Our story starts over a hundred years ago when our families arrived here as immigrants from rural Italy. They had been farmers but, without any land, they decided to make a living from the other thing they knew and loved - good food. From ice cream and fish and chip shops, to an Italian delicatessen, our family have been honoured to serve our customers on the east coast of Scotland for over a century.
We use the very best local produce and a huge helping of Italian passion for hospitality, sourcing, quality and simplicity. In 2004 we started a new chapter when we opened Contini George Street in a converted banking hall. From day one, it has delivered fresh, seasonal and authentic Italian cooking.
We use the very best local produce and a huge helping of Italian passion for hospitality, sourcing, quality and simplicity. In 2004 we started a new chapter when we opened Contini George Street in a converted banking hall. From day one, it has delivered fresh, seasonal and authentic Italian cooking.
Services
Delicious fresh dishes prepared daily for you to enjoy at home plus exciting larder ingredients, our Italian vegetable & fruit bag or box, wine, beer and more. Choose from different set menus priced at 25-35 per person. Or, you can create your own menu using our fresh starter, main and dessert selection.
Our story starts over a hundred years ago when our families arrived here as immigrants from rural Italy. They had been farmers but, without any land, they decided to make a living from the other thing they knew and loved - good food. From ice cream and fish and chip shops, to an Italian delicatessen, our family have been honoured to serve our customers on the east coast of Scotland for over a century.
Your email will be added to our database and you will still be able to take part in any special offer. We love having friends. Trusted customers who understand our values and ethos and appreciate great food and drink. As a Contini Friend you will collect points every time you use the card and will receive all of the below perks.
We are very proud of our restaurants and delighted when they are noticed and praised! We are always trying to improve how we do things - whether it is working on how sustainable we can be or delighting our customers with the freshest, tastiest dishes we think up. We also work with a number of organisations on food provenance, sourcing and sustainability.
We always wanted to grow our own produce for the restaurants. In 2012 we gained a one-acre garden site in the heart of the Esk Valley Conservation area. Through hard work and dedication we are now delighted to be able to grow our own produce for The Scottish Cafe & Restaurant, Contini George Street and Cannonball Restaurant & Bar.
Reviews (26)
Chaz Carstairs
Jan 20, 2022
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Had a double date here and it was really nice. We were surprised there was no pizza for an Italian restaurant but the pastas that we ordered were delicious. We all had 3 courses and each were very tasty. Very grand building and a nice setting. The staff were very attentive, although we would have liked a warning of when they would be closing instead of them just bringing the bill to us and basically throwing us out. Speaking of bill, we thought that it was very expensive, especially comparing it to Amarone on the other end of George Street. Also wasn’t a fan of how the menus where just left on
Tin Chi Fung
Dec 23, 2021
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Steph
Dec 18, 2021
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I'm not a fan of eating Italian cuisine in a restaurant, I find it a bit boring and overpriced. Contini changed my opinion, the dishes they offer are different and felt a bit more upmarket. The burrata starter was amazing, absolutely loved the combination of flavours. The main course wasn't as good but was still tasty. The prosecco was overpriced at £36 per bottle, I'm not sure why it's been priced so high considering everywhere else seems to sell it for less than £30.
The service and atmosphere was great.
The service and atmosphere was great.
Victoria Johnson
Nov 06, 2021
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We've been to this restaurant many times in the past years but this is a whole new experience. Drinks were excellent but the rest was a real disappointment. First we ordered fish which came bland and bitter. Usually I don't send the food back but it was inedible. It was then replaced with another meal of our at our request, but turned out just as bad.
We received no apology, no complimentary drink or snack. NOTHING. We were charged the full amount including service charge.
It's a real shame because the venue is beautiful and the prices are not low. But the owners should really reconsider their
We received no apology, no complimentary drink or snack. NOTHING. We were charged the full amount including service charge.
