Edinburgh - Valvona & Crolla

I've been wanting to go to Edinburgh for some time, and especially to visit Valvona & Crolla! It doesn't look that special from outside:

but it's like the tardis inside, packed with every fine food that you could imagine.  Valvona & Crolla have been in Edinburgh since 1934, originally serving the immigrant Italian community - but now the word has spread! They specialise in all manner of continental produce as well as some of the best food and drink from Scotland. 

There's a wonderful selection of cooked meats, salami, and sausages:

and fine olives and cheeses. 

There's a wide range of things to drink:

including a good selection of miniatures.

They have been blending and roasting coffee for over 70 years:

with a wide range of roasts for different tastes.

Another speciality are their pizzas:

We bought some to eat on our journey home and can thoroughly recommend them.

You can tell just by looking at it, that this garlic will be much better than what is commonly sold in supermarkets:

(it's only stale garlic that gives you very bad breath).

I turned round the corner at the back of the shop, and found another shop! Here there was olive oils and balsamic vinegar to try (and buy):

To go with the oils, there are their own baked breads (including Italian styles and sourdough), as well as cakes and biscuits,

They've won the Scottish wine merchant of the year many times, and have regular wine tasting events: 

Behind the wine shop is a Caffè Bar (which was too busy for me to take photos). The food style comes from central and southern Italy and is made using the same produce that they sell in the shop.  The Caffè Bar is regularly in the Which? Good Food Guide. 

It's a lovely shop, well worth a visit, with helpful and friendly staff.

Valvona & Crolla
Delicatessen & Caffè Bar
19 Elm Row
Edinburgh
EH7 4AA

Tel: 0131 556 6066

Web: www.valvonacrolla.co.uk