Paolo's Restaurant

You'll find Paolo's tucked away on St Giles, where the city's Georgian architecture gives way to somewhere that feels genuinely continental. Walk in and you're met with warm lighting, wooden tables, and the sort of relaxed Italian atmosphere that comes from people who actually care about what's on the plate rather than chasing trends. The menu reads like a love letter to proper Italian regions—not the anglicised stuff you get elsewhere—and at around the ££ mark, it won't hollow out your wallet either. It's the kind of place locals return to regularly, which tells you everything you need to know.