Restaurant · in Edinburgh · ⭐ 9.3/10 · 2914 reviews
Address: 4-7 Antigua St, Edinburgh EH1 3NH
Authentic family-run Italian near the Playhouse
Mamma Roma is a much-loved family-run Italian restaurant on Antigua Street, founded back in 1995 and serving genuine Italian hospitality for over two decades. Just opposite the Edinburgh Playhouse — and a short walk from Princes Street Gardens and Waverley station — it’s a favourite for pre-theatre dinners and date nights. Spread over multiple floors, the main dining room is decorated in Tuscan farmhouse style, while the upstairs is theatre-themed, with paintings inspired by Italy’s most famous actors, opera singers and classic films.
What to order
Special attention goes to the elaborate list of pasta and pizza. Pizza lovers can choose from classics like the Margherita, the house Pizza Mamma Roma, pepperoni and calzone, while pasta favourites include carbonara and Bolognese, with seafood dishes also earning praise. Round things off with a bowl of gelato or a plate of tiramisu.
Who it’s for
With its warm, slightly buzzy atmosphere and attentive service, Mamma Roma is a great choice for a date night, a pre-theatre dinner or a relaxed meal with friends. Generous portions and authentic flavours make it a reliable favourite — it even featured in OpenTable’s Top 100 UK 2024.
The Space
Mamma Roma sprawls over several floors, each dressed in its own mood. The main room takes a Tuscan-farmhouse turn with framed paintings and medallions, while another leans cooler and more contemporary, with marble-topped tables and Venice-inspired touches.
Climb the stairs and the theme turns theatrical, its walls hung with paintings that tip a hat to Italy’s great actors, opera singers and classic films — fitting, given the Playhouse just across the road.
Questions and answers
What kind of food does Mamma Roma serve? Authentic Italian — pasta, pizza, seafood and classic desserts.
What should I order? The house Pizza Mamma Roma, a fresh pasta like carbonara, and tiramisu to finish.
Is it good for pre-theatre? Yes — it’s right opposite the Edinburgh Playhouse, ideal before a show.
How long has it been open? Since 1995 — a family-run restaurant for over two decades.
Are there gluten-free options? Yes — the kitchen caters happily for gluten-free diners, including on the pasta and pizza side of the menu.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday | 12:00–21:30 |
| Tuesday | 12:00–21:30 |
| Wednesday | 12:00–21:30 |
| Thursday | 12:00–21:30 |
| Friday | 12:00–22:30 |
| Saturday | 12:00–22:30 |
| Sunday | 12:00–21:30 |
Photos
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Visitor reviews
Reviews last updated: 2026-06-30 21:24:43
Data is refreshed monthly. Sources: edinburgh-trend.com and editorial picks based on reviews.
Real Italian pasta, served in a matter of minutes. It's fairly busy here, so it's best to book a table in advance. The perfect treat for your taste buds! Even the strawberry soft drinks were very tasty. We paid about £50…
An absolutely wonderful experience at this Italian restaurant! The food was just exquisite, every dish was full of flavour, wonderfully presented and prepared with such care. You can truly feel the authenticity in every…
A wonderful Italian restaurant! There wasn't a free table right away, so we were able to take a seat at the bar next to it. A table freed up fairly quickly. We tried tasty focaccia pizza and calzone here! The desserts we…
Recently I visited Mamma Roma, and everything was incredible from start to finish. The food was just wonderful, and the staff made it all really special. We started with bruschetta, polpette piccanti and melanzane al for…
One of my favourite restaurants. The dishes cost £15-20. Really tasty Italian cuisine. The seafood pasta is just incredible.