With two universities and a substantial offshore industry, the Granite City has a lively and diverse social scene. At the heart of it all, Aberdeen's Italian restaurants provide an excellent venue where you can enjoy an evening out with friends or family or simply grab a quick bite before heading out on the town. With plenty of old favourites serving a loyal clientele and new Italian restaurants in Aberdeen waiting to be discovered, there's a huge variety of eateries to enjoy. Check out the listings right here on Quandoo for the best Italian cooking the city has to offer.
Aberdeen's Italian restaurants may be referred to by a number of different names, so understanding a little about each can help you know what to expect. Osterias are perhaps the most casual, often with a focus on regional food. Trattorias are still casual, but perhaps with a slightly more extensive menu. You'll find favourites from all across Italy here. The ristorante, meanwhile, is the most formal of Italian restaurants in Aberdeen. Here, you can expect attentive service and a high standard of cooking with careful presentation. The pizzeria specialises in (you guessed it!) pizza, typically also with some pasta, salad and antipasti dishes on the menu.
We all love bruschetta and garlic bread but if you're looking for something a little different, there are some great options on the starter menus of Italian restaurants in Aberdeen. You might be lucky enough to find fregola salad with olives, orange zest and herbs, a zesty classic from Sardinia. From neighbouring Sicily, smoked mackerel, fennel and orange salad is a great combination. Vegetarians are pretty well catered for in Aberdeen's Italian restaurants and a starter of rolled aubergines stuffed with capers, raisins and walnuts is a total taste sensation. Additionally, there's often a good selection of both meat and vegetable antipasto.
Formal Italian restaurants in Aberdeen may offer pasta as a starter, or primo course with a meat or fish secondo as the main. Don't worry if your appetite is not up to both, however, as it is perfectly acceptable these days to have pasta as your main course. The list is almost endless, with traditional favourites like carbonara, lasagne, ravioli and macaroni always popular with diners. You can always find some tasty alternatives, though. Crab and tiger prawn fettuccine will delight seafood fans, while chilli chicken pasta with red pesto will satisfy those looking for a little heat. There's a huge variety of pizzas on offer, along with some lovely, creamy risottos. You'll also find a good selection of fish dishes in Italian restaurants and Aberdeen's position as a major port means lots of the freshest seafood for the kitchens.
Next time you visit one of the fine Italian restaurants in Aberdeen, do try to leave a little room for pudding. The Italians love their desserts and if you have even a slightly sweet tooth then you're in for a treat. The quality of Italian ice cream, or gelato, is outstanding, while tiramisu and panna cotta are other both classic desserts. Cassata from Sicily is a fruity option, while cannoli and zabaglione are must-tries. Don't forget that Italian coffee is some of the best and a cup of it is a great way to finish off your meal.
