the option to share a pizza and pasta which was great value. Great vibe in the restaurant.

Excellent food, the best Italian I’ve found in central Edinburgh so far

Wonderful food, excellent service, great whisky options as well which was incredible! Definitely recommend to go!!

Great food and very nice people! We enjoyed every moment here!

Very good italian restaurant for any occasion, wonderful menu selection and attentive servers

Honestly the best italian food we have ever had. God knows why anyone would go to a bella italia or a zizzi when you have somewhere like this right in the city Centre. We had 3 courses and a drink each and it came to less than £80 for 2 of us. The food was proper classic Italian and the service from the 3 waiters was classy and professional. I would definitely recommend the tiramisu, it was to die for. Get yourself there now! Many thanks

Delicious food and very good service. Best pasta we ate.

Now average. This place used to be phenomenal. We travelled regularly all the way from Manchester just to eat here. We came tonight and it has clearly changed hands or they are cutting costs. My food was just ok, not amazing, but my husband's lasagna was just very cheesy pasta, no meat whatsoever. He didnt eat it. Service was mediocre and they couldn't get us out quick enough. We were there in total for 45 minutes. Needless to say we won't be returning. Such a shame as this restaurant was seriously 5 star and the food was authentic and delicious.

It's the best Italian restaurant I have ever been in outside of Italy. Fantastic food friendly service and lovely ambience. We will definitely be back, I have a very significant birthday coming up, ii will be there.

Great place for a meal before the theatre Best to book.

Best pasta restaurant in the world 💗

Lovely meal with friends. Great service and food.

Booked here for my and my wife's belated 38yr anniversary. Wasn't disappointed as the food was perfect and the people are so welcoming. This is a great place to try authentic Italian food. This was the first time we had been out in some time and the staff put us at ease. Definitely book here for a great meal before heading either for a show or an evening out. P.s sorry for the pic quality

They were short staffed due to xmas yet the service was absolutely outstanding. Food was very good as was the dessert. Highly recommend the banana cake with banana ice cream.

What a perfect place to spend with the love of your life. Beautifully friendly service, lovely and quiet, fabulous choice menu. I would recommend the mussels as a starter and the risotto perfect. Lovely time at Mamma Roma definitely be back next time in Edinburgh.

Excellent restaurant, the homemade pasta is spectacular, the carbonara is out of the question, don't hesitate for a second to go because you will eat divine, the atmosphere is cozy and the staff is great! value for money is good.

Fantastic place, staff excellent, food absolutely fantastic, service top quality, definitely be back

Excellent value, very good food and service. Will definitely be back

Authentic Italian food, the service was amazing too. One of the best restaurants I visited during my stay in Edinburgh. Prices were reasonable and I definetly will be back!

Very attentive staff...food amazing

Very tasty real Italian food, with friendly staff and plenty of choice on the menu for young and old. Definitely recommended!

Best restaurant in Edinburgh where I have eaten. The service was on top! Very friendly and kind. T food was delivered pretty fast. There are options to get smaller/bigger portions or add ingredients to the dishes. I have eaten here 2 times during my 3.5 day stay in Edinburgh, and I would definitely come back and eat there again!

Excellent service and lovely food. Highly reccomend!

Giovanni and Josh are the 5 star "attractions" at this establishment, with close runner-up being the food. We would have stayed longer - and spent more money! - had the restaurant been warmer. We were in the smaller area separate from the main restaurant, and we left earlier than we would have wished as it was getting so cold. We understand they are doing something about it, so in the future, this hopefully won't be a problem.

Amazing food, very nice staff and aesthetic ambience. Loved it there!

we were rained out from going to a lot of restaurants but always getting turned away. When we arrived at Mamma Roma, all drenched, the kind waiter told us they were full but was going to see what he could do. He ran to the little canteen they have next door & fixed us a table. Alone for that I would recommend them! The women who waited on us were real Italian people who checked in with us from time to time, even gave us a box to take the leftover pizza home in. They were very hospitable and VERY Italian! Come here if you want food that warms the soul & leftovers for the day after 😉

Booked in today after going to see Joseph at the Playhouse. Food was excellent, staff very attentive, and prices reasonable. Very impressed!

We are walk-in customers and they are pleased to arrange a table for us. The table services insides are not outstanding but should be up to standard. The foods here are also in affordable prices, and whatever you like it or not, the taste is traditional. We ordered desserts and the most favorite one is “cheese cake with coconut”.

As walk-in customers, we were pleasantly surprised to find a table available for us. While the service inside was satisfactory, it met our expectations. The menu features a variety of dishes at affordable prices, and regardless of personal preference, the flavors are undeniably traditional. We indulged in desserts, and the standout favorite was the delightful "cheesecake with coconut”, and it is better with an espresso.

