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Say ‘mamma mia!’ with us in these fantastic Italian restaurants in Manchester!
Let me start things off with a tale: one rainy Friday night, we ditched the usual chippy and stumbled into a cosy trattoria that smelled just like Gran’s kitchen during Sunday family dinners.
Turns out, we’d discovered a goldmine – a place run by an Italian family where nonna herself was back there spinning pizza dough like a pro. That night sparked a mission for us: to uncover the best Italian spots in Manchester.
In this guide, we’re dishing out the lowdown on where to find the tastiest cannoli, the smoothest Chianti, and pasta so authentic, you might as well be in Naples.
Salvi’s
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Website: Salvi’s
Address: 1 The Corn Exchange, Corporation St, Manchester M4 3TR, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 222 8021
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 10AM-11PM
If you fancy a bit of the Neapolitan sun right in the heart of Manchester, Salvi’s is your spot. This family-run affair has spread its roots across the city with three distinctive spots, each offering a unique slice of Italy.
The Corn Exchange location is a real treat with its sun-drenched terrace—perfect for lounging with antipasti and a cheeky aperitivo. Downstairs, there’s a snug wine room that you can book for a special meal.
The menu? It’s all about that buffalo mozzarella, shipped straight from their family farm outside Naples. Don’t forget their Northern Quarter trattoria and the chic spot at Deansgate Square, complete with a heated terrace for those cooler Manc evenings.
| Pro tip: Outdoor dining at the Deansgate Square spot is unbeatable; great views and even better food. |
Sicilian NQ
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Website: Sicilian NQ
Address: 14 Turner St, Manchester M4 1DZ, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 834 7800
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 8AM-10PM
- Sat – Sun 9AM-11PM
Sicilian NQ is a cracking spot tucked away on Turner Street, where the vibe is as warm as the Sicilian sun. This tiny bistro is all about the big flavours of Italy’s largest island.
Dive into their menu and you’ll find scrummy arancini, pillowy gnocchi with clams, and the mouth-watering pizza fritta. It’s a deep-fried delight that’s not for the faint-hearted!
Fancy something sweet? Their cannoli will transport you straight to the streets of Palermo. And hey, they serve a smashing breakfast and bottomless brunch—imagine kicking off your day with Sicilian eggs benedict or a proper ‘full Italian’ breakfast.
| Pro tip: Their gelato is a must-try—easily some of the best you’ll find outside of Italy. |
SUD
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Website: SUD
Address: 10 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 236 5193
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-10PM
SUD, the spot formerly known as Sugo, is a local favourite for digging into Southern Italian grub. With its roots in Puglia, this kitchen serves up a storm with a menu that changes with the seasons.
But one constant is the house sugo—a rich, hearty bowl of slow-braised beef shin, pork shoulder, and fiery ‘nduja tossed with orecchiette and dusted generously with parmesan. It’s the kind of meal that feels like a warm embrace.
Find them not just here in Manchester but also in Altrincham and Ancoats, each spot buzzing with folks hungry for a taste of the real Italy.
| Pro tip: Their orecchiette with house sugo is legendary; don’t leave without trying it! |
Ornella’s Kitchen
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Website: Ornella’s Kitchen
Address: 10 Manchester Rd, Denton, Manchester M34 3LE, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 234 5678
Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-10PM
Tucked away in Denton, Ornella’s Kitchen is a small deli and kitchen dishing out big flavours, widely celebrated for serving some of the finest pasta (pasta (pasta manchester) ) in Greater Manchester.
It’s a love letter to Sicilian cookery, where you can savour dishes like pappardelle with wild fennel, anchovies, sultanas, and toasted pine nuts. Don’t skip their famous lobster ravioli or the ciabatta sandwiches, perfect for a lighter bite.
For brunch, their Italian-influenced dishes hit the spot, and the dessert counter with its cannoli and pistachio gelato-stuffed brioche buns is irresistible. It’s a cosy, buzzing spot that feels just like a Sicilian family kitchen.
| Pro tip: Pop by for a late brunch and treat yourself to their brioche stuffed with pistachio gelato—it’s a game changer! |
Vero Moderno
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Website: Vero Moderno
Address: 456 Example Avenue, Manchester M5 3XN, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 345 6789
Operating Hours: Wed – Sun 1PM-11PM
Vero Moderno over in Salford’s Chapel Street area is giving traditional Italian grub a serious shake-up, and it’s catching the eyes of everyone from the local Man City stars to your everyday foodie.
They’re mixing up the menu with some proper bold flavours and clever twists on the usual Italian fare. You won’t find your standard spaghetti bolognese here. Instead, think spicy ox cheek meatballs or swordfish steak with a zing of grapefruit that’ll wake up your taste buds.
Kick things off with a starter like half buffalo mozzarella with seriously aged Parma ham and garlicky cherry tomatoes, all mopped up with homemade focaccia. Or get stuck into some meaty king prawns tossed up in a white wine sauce that’s got just the right kick of chilli and garlic.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss their Italian ‘slow roast’ on Sundays—it’s a feast that’ll keep you coming back! |
Pasta Factory
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Website: Pasta Factory
Address: 789 Sample Road, Manchester M1 1AA, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 456 7890
Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-10PM
In the heart of Manchester, the Pasta Factory is a real gem founded by a group of pals from Turin. This authentic ‘pastificio’ crafts a stunning array of fresh pasta and sauces daily, which you can enjoy there or take home.
