Eve: self-described pasta paradise

Charcuterie waiting to be served

Among the late-night taverns and odd youth hostel of Cowgate is the Italian restaurant Eve. Named after Richard Branson’s late mother (not as random as it sounds, considering it’s attached to five-star Virgin Hotels), the eatery puts a more mature spin on this bit of town: think handmade pasta, limoncello spritzers and authentic Italian cooking made to be shared.

Head chef Giulio Morroni learnt his skills from his family in Rome. “When I was about six, Nonna used to make ravioli, and it was the meal on Sunday that brought the family together,” he says. One catering diploma and a stint cooking for Pope Benedict XVI later, he landed on Scottish shores in 2009.

Eve officially opened in 2022, serving globally inspired small plates – but in March 2025, Chef Morroni launched his new Italian concept menu. Ingredients include nduja from the south of Italy and gorgonzola from the north.

As part of the experience, you can learn how to make traditional Italian pasta in one of the interactive masterclasses* – all Eve’s pasta is made fresh, first kneading the dough, then pulling it through the pasta maker to be used in, for example, their signature carbonara. The dish gets a definite nod of approval from us: think ribbon-shaped mafaldine combined with guanciale (cured pork cheek), pecorino and egg yolk.

“Eve will be cooking with the traditional three ingredients – just like my Nonna used to make – and the only way to do it, in my opinion,” says Chef Morroni. “In Rome, pasta carbonara is like a religion. It’s just what we do.”

Eggs and flour with the resulting fresh pasta

Other classics on the menu include cheese and charcuterie boards, burrata and calamari starters, pizza, and, of course, fresh pasta—ravioli, tagliatelle, and pappardelle. Tiramisu is a personal favourite as a dessert, and Eve’s version, served in a moka pot, was certainly moreish. Interestingly, a late brunch is also available from 12 pm to 4 pm—menus are available on their website if you’d like to decide what you’d like ahead of time.

“I really love this menu; it tastes like home,” says chef Morroni – and we can now see why.

Step back outside onto Cowgate, and perhaps it’s time for live music and a pint – or maybe, like us, it’s time for us to head home. 

Contact: 18 – 20 Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JR

Opening hours: every day, 12 pm to 9:30 pm

*There’s also a cheese and wine masterclass, one my financé agreed we’d like to try: learn about Italian cheeses and how they complement different wines.