Italian Club Fish

Nestled in Liverpool’s bustling Bold Street area, Italian Club Fish (a sister restaurant of Italian Club just down the road) is a haven for seafood lovers and fans of Mediterranean cuisine. This well known spot, combines the charm of a family-run Italian trattoria with a focus on high-quality, sustainably sourced seafood and is quite the institution on the city’s restaurant map.

Italian Club Fish was opened in 2009 by married couple Rosaria Crolla and Maurizio Pellegrini whose grandparents settled in Glasgow, having left the village of Picinisco. The couple met in Scotland and eventually ended up by the Mersey, creating classic yet refined Italian dishes for the British public – something they felt was missing from the city’s culinary landscape at the time.

The menu is, of course, a celebration of the treasures of the sea, showcasing Italy’s coastal culinary heritage. Starters such as bruschetta, calamari or fresh oysters set the tone for the feast ahead while the mains include signature dishes like the rich Spaghetti Alle Vongole (pasta with clams) or more adventurous Spaghettoni Alla Carbonara Di Mare with prawns, squid and smoked haddock, all in handmade pasta. Obviously, the Italian Club Fish is not the ideal place for hungry customers who aren’t fans of fish, but the menu caters to all – meat, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options are also available and delicious.

As in most cities, Liverpool has a ristorante on every corner but not all Italian eateries were created equal – Italian Club Fish, thanks to its dedication to a specific part of Italian cuisine, is certainly one to put on your list of places to visit.