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San Carlo

(City Centre)
40 King Street West, Manchester, M3 2WY tel: 0161 834 6226
Opening Times
Mon - Fri:
12:00noon - 11:00pm
Saturday:
12:00noon - 11:00pm
Sunday:
12:00noon - 11:00pm
 
Rated 9.1/10 (19 reviews)

Our review:
In July, Sven Goran Eriksson was seen in San Carlo four times a week. A vote of confidence from the ex-England manager isn’t the reason that San Carlo is the newest entry into our Top Ten Restaurants; after all, we’ve questioned his judgement plenty of times in the past. But the man lived in Italy for five years and you can be sure he ate at enough good restaurants to know his puttanesca (so to speak) from his polenta.

We’re not just taking Sven’s word for it. Nearly every review you find of San Carlo praises it as among the best Italians in the city. We couldn’t agree more. The ingredients they source are both fresh and authentic, and they are put to good effect in a menu that balances the traditional and the innovative. However, the real reason we’re so fond of San Carlo is their fish.

Manchester is, frankly, dismal when it comes to fish. There isn’t one consistently good fish restaurant in town these days; Manchester restaurants seem to have trouble turning out high quality fish dishes on a regular basis. But somehow San Carlo manages to pull off excellent fish choices again and again, from linguine served with clams and giant prawns to the board offering the best fish on the market today.

Judging by the business San Carlo attracts, the restaurant is already a firm favourite in Manchester. It tends to fill up every night, which is great if you love people watching and pretending you’re in New York. Bear in mind though that with high demand comes uber-fast service, so this might not be the place to go if you want to stretch out your meal over a leisurely three or four hours.

Check reader reviews for San Carlo

Find San Carlo on map

 
Manchester Italian Restaurant in City Centre  
Your San Carlo reviews:
Manchester.com is not responsible for customer reviews. These reviews are submitted by members of the public and as such reflect the opinions of the individual authors.

great food by Dizzy (rated 8/10)
loved the food, loved the atmos!

Business lunch with style. by Gino Salvatore (rated 10/10)
My first visit to San Carlo was by invitation from a business associate for a lunchtime meeting since then I have been many times.It is so good I dont like to return to my office after lunch!

San Carlo by Mark & Janice (rated 10/10)
What can you say that has not been said before! Nothing so I will say it all again Excellent food Excellent service with an atmosphere to match wish we could go every night 10/10 every time :)

Absolutely 10/10! by Jonathan (rated 10/10)
First time at San Carlo at the weekend having heard so much about it from friends, family and colleagues. We weren't disappointed at all, it even exceeded our high expectations! Amazing ranges of fish and seafood dishes. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

the best by CIRO CAPPIELLO (rated 10/10)
i am an ITALIAN CHEF owner of a small restaurant in Silverdale near CARNFORTH called L'amico i am very happy to find in my break a restaurant like San Carlo because is the only one where i like top quality ITALIAN food

incredibile by marlenestarrmiglioli (rated 10/10)
it is the finest italian resteraunt in
england at the moment the management and staff are fantastic it is a pleasure to dine in such a place

Poor booking schedule by andrew spence (rated 5/10)
The food is great - but this place is now on my avoid list. I think they over book to make sure they are always full. But when I take a 9.30 reservation and dont see the table before 10.30 it completely spoils your apetite and your night. Waiting on staff are great.

Super night out by George (rated 10/10)
Went out to San Carlo sat 27/12/08 was very busy , the service was second to none , the food was wonderful full of taste and lost of staff on tap for anything you required , a fab night out would recomend to anyone looking for that special night

Surperb by Ellen (rated 10/10)
Delicious food with exceptional service.

Great Italian restaurant by Kat (rated 10/10)
I LOVE San Carlo!! The restaurant is always so busy, and I love sitting at the table and watching all the fabulously glamorous people dine.
The service is always prompt - the waiters remember us and so always seat us at our favourite table, which is in the perfect people watching spot!! We like to enjoy a glass of the house red wine (can't remember the name of it!) whilst waiting for our meals, which are always served promptly and served piping hot. I urge the people who had cold food to re-try - I have been going there for over a year, and have never ever had anything but piping hot food, presented beautifully.
They do like to turn tables quickly, but only due to the large nubmer of diners they have. We always buy a bottle of wine at the end of the meal - they know we're not going anywhere til we've finished it!
Thoroughly enjoyable restaurant in a great central location

