L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

Set in a Grade II-listed Charles Heathcote-designed Edwardian Baroque building, all that marble provides the perfect backdrop to a family-owned Italian restaurant and authentic pizzeria that combines traditional and modern, with an open kitchen and pink cocktail bar.

A Neapolitan export, the Manchester branch follows London’s Soho and Marylebone; the original was opened by Michele Condurro (son of master pizza maker Salvatore, who started the family tradition in 1870) in the centre of Naples in 1906, moving to its current premises (described as “the sacred temple of pizza”) on Via Cesare Sersale in 1930. Five generations on, Da Michele’s enduring success is down to using only the best natural ingredients along with a time-tested method of dough leavening and kneading.

In the Manchester branch, pizza options include the vegan marinara or vegetarian margherita with fior di latte and pecorino cheeses – or half and half, the marita.

There are two folded pizzas, the calzone and a deep-fried version. Other toppings include salami Napoli and chilli on the hot diavola and anchovies imported from Cetara on the Napoletana. Expect quality fare from the motherland. There’s also a monthly changing special; ask your server what the latest entails.