Piccolino Caffe Grande Manchester

With its terrace overlooking Albert Square and Manchester Town Hall, and a beautiful interior featuring a 40-seater private dining room, an open kitchen, and an oyster bar, Piccolino Caffé Grande Manchester is a real destination restaurant. (And, notably, it’s one that doesn’t price people out of the experience.)

Let’s start with the breakfast and brunch menu, which fits in perfectly with the ’European Grand Hotel’ feel. Go for the scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, lemon and chives on sourdough, or keep it simple with the dolcetto yoghurt and a granola muffin. End with a vitamin-boost from the in-house juicery. The Mercer (mango, ginger, carrot and apple) is our favourite.

They offer a good-value set lunch menu or choose from the a la carte. Options range from a simple Neapolitan pizza cooked in their copper oven, to a whole lobster with samphire and fries.

Much of their produce (breads, ice cream and so on) is made from scratch in their Manchester cucina. The quality and freshness is evident. Other key ingredients are hand-sourced from Italy including artisan cheeses and cured meats.

Desserts are made in house using locally sourced ingredients, such as milk and cream from the Ribble Valley, and include handcrafted speciality cakes from the dolci counter served with gelato and a glass of Moscato.