Piccolino Manchester is an Italian restaurant at 8 Clarence Street in the heart of the city. The refreshed Caffè Grande combines an open kitchen, cocktail bar, private dining room and spacious terrace overlooking Manchester Town Hall. Breakfast, lunch and dinner allow the room to serve both everyday visits and special occasions.
The menu takes a modern approach to Italian classics while retaining a strong interest in regional ingredients. Focaccia, bruschetta and saffron arancini lead into fresh pasta, risotto, pizza, meat and seafood dishes. Seasonal specials sit alongside familiar recipes, giving regular diners reasons to look beyond a single signature dish.
Vegetarian and vegan choices are marked across the menu, and a children’s selection supports family meals. Tiramisu, Italian doughnuts, gelato and other desserts provide traditional ways to finish. Guests with serious allergies should speak with the Manchester team about current ingredients and kitchen procedures.
Italian wine is central to the drinks list, supported by cocktails, aperitifs, beer and alcohol free options. Express lunch, tasting and group menus adapt the experience to different schedules and occasions. Piccolino Manchester pairs polished hospitality with a broad Italian kitchen in one of the city centre’s most attractive dining settings.
Address: 8 Clarence Street, Manchester M2 4DW, United Kingdom
piccalinoa italian restaurant Menu
Da Dividere
FOR THE TABLE
OLIVE
Pitted Gordal olives, marinated with guindilla chillies
FOCACCIA
Freshly baked focaccia, extra virgin olive oil & Maldon sea salt
Pane All'Aglio
FOCACCIA STYLE – ROSEMARY & SEA SALT
Hand stretched garlic bread
TOMATO & FRESH BASIL
Hand stretched garlic bread
MOZZARELLA & SMOKED PROVOLA CHEESE
Hand stretched garlic bread
Crudi
RAW BAR
TARTARE DI TONNO
Diced yellowfin tuna, lime juice, olive oil, salt, shallots, red chilli, chopped chive, avocado, sweet potato crisps & red vein sorrel
YELLOWTAIL CRUDO
Thinly sliced fresh yellowtail, truffle–honey soy, fennel, white wine vinegar, olive oil, dill & orange
OYSTERS SIX
Colchester oysters served with Amalfi lemon mignonette & tabasco
OYSTERS NINE
Colchester oysters served with Amalfi lemon mignonette & tabasco
Antipasti
STARTERS – A celebration of Italy’s diverse landscapes… From Venetian carpaccio to Apulian burrata, showcasing the spirit of modern day Italian dining & the joy of sharing.
BRUSCHETTA CLASSICA
Vine-ripened tomatoes, toasted sourdough, garlic, oregano & fresh basil
BRUSCHETTA CON GAMBERONI
Toasted sourdough, king prawns, confit garlic butter, chilli, lemon & flat leaf parsley
ARANCINI
Crispy truffle & mushroom risotto balls, mozzarella & truffle mayonnaise
CALAMARI
Crispy fried baby squid, chilli & lemon mayonnaise
CARPACCIO
Thinly sliced raw beef, Venetian dressing, rocket & Parmesan Reggiano salad
FRITTO MISTO
Lightly fried king prawns, red mullet, baby squid & whitebait with confit garlic mayonnaise
COCKTAIL DI GAMBERI
North Atlantic prawns, baby gem, Marie rose sauce, pickled cucumbers, spring onion & watercress
BURRATA CON PESTO
Apulian creamy mozzarella, basil pesto, semi dried tomatoes, extra virgin olive oil
CAPESANTE – THREE
Hand-dived scallops, garlic & parsley butter & fresh lemon juice
CAPESANTE – FIVE
Hand-dived scallops, garlic & parsley butter & fresh lemon juice
ANTIPASTO MISTO (SMALL)
Parma ham, salame Calabrese, bresaola, salame Napoli, mozzarella di bufala, Pecorino Romano & ricotta. Freshly baked bread, balsamic onions, pickled hot peppers & caper berries
ANTIPASTO MISTO (LARGE)
Parma ham, salame Calabrese, bresaola, salame Napoli, mozzarella di bufala, Pecorino Romano & ricotta. Freshly ba
Pasta
Inspired by the pasta heartlands of Italy… From Rome to Bologna, Puglia to Campania, each dish celebrates regional traditions & the stories passed from kitchen to kitchen.
LINGUINE GAMBERONI
King prawns, vine-ripened tomatoes, chilli & garlic butter
LINGUINE VONGOLE
Fresh Palourde clams, white wine, vine ripened cherry tomatoes, chilli & garlic
LASAGNE VERDI
Slow-cooked beef ragu, traditional green pasta, bechamel, tomato & Parmesan
SPAGHETTI CARBONARA
Free-range eggs, guanciale & Pecorino Romano
TAGLIATELLE BOLOGNESE
Slow cooked beef ragù, tomato & fresh basil
PAPPARDELLE AL RAGU
Thick ribbon shaped pasta, 24 hour slow-cooked beef shin ragu, pecorino & crispy sage
ORECCHIETTE CON SALSICCIA
Traditional small ear-shaped pasta from Puglia, Neapolitan sausage ragu, spicy ‘nduja, semi-dried tomatoes, matured Italian cheese, fresh basil & parsley
RAVIOLI GRANCHIO
‘Hand-picked Devonshire crab filling, North Atlantic prawns, lobster sauce, red chilli, garlic, basil & chives’
CARBONARA GRANDE
Traditional spaghetti carbonara freshly prepared at the table in a Pecorino cheese wheel
RIGATONI ALLA VODKA
Fresh rigatoni with a spicy vodka tomato sauce & grated parmesan
RIGATONI ALLA VODKA (Sharer)
Vodka, tomato sugo & cream, white wine, garlic, onions & freshly grated parmesan
PACCHERI ALL'AMATRICIANA
Large tube pasta, guanciale, tomatoes, pecorino Romano cheese, onions, garlic & freshly chopped garden herbs
PACCHERI ALL'AMATRICIANA – SHARER
Large tube pasta, guanciale, tomatoes, pecorino Romano cheese, onions, garlic & freshly chopped garden herbs
Salads
CAESAR
Gem lettuce, Parmesan, pancetta, Caesar dressing, anchovies & garlic sourdough croutons
ADD CHARGRILLED CHICKEN
Add chargrilled chicken for 8.00
CAESAR SMALL
Gem lettuce, Parmesan, pancetta, Caesar dressing, anchovies & garlic sourdough croutons
ADD CHARGRILLED CHICKEN
Add chargrilled chicken for 4.00
TRICOLORE, SMALL
Buffalo mozzarella, heritage tomatoes, avocado, basil pesto & fresh basil
TRICOLORE, LARGE
Buffalo mozzarella, heritage tomatoes, avocado, basil pesto & fresh basil
CAPRESE LARGE
Vine-ripened tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella & fresh basil
CAPRESE SMALL
Vine-ripened tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella & fresh basil
Bistecca
From Tuscany’s beloved Florence… To the best heritage cuts from the British Isles, our steaks bring together regional tradition & Italian simplicity at its fi nest.
