Valvona & Crolla Est. 1934 · Edinburgh Shop online

19 Elm Row · Edinburgh · Since 1934

Not so much a deli, more a way of life.

Scotland’s oldest delicatessen and Italian wine merchant: an independent family business, serving Edinburgh from the same shop for over ninety years, and the nation by next-day delivery.

Shop online Our story
  • Royal Warrant, Fine Cheese
  • Living Wage Employer
  • Fringe Venue 67
A Valvona & Crolla staffer in the green apron holding a wicker basket of wine, panettone and fruit outside the shop window on Elm Row
Outside 19 Elm Row
Fonteluna®Carlo’s BlendFior’ FiorePanetellaVinCaffèMilano market MondaysHampers, nationwidesince 1934
Royal Warrant crest, By Appointment to His Majesty The King, Suppliers of Fine Cheese, Valvona & Crolla Limited

The Royal Warrant

By Appointment to His Majesty The King, Suppliers of Fine Cheese.

Granted the Royal Warrant as supplier of fine cheese to His Majesty King Charles III. The same counter that serves Elm Row serves the King, and ships to your door.

Since 1934

Four generations.
One shop.

From market stall to dot com, the whole story happens at 19 Elm Row.

  1. 1934

    One of Europe’s original specialist food shops

    Valvona & Crolla is founded: Scotland’s oldest delicatessen and Italian wine merchant, an independent family business from the first day.

  2. 1993

    The Caffè Bar, and Carlo’s Blend

    Carlo Contini creates the house coffee just before the Caffè Bar opens. It’s roasted in-house again today. Just like Carlo used to do.

  3. Every August

    The deli becomes a theatre

    The gift room converts into a 70-seat theatre, Fringe Venue 67, with the Chairman himself on the bill.

  4. Today

    Philip, Mary, Francesca & Olivia

    Still family-run from the original premises, now holding the Royal Warrant for fine cheese, and serving the whole nation online.

The full story
Philip, Mary and family at the ladder beneath the Valvona & Crolla Established 1934 fascia
The Continis, at the shop
Painted artwork of the 19 Elm Row shopfront with Valvona & Crolla Est. 1934 lettering
19 Elm Row, in paint
Inside the deli, Fonteluna sausages hanging over the counter, Fior’ Fiore olive oil, V&C cheese wheels and the UK-wide delivery chalkboard
The counter, Elm Row

The shop

The counter that serves the nation.

Fonteluna® sausage made specifically for the house. Fior’ Fiore cold-pressed olive oil from Puglia. Cheese kept well enough to earn a Royal Warrant. Fruit and veg up from the Milano markets, arriving every Monday.

All of it crosses the same counter it always has, and all of it ships, next-day, to most of the UK.

  • Fonteluna® sausageMade for V&C
  • Fior’ Fiore olive oilCold-pressed · Puglia
  • Carlo’s Blend coffeeRoasted in-house
  • Milano market produceEvery Monday
  • Hampers & gift vouchersVouchers never expire
Browse the shop Delivery details
“V&C is a national treasure.” Pete Irvine · Scotland the Best
The Caffè Bar, timber-beamed ceiling, sage green walls, bentwood chairs and gallery walls

The Caffè Bar

Lunch under the timber beams

The converted warehouse behind the shop: skylights, sage walls, and a kitchen fed directly by the deli counter. Mon-Sat, last orders 4:45pm.

Visit the Caffè
Philip Contini & His Be Happy Band, in black tie with accordion, clarinet and guitar

Venue 67

The deli with its own Fringe theatre

Every August the gift room becomes a 70-seat theatre. 18 shows in 2026, and the Chairman sings in one of them.

See what’s on
A V&C monogrammed wicker hamper packed with wine, panettone, chocolate and Mary Contini’s Dear Alfonso

Hampers & gifts

Ninety years of taste, in a basket

Hampers packed at the counter and sent UK-wide, plus gift vouchers that never expire.

Browse the shop