
La Grotta Portobello
Advertisements
Quick info
About La Grotta Portobello
La Grotta Portobello is an Italian restaurant in Edinburgh at 78 Portobello High St, run by two owners with only about half a dozen tables. Guests bring their own wine with no corkage charge, and the restaurant provides an ice bucket for it. The menu starts with mussels in tomato sauce (cozze marinara) and moves on to mains such as linguine frutti di mare, with tiramisu among the desserts. A two-course lunch menu pairs a starter with a main. Italian music plays in the background.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree street parking · Parking
Advertisements
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention £14.99 two-course menu, linguine frutti di mare, mussels in tomato sauce and pizza.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention £14.99 two-course menu, linguine frutti di mare, mussels in tomato sauce and pizza.
Customer Review Summary
Diners single out the two-course lunch menu as great value, with mussels in a tangy tomato sauce to start and chicken breast in a creamy mushroom sauce with chips as a generous main. Close behind are the linguine frutti di mare, which did not scrimp on seafood, a lasagne with massive portions, rigatoni alla norcina, spaghetti carbonara and pizzas, with meatballs and calamari romana among the starters. Profiteroles, tarte di nonna and tiramisu come up for dessert. Several describe properly cooked, home-cooked Italian food from friendly owners, and one reviewer was struck that just the two owners fed a table of 13, with every dish arriving at the same time. The room is described as cosy and intimate but tiny, with half a dozen tables, so a couple of reviewers suggest booking. One group brought wine from the newsagent next door with no corkage, and staff supplied an ice bucket and split their shared pasta dishes without being asked.
Customer Review Summary
Diners single out the two-course lunch menu as great value, with mussels in a tangy tomato sauce to start and chicken breast in a creamy mushroom sauce with chips as a generous main. Close behind are the linguine frutti di mare, which did not scrimp on seafood, a lasagne with massive portions, rigatoni alla norcina, spaghetti carbonara and pizzas, with meatballs and calamari romana among the starters. Profiteroles, tarte di nonna and tiramisu come up for dessert. Several describe properly cooked, home-cooked Italian food from friendly owners, and one reviewer was struck that just the two owners fed a table of 13, with every dish arriving at the same time. The room is described as cosy and intimate but tiny, with half a dozen tables, so a couple of reviewers suggest booking. One group brought wine from the newsagent next door with no corkage, and staff supplied an ice bucket and split their shared pasta dishes without being asked.
Featured reviews
- Annette Scott
“Had an absolute delicious meal here. Service was excellent and food was great. Can highly recommend. Will definitely be back.”
- dougie dewar
“Thought i would treat my missus to a surprise dinner in costa del porty . Phoned and booked a table got 40 minutes to get the skates on as fully booked . Got seated and served right away . Food is absolutely stunning had meatballs for a starter and pizza main course . Other half had gamberoni and spaghetti carbonara and was absolutely stunning and competitively priced . If could give more than 5 stars i would and will definetely be back”
- Paddy Birbeck
“What a find! As others have commented, superb home-cooked Italian food served with care and an intimate, welcoming atmosphere. We were lucky to snap up a table on spec as we were only two diners, but I'd urge you to book ahead as the place really is tiny, with just half a dozen tables!”
- E Corn
“Nice food. Great pizzas. Wonderful staff. Small so would recommend booking.”
- Shannon Dwiputri chandra
“The owners are very friendly. Good food with excellent price, we ordered the 2-course menu for £14.99 each (starter + main). The tiramissu also tastes good!😋”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- ,
- Wednesday
- ,
- Thursday
- ,
- Friday
- ,
- Saturday
- ,
- Sunday
- ,
Highlights
“Italian Restaurant in the heart of Portobello, Edinburgh”
- Great dessert
- Great wine list
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Free street parking
- Accepts reservations
- No-contact delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
- Alcohol
Show more amenities
- Cozy
- Beer
- Coffee
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Table service
- Offerings· 2
- Hard liquor
- Wine
- Highlights· 1
- Great wine list
- Crowd· 1
- Groups
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Atmosphere· 2
- Casual
- Romantic
- Parking· 1
- Parking
- Service options· 1
- Delivery
- Dining options· 1
- Dinner
- Facilities· 1
- Restroom
- Planning· 1
- Dinner reservations recommended
Location
Italian restaurants near La Grotta Portobello
- 2.6 mi
tender octopus, focaccia, Sardinian lamb croquette
- Dal Patino4.64582.8 mi£20–30
pizza dough and toppings, burrata al pesto, pane e olio
- 3 mi£40–90
wine tasting flight, ravioli, carbonara
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Grotta Portobello | 4.8113 | — | £10–40 | £14.99 two-course menu, linguine frutti di mare, mussels in tomato sauce |
| Scotland Meets Sardinia Supperclub | 4.9142 | 2.6 mi | — | tender octopus, focaccia, Sardinian lamb croquette |
| Dal Patino | 4.6458 | 2.8 mi | £20–30 | pizza dough and toppings, burrata al pesto, pane e olio |
| Divino Enoteca Italian Restaurant & Wine Bar | 4.71,503 | 3 mi | £40–90 | wine tasting flight, ravioli, carbonara |
The 3 nearest italian restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
Similar Italian restaurants nearby
More to explore in Edinburgh

186 places
Restaurants in Edinburgh
Photo: Makars Mash Bar · 4.8 · 11,013 Google reviews
See all 186 restaurants in Edinburgh
4.7 · Tattu EdinburghChinese restaurants
22 places
4.5 · Southern Cross CafeCafes
69 places
4.5 · The World's EndBars
80 places







