We’ve been searching out the best Italian food in Manchester. Italian cuisine has long been regarded as some of the best in the world, and unsurprisingly Manchester has a series of Italian restaurants that rival the nation’s best. Whether you’re looking for pizza, pasta or something fancier, you’ll find everything you need right here in this great city.
Salvi’s is one of a kind. It stands apart in the Corn Exchange, hidden underground, far removed from all the chain restaurants and smash-and-grab diners. This unassuming but loveable space is one of Manchester’s true hidden gems with wonderfully-cheery staff who know all too well how good their food is, and are damn proud of it. It’s not just the best Italian restaurant in Manchester, it’s hard to think of a better Italian eatery in the whole of the North.
Don Giovanni’s has been one of the city’s most well-known Italian restaurants for over thirty years, providing gimmick-free meals with a focus on traditional Mediterranean ingredients. Keep an eye out for the special events featuring guest chefs such as Jean-Christophe Novelli. Although the regular menu differs from these dishes, when he next returns, it’s certainly worth booking a table.
Based in an up-and-coming area of Ancoats, Rudy’s Pizza has a host of rave reviews and it’s no surprise why. The pizzas on offer are top-class, and the restaurant boasts a charming laid-back feel.
San Carlo Cicchetti is a little Italian outfit tucked under the retail wing of Kendal’s, a diminutive department-store-diner owned by its bigger brother across the road – Manchester dining institution, San Carlo. It is small, perfectly formed and serves the kind of small plates you’ll find in Venetian bars. In other words, San Carlo Cicchetti does a mean line in Italian tapas.
The Salvi’s name makes a good showing in this guide, and for good reason. Offering a bold, cheery and bright cafe atmosphere ideal for dropping in whilst shopping or before a night out, Salvi’s Pizzera Napoletana is the new best place for pizza in Manchester city centre.
The waft of pizza and the soft music are the final pieces in an atmospheric puzzle that makes PLY one of the most welcoming pizzerias in Manchester.
One of the year’s biggest restaurant launches, Skof comes to Manchester’s Noma district, headed up by star of Simon Rogan’s restaurants, chef Tom Barnes.
MAYA is a stylish new restaurant and bar on the corner of Canal Street and Chorlton in central Manchester.
Medlock Canteen combines Parisian bistro style dining with a 50s diner look and feel.
New Wave Ramen is a stylish, friendly Japanese ramen bar and restaurant on Tib Lane in the heart of Manchester.
Lamb Of Tartary serves up high-end British cuisine, courtesy of Shaun Moffat, of Edinburgh Castle fame.
The Mezz is the new VIP area at the AO Arena, offering high-end food and drinks with great views of the stage.
The King Street area isn’t short of popular Italian restaurants, but none strike quite the same note as Capri’s, where you’ll be greeted like family and served some of the most authentic Neapolitan food in Manchester.
Highly-regarded wine-led, French-leaning wine bar and rooftop restaurant in the city centre.
Authentic Southern Spanish tapas available in an artisan gift box.
Elegant cocktail bar in the centre of Manchester, with a relaxed atmosphere and wonderfully friendly staff.
Tapas and wine at this friendly, stylish bar, based at Manchester’s Kampus complex.
Stylish modern bar serving sophisticated cocktails in the Northern Quarter.
Make the most of the sun in one of Manchester's many top-notch beer gardens.
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The best new bars in Manchester, plus some old favourites for good measure.
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Manchester's restaurants are bending over backwards to create deals that take the sting out of eating out. Here are the best of the bunch for January.
Plan your May Bank Holiday weekend with our top picks from music, art, theatre, food and drink spots, whatever the weather.
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Take a look at our top recommendations for restaurants and bars to check out this spring.
From spotlights on indie presses to big hitters brought to you by the bookshops, festivals and libraries, you'll find plenty to whet your wordy whistle this month.
From creative adventures, museum experiences and spectacular theatre, check out what's on for the family in Manchester and the north.
Eclectic as ever. You'll find Bollywood musicals, scratch nights and anarchic Shakespeare in our pick of the performative crop.
Traditional painting takes a step back this month to make way for some excellent photography, sculpture and multimedia exhibitions around the North.
Read our latest highlights from the live classical music offer in Manchester and the North, taking in a number of the region's most cherished orchestral forces and venues.
Ealing Studios and the best of Ryan Gosling are amongst our film highlights this month.
Gazing longingly towards the good times that will accompany the surely imminent sun, we take a look at the best music festivals coming up in Manchester and Salford.
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