Summer in the city never looked so damn exciting, and that’s especially true when it comes to our beloved city’s foodie scene. From huge bowls of homemade pasta (that we could never recreate with the 50p stuff from the supermarket!) to some of the best pizza in the UK – if Manchester gets one cuisine right, it’s Italian. Explore some of the best restaurants (many of which are run by Italians themselves) in our guide to the best Italian restaurants in Manchester:
1. Salvi’s
The home of authentic, Italian food in Manchester, Salvi’s is a true gem that’s completely bloomed in the years it’s been operating. There’s a real family vibe to their restaurants, which are owned by Maurizio Cecco, with traditional menus across them all reflecting the heart of real Italian dishes.
From fresh seafood to delicious handmade pasta and pizzas – their restaurants offer diverse menus, and there’s a few to choose from too. Enjoy the full menu of family-style choices at Salvi’s NQ or the Cucina, chow down on some tasty food and take home deli items from their Corn Exchange branch, or grab a mouthwatering pizza at the Pizzeria Napoletana – all found in the city centre.
📍Salvi’s, 60-67A High St, M4 1FS | 1 The Corn Exchange, Corporation St, M4 3TR | Deansgate Square, Owen St, M15 4TQ.
🍽️ Book a table here.
2. Sicilian NQ
Formerly known as William Sicilian, Sicilian NQ is the first and only true Sicilian restaurant in Manchester – offering up hearty, traditional dishes that aim to encapsulate the culture of Sicily. Think Sicilian wines and beers, antipasti, pasta, cannoli and even lovely traditional Italian desserts that go down extremely well with a good old cup of coffee.
And if you’re a lover of pistachios, then get yourself to Sicilian NQ as the restaurant serves up a host of pistachio treats that many go nuts for! Think pistachio cake, pistachio cannoli, brioche filled with pistachio and even tagliatelle with pistachio pesto creamy sauce and pistachio mortadella.
📍Sicilian NQ, 14 Turner Street, M4 1DZ.
🍽️ Book a table here.
3. Rudy’s
Rudy’s is an institution here in Manchester, with several regularly busy sites throwing authentic Neapolitan pizza like there’s no tomorrow. While they predominantly only serve pizza, the food is so good, there really isn’t much need for anything else.
In fact, they’ve mastered the art so well, they were named one of the top ten pizzerias in the whole world back in 2019. Their pizzas are doughy with that wonderful leopard-style crust (a sign of a great pizza), with super-flavourful tomato bases and fresh, Italian toppings such as nduja sausage, salami and so much more.
📍Rudy’s, 9 Cotton Street, Ancoats, M4 5BF| Petersfield House, Peter St, M2 5QJ | 30 Portland Street, M1 4GS | 577 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 8AJ | 653 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 6QZ | 2 Northenden Road, Sale, M33 3BR.
🍽️ Book a table here.
4. Rigatoni’s
Arriving in January under a new name and concept, Rigatoni’s, formerly SUD and Sugo Pasta Kitchen, is another beloved spot serving Italian food in Manchester that’s honed in on just one dish – pasta. Rigatoni’s really knows pasta, serving solely house-made rigatoni-based dishes. and served with a variety of sauces drenching the pasta, including the likes of ‘Nduja Meatballs in Amatriciana Sauce, FAZOOL! White Beans, Garlic, Fresh Chilli & Parmesan or Brown Crab, Vodka Sauce and Tarragon.
There may be fewer mains to choose from than you’re used to from other Italian restaurants, but every item on the menu – starters and sides included – is a real showstopper. Be sure to order from their selection of Foccacia Toasts – the Gorgonzola Whip & Hot Honey one is a favourite of ours.
📍Rigatoni’s, 22 Shaw’s Rd, Altrincham, WA14 1QU.
🍽️ Book a table here.
5. San Carlo
This one definitely deserves its place on this roundup of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester. Much-loved across the UK, the award-winning San Carlo is known for their delicious Italian food – each dish as beautiful as the next. The food is well presented and served in a bright, well-dressed setting with lots to choose from.
There are five venues to choose from in Manchester city centre alone, including Bottega (their cocktail and champagne bar), Cicchetti (which serves up small plates), Fumo (a stunning space to grab beautiful meals all day long), Gran Cafe (their cafe), and the main San Carlo (which has a huge menu!). Whichever you choose, there’s a vibe for every type of day – with carefully curated menus of meats, pizzas, pasta and antipasti to suit. Another stunning location of theirs is their San Carlo restaurant in Alderley Edge if you fancy venturing out of the city.
📍San Carlo, 40-42 King Street West, Manchester, M3 2WY | London Road, Alderley Edge, SK9 7QD | Fumo, 1 St Peters Square, Oxford Road, Manchester, M1 5AN | Cicchetti, House of Fraser, King Street West, Manchester, M3 2GQ | Gran Cafe, Selfridges, Lower Ground Floor, Exchange Square, Manchester, M3 1BD | Bottega, Selfridges, Exchange Square, Second floor, Manchester, M3 1BD | Fiorentina, Manchester Airport, Marriott Hotel, Hale Road, Hale Barns, Cheshire, WA15 8XW | San Carlo Champagne Bar, Lower Level Selfridges, The Trafford Centre, Manchester, M17 8DA
🍽️ You can book a table here.
6. Tre Ciccio
With restaurants in Altrincham and Ramsbottom, and now also Glossop, Tre Ciccio brings Italian charm to the outskirts of Manchester, providing a cosy, authentic experience in an accessible, local environment. The restaurants offer vegan menus, on top of their main menu comprising of all the classics, as well as some sensational specials.
As well as serving pizzas on a base of San Marzano tomato with toppings like spicy Calabrian sausage and burrata, the restaurant serves crunchy bruschetta, enormous arancini and mixed fried seafood to start. The restaurant has a Southern Italian soul as well as boasting a gorgeous terrace at their Altrincham site and a cosy, subterranean bar known as the Cantina at their Ramsbottom location.
📍Tre Ciccio, 4a Moss Lane, Altrincham, WA14 1BA | 16 – 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT | 12 Norfolk Street, Glossop, SK1 8BS.
🍽️ Book a table here.
7. Don Giovanni
Rounding off this list of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester is the oldest independent one in town. Don Giovanni is a real favourite among the locals and it’s easy to see why. The menu has a real family-style vibe to it, with large bowls of pasta, generous portions of delicate seafood, and lovely bright meat dishes which are all halal-prepared.
Inside, you’ll find beautiful, contemporary décor – suited to dinner with the family after a bit of shopping, a laid-back date night or just a nice catch-up with friends over a bottle of wine. Plus some of the best Italian food in Manchester of course…
📍Don Giovanni, 1-2, Peter House, Oxford Street, M1 5AN.
🍽️ Book a table here.
So there you have it – a roundup of some of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester. So, make sure you’ve got plenty of room in your stomach and get yourself wining and dining!