Valvona & Crolla

This award-winning specialist Italian grocer, wine merchant and café bar has legendary status in the capital, if not the country as a whole. Its extremely loyal clientele may vary from the cream of Edinburgh society to students (normally with visiting parents), but they return month after month, year after year to enjoy the very best of regional Italian cookery. The café bar, situated at the rear of the shop, is a light, spacious and inviting space. Breakfast is available from 8-11.30am and breakfast specials, which change monthly, include the likes of Don Carlo (freshly squeezed orange juice with sparkling Italian wine) and the intriguing sounding Grumpy Angels (fresh fruit, low fat yoghurt and Crunchy Munchies). In addition to the salads, crostini and the sumptuous panatella sandwiches which form the backbone of the main menu, there are also lunch specials each day – cream of fresh mushroom soup, casalinghe sausages with olive oil, mashed potatoes and caramelised shallots, and Loch Arthur ricotta served with Selvapiana hone. You can accompany your meal with any wine in the shop for £3 corkage. It may be far from cheap, but lunch ain't this good that often.