Mama Roma in Edinburgh is a beautiful restaurant that delivers an authentic Italian dining experience. The pasta dishes are truly amazing, perfectly cooked with rich, flavorful sauces that showcase their dedication to quality. The convenient online booking system makes it easy to secure a table, enhancing the overall experience. The staff are incredibly pleasant and attentive, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Adding to the charm, the view outside features a unique and interesting New Year tree, which adds a festive touch to your visit. Mama Roma is a must-visit for delicious food and a cozy holiday vibe!

Booked here on the basis of other reviews as we were going to a show across at The Playhouse. It was a bit underwhelming. The food was ok but the service was really quite poor. It was a shame as the waiter who welcomed us at the door seemed very good but the waiter on our table was very inattentive. We struggled to get a bill at the end and then to pay the bill. Luckily we had lots of time before our show otherwise it would have been very stressful.

Great welcome and the dishes were very good! We loved this evening

Helpful staff accommodated us as a mid afternoon walk in during a very busy festive period. Home made lasagna was superb as was the monkfish tagliatelle. Washed down with a nice pint of Moretti and a large glass of house red. First class service and food as usual. Probably best Italian in Edinburgh.

Very grateful for being squeezed in on a busy Saturday night. Excellent food, good service and great value for money.

Beautiful food, lots of flavour. Decent portions and lovely staff. Meatball starter was really nice, highly recommend

Food was amazing and service was great !

First, I didn’t have a reservation and they managed to squeeze me in. They were quick and attentive to answering questions about my allergies. I got the carbonara and OMG was it amazing! I ate every bite. It was so fantastic! I recommend having a reservation so you can enjoy this place!

The staff are lovely! Very friendly and helpful. However, the food is extremely over priced for what you get. The set Christmas menus were pretty boring, tbh. Everyone in our group ordered from the set menu instead. Their only saving grace was how lovely the tirimisu was. The price of the food is unjustifiable. I highly *don't* recommend this restaurant.

Mamma Roma, unfortunately, fails to deliver on the promise of authentic Italian charm. The staff seemed disinterested and disengaged, creating a lackluster atmosphere that undermined the dining experience. The garlic bread arrived looking forlorn, with a pale and uninspired appearance that matched its bland flavor. As for the carbonara, while the portion was generous, it was overcooked to the point where the sauce began to curdle, losing the creamy texture of the dish. While the restaurant may have potential, the inattentive service and subpar food leave much to be desired. It’s hard to recommend Mamma Roma in its current state.

I could write loads of wonderful things but I am going to keep it short and sweet. Fantastic food, great service and very accommodating for our staff night out (group of 12.) Highly recommend this gem of a place, will most definitely be back

The most delicious authentic Italian food! The service was non other than perfection, the team went above and beyond tonight to make my partners birthday special. I am very grateful ! Absolutely 100% recommend this place to anyone. Thank you so much to you all for a wonderful evening :) x

excellent cuisine, very kind staff and splendid place, the quality of the dishes is very high, a true Italian experience. very very excellent

Family lunch prior to pantomime. Staff very friendly. Food delicious and excellent value. THE best penne arrabbiate I have ever had.

Italian restaurant "15 minutes" from the Royal Mile, offers a perfect combination of delicious food and welcoming service that makes you feel at home from the first moment. The staff is incredibly friendly and attentive. One of the highlights was their attention and dedication to dietary needs, particularly gluten-free and fructose-free food preparation. A ten from Cuenca, Spain-

Absolutely wonderful service , super friendly and attentive. Food was fresh and tasteful, and very reasonably priced. Would come back in a heartbeat. Setting is also lovely, great for couples and families.

Excellent restaurant! Service was fast and efficient. Unfortunately I did not catch the young waitors name, however he was just fabulous. Nothing was too much trouble. Food was superb. It took a little while to arrive, but it was definitely worth the wait. I really enjoyed my pizza and dessert. It is definitely worth a little time to enjoy fresh and delicious food. Thank you to you all!

Great little bistro with a family feel warm service and an outstanding lunch menu top marks from me and my colleague.

Truely one of the best meals we have ever had. Staff we're amazing and very accommadating even when we did not have a table booked. Food was piping hot and delicious. Cheesecake was amazing also. Highly recommended if you love italian food!

Nice venue, friendly staff, tasty food and good value for money

Booked a table the day before, got there and had no clue about our booking, don’t bother booking, you won’t get a table

The service was very nice the servers filled Up your water and in general just good service for the food the risotto di mar is great and the food portions made It my moneys worth the boloneñese had a good ratio of sauce and spaghetti. Something weird that I happened I was sitting Next to a muslim couple then they asked for some Tabasco really didnt think much of It until I Saw how they poured half a bottle of Tabasco on a normal chesse pizza I think the tabasco bottle was 1L so ban those guys from Italy. Overall I recommend

Terrible service, one waiter rolled eyes at us when we asked for another seat while another made it seem like it was a complete chore to interact with us. When asked a question same waiter walked away huffing ignoring our question while walking into the kitchen. Guy with glasses should NOT be serving customers. Otherwise staff was nice, shame for a terrible member of the team to let down the whole experience