We the reviewers at the same restaurant? by Jackie & Gerry Bramhill (rated 1/10)
Went to San Carlo last night for a birthday celebration - nothing to celebrate at San Carlo. We went for the later 9.30 sitting which was fine but you can't add drinks that you have at the bar to your overall bill. Why? Mozzarella starter was cold. Hubby's main course came without his side order; my main of risotto was warm, not hot. The side order never arrived and no apology from the senior waiters was offered, despite our complaints. Not good service at all from Manchester's top rated Italian Restaurant. Don’t go there if you want a good value for money celebratory night out - you won't get one there!

Excellent night out by Tom (rated 10/10)
Went to San Carlo yesterday to treat my mum, and we had a lovely time. She loves Italian, and so San Carlo was the obvious choice. The waiters made her feel very special, and I'm really pleased that I chose to take her there. Really great service - well done guys!

Good restaurant by Rory (rated 10/10)
Took my fiance there as a treat as it's her favourite restaurant and we had a lovely night. The food was delicious and the atmosphere very relaxed and romantic.

Great food! by Ellie (rated 10/10)
I ate at San Carlo's last week, and despite being a week night, it was very busy. We were a little apprehensive, as we thought we would have to wait ages for our meals, and the service woudn't be great as there wouldn't be many staff on, however we were so wrong!!! We were seated and served very quickly, and altho we were advised of a wait on food, we didn't experience this at all. Our food came out quickly, and tasted great. There is a wide range of pasta dishes, as you'd expect of an Italian, but also lots of fish dishes which look and taste out of this world!!
I am so impressed with San Carlo - giving it a definite 10/10!!

WOW! by Katherine (rated 9/10)
Dining at San Carlo was a delight! The food was excellent - so full of flavour - and it arrived so fast!
The staff add to the authenticity of San Carlo as a true Italian restaurant! Those who have been to the true Italy know what I mean!
I love the hustle and bustle that there always is whenever we go, what ever day it may be!
This visit was no exception - our experience was second to none!
I highly recommend San Carlo!!!!

the best italian food by Ashley from Glasgow (rated 10/10)
the best italian food i have had in a lont time!

San Carlo by Heidi Willows (rated 9/10)
gorgeous food

Love San Carlo by Geri (rated 10/10)
About time San Carlo made it into the top ten, it's the best restaurant in Manchester by miles. Don't agree about the service tho, it's always been fine when we've gone there.

San Carlo by Steve (rated 10/10)
No there right the service can be a bit on the snappy side but as long as you tell them you want a break between courses they leave you alone. Had some great meals at san carlo over the years and i'd definitely go back

Write your own review for San Carlo



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More Manchester Restaurants


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TOP 10 RESTAURANTS IN MANCHESTER

 1. San Carlo (Italian)
 2. Gaucho Grill (Steaks)
 3. Michael Caines (British)
 4. Luso (Portuguese)
 5. Piccolino's (Italian)
 6. Dimitris (Greek)
 7. River Restaurant
 8. Yang Sing (Chinese)
 9. Bar & Grill (European)
10. eastZeast (Indian)

OUR FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS IN MANCHESTER

Italian Restaurants
San Carlo
Stock
Pizzeria Italia
Croma
Piccolino's
Modern British
Michael Caines @ Abode
Modern European
Jem & I
Steak Restaurants
Grill On The Alley
Gaucho Grill
French Restaurants
Midland French
Lounge Ten
Indian Restaurants
eastZeast
Shimla Pinks
Rajdoot
Maharaja's Table
Chinese Restaurants
New Emperor
Pacific
Yang Sing
Seafood Restaurants
Livebait
Yo! Sushi
Sinclair's Oyster Bar
Portuguese
Luso
Family Friendly
River Restaurant
Shimla Pinks (Indian)
Pizzeria Italia (Italian)
Yang Sing (Chinese)
Great Value
Pizzeria Italia (Italian)
Shimla Pinks (Indian)
Dimitris (Greek)

RECENT REVIEWS

The Art Of Tea (3/10)
"Tea Leaves?"

Pan Asia (2/10)
"The Buffet at Pan Asia"

San Carlo (8/10)
"great food"

Desi Lounge (1/10)
"A poor experience"

Blue Nile Indian Restaurant (10/10)
"Blue Nile"

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