Gio’s–your local Italian ristorante

39 Slateford Road

“It’s been emotional, actually”, Giovanni (Gio) Pia – chef of the eponymous new restaurant on Slateford Road – says. Since opening in February, the local Italian eatery has “every weekend been full”; they even had to turn people away during the launch one Monday evening – which only goes to show they’re onto a good thing.

Pre-opening night, passers-by were already paying attention to Gio’s imminent opening. Adapted movie posters plastered the closed-up windows: Goodfellas, for example, featured Gio looking dapper in a suit, with a parody of a well-known line from the film:

”As far back as I can remember I’ve always wanted to open a restaurant in Slateford. – Gio Pia, Pasta Don.”

(You can watch the behind-the-scenes photo shoot on Instagram.)

The buzz around the opening extends well past the initial marketing; however, it’s simply about good food. Gio’s Italian heritage, award-winning status as the ‘UK’s best pasta chef’ (twice) and years of experience shine through (including a stint on STV’s Live at Five). The pasta, for instance, is made fresh at the restaurant every day – if you happen to be walking past the kitchen’s large windows, you could catch a glimpse of the action.

Giovanni (Gio) Pia

Or, better yet, go in for dinner one evening, first heading past the open-plan kitchen before being shown to your table against the backdrop of brickwork, wine bottles and oversized murals (a statue eating a pizza slice, large “buon appetito!” wording, “no fuss, just good flavour”). 

The menu itself focuses heavily on pasta and pizza – no surprises there – but does it well. One element is redefining Scottish pasta, which is normally heavy, creamy sauces – for instance, combining bisques into his seafood pasta. The combination of flavours in the calamarata (baby squid, cherry tomatoes, Gaeta olives and pistachio pangrattato) stood out, along with the bruschetta starter and cannoli dessert. Gio himself had come past our table to fill the cannoli in front of us, dipping it in pistachios on request. Next on my list to try is the burrata, wild mushroom risotto and tiramisu. 

Overall, Gio’s has a strong neighbourhood feel to it (heads up: parking in the area may be tricky, but it’ll be easily walkable for locals, and there’s a bus stop right outside), with a focus on high-quality, freshly made ingredients. Gio’s social media personality will also go a long way to making this a success with locals. We’ll be back for that tiramisu.

PS Gio is also known for Gio’s Delivered – delicious Italian food at home? Yes, please. Order online here.

Gio's, 39 Slateford Road, Edinburgh, EH11 1PR 0131 322 1800

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday: 4pm to 10pm Friday to Sunday: 12pm to 10pm