Civerinos Slice

A new sibling for popular Italian Civerinos, this 80-cover pizza restaurant in Edinburgh’s Old Town is a young, vibrant, Instagrammable space of acid yellows, striking blues and bold geometric prints. The menu combines a commitment to Italian heritage and a genuine passion for authentic New York-style street food, with pizzas that are available either by the generously sized slice or in their 20-inch entirety. The light, crisp-yet-chewy pizza dough is handcrafted from an Italian family recipe using a semi-sourdough. It is then topped with mozzarella and San Marzano tomato sugo, plus a variety of ingredients ranging from wild boar and fennel salami with artichoke and egg, to figs, walnuts and caramelised red onions. We especially enjoyed the Parmigiana, topped with creamy mozzarella di bufala, aubergine, basil, salty Parmesan and marinated garlic. For an indulgent finale, leave room for the freshly baked Nutella calzone to share: a warm, chocolatey, doughy delight. To drink, there’s a succinct list of beers, alongside house wine by the glass or carafe, but the boozy slush of the day is well worth investigating – a refreshingly zingy limoncello option on our visit.

Civerinos is something of a Scottish tradition, offering you the chance to try delicious, authentic New York pizzas with a Scottish twist. The group consists of authentic New York pizza joints spread across Edinburgh and Glasgow, designed to feel like your neighbourhood favourite – laid back, colourful and friendly. Of course, you'll find all the classics on the menu, including a Margherita, pepperoni and wild mushrooms, along with plenty of innovative flavour pairings.

For example, the hot dog and fries pizza is topped with double mozzarella and a ketchup finish, then there's a smoked salmon option with red chillies and a lemon twist, and Italian sausage with double marinara, burrata, pepperoni, rosemary, black pepper, parsley and garlic oil. Some of this location's exclusive flavours include the pizza lasagna with pork ragu, pancetta and shredded mozzarella layered with thin sheets of pizza dough. Elsewhere on the Civerinos Slice menu, you’ll the Hunter's Square pizza pocket with double mozzarella, spicy spianata and parmesan, along with a Chicago deep dish number with parmesan, parsley and your option of pepperoni.

Sharing is caring at Civerinos, with plenty of fantastic options to choose from. The popcorn risotto balls are stuffed with butternut squash and vegan mozzarella, then there are truffle fries, a Caesar salad, giant mozzarella stick, pomodorini and mozzarella and dough twist in Civerinos house seasoning. Although you're visiting a pizza restaurant, you may prefer something a little different. The pasta options include park ragu with pappardelle, marinara and finished with a parmesan gratin, and red pesto with spaghetti, almonds, sundried tomato and basil.

While you’ll find Civerinos restaurants across Edinburgh, this is the original site lauded by many as the place to be. It’s well known locally for its lively atmosphere, 90s inspired decor, and ambient lighting. For casual dining, this humble pizza joint stands out.