A cozy Old Town seafood-and-Italian spot with strong wine, standout seafood platters and pasta, and a lively reputation for hospitality; expect a reservation-friendly, slightly tourist-corridor venue with occasional service and portion-size complaints.
Ecco Vino delivers very good food quality anchored by standout seafood platters, risotto, and tiramisu, paired with warm, attentive service and solid wine guidance. The intimate Cockburn Street setting offers appealing ambiance and convenient walk-in access, though some inconsistency in execution and modest space comfort prevent a higher tier. Strong fundamentals across food and service make this a reliable choice for Italian seafood dining.
Ecco Vino comes across as a snug Old Town wine bar that happens to take food very seriously. Diners repeatedly describe it as cozy, intimate, and a little special-occasionish, with service that can feel personal and memorable when the team is on form. One guest summed up the mood nicely: it’s the kind of place where the staff can turn a birthday, proposal, or last-night-in-town dinner into a little event. On the plate, this is seafood-first Italian-Mediterranean cooking with a small menu and a few confident hits. The seafood linguini, mussels, platters, scallops, and tiramisu draw the loudest praise, while the carbonara and risotto suggest a menu that leans comforting rather than avant-garde. The kitchen seems capable of excellent execution, but the sample also shows the occasional stumble on portions, pacing, or consistency, so it’s best approached as a charming, high-reward neighborhood stop rather than a flawless temple of gastronomy. For families, this is not the easiest pick. The menu has a few simpler options like carbonara, bread, olives, gelato, and perhaps pasta or pizza-adjacent dishes, but the overall vibe is intimate, seafood-leaning, and more adult-oriented than kid-first. Reviews even mention children being turned away at times, so if you’re bringing picky eaters or a stroller crowd, this is probably a better fit for a relaxed adult meal than a carefree family night out.
Area vibe: Historic, tourist-focused central district with narrow streets, pubs, and heritage sites.
Safety: Generally busy and well-lit in evenings around main streets, but narrow lanes can be quieter at night.
What's nearby: Close to Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, Waverley Station, theatres, and many restaurants and pubs.