It's a real shame because the venue is beautiful and the prices are not low. But the owners should really reconsider their
Cindy Sousa
Oct 21, 2021
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Raffaele Gaito
Oct 10, 2021
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Marianna Balwierz
Oct 05, 2021
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Average at most. Having been a true lover of Italian cuisine, this restaurant disappointed me dearly. Service was slow and completely not interested. No one ever took our drinks order... Food was ok, nothing special. The kind of dishes I could cook at home with a better result. Not what I expected when booking it for my Birthday meal. The thing that shocked me was the 10% 'complimentary' service charge. It was automatically added to the bill and the waiter typed the amount on the card machine without telling us about it. Not sure whether it's the right practice, especially for the table of 2 that
Raffaele Sessa
Aug 24, 2021
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Crista Balajadia
Aug 13, 2021
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Wow! This Italian restaurant is amazing!
Very nice ambiance, the staff are friendly and attentive and the FOODS are..oh my outstanding!...I came here with my friends and one of them is Italian and he gave a score 10/10 😁 so worth every penny and will definitely come back here again.
I highly recommend to book a table to make sure you get a seat
Starter = Focaccia bread
Main = Lobster Ravioli
Dessert = Panacotta
Very nice ambiance, the staff are friendly and attentive and the FOODS are..oh my outstanding!...I came here with my friends and one of them is Italian and he gave a score 10/10 😁 so worth every penny and will definitely come back here again.
I highly recommend to book a table to make sure you get a seat
Starter = Focaccia bread
Main = Lobster Ravioli
Dessert = Panacotta
Monika Catherine Neumanova
Jun 08, 2021
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Kauper
Oct 21, 2019
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Contini was recommended by the desk staff at our hotel. My family and I were pleased with the service and the quality of the food. The building is a converted Bank of Scotland and the atmosphere was fun. Our server was delightful and knowledgeable, making recommendations and explaining anything we had questions about. When traveling and being faced with numerous options on where to eat, one always hopes to make a good choice. We made a good choice with Contini, so much so that my Mom was ready to go back the next night.
David B.
Aug 24, 2019
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Norma H.
Jul 20, 2019
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Lisa H.
Jul 06, 2017
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One of the best Italian cuisine I've ever had!
The pasta were incredibly fresh, handmade and delicate. I started with a crab & watermelon salad, and my partner ordered the mushroom pasta. Both were good portions for starters and played beautifully!
For mains, we had the roasted chicken breast and a spring pasta with fresh basil and tomato. Both were delightful! We will definitely be back :)
The pasta were incredibly fresh, handmade and delicate. I started with a crab & watermelon salad, and my partner ordered the mushroom pasta. Both were good portions for starters and played beautifully!
For mains, we had the roasted chicken breast and a spring pasta with fresh basil and tomato. Both were delightful! We will definitely be back :)
Marjorie W.
Jun 28, 2017
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My family and I were visiting from Los Angeles and we decided to go to this restaurant for dinner based on the reviews it had on Yelp. It did not disappoint! The food was amazing! We got bruschetta and arancini to start, both were delicious. Then for our entree my parents shared the chicken Parmesan and the pasta contadino, I tried both of these dishes and they were both so good. I had the pasta pomodorino and it was amazing! At the end of the night when we were walking out we got to speak to one of the owners of the restaurant Victor. He was so nice and it truly made the experience even better
Sheri M.
May 15, 2017
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Contini is located on George street in Edinburgh. It's a modern Italian restaurant with high vaulted ceilings and Art Deco decor. When you enter the main dining room there is a large vase of fresh flowers on the counter and an exuberant energy in the room. The food is delicious. We had the bruschetta appetizer which was full of flavour and mouth watering; with pasta pomodoro and grilled Branzino.
Although Contini may not qualify for a five star in all the categories of restaurant evaluation (they had paper napkins versus cloth napkins); the food and service are both five star.
Highly
Although Contini may not qualify for a five star in all the categories of restaurant evaluation (they had paper napkins versus cloth napkins); the food and service are both five star.
