An Edinburgh restaurant has been crowned as one of the world’s ‘greatest hidden gems’ by Tripadvisor.
The TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards: Best of the Best Restaurants have been announced for 2025, with Locanda de Gusti on Dalry Road, just around the corner from Haymarket station, is the UK’s top ‘Hidden Gem’ and 20th in the world. Hailed as one of the best Italian spots in the capital, it’s also known for its reasonable prices.
Chef Rosario Sartore grew up in a large family in a poor neighbourhood in Naples, and hoped to recreate authentic, family-friendly Neapolitan dining in Edinburgh, reports the Scottish Daily Express.
Speaking in a video on his website, called ‘Why I Love Food’, he said: “My love of food started back home… coming from a big family.
“We lived for about 22 years in this huge apartment, so you can just imagine the amount of food that was prepared and consumed on a daily basis, with all these kids and adults.”
Describing his neighbourhood in Naples, he went on: “You go downstairs and you start to smell the vegetables, and then you go the fishmonger and then you go the butcher, it’s all there, the colours and the smells, that’s how it starts, the love of food.
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“Eighty per cent of what I cook in my restaurant is Scottish. Meat, root vegetables, an abundance of fish. Obviously, you need your oils, your fresh pastas, your cheeses such as mozzarella… I come from the region of mozzarella… but 80% is local, Scotland has got a lot of food to offer.”
A three-course lunch at Locanda de Gusti is priced at £28 and could commence with ravioli tossed in butter, fresh sage and nutmeg with a daily filling, followed by monkfish tail accompanied by Italian cannellini beans, Vesuvian Piennolo tomatoes, garlic and fresh herbs, and concluded with hazelnut ice cream.
Alternatively, patrons can opt for the renowned Fa Tui tasting menu (Italian for ‘you pick’ or ‘you choose’) where a vast buffet is served at £55, £65 or £80 per person, including hot and cold starters, pasta dishes and main courses featuring meat, fish and vegetarian options.
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Dishes from the a la carte menu include:
Gatto – A savoury potato mash ‘gateau’, oven-baked, with Burrata cheese from Puglia (mozzarella with a creamy centre), mortadella (cured ham from Bologna) and pistachio £13.
Agnello – Charcoal grilled Organic Scottish lamb chops, marinated with lemon, white wine and fresh herbs. Finished with mixed mushroom infused creme, served with roasted vegetables and potatoes £29.
Formaggi – A selection of cheeses (taleggio, fontina, pecorino, provolone piccante) served with biscuits or fresh bread £15.
Rosario moved to Edinburgh at the tender age of 15 to chase his culinary dreams following the death of his father. He later tied the knot with Maria, a native of Edinburgh, and together they’ve established one of the city’s most cherished establishments.
This weekend – September 27-28 – the restaurant is honouring the finest Italian salumi (cured meats) with special dishes, a complimentary aperitif, and a keepsake courtesy of the Italian Trade Agency.
Dining and Cooking