Valvona & Crolla Caffè Bar

- Telephone 0131 556 6066
- Opening times Mon–Sat 9am–6.30pm; closed Sun.
- Bar open Shop: Mon–Thu 8.30am–6pm; Fri/Sat 8am–9pm; Sun 10am–5pm.
- Food served Mon–Thu 8.30am–5.30pm; Fri/Sat 8am–9pm; Sun 10am–4.30pm.
- Pre-theatre times Fri/Sat 3–6.30pm
- Pre-theatre price £16
- Website www.valvonacrolla.co.uk
2 meter social distancing between tables, limited customers, hand sanitiser, full risk assessment in place and under regular review. Booking advised.
Last updated: 30 July 2020

Scotland's oldest deli also has a caffè which is now also open for evening meals - a good spot for a relaxed or pre-theatre meal, with quality ingredients, big Italian flavours and hand-picked wines.

The 2019/20 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
If you don’t have much of an appetite when you arrive at Valvona & Crolla, you definitely will do by the time you arrive at their caffè. To reach it, you must first walk through the shop – which is stacked to the rafters with delicious Italian artisan produce including pasta, chocolate, cheeses and cured meats. There’s an impressive Italian wine section too and you can select a bottle from the shop to accompany your meal for £4 corkage. Valvona & Crolla only started opening for evening meals recently, and the café’s laid-back, informal atmosphere continues through to dinner service. Dishes are light and fresh, with ingredients sourced almost exclusively from the handsome larder next door. The signature antipasto board has delicately delicious arrangements of cheese, meats and marinated or roasted vegetables. There’s also a selection of main meals available; mostly traditional Italian pasta and meat dishes following simple, but exquisitely executed recipes. Taglierini siciliana runs pistachio pesto, Parmigiano Reggiano and lemon zest through fresh egg pasta, while the bistecca di manzo is served with an Italian rocket and tomato salad. It’s all fad-free and full of flavour and the emphasis throughout is on the quality of the food - a simple recipe for success.
Delicious seasonal classic Italian menu using the finest Scottish and Italian ingredients. Open for breakfast, lunch and supper. Choose from over 500 wines in our shop with only £6 corkage.
Text supplied by third party.
- Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Gluten-free options, Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Wheelchair access, Pre-theatre menu, Free wi-fi
- Music on stereo: Classical music
- Capacity: 60
- Largest group: 80
- Open since: 1996
- Number of wines sold by the glass: 10
- House wine: £13 per bottle
- BYOB: £4 corkage (£4 corkage on any wine from the shop only)
Reviews & features
Christmas Food Q&A: Philip Contini – Valvona & Crolla

Valvona & Crolla's head honcho discusses his favourite seasonal treats
I'm planning a Christmas meal and want to offer a couple of unusual twists. What would you suggest? A panettone warmed in the oven and served with homemade crème Anglaise (or thin custard) with a bottle of ice-cold, slightly fizzy Moscato d’Asti.
Ice cream days: growing up in an old school ice cream parlour

Mary Contini of Valvonna & Crolla describes her enviable upbringing
It took two men, my father and Tommy Dougal, to lift up each milk churn and tip it into the stainless-steel vat. It could be four or five churns at a time – even more in July and August when the factory was working at full capacity. Once the 20-gallon…
Take Three: Delis-cum-Cafés
19 Jun 2008Valvona & Crolla Caffè Bar, Grassroots Café and Herbie of Edinburgh.