Highly
Jonny Q.
Jul 01, 2016
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Well this was a pleasant find amongst rows and rows of chain bars and restaurants in this part of Edinburgh!
Needing somewhere to stop and refuel between an afternoon of meetings, the local Costa seemed to be our best bet, (OH NO..) but then we stumbled upon here which is like a diamond in the rough.
A fairly large restaurant, very Italian and quite high end 'wine bar'y' we were just after tea/coffee and enjoyed a cup and a chat. But...but..we could not resist the amazing looking doughnuts on the counter and proceeded to wolf a couple down in record time.
Great venue, great
Needing somewhere to stop and refuel between an afternoon of meetings, the local Costa seemed to be our best bet, (OH NO..) but then we stumbled upon here which is like a diamond in the rough.
A fairly large restaurant, very Italian and quite high end 'wine bar'y' we were just after tea/coffee and enjoyed a cup and a chat. But...but..we could not resist the amazing looking doughnuts on the counter and proceeded to wolf a couple down in record time.
Great venue, great
Tanja R.
Dec 03, 2015
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Not so long ago I went there for a chocolate quest. This time around it was for a proper meal.
I so love the grand interior of the restaurant with high ceilings and lots of classy space. Even the building is old the interior like tables, chairs and the bar are of very modern design.
The heating costs during winter must be extortionate.
I did not easily warm up in there.
Toilets are downstairs and very posh. Instead of music you have a chance to learn Italian words whilst in the toilet! Just repeat the words :-)
We didn't wait long for a table and the staff was very attentive. Food and
I so love the grand interior of the restaurant with high ceilings and lots of classy space. Even the building is old the interior like tables, chairs and the bar are of very modern design.
The heating costs during winter must be extortionate.
I did not easily warm up in there.
Toilets are downstairs and very posh. Instead of music you have a chance to learn Italian words whilst in the toilet! Just repeat the words :-)
We didn't wait long for a table and the staff was very attentive. Food and
Suzy G.
Feb 12, 2015
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Do I have chocolate on my face? Nearly 18 hours later and I can still taste that hot chocolate! That dark, thick, creamy, rich, unctuous hot chocolate..............
I had been to 'Centrotre' (as it was known previously) for lunch and love the fresh food and stunning interiors. So stunning that I never thought for a minute that it was the kind of place you could just pop into for a hot bevvie. But thanks to a search on Yelp, it became very clear that this was THE place for hot chocolate in Edinburgh.
I love hot chocolate but it has to be REAL - made from melted chocolate and
I had been to 'Centrotre' (as it was known previously) for lunch and love the fresh food and stunning interiors. So stunning that I never thought for a minute that it was the kind of place you could just pop into for a hot bevvie. But thanks to a search on Yelp, it became very clear that this was THE place for hot chocolate in Edinburgh.
I love hot chocolate but it has to be REAL - made from melted chocolate and
Aor Nonlaphan P.
Dec 23, 2014
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Janie M.
Nov 27, 2014
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Our original eating plans having fallen through five of us fetched up here following a quick phone enquiry. We received a warm welcome to this former banking hall and our mood rapidly improved. Service was excellent and friendly. The Contadini pasta dish I had featured orecchiette cooked with Italian sausage, mushrooms and cream. It tasted lovely but although I do like my pasta al dente I thought the' little ears' were a bit chewy with some of them sticking together in little indigestible lumps. The house red was a lovely Sicilian syrah.
I will come back when I'm in less of a
I will come back when I'm in less of a
Marc S.
Jul 11, 2014
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An excellent meal with terrific service in beautiful surroundings.
We arrived a quarter hour early for our reservations and complicated matters by requesting a booth for just the two of us. One of the servers accommodated us while the hostess was taking care of someone else. This was an excellent example of how the entire staff was engaged and involved throughout the night.
