Al Dente - Menu

139 Easter Road Edinburgh, EH7 5QA, United Kingdom

🛍 Pasta, Italian, Mediterranean, Traditional Italian

4.2 💬 1770 Reviews
Al Dente

Phone: +441316521932

Address: 139 Easter Road Edinburgh, EH7 5QA, United Kingdom

City: Edinburgh

Menu Dishes: 35

Reviews: 1770

"It was a quiet Monday night as we rolled up to Al Dente on Easter Road, a tiny Italian restaurant that sits unassumingly half-way down Easter Road. You’re instantly drawn to the Ospitalia Italiana gold award proudly stamped into its façade; in my experience, these less glamourous eateries always turn out to be a winner. There’s an open kitchen, and chef/owner Graziano is gabbing away in his native tongue to a friend. On entering, he is swiftly out to greet us, alongside our waitress for the evening. The Italian excitedly takes us through today’s specials and retreats back behind the stove. My starter tonight is warm-baked Apulian potato tart with cured meat and mozzarella £5.30), with Sarah going for ‘Sautee de pesce’ priced at £6.80. The dining room is immediately awash with the wonderful aromas of garlic and white wine, and with one large breath drawn in, Sarah boldly states “Mmmm, it doesn’t get better than that”. She might be right. Her dish comes out first and I was glad to see just a simple plate of mussels, calamari, prawns, clams, and a decent chunk of good bread to soak us those juices. The last time we ordered this in a restaurant the shellfish were full of grit; thankfully, this chef has given his produce the respect it deserves, and that respect extends to the cooking of it – simple, but effective, the way it should be. My dish was equally as good: quality ham, gooey cheese, crunchy top and potatoes with a slight bite to them – a dish most suited to this cold winter evening. Another couple of Italian gentlemen entered the restaurant and the banter between chef and customer flowed. It’s a definite indicator of authenticity when fellow countrymen dine in such restaurants, and a far cry from the more generic offerings that lie over on Leith Walk. I opted for one of the specials in the form of pork loin with gorgonzola, honey, and roasted vegetables £14.80). This plate is never going to win any awards for presentation, but its rusticity wasn’t without"

Full menu - 35 options

All prices are estimates on menu.

Pasta

Dessert

Seafood

Gnocchi

Rice

Meat & Fish

Contorni

Dolce

Classic Pasta $13

Wrap

Baked

Penne

Paninis

Salads

Lunch Platters

Desserts

Main Course

Rosã© Wein

Rotweine

Vini Bianchi In Bottiglia - Weißweine In Flaschen (0,75 L)

Mains

Secondi

Dolci

First Course

Anna-Maria Anna-Maria

I was well impressed with Al Dente. I thought their food was really good, with a strong emphasis on keeping things simple and letting the flavours sing

Address

Show Map

Reviews

Joséphine
Joséphine

in edinburgh for a long weekend. we were in an apartment quite central and found al dente directly on the road. we enjoyed our food and wee very much. a good value for money.


Savannah
Savannah

Al Dente serves up unpretentious, honest cooking at excellent prices. The staff clearly put a great deal of pride into their work and that shines through in the food and the service. It won’t be long before we visit again. Bellisimo!


Ingo
Ingo

sir grazziano is one of the best hostesses in the world. very friendly and cultural. loved all the dishes from the entrance into the desert. the prices are very reasonable due to the quality. left the place with a full mag plus and a happy spirit. nothing can go wrong with al dente 10/5 stars View menu


Mae
Mae

we were three times too al dente, our local italian, and enjoyed every visit. the food was really delicious every time, and I would like to recommend the orchid pasta dish, the risotto and the white chocolate-winnerole. graziano the owner is really friendly and is always striving to get feedback to the feeds, was always positiw! there are also monthly themed evenings when the menu includes dressed from different Italian region each time. we were not yet in a themed night, but look forward to an attempt.


