The Italian food scene in Manchester has reached new heights. From charming trattorias to fine-dining gems, there’s an Italian restaurant in Manchester to suit every taste. Find traditional street food in the heart of the city, timeless Italian classics in the suburbs, or a pizza joint with a difference: Manchester’s thriving restaurant scene has all the bases covered.
Italian restaurants in Manchester are inspired by various regions, from Sicily to Naples, and the country’s most popular dishes are easy to find right at your doorstep. The top Italian restaurants in the city have been carefully designed to add plenty of Italian flair, with an inviting ambience that captures the country’s warmth and vivacity.
Come rain or shine, winter or summer, these restaurants offer the perfect setting. Soak up the sun and sip on an Aperol spritz on a roof terrace in Altrincham, or get cosy at a traditional city centre joint whilst nursing a negroni. Check out the best Italian restaurants in Manchester and book your table today.
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The best Italian restaurants in Manchester for a meal to remember – read on for a guide
For elegant Italian fare in Manchester – head to Piccolino in Manchester, Didsbury, Bramhall, Hale, Arndale and Wilmslow
Hands down, one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester is Piccolino, which combines authentic food with an elegant setting. With restaurants in Manchester city centre, Didsbury, Bramhall, Hale, Arndale and Wilmslow diners can dine in the bright lights of the city or enjoy a more tranquil meal surrounded by the beautiful Cheshire countryside. The restaurant draws on a wide range of diverse cuisines from across Italy. Using only the finest ingredients from Italian producers, Piccolino serves up a menu of Italian classics with its own modern twist.
Top picks from the menu include the burrata from the antipasti section served with truffle and sherry vinegar dressing and toasted ciabatta. For your main, don’t miss out on the pasta specials, such as the fresh tagliolini pasta with truffle and parmesan sauce. There’s plenty to attract those with a sweet tooth, too. The Crema Caramellata, a baked caramel custard with rum-poached prunes and vanilla cream, is a favourite amongst diners and offers the perfect treat to finish off your feast.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester – go to Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Manchester in Manchester
Located in the heart of Manchester, at the Corn Exchange, Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar, Manchester offers guests a truly memorable Italian dining experience. With an open kitchen, a sleek cocktail bar and a large alfresco terrace, the interiors here were inspired by the sparkling Italian seas, with chic contemporary decor and vibrant turquoise accents conjuring up the glitz and glamour of the Italian Riviera.
Whether you’re after pasta or pizza, chargrilled meat or fish, Riva Blu Italian Restaurant & Bar has something for everyone. One of the most popular dishes on the menu is the spicy beef and port meatballs served in a reach tomato, chilli and basil sauce, served with toasted sourdough. Make sure you leave plenty of room for dessert once you’ve finished your main. A diner favourite is the lemon panna cotta, with Amalfi lemon cream, berry compote and crushed amaretti. Afterwards, grab a negroni at the buzzy cocktail bar or head to the terrace for an alfresco tipple.
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester City Centre – check out Salvi’s Restaurant & Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar in Deansgate Square, Northern Quarter, and Corn Exchange
Whether you’re out with the family, planning a catch-up with pals or looking for a romantic date spot, you’re guaranteed to have a good time at Salvi’s Restaurant & Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar. With locations across the centre of Manchester, in Deansgate Square, Northern Quarter, and Corn Exchange, this is a favourite amongst locals and visitors alike. Soak up the sophisticated interiors or dine alfresco in the Amalfi-inspired garden, which feels as if you’ve been transported straight to the Italian coast. With produce being shipped in each week from Italy, Salvi’s Restaurant & Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar is as close as you’ll get to the Italian good life without jumping on a plane.
To start, highlights from the menu include the mussel soup in tomato sauce, and the fried aubergine parmigiana topped with mozzarella. Meanwhile, the fluffy Sorrento gnocchi served with tomato and mozzarella, is a popular main. Pizza lovers are in for a treat too, with a range of meat and veggie options on the menu. Don’t miss the pizza bufala, topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella. When it comes to the cocktails, stick to the tried-and-tested classics, like a bellini (peach liqueur over prosecco), or a rossini (strawberry liqueur over prosecco with sliced strawberries).
