Phenomenal pasta with a makeshift ramp
4
4
Date of visit: April 2025
I have experience of challenges around: hearing and moving around.
Overall Rating
Good
If we were going purely on food, this would be a 5-star review. It's a popular place (a seat is never left empty) and for good reason; the best pasta I’ve ever had, paired with excellent wine. I phoned ahead to check access and gluten-free options (essential for both myself and my companion). They told me they had a small step but their regulars who were wheelchair users made it over fine, but that the toilet wasn’t accessible due to a step. That was fine by me, I just wanted to be prepared. When we arrived, the front step was just slightly too high for my powerchair and because it’s on Cockburn Street, which is on a slope, one side of the step is higher than the other. It made for a very awkward entrance with a full restaurant looking on. Two staff members tried to help and ended up grabbing the specials board and using it as a makeshift ramp. Obviously not ideal, but I applauded their creativity and determination.
Disabled Access In and Around
Average
Access wasn’t great, especially for powerchairs. The step at the front was just a bit too high to get over unaided, but staff were eager to help and got me in eventually. Someone in a manual chair can probably be tilted in, but it's not ideal. The tables were a good height, and it’s fairly well-lit inside. It’s definitely a lively space (every table was full), but it wasn’t overwhelmingly noisy. Cockburn Street as a whole can be a bit anxiety-inducing because it's a slope - on a wet day, I would've been very nervous about going down it. Thankfully, the weather assisted me this day, and I was fine on the slope.
Parking & Transport
Good
Parking in Edinburgh city centre is always hit or miss, but the restaurant is within walking distance of lots of transport links, including Waverley Station.
Accessible Toilets
0There isn’t an accessible toilet here. I appreciated being told this over the phone before my visit as it meant I could plan ahead. It would be really helpful if this information was clearly listed on the restaurant’s website so others could do the same.
Staff
Excellent
The staff were excellent, resourceful, and calm under pressure. They worked hard to get me in safely and didn’t make a fuss about it. We were originally told we’d need to leave by 7 (understandable, given how busy it was) but they didn't rush us, and by then they said we were welcome to stay longer. They really knew the menu and handled dietary questions well. My friend is gluten-free, and the server came up with a great workaround when one of the items couldn’t be adapted.
