An Italian cafe operating out of a Prestwich industrial estate has been named one of the top local dining spots in the country. Lupo Caffe Italiano has taken the 19th spot in the Good Food Guide’s 100 Best Local Restaurants in Britain, adding to a list of national accolades that include being named the guide‘s Best North West Restaurant. Forget fancy high-street locations, as Lupo trades white tablecloths for raw Roman passion, world-class homemade pasta, fresh maritozzi, and proper Italian coffee and wines.
Operating among commercial units, the venue serves regional Roman cuisine introduced to the area by owner Nico. Rather than following the widely popular Neapolitan style, the kitchen focuses on specific family recipes and regional traditions from Italy’s capital.
Traditional Roman dishes
The menu features authentic regional starters such as peperonata made to his mother’s recipe and suppli al telefono—crispy, fried risotto balls that pull apart to reveal a centre of melted cheese. The main dishes include a rich, slow-cooked beef shin ragu served over gnocchi and topped with freshly grated cheese.
The pizzas follow the Roman tradition, yielding a different texture and crust than standard Neapolitan slices. Among the specialty options is the ‘Dodo’, which skips the tomato sauce for a white base, topped with thin slices of courgette and chunks of Italian sausage.
Proper Italian coffee and homemade pastries
In addition to the restaurant menu, Lupo operates as a traditional Italian cafe. The team serves proper Italian coffee and a curated selection of regional wines, while the counter is stocked daily with homemade pastries and cakes.
The dessert selection includes classic millefoglie layered with cream, traditional cannoli piped full of pistachio cream, chocolate-coated pastries, and shortcrust tarts topped with fresh fruit such as kiwi, grapes, and strawberries.
Despite its unconventional location tucked away from the main high street, the dedication to regional Roman cooking continues to draw steady crowds and national awards to the industrial estate.
📍Lupo, Mountheath Trading Estate, Unit 65 Ardent Way, Prestwich, M25 9WE