After being seated we were greeted by the owner (Victor), who managed to greet and touch each guest that came through his doors. He not only greeted us but stopped by during the meal to check on us and provide an excellent
We arrived a quarter hour early for our reservations and complicated matters by requesting a booth for just the two of us. One of the servers accommodated us while the hostess was taking care of someone else. This was an excellent example of how the entire staff was engaged and involved throughout the night.
After being seated we were greeted by the owner (Victor), who managed to greet and touch each guest that came through his doors. He not only greeted us but stopped by during the meal to check on us and provide an excellent
Cressida F.
Nov 14, 2013
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Come on. Seriously. This is crazy. EVERYTHING here is fabulous. The dizzyingly high ceilings, the splendid sense of opulence without ostentation, the chirpy serving staff, the hot ch... hot ch... hot... cho... sorry, I went off into a little dreamland for a moment there. What was I saying? Oh, yes, the hot chocolate! Thick, rich, dark hot chocolate to slide into your tummy on a cold winter's day... Mmmm...
It also plays host to the legendary weekly #EdCM gathering of techy types and social-savvy supergeeks from all over Edinburgh on a Friday morning, the space, light and sheer class of the
It also plays host to the legendary weekly #EdCM gathering of techy types and social-savvy supergeeks from all over Edinburgh on a Friday morning, the space, light and sheer class of the
Rachel R.
Oct 30, 2013
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"I believe in miracles, since you came along, you sexy thing (sexy thing you!)"
That's right, Monday night saw the inaugural night of the hunt for Edinburgh's best hot chocolate (that is assuming we don't all declare Centotre's to be the best and stop searching?).
An Italian restaurant isn't necessarily the first place you'd think to find great hot chocolate, and everybody else was tucking into a proper meal. But not us intrepid explorers! We were there for one thing, and one thing only. Delicious molten chocolate with a serving of steamed milk on the side
That's right, Monday night saw the inaugural night of the hunt for Edinburgh's best hot chocolate (that is assuming we don't all declare Centotre's to be the best and stop searching?).
An Italian restaurant isn't necessarily the first place you'd think to find great hot chocolate, and everybody else was tucking into a proper meal. But not us intrepid explorers! We were there for one thing, and one thing only. Delicious molten chocolate with a serving of steamed milk on the side
Claire L.
Oct 29, 2013
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I've often popped in here for coffee at the weekend as it tends to be a bit quieter than the rest of George Street. It is a stunning building and correct me if I'm wrong, a former bank? Anyway I've never been for dinner (yet) but the menu always looks tempting.
Last night a small posse of us trooped in for hot chocolate. It won't be the cheapest hot chocolate in town but it is bloody awesome. A cup full of melted chocolate with milk on the side - I went hardcore and passed on the milk. It was fantastic - pure, lush, melted chocolatey goodness and just the treat on a blowy Edinburgh
Last night a small posse of us trooped in for hot chocolate. It won't be the cheapest hot chocolate in town but it is bloody awesome. A cup full of melted chocolate with milk on the side - I went hardcore and passed on the milk. It was fantastic - pure, lush, melted chocolatey goodness and just the treat on a blowy Edinburgh
Kevin L.
Feb 22, 2011
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Repeat after me: 'chen-toh-tray'. Accent the first and third syllables. That seems to roughly be the pronunciation for this venue. It shouldn't have been to difficult to realize that it's Italian for 'one hundred three', the street address here. Duh. Hey - I never said I wasn't dense.
A shockingly sun-drenched Friday morning found me sitting here, surrounded by various marketers and techies, slurping on a big ol' mug of steaming Americano, and later wolfing down a bacon focaccia.
Considering our party took up one massive rectangular table, then later metastasized
A shockingly sun-drenched Friday morning found me sitting here, surrounded by various marketers and techies, slurping on a big ol' mug of steaming Americano, and later wolfing down a bacon focaccia.
Considering our party took up one massive rectangular table, then later metastasized
