La Vita

Traditional old-school, family-run Scottish-Italian with contemporary appeal and a real crowd-pleaser of a pre-theatre.

The 2018/19 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £7.95 (+p&p).

La Vita Pizzeria is a family-run, old-school Scottish-Italian restaurant right on George Square. A good value pre-theatre for under a tenner means that all three floors are often packed with diners on a ‘straight fae’, and the convivial staff seem to thrive on the air of celebration. With more than 100 à la carte options, and 23 mains on the trimmed down pre-theatre, choosing can take a while – but the orders appear swiftly. There are dishes for all tastes – from a trad bolognese to ‘Scozzese’ black pudding pastas, as well as chicken, fish, pizzas, burgers and steaks – an indication perhaps that each of the three generations has had a say in the selection. Most diners seem to opt for the rich and seductive bowlfuls of pasta that provide pre-night-out ballast. The bruschetta and crostini starters are reassuringly garlicky, although the chilli prawns err on the mild side. A comforting risotto monte verdi is perfectly cooked though, again, there is an absence of promised chilli heat. Ice-cream dominates the dessert menu. It is all very slick and impressive, though it could do with a soupçon of fire in its belly.