A busy, central Italian spot that wins on atmosphere, pizzas, pasta, and broad crowd-pleasing appeal, but it can feel rushed, cramped, and inconsistent enough to annoy diners who expect polished service.
Amarone delivers solid neighborhood Italian dining anchored by exceptional setting appeal in a historic central Edinburgh location and strong design quality that create genuine atmosphere. Reliable food quality and generally warm service make it competitive with the area's better neighborhood restaurants, though inconsistent preparation and service variability under peak pressure prevent a higher grade. Best suited for groups and families seeking familiar Italian comfort rather than culinary adventure.
Amarone feels like one of those big-city Italian restaurants that can carry a whole evening on atmosphere alone: grand building, busy room, plenty of buzz, and staff who are often described as friendly and on the ball. When it clicks, diners talk about a lovely vibe, quick service, and food that feels like a proper treat — especially pizzas, pasta, prawns, and desserts. But the same room can also feel packed, rushed, and a bit too efficient for its own good. The cooking leans toward classic crowd-pleasing Italian rather than culinary fireworks. Think familiar pastas, stone-oven pizzas, seafood, steaks, and a surprisingly strong set of vegan, gluten-free, and kids’ options. That makes it a strong fit for groups, pre-theatre dinners, and anyone wanting safe, satisfying Italian food in the centre of town. It is less convincing for diners chasing strict regional authenticity or a slow, intimate meal; a few reviews specifically called out dryness, saltiness, or dishes that felt simplified. For families, it’s genuinely usable rather than merely tolerant: there is a proper kids’ menu with pizza, pasta, and gelato, plus lots of familiar adult dishes that children can share or recognize. The menu reality check is important, though — this is not an adventurous-food-only place, and picky eaters should be fine. The only caveat is space: at busy times, tables can be close together and the room can feel hectic, so booking ahead is the move if you want a calmer family meal.
Area vibe: Commercial and tourist-focused central district with Georgian architecture and office buildings.
Safety: Generally safe and well-lit with steady foot traffic evening and daytime, though quieter late at night.
What's nearby: Adjacent to St. Andrew Square Gardens, Princes Street, tram and bus stops, offices, shops and several restaurants and hotels.