Gaia Delicatessen
- Telephone 0131 553 7333
- Food served Mon–Fri 9am–6pm; Sat 10am–6pm; Sun 11am–4pm.
- Average price £10 (lunch); £10 (evening meal)
- Website gaiadeliedinburgh.co.uk
The 2017 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).
If you didn't know any better, the coastal tunes and cheery decor of Gaia, an Italian deli run by Nunzio Dragotta and his flock, could make you think you were having a meal in sunny Palermo. The majority of the patrons are Italian natives, adding to the illusion. For a quick lunch, grab one of the panini - try the mozzarella and homemade caponata version when it's available. Likewise, their pasta is homemade and the seafood diablo hits all the right spicy notes. Finishing the meal with a traditional canolo is the way to go – all of Gaia's baked goods and breads are produced by a Sicilian baker in town. Paired with the Italian imports they bring in to create true, authentic dishes, an affordable lunch here is hard to beat.
- High point: Italian imports for proper panini
- Low point: Downstairs toilet
- Notable dish: Caponata Panino
- Delivery: Free to local businesses. Charge VAT for delivery.
- Provides: Vegetarian options (at least ¼ main courses), Children's portions, Children's high chairs, Outdoor tables
- Music on stereo: Italian music
- Capacity: 20 (6-8)
- Largest group: 25
- Open since: 2006
- BYOB: no charge corkage
