If you had been planning a trip to Italy in 2020, then you might well have come away disappointed. Fortunately, Manchester offers plenty of places in which to sample a taste of the authentic Italian cuisine. So, while you might not be able to enjoy an Italy group tour, or sample the pizza, pasta and antipasti of Naples, Bologna, or Rome, you can do the next best thing and enjoy the classics at one of these niche restaurants.
Noi Quattro
Noi Quattro is among the city’s best-loved pizzerias. It’s distinct for being the first restaurant of the kind in the city that’s actually owned and run by Italians (four Italians, hence the name). You’ll find it in the Northern Quarter of the city centre. As well as pizza, you’ll be able to enjoy Cuoppo, deep-fried calzone, and a range of quality desserts.
Dom’s Tavola Calda
Elsewhere in the city centre, in Deansgate, we find this charming Italian eatery. The menu has a broader focus, offering a range of pasta dishes alongside traditional pizzas, as well as traditional main courses like steak. If you’re looking for a sit-down Italian meal of the kind that you might have gotten on a Roman piazza, it’s well worth investigating.
Don Marco
Sticking with Deansgate, you’ll find this little gem nestled just next to the Hilton. Don Marco himself might end up pouring your wine, from an exclusively-Italian list that starts at just under twenty quid a bottle. The menu itself is slightly upmarket, with wild-boar ragu, seared scallops and traditional lemon-and-herb risotto all featuring. It’s about as close as it gets to an Italian restaurant without having to actually go to Italy – and it’s one that everyone with a fondness for the country’s culinary traditions should check out at least once.
Salvi’s Mozzarella Bar
Salvi’s was set up in the Corn Exchange, with the aim of injecting a little bit of Naples to the city. As well as a restaurant, there’s a deli, where you’ll be able to pick up imported produce from Italy, as well as an Aperitivo bar. If you’re looking to make a winning carbonara at home, you’ll need quality guanciale and pecorino – so pick them up and support the business in the process!
Sicilian NQ
Heading back to the Northern Quarter, we find Sicilian NQ, a traditional Sicilian bistro and bar that’s famed for the quality of its arancini. Like many of the other businesses in this roundup, they’ve pivoted rather elegantly to lockdown conditions, meaning that you’ll be able to enjoy classic Italian street food from the comfort of your home. There are copious vegan and vegetarian options on the menu, too.
