Vapiano, Edinburgh: Italian Food Made Fast

The Edinburgh restaurant scene is one that is always growing and changing. St. Andrew's square, located smack dab in the middle of Princes Street and Queen Street, is fast becoming one of those corners of Edinburgh that is well and truly a high-end foodie hub. With luxe London transplants like The Ivy and Dishoom popping up just steps away from local New Town favourites, it's no wonder St. Andrew's Square is becoming a hot spot for anything from graduation dinners to rooftop cocktails. 

But even with the recent developments in the area, I couldn't help but think that maybe there were just a few too many upscale restaurants and not enough casual pit-stops for those of us who are out shopping on Princes Street at the weekends. That's where Vapiano comes in. An international gastronomic franchise, Vapiano is a celebration of Italian cuisine that is quickly dominating the fast-casual market. And for good reason- the business model is clever (and seamlessly replicable) and the speedily prepared food is second to none. When I was invited to try it out for myself, I grabbed my best partner-in-eating (Ben, of course) and headed to the restaurant ready for the full Vapiano experience. 

The Concept

Vapiano isn't your ordinary sit-down restaurant with table-service and long waits for your food. Nor is it a "fast food" chain that makes your meal quick and cheap. Vapiano lies somewhere in the middle of these two tried-and-true concepts. Let me explain. 

A trip to Vapiano starts with you being handed your very own swipe-card. Tap in at different stations when you order your pasta or pizza- or whatever suits your fancy- and Vapiano will have a record of what you've ordered. Watch your food being cooked right before your eyes by Vapiano's very talented cohort of chefs and let them know exactly what you want. This means you can ask them to eliminate an ingredient you don't like or add just a little bit more cheese right at the end. This makes Vapiano the perfect spot for people with particular dietary requirements and even the pickiest of eaters. 

Make no mistake, though, Vapiano is no fast food establishment. Sure, your meal is being cooked relatively quickly and you're ordering at the counter, but the food is fresh as can be (think, homemade pasta) and the staff are as attentive and friendly as those in any fancy restaurant I've ever been to. The best thing about Vapiano's unique concept, though? You don't have to worry about splitting the bill! Trying to calculate everyone's share, swapping around cash, and mixing up cards can be a total headache. But at Vapiano, the swipe-cards do the work for you and you don't have to worry about that dreaded end-of-meal conversation.

The Food

Vapiano is, as its name suggests, known for its Italian food. Hearty bowls of pasta, perfectly crisp pizzas, and shareable platters of antipasti are Vapiano's speciality. Which means you have to have one of each! Paired with a glass of wine (Italian, of course), an Aperol spritz, or a cold beer, a meal at Vapiano can satisfy even your strongest Italian cravings. 

We were very well taken care of on our visit by all of the staff, but particularly by Jackson, the General Manager. From the start, we were made to feel welcome, with Jackson putting together our antipasti platter by hand and delivering it to our table (which isn't the typical Vapiano experience, but we appreciated it anyway!). The antipasti platter was the dream combination of meats and cheese, with a few roasted vegetables for good measure. The highlight was definitely the buffalo mozzarella, which had the creamiest inside, pairing perfectly with either the spicy chorizo or mild salami. I could have happily stopped after our antipasti, but the pasta station awaited us!

Before I dig into the pasta we ordered, I think it is important to mention the great lengths that Vapiano goes to accommodate different diets. There are countless vegetarian dishes on the menu, a solid assortment of pasta mains for vegans, and, as I mentioned earlier, you're able to substitute or eliminate ingredients while it cooks right before for your eyes.

As I approached the pasta station, I also noted an added choice I had to make- the shape of the pasta. You can choose from more than a handful of pasta types to suit the dish you're after. For the Gamberetti e Spinaci, a flavorful trio of juicy king prawns, bursting tomatoes, and earthy spinach, campanelle was my shape of choice (to soak up all that sauce, of course). Ben ordered the cognac and chicken pasta with pappardelle, which seemed to be a popular choice among the people ordering in front us. Little bits of bacon paired with the peas and chicken make for the perfect pairing to the creamy tomato sauce. Both of our pasta dishes were topped with a mountain of cheese, and it's safe to say mine left me sorely defeated (luckily Ben picked up the slack).

Despite filling up on pasta, I couldn't say no to dessert. And Vapiano is one of those places where dessert is a must. The tiramisu is the real deal, with layers of slightly sweetened mascarpone and coffee-soaked cake all packed into a shareable glass (that you probably won't want to share!)

The Verdict

Vapiano hits the sweet spot that is "fast casual," with a quick-fire mode of cooking, and a serve-yourself model that isn't let down by the food. This is the kind of restaurant that knows how to manage such a unique concept that simultaneously feels fresh and comfortable. Whether or not the business model of this international franchise appeals to you, the quality of the food and the overall value for money is enough reason to visit. If anything, Vapiano's cocktails are a fantastic price, especially in this part of town, and would make for the perfect casual after-work drinks spot.

In my mind, Vapiano is the ideal crowd-pleaser of a restaurant for big groups, double dates, and family meals alike. Whether you want to enjoy a bowl of hot pasta during your 30-minute lunch break, or leisurely enjoy an antipasti plate with a glass of wine on a casual date, Vapiano provides a laid-back atmosphere perfect for any occasion. 

Thank you to Vapiano for hosting me! And a special thank you to Jackson for being so accommodating. I received a complimentary meal in exchange for this review, however, all views are my own. You can find more information about Vapiano (and find your closest restaurant) here and check out their menu here!