We think Mi Amore is one of the top Italian restaurants based in Aberdeen. If you are looking to have traditional Italian fare with a modern twist, then they’d certainly be worth a visit.

First off, they have a very wide range of Italian dishes that customers can choose from. For instance, they offer 20 types of antipasti and 17 types of pasta.

They also offer vegetarian and vegan options, which we appreciate. Some of their popular dishes are Risotto Vigan – made from artichoke and mushrooms, and Ravioli Porcini– ravioli stuffed with porcini mushrooms served in a creamy tomato sauce.

Unlike other restaurants, they offer a set menu for those looking to save money. One can eat three courses for only £24.99.

What also sets them apart is that they are open all week unlike other Italian places. Also, if you have plans to go to the Aberdeen Music Hall or His Majesty’s Theatre, you’d be happy to know that Mi Amore is just walking distance from these places.

Unfortunately, several customers have complained about their long wait times. Even though some had bookings, they had to wait almost an hour before being served.

We also heard reports of rude wait staff. Even though each booking can last for 2 hours, some felt they were already being rushed after only the half-hour mark.

Additionally, unlike other Italian restaurants, this one does not have a private dining room for special events.

Rustico is another solid Aberdeen-based restaurant choice if you are craving traditional Italian food. Their place even looks like a quintessential charming trattoria, with its light wood flooring, dark wood tables and chairs, red chequered tablecloth, and rough walls.

Unlike other restaurants, they have a self-contained private room for groups of 25 and up who want to celebrate special occasions. It even has its own bar and sound system.

They also offer unique vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. A famous choice for all three is their Penne Arrabiata – a pasta dish with spicy chilli, garlic, and roasted cherry tomato sauce.

They are also well-known for some traditional dishes which other restaurants do not have such as Arrostito – Sicilian grilled skewers with barbecue chicken, and Vitello Saltimbocca – thinly-sliced veal, pan-fried with sage butter.

What sets this Italian restaurant apart is that they welcome well-behaved dogs in their premises as long as they have leashes. This is good news for fur parents who don’t want to leave their babies at home.

One downside is that they have a comparatively limited selection of main courses, so customers have fewer options to choose from.

Also, they have a slightly pricier set menu: £33.95 for three courses unlike others who offer three-course set menus at lower price points.

Lastly, they are closed on Mondays and Sundays. This is especially unfortunate for those who are planning to go out on a Sunday before they have to work again on Monday.

Amarone is another Italian restaurant which prides themselves on serving modern Italian food. To match their menu, they also have a strikingly modern restaurant with a tubular brass cocktail bar and green-glazed tiles.

They are known for their one-of-a-kind signature dish, Grand Linguine Alle Capesante. This is made up of pan-seared Scottish king scallops with sun-dried tomatoes, white wine, chilli, garlic, and lemon zest.

They are also famous for their homemade panna cotta, which is one of their signature dishes. It is made up of white chocolate and Madagascan vanilla panna cotta, topped with black peppered strawberries and fresh basil.

For groups of 10 and above, you’d be happy to know that they have a set menu as well. It is priced at £29.95 per person, which we think is comparatively affordable.

They also have a unique Boozy Brunch promo which includes a complete brunch and your choice of 4 cocktails, prosecco, or beer for only £35. This is great for those who love having brunch while catching up with their nearest and dearest.

Unlike other restaurants, they actually have late closing times (11 PM and 12AM). This is perfect for the night owls who feel like eating dinner at 7 PM is too early.

Unfortunately, we heard that customers have experienced various booking issues. Upon arriving on time, they were made to wait more than an hour before being served.

Also, we heard reports from various customers that they were served raw, bland, and overcooked food. This seems a bit unfair since their prices are actually a bit higher than their competitors.

ASK Italian is a restaurant that combines Italian food with bold, playful flavours. This is reflected by their welcoming restaurant that features splashy, bespoke artwork, hanging plants, and comfy booths in bright colours.

We admire their dedication to meet their sustainable goals. For instance, they use their supply chain to support local, diverse, and sustainable producers.

On top of this, they also offer vegan and vegetarian options. Their bestsellers are their Purple Pesto Genovese Frilly Tagliatelle and their Calzone Mushroom and Truffle.

Unlike other Italian restaurants, they offer a Kids’ Menu, which we are sure parents would appreciate. Some of their offerings are the Happy Face Pizza, Chicken Goujons, and Chocolate Banana Brownie.

In terms of their main dishes, they are famous for their Beef Brisket Pappardelle. This is made up of pulled beef brisket, red wine ragu, and sun-kissed tomatoes.

Another famous dish they have is a vegetarian dessert. It is their Chocolate Etna which has a dramatic effect – when the hot toffee sauce is poured over a dark chocolate igloo, it melts, revealing a hidden scoop of vanilla gelato on top of a chocolate fondant.

A downside is that they have a limited range of speciality main dishes (only 4). 

Also, customers mentioned how some of the staff were rude to them. Some were even said to talk back in a snide and sarcastic way.

They were said to also have long wait times. Even though the restaurant was almost empty, it still took them a long time to serve each course.

The AL FRESCO team prides themselves in delivering authentic Italian food and wine. We think their dedication to tradition is quite admirable.

This restaurant has a newly-renovated private room which can fit up to 45 people. This is a great option for those who are planning a special event such as a graduation party, a wine-tasting, or a huge family reunion. 

For those who would like to save some quid, they have affordable set menus that one can choose from. You can get their pre-theatre menu of 2 courses for £12.95 or 3 courses for £15.95, which we think are pretty reasonable.

What’s also cool about this place is that kids eat for free on Sundays. Do note that these are only for kids up to 10 years old and only until 6 PM.

Speaking of kids, they also have a Kids’ Menu, which parents of picky eaters would surely appreciate. Some of their options are the Al Fresco burger, Macaroni & Cheese, Chicken Strips, and Spaghetti Bolognese.

They also have a separate vegan menu, which is great for hardcore vegans or those who want to become vegans. 

In fact, their most popular vegan dish is a dessert – their homemade tiramisu. This is a dish made up of sponge biscuits soaked in coffee and Marsala wine, drenched in mascarpone cream.

Do note that they do not have lamb or beef options in their main dishes. They only have pork, sea bass, and chicken options.

Lastly, we heard reports of quality issues in terms of their food. Some customers had mentioned receiving mediocre wine, undercooked fish, and overcooked pasta.