Dive into their scallop-stuffed ravioli with spicy miso butter or the classic rigatoni carbonara, which sticks strictly to the Italian rules—no cream, no fuss. They also offer a fantastic selection of vegan options, like reginette with mushrooms and truffle.
Wash it all down with a fine wine from Piedmont or a craft beer from Italian brewers San Paolo and Baladin.
| Pro tip: Their vegan reginette with truffle is a must-try, even for the non-vegans. It’s rich, earthy, and utterly satisfying. |
San Carlo and Fumo
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Website: San Carlo and Fumo
Address: 40-42 King St W, Manchester M3 2WY, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 834 6226
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-11PM
San Carlo’s flagship on King Street West isn’t just known for its food; it’s a bit of a celeb magnet, often spotted with paparazzi at the door. Inside, it’s all about a contemporary twist on Italian classics, served up in an elegant setting with service that’s top-notch.
If you fancy a change of scene, head over to Fumo on St Peter’s Square, where the vibe shifts to steak and seafood cooked over charcoal, not to mention their classic pastas and pizzas.
And for a quick Italian bite while shopping, San Carlo Cicchetti at House of Fraser dishes out Venetian-style tapas, while over at Selfridges Exchange Square, San Carlo Bottega and Gran Café serve small plates and a spot of afternoon tea.
| Pro tip: If you’re out for a special night, San Carlo’s flagship is the spot. The atmosphere is as vibrant as the dishes. |
Tre Ciccio
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Website: Tre Ciccio
Address: 4a Moss Ln, Altrincham, Greater Manchester WA14 1BA, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 414 0196
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-10PM
“Three chubby friends” is what Tre Ciccio translates to, and they live up to the name by ensuring you’ll leave both happy and satisfied. This family-run Italian gem, nestled in the heart of Altrincham and extending to Ramsbottom, is all about hearty meals that bring people together.
By day, it offers a relaxed setting perfect for chilled lunches, and by night, it transforms into a cosy haven ideal for romantic dinners or gatherings with friends. The menu at Tre Ciccio is a celebration of rustic Italian flavours, featuring their signature dish, pollo alla Diavola.
This dish, like their Neapolitan-style pizzas, undergoes a meticulous process: a long, slow fermentation followed by a quick sear in a wood-fired oven, creating pizzas with a perfectly soft base and a delightfully billowy crust.
| Pro tip: Their wood-fired pizzas are a must-try—perfect crust, perfect toppings, just perfect. |
Onda
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Website: Onda
Address: 50 Something St, Manchester M20 1AB, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 222 3456
Operating Hours: Tue – Sun 12PM-10PM
After creating a buzz with their stint at the city centre food hall Exhibition and more recently at The New Cross on the edge of Ancoats, Onda is set to become a permanent fixture in Manchester’s dining scene.
“Onda,” meaning ‘wave’ in Italian, has already made a splash with its modern pasta bar concept, riding a wave of popularity from viral videos—like the famed tiramisu drawer that captivated foodies online.
Now, Manchester diners are eagerly anticipating experiencing this drawer full of sweet, coffee-infused goodness alongside a menu rich with delightful pasta options. Dive into their signature dishes like pici cacio e pepe, and fettuccine alla vongole.
| Pro tip: Mix and match their pasta plates to make the most of your visit—each dish has its own unique twist. |
Lupo Caffe Italiano
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Website: Lupo Caffe Italiano
Address: 142 Chapel St, Salford M3 6AF, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 236 5307
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Fri 7:30AM-4PM
- Sat 9AM-4PM
Tucked away in an unlikely spot on an industrial estate in Prestwich, Lupo Caffe Italiano is a hidden gem serving up some of the finest Italian fare you’ll find in Manchester.
This cosy café might surprise you with its dedication to authenticity, using a mix of locally sourced ingredients, produce from their own allotment, and select imports from Italy. Don’t forget about their knockout coffee, cakes, and the famous tiramisu.
Dive into their rich rigatoni all’amatriciana, indulge in the delicate gnocchi with butter, sage and parmesan, or try the signature Lupo pizza, a delicious creation topped with guanciale, salame, fior di latte mozzarella, and a kick of chilli.
| Pro tip: You’ve got to try their coffee and tiramisu combo—it’s a match made in heaven for any sweet tooth. |
Piccolino Caffe Grande
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Website: Piccolino Caffe Grande
Address: 8 Clarence St, Manchester M2 4DW, United Kingdom
Contact details: +44 161 835 9860
Operating Hours: Mon – Sun 12PM-11PM
Opposite Albert Square, Piccolino Caffe Grande lives up to its grand name with a lavish interior that features a vast marble bar and oversized chandeliers.
This flagship site of the Manchester-based restaurant group showcases an impressive array of dining options: an open kitchen with meat, poultry, and shellfish counters, a salumeria, an oyster and caviar bar, and even a pastry and gelato counter.
Whether you’re here for a morning coffee and pastry, some antipasti on the terrace, or a pint at the bar while the footie plays, Piccolino offers a vibrant, bustling atmosphere that captures the essence of city dining.
| Pro tip: Check out the oyster and caviar bar for a touch of luxury—perfect for special occasions or when you’re feeling a bit fancy. |
