Popular Edinburgh restaurant Fabio’s up for sale after two decades in business

Fabio’s has been a Capital food and drink fixture since the 1990s

Pictured left to right are Fabio's staff Pietro Crolla (owner), Luigi Pianu and Ciro Esimio.

One of the city’s best-loved family run restaurants has hit the market after more than two decades in the business.

Italian restaurant, Fabio’s, has been trading since 1998 and has been long recognised in the city for its menu, relaxed surroundings and unpretentious attitude.

The Glasgow Road business, which has been owned by the Crolla family for more than two decades is selling the lease so that they are able to retire.

Pietro Crolla Jr commented: “Dad and his brother are still cooking in the kitchen in their 70s and have been in the restaurant trade since the 1960s in Edinburgh and have had quite a few restaurants over the years.

“It has been a pleasure to serve the local community, but it is time for a well-deserved retirement.”

The restaurant is described as a “staple of the local community and is popular with residents and visitors alike”.

Pietro added: “My mother and father had the restaurant to start with and I’ve been in the business for about 12 years. My father and my uncle are nearly 80 and are still working.

“The business is still doing really well but my dad and mum are looking to retire and it will be a fresh start for me, I’d like to do something else away from catering.”

In selling the restaurant they are hoping for someone to take over the business so that Pietro’s father can take his second holiday in 22 long years.

“It will be a big step for us taking a step back,” he said, “My dad has four grandchildren now so it will give him a chance to see them and maybe get away to Italy where there is a family home and relatives he hasn’t seen in a long time.

“Growing up we spent our childhoods in the restaurant so it’s a real part of our family and for others in the community. We have a family who come four or five times a week and we’ve seen their children grow up, it’s like a second home to them almost.”

Pietro credits the restaurant’s success to their family-friendly atmosphere.