Precious
Precious

It was a quiet Monday night as we rolled up to Al Dente on Easter Road, a tiny Italian restaurant that sits unassumingly half-way down Easter Road. You’re instantly drawn to the Ospitalia Italiana gold award proudly stamped into its façade; in my experience, these less glamourous eateries always turn out to be a winner. There’s an open kitchen, and chef/owner Graziano is gabbing away in his native tongue to a friend. On entering, he is swiftly out to greet us, alongside our waitress for the evening. The Italian excitedly takes us through today’s specials and retreats back behind the stove. My starter tonight is warm-baked Apulian potato tart with cured meat and mozzarella...read more


Felix
Felix

In the centre of Edinburgh you’ll find Italian restaurants all over the place. They’ll serve you what you’d expect: pizza, pasta and cheesy delights. I’m not a fan of this type of restaurant. Firstly, a lot of the food is lazy and uninteresting, and secondly, I can make a lot of it at home. Luckily, there are Italian restaurants that stand out. Al Dente, on Easter Road, is one such restaurant. Al Dente has been hit listed by the List’s Eating and Drinking Guide several years, recently won a Best Italian Restaurant Award and has a dedicated following both locally and further afield. I’d heard a lot of good about it before I visited for the first time and am delighted to say...read more View menu


Angelo
Angelo

would rate a 10/5 if I could! this place is amazing! I went with a few friends on holiday! there is a very domestic feeling, and they can say it is very authentic! the couple that ran the place were the only ones that were next to us when we went, but they did not encourage us or about our table waiting to order or finish us! I have to mention how amazing it was to eat! we ordered to start the roasted red pfeffer and goat cheese bruschetta, and all gobbed it down in 5 minutes! it was incredible! for dinner we ordered a bottle chianti, with the risotto with garnelen, and orichette with broccoli and speck! we have cleaned all our tellers! the best risotto I ever had! at the end they gave us......


Celestine
Celestine

would rate a 10/5 if I could! this place is amazing! I went with a few friends on holiday! there is a very domestic feeling, and they can say it is very authentic! the couple that ran the place were the only ones that were next to us when we went, but they did not encourage us or about our table waiting to order or finish us! I have to mention how amazing it was to eat! we ordered to start the roasted red pfeffer and goat cheese bruschetta, and all gobbed it down in 5 minutes! it was incredible! for dinner we ordered a bottle chianti, with the risotto with garnelen, and orichette with broccoli and speck! we have cleaned all our tellers! the best risotto I ever had! at the end they gave us fr...


Amy
Amy

It was a quiet Monday night as we rolled up to Al Dente on Easter Road, a tiny Italian restaurant that sits unassumingly half-way down Easter Road. You’re instantly drawn to the Ospitalia Italiana gold award proudly stamped into its façade; in my experience, these less glamourous eateries always turn out to be a winner. There’s an open kitchen, and chef/owner Graziano is gabbing away in his native tongue to a friend. On entering, he is swiftly out to greet us, alongside our waitress for the evening. The Italian excitedly takes us through today’s specials and retreats back behind the stove. My starter tonight is warm-baked Apulian potato tart with cured meat and mozzarella £5.30), with Sarah... View menu

Categories

  • Pasta Delight in our selection of classic and contemporary pasta dishes, each crafted with fresh, quality ingredients and flavorful sauces that capture the essence of Italian cuisine in every bite.
  • Italian Savor the rich and diverse flavors of Italy with our menu, offering classic pasta, savory risottos, and traditional meat and seafood dishes, all crafted with authentic ingredients and passion. Buon appetito! View menu
  • Mediterranean Savor the vibrant essence of the Mediterranean with dishes inspired by the sun-drenched coasts. Enjoy fresh olives, vibrant herbs, rich olive oils, and a variety of seafood and grilled meats.
  • Traditional Italian

Amenities

  • Wine
  • Full Bar
  • menu
  • Visa Card
  • menu
  • Cash Only

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