📍 Deansgate Square — Check Availability
📍 Northern Quarter — Check Availability
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For one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester City Centre – head over to Sicilian NQ Bar & Bistro in Manchester
When it comes to recreating the fresh, zingy flavours of Sicilian food outside of Italy, nowhere does it better than Sicilian NQ Bar & Bistro, a true neighbourhood gem right in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Serving up traditional Sicilian fare, cocktails and desserts, as well as creamy gelato, the menu here is full of crowd-pleasers. The restaurant first rose to fame thanks to its top-notch Sicilian street food, and diners still can’t get enough of the deep-fried arancini balls stuffed with ham and cheese.
Other popular dishes on the menu include the layered aubergine parmigiana and the signature pesto gnocchi, which uses the restaurant’s homemade recipe for the sauce. The vibe at Sicilian NQ Bar & Bistro is reminiscent of an intimate Italian trattoria, with rustic wooden tables and a traditional tiled bar, and its warm atmosphere and friendly service.
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For a Manchester’s suburbs favourite – check out The ‘Burbs in Stockport
If you’re looking for one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester’s suburbs, don’t miss The ‘Burbs in Stockport. Located in the heart of the Heatons, its tapas-style menu and Neapolitan pizzas are perfect for a romantic night out.
Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian or a meat-lover, there’s a pizza to cater to every taste. Veggies can go for a classic like the margherita or spice things up with The Special, a tomato-based pie topped with mozzarella, caramelised onions, green olives and goat’s cheese. For meat-lovers, the pepperoni pizza is a popular choice, but if you fancy something a little more adventurous then the Nduja pizza with a spicy sausage topping offers a fiery combination of flavours. A dedicated vegan pizza menu also ensures everyone can enjoy a slice of Italy. Don’t miss the vegan mushroom pizza, with vegan cheese, portobello mushroom and truffle oil.
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For the best Italian restaurants in Manchester with affordable options – Don’t miss Cibo Hale in Altrincham
When it comes to affordable cuisine, Cibo Hale is one of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester. The restaurant fully embraces Italy’s deep-rooted culinary traditions, and its dishes are crafted from timeless recipes updated with a modern touch. Cibo Hale is known for its sophisticated interiors, but the real crowning glory here is the roof terrace, where you can eat alfresco and feel as if you’re dining at one of the many terrazzas across Italy.
Whilst Cibo Hale gives off fine-dining vibes, making it perfect for a romantic date night, it’s also ideal for those looking to avoid high-end prices. Affordable mains, such as the creamy carbonara spaghetti or beef ragu pasta, are amongst the most popular options. There’s also a comprehensive pizza menu, with traditional pizzas such as the fiery diavola and classic margherita, as well as a tantalising grill offering prime cuts like rib eye steak.
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For one of Manchester’s best pizzerias – take a visit to Purezza Manchester in Manchester
A classic pizza is one of Italy’s most iconic dishes – and there’s no doubt that one of the best restaurants in Manchester to enjoy this crowd-pleasing favourite is Purezza Manchester. The restaurant prides itself on making pizzas that are better for both you and the planet, thanks to its unique vegan menu, designed to change the way people think about plant-based food.
Rave reviews of the must-try BBQ bourbon pizza, a white base with fable mushrooms, whiskey and BBQ sauce marinade, kimchi, and parsley. Those still craving a taste of meat can go for the pepperoni and agave pie topped with ‘pepperoni’, chillies, chilli-infused agave and hemp parm. All the meals can be switched to being 100% gluten-free too. Just make sure you leave room for dessert, as you won’t want to miss the New York cheesecake with raspberry coulis.
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Italian food caters for everyone, which is why it’s one of the world’s most-loved cuisines. Whether you’re a meat-eater, a vegetarian or a vegan, our list of the best Italian restaurants in Manchester has got you covered. From pizzas and pastas to grilled meat and fish, you can find Italian food in Manchester that suits all budgets. Check them out now – your taste buds will thank you for it.
