A few weekends ago, we had the pleasure of going to Mamma Roma’s opposite the Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh. As we were going in a large group (35 people), we were apprehensive about how the arrangements would work, but the staff couldn’t have been more welcoming.

Upon arrival, we were shown to a private room in the basement, which worked out perfectly for us. Private rooms can sometimes be a snug fit; this one gave us more than enough space to relax and enjoy ourselves after a long day.

The service we received was second to none. We had two waiters assigned to us who were incredibly helpful. They were happy to answer any questions we had, and coming from a server, I would have been stressed dealing with a group of this size, but they didn’t break a sweat, so massive props to them!

We were sent a set menu beforehand of eight dishes with both pasta and pizza dishes on offer. We had been competing all day, so we were overjoyed to find that our food was placed before us within 15 minutes of sitting down. It was hot, fresh, and extremely appetising.

*Source: Eilidh Currie, Mamma Roma’s Spaghetti Carbonara*

I had the pleasure of enjoying the spaghetti carbonara with a glass of prosecco. The carbonara was creamy yet light. The pancetta was a great salty addition to the dish, and overall, it has to be up there as one of my favourite spaghetti carbonara I have ever had. The prosecco had to be the best I’ve had at a restaurant. It was the perfect balance of sweet and tangy, not too much fizz but not too flat. Overall, my dish was a 5/5.

*Source: Eilidh Currie, Mamma Roma’s Spaghetti Bolognese*

My friend had ordered the spaghetti Bolognese, again with a glass of prosecco. This is her usual order whenever she visits an Italian restaurant, so Mamma Roma’s was competing against a high standard. She would say it more than lived up to that standard. It was full of flavour, the meat was very high quality, and the cheese paired lovely with the dish. The prosecco was equally well received by her, and for these reasons, this dish also received a 5/5.

*Source: Eilidh Currie, Mamma Roma’s Penne Arrabbiata*

The penne arrabbiata was another very popular dish within our group. Surprisingly enough, this one isn’t really to my taste, but everyone that had it loved it. The tomatoes were zingy, and the sauce was rich with a kick; overall, it was described as a vibrant dish. Surprise, the prosecco was also received well with this dish, the true makings of a high-quality prosecco. This dish was ranked a 5/5 too.

To conclude, the restaurant had a great vibe. We received top-notch service, the food is what every Italian restaurant should aspire to, and we all agreed we would go back without a second thought. Especially if you’re looking for a big group, this would be the perfect place for you, I would also recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment.

★★★★★

Mamma Roma’s is located at 4-7 Antigua St, Edinburgh EH1 3NH.

Booking in advance is recommended, and that can be done by calling the restaurant at 0131 558 1628 or booking online at http://www.mamma-roma.net/index.html

Mamma Roma’s review: A taste of Italy in Edinburgh