Pasta, pasta, pasta. The underrated dish of Italian cuisine, if you ask us. One that many a Brit thinks they can “just make at home”. Except, a bag of dried penne and a miserable jar of Lloyd Grossman’s ready made sauce really just don’t cut it when you’re talking proper, authentic Italian pasta. No signore. Real Italian cuisine calls for uber-fresh ingredients, made from scratch at home and hearty enough to fill the bellies of an entire family. It’s the rules. And that’s exactly what these Manchester restaurants are advocates for. Sharing their family heritage with us by way of the kitchen, here’s our guide to the best places to scran a warming bowl of pasta on a gloomy day in Manchester.
1. Cibo
If you love pasta, you’ve probably seen Cibo’s showstopping pasta, which is made tableside in a whopping big wheel of cheese. And while it’s certainly worth a try (it’s the Penne Reggiano, if you do fancy it), the rest of the menu is well worth exploring, too. Serving what they describe as ‘the finest Neapolitan cuisine this side of the Tyrrhenian Sea’, guests can expect pasta dishes such as filled cannelloni, spaghetti carbonara, risotto topped with fresh lobster, and even squid ink spaghetti – with a number of classic favourites available, too.
đCibo, 3 Spring Gardens, M2 2BG | 6-10 Victoria Rd, Hale, Altrincham, WA15 9AF.
2. Rigatoni’s
Rigatoni’s, formerly SUD and Sugo Pasta Kitchen, is another beloved spot serving Italian food in Manchester thatâs honed in on just one dish â pasta. Rigatoniâs really knows pasta, serving solely house-made rigatoni-based dishes. and served with a variety of sauces drenching the pasta, including the likes of âNduja Meatballs in Amatriciana Sauce, FAZOOL! White Beans, Garlic, Fresh Chilli & Parmesan or Brown Crab, Vodka Sauce and Tarragon.
đRigatoniâs, 22 Shawâs Rd, Altrincham, WA14 1QU.
3. The Pasta Factory
Unassuming from the outside, this Shudehill restaurant is the underdog of pasta here in Manchester, serving authentic dishes that are sure to leave you salivating. Serving fresh pasta only, which is made on-site daily, The Pasta Factory has a delicious menu that is pretty impossible for pasta lovers to choose from, with classics such as ravioli pomodoro, gnocchi, and burrata bucatini available to order.
đThe Pasta Factory, 77 Shudehill, M4 4AN.
4. Salvi’s
After ten years in business, Salvi’s has become a Manchester institution – and most importantly, an absolute favourite among Italian cuisine lovers. Run by the locally adored Maurizio Cecco, the authentic Italian restaurant not only specialises in Naples-style home cooking, but pizza and pasta, too, with plenty of hearty plates to try out (meaning multiple visits, obviously!). Need a recommendation of where to start? The gnocchi is a personal favourite here at Secret Manchester.
đSalvi’s, 60-67A High St, M4 1FS | 1 The Corn Exchange, Corporation St, M4 3TR | Deansgate Square, Owen St, M15 4TQ.
5. San Carlo
Popular across the UK, San Carlo is a fantastic crowd-pleaser – with plenty of pasta dishes on the menu at their Bottega restaurant, Cicchetti, Fumo and the main San Carlo venue. Boasting decadence and deliciousness in each and every bowl, guests can try the likes of Spaghetti Vongole with baby clams, Ravioli Lobster, Rigatoni alla Norma (Southern Italy’s most popular dish) and classics such as Penne Arrabbiata, alongside huge sharing bowls of pasta for two, delicious antipasti, and tons of Italian-style bread.
đSan Carlo, 40-42 King St W, M3 2WY.
6. Sicilian NQ
The home of Sicilian cuisine in Manchester city centre, Sicilian NQ offers a warming, neighbourhood bistro vibe, with that welcoming family-cooked vibe you’d hope for from proper Italian cuisine. Serving up a varied menu for such a speciality, guests will be enamoured with their huge pasta menu, which is complete with meaty tortellini, swordfish ravioli, and wonderfully hearty gnocchi.
đSicilian NQ, 14 Turner St, M4 1DZ.
7. Onda Pasta Bar
Previously having a residence at The New Cross in Ancoats, Onda (meaning âwaveâ in Italian) now has its very own modern pasta bar at Circle Square and is from the team behind Gooey. And if youâre fans of their bakes, youâre likely to like this new foodie concept. Not only has the Manchester pasta spot taken social media by storm with their tiramisu drawer but also with their freshly-made pasta dishes. youâll find pici pasta with cacio e pepe with plenty of black pepper and pecorino; fettucine with garlic mussels; beef shin campanelle; and lumache with ‘nduja and vodka. But be quick as this spot gets booked up fast with limited walk-ins.
đOnda Pasta Bar, Circle Square, 3 Symphony Park, Oxford Rd, M1 7FS.
8. Ornella’s Kitchen
Sicilian-born Ornella Cancila opened the pasta-deli as a love letter to her homeland, and in our humble (English) opinion, we reckon it passes the test with flying colours. Pop down to the unassuming eatery any time of day and youâll be pleasantly surprised by its top quality. Known for their range of filled sourdough focaccia, the pasta at Ornella’s Kitchen is also outstanding with the likes of lobster ravioli, minty lamb shoulder ragĂș pappardelle and bucatini carbonara on the menu.
đOrnellaâs Kitchen, 10 Manchester Rd, Denton, M34 3LE.
9. Lucky Mama’s
Want pizza and pasta? Well, if you can’t decide between the two, you can have both at Lucky Mama’s â an Italian spot in Manchester that combines the two dishes and itâs a sensational carb creation. Simply pick your favourite fresh pasta dish off the menu like cacio e pepe, mac ânâ cheese or old school beef ragĂș and itâs served in a crisp pizza dough base shaped like a bowl. Fancy pimping up your pizza pasta bowl? You can even add a whole ball of burrata for the ultimate Italian experience and extra creaminess.
đLucky Mamaâs, 565 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 8AE | 217 Monton Rd, Eccles, M30 9PN.
10. Lina Stores
The latest to open in Manchester is the notorious pastel green Italian restaurant, delicatessen and bar, Lina Stores, which joins renowned London dining spots that have launched in the city. The restaurant serves an Italian-inspired breakfast menu, fresh, handmade pasta, antipasti, secondi and dolci from lunch through to dinner and a sleek cocktail bar, Bar Lina. Lina Stores serves up their beloved pasta dishes including 30-Egg Yolk Tagliolini with Black Truffle and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, Pappardelle with Lamb Sausage RagĂč, Seasonal Greens and Pecorino Romano and Lemon Sole & Potato Ravioli, Samphire, Aleppo Chilli.
đ Lina Stores, 17 Quay Street, Manchester, M3 3HN.