San Carlo Manchester

San Carlo is Manchester’s most famous and, some say, best Italian restaurant. Run by the Distefano family, it’s said to have one of the largest turnovers in the UK. It’s also the place to be papped and you’ll sometimes see a bank of photographers outside to prove the point.

Take your seat alongside Premier League footballers and pop stars like Rihanna at this institution that’s as much a place to be seen as it is to dine.

Dishes such as brandy cream and lobster pasta or scallops with white wine, garlic, and lemon are seafaring highlights. Or go for broke with a steak and lobster sharing platter.

The mantecato alla nocciola is a stunning centrepiece of a sharing dessert with mountains of Italian soft serve hazelnut ice cream and Ferrero Rocher.

Equally stunning is the south Med wine list, with iconic bottles and prices to match.