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San Carlo Cicchetti

  • Restaurants
  • 4 out of 5 stars
  • Recommended
The food philosophy at Cicchetti is straightforward – delicious medium sized dishes, created using only the finest Italian produce
- San Carlo Cicchetti

Time Out says

4 out of 5 stars

Less glitzy than its tabloid-friendly sibling down the road, this cicchetti bar is all about the food


Cicchetti (pronounced chi-ket-tee) are small snacks, designed to be shared and traditionally served in the bars of Venice. Think Italian tapas and you won't go far wrong. You might be familiar with this kind of food from London’s Polpo (and associated spin offs and imitations), but equally impressive Venetian delights are available in Manchester, at San Carlo Cicchetti.

Located on the ground floor of the House of Fraser department store, but accessible via a private entrance on King Street, Cicchetti is a restaurant, pizzeria and bar - with a bakery and deli selling an array of traditional Italian produce thrown in for good measure. The light and modern dining room is stylish and chic with bags of Italian charm.

Cicchetti offers breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as afternoon tea, but it’s the main menu where the small plates concept really shines. Like other tapas style places, dishes come out as and when they’re ready. It’s a great way to eat, particularly in a large group as you get to sample such a variety of dishes.

Just like their sister restaurant (San Carlo, just down the road) the food is exceptional, with much of the menu having been designed by celebrity chef Aldo Zilli. However, it’s a little less fancy, and much more about the quality of ingredients, many of which are flown in from Sicily. Stand out dishes include a delightful octopus salad, a simple but delicious tartare of tuna - constructed tableside for a little theatre – and an indulgent rhubarb panna cotta.

Dishes can be washed down with a sophisticated selection of drinks from fine Italian wines, prosecco or cocktails. Service runs like clockwork largely due to an army of waiters who are usually friendly - and always Italian.

Written by Shaun Barnes
San Carlo Cicchetti says
Located in the heart of the city centre, on the ground floor of House of Fraser and with a private entrance on King Street West, Cicchetti offers an exciting approach to Italian dining in Manchester.

The food philosophy at Cicchetti Manchester is straightforward – delicious small to medium sized dishes are created using only the finest Italian produce, and are designed to be either shared or eaten alone. The Cicchetti menu is constantly evolving too. Specials are updated every 2 weeks, changing to celebrate the seasons, meaning if you’re someone who enjoys dining out often, there’ll always be something new for you to try.

Enjoy a cocktail or a glass of Italian wine with some cicchetti at the restaurant’s sweeping marble feature bar or, if you’d prefer, take a table and lunch or dinner. Critically acclaimed since it opened in 2011, Cicchetti Manchester has received a number of 5 star reviews from multiple critics including from the revered Observer newspaper.

Open both during and after House of Fraser store hours, walk-ins are always welcome at Cicchetti Manchester. Reservations are available from 12 noon onwards.

Details

Address:
House of Fraser Ground Floor
(private entrance located on King Street West)
Manchester
M3 2QG