DRY-AGED RIBEYE 275G
Cotswolds & West Country | British Isles | Heritage Breeds
FILLET 225G
West Country & County Armagh | British Isles, Heritage Breeds
GRAIN FED RIBEYE 350G
New South Wales | Australia | Black Angus
CHATEAUBRIAND
Heritage Breeds | West Country & County Amagh | British Isles | The prized cut from the fillet, deliciously soft & tender, served with roasted rosemary & garlic potatoes, grilled mediterranean vegetables & steak sauces
T-BONE FIORENTINA
Heritage Breeds | West Country & County Amagh | British Isles | The prized cut from the fillet, deliciously soft & tender, served with roasted rosemary & garlic potatoes, grilled mediterranean vegetables & steak sauces
PEPPERCORN SAUCE
GORGONZOLA
TRUFFLE BUTTER SAUCE
SALSA VERDE
Terra
FROM THE LAND – From Emilia-Romagna to Veneto.. These dishes draw on Northern Italy’s rich culinary traditions, combining hearty, rustic comfort with elegant flavours.
FEGATO ALLA VENEZIANA
Our take on a true Venetian classic. Pan-fried calves liver, pancetta, onions, butter & sage with creamy mashed potato
POLLO AL TARTUFO
Roast chicken breast, truffle gnocchi, mushroom & truffle cream
POLLO MILANESE
Pan-fried crispy breaded chicken, served with a rocket & shaved parmesan salad
POLPETTE CON PATATE
Beef, pork & caramelised onion meatballs, slow-cooked tomato sauce & roasted rosemary potatoes
AGNELLO SALSA VERDE
Grilled Suffolk lamb chops, salsa verde & rosemary roasted potatoes
PARMIGIANA
Fried layers of aubergine, tomato, smoked provola cheese & basil pesto
PARMIGIANA STARTER
Fried layers of aubergine, tomato, smoked provola cheese & basil pesto
Mare
FROM THE SEA – From the crystal waters of the Mediterranean.. These dishes capture the freshness & vibrancy of Italy’s coastal kitchens.
BRANZINO
A whole roasted sea bass, samphire, sea purslane, olive oil & lemon
MONKFISH
Monkfish wrapped in Parma ham, rocket pesto & grilled spring onions
MERLUZZO PEPERONATA
Roasted cod, peperonata & crispy samphire
SOGLIOLA
Whole Dover sole pan-fried, butter, capers, lemon & served with roast potatoes Subject to seasonal availability
Pizza
NEAPOLITAN PIZZA – From t he bust ling streets of Naples.. Our hand-stretched pizza honours Italy’s most iconic dish; simple, balanced, & bursting with Neapolitan warmth
DIAVOLA
Tomato, spianata Calabrese spicy salami, ‘nduja, stacciatella, mozzarella, red chilli & flat leaf parsley
MARGHERITA
Traditional Neapolitan recipe, tomato, mozzarella & fresh basil
CAPRICCIOSA
Tomato, chestnut mushrooms, Italian roast ham, mozzarella & crispy Leccino olives
CALZONE
Folded pizza stuffed with Neapolitan sausage, tomato, ‘nduja, mozzarella & roasted peppers
SPAGNA
San Marzano tomato, mozzarella, chorizo, blue goat’s cheese & hot honey
PROSCIUTTO CRUDO E TARTUFO
White base, truffle cream, mozzarella, DOP Parma ham, rocket & Pecorino Romano
ZUCCHINE E TARTUFO
White base, soy truffle cream, courgette ribbons, vegan mozzarella-style cheese, chestnut mushrooms, chilli & basil
Sides
PATATE AL FORNO
Garlic & rosemary roasted potatoes
PURE DI PATATE
Mashed potato
PURE DI PATATE CON TARTUFO
Add truffle 1.50
ZUCCHINE FRITTE
Courgette fries
BROCCOLETTI
Tenderstem broccoli, chilli & garlic
SPINACI
Garlic baby spinach
PISELLI E PANCETTA
Peas & pancetta
RUCOLA E PARMIGIANO
RRocket & Parmesan salad, with vinaigrette
INSALATA MISTA
Italian leaves, lemon dressing, basil, red onion, chives
PATATINE FRITTE
Potato fries | Add truffle & Pecorino 1.75
TRUFFLE & PECORINO UPGRADE
Add truffle & Pecorino