Piccolino Caffé Grande has been serving the city for 23 years, and it still stands the test of time as a destination for elegant dining.
Located proudly on Clarence Street overlooking the Town Hall, Piccolino Caffé Grande is basically an institution at this point.
Serving customers day-in, day-out with delicious food and proper Italian hospitality – it’s no surprise that this spot has been loved by locals for decades.
And their brand-new refurbishment sets them in good stead for decades to come.
Piccolino’s iconic blue interiors are met with elegant gold accents, a statement brass ceiling, impressive floral instillations and beautiful chandeliers.
The new refurb has also seen the instillation of an open kitchen, so you can see the chefs at work as they craft mouthwatering pasta dishes, fantastic pizza and impressive sharing cuts of meat on the grill.
The new interiors at Piccolino Caffe Grande, an Italian restaurant in Manchester city centre. Credit: The Manc Group
Diners can take a seat at the decadent bar area and watch their cocktail being made before heading over to their table in one of two huge dining rooms.
The authentic Italian menu remains superb, highlights included the Capesanta king scallops topped with confit garlic and breadcrumbs, as well as the Arancina with saffron and spicy vegetarian nduja – a new dish for Spring which is sure to be a firm favourite.
The Devonshire crab ravioli in a sumptuous shellfish butter was the knockout dish though, beautifully al dente pasta stuffed generously with flavourful crab served swimming in a silky sauce – utter perfection.
Piccolino Caffe Grande in Manchester is an Italian restaurant institution. Credit: The Manc Group
And of course you can’t go wrong with Spaghetti Frutti Di Mare, packed with plenty of mussels, clams, prawns and squid in a sauce which had a cheeky kick of chilli which was very much welcomed.
But it wouldn’t be a trip to Piccolino’s if you weren’t treated to the exceptional Italian hospitality that they pride themselves on, and our waiter José was none other than a master of his craft.
A Manchester institution loved for decades, and we predict for many more to come. Welcome back Caffé Grande – it’s great to see you.
Bundobust and Madre announce bold new Indo-Mexican collaboration
Clementine Hall
Two of Manchester’s best-loved casual dining spots are joining forces for a limited-edition collaboration.
Bundobust and Madre will be teaming up this summer to create a menu inspired by two world-famous street food cultures – India, and Mexico.
The Indo-Mexican menu will feature dishes like ‘Naanchos’, and plenty of other Desi-flavoured Mexican dishes.
It’ll be mashing up iconic ingredients, techniques, and flavours, with a menu of brand new spice-packed dishes and cocktails combining Desi and Mexican influence.
So, what can we expect?
Mexican street food classics chimichanga and quesadillas get the Desi treatment, while Bundobust’s Indian street food favourites like chaat get a little Latino heat.
All paired with spicy summer-time cocktails, as a homage to Mexican drinking culture, plus the return of Bundobust Brewery’s new golden Cerveza, SANJA Mexican Lager.
We can’t think of a better place to spend our summer evenings to be quite honest.
On the menu there are crunchy Indo-Mexican ‘naanchos’, topped with salsa verde, crema, tamarind, onion, coriander, and a punchy pickle masala.
Madre and Bundobust are teaming upNaanchos, from the Bundobust x Madre menu
There’ll also be a ‘Tikkadilla’ – a corn tortilla packed with oyster mushrooms, red tikka sauce and Oaxaca cheese, with a side of desi birria sauce for dipping.
That’s alongside masala chimichanga, birria-ani, and corn chaat.
Then you can wash that down with a cashew colada, an avocado lassi, spicy mango margs and loads more.
The Indo-Mexican menu will be available at all Bundobust and Madre locations from Monday 14 July until Sunday 17 August 2025.
Northern Quarter cafe to give out 100 FREE slices of cake to celebrate its birthday
Emily Sergeant
A little Northern Quarter cafe is celebrating a big milestone this week, and is giving out 100 free slices of cake for the occasion.
Nibble is turning eight this week, and nothing makes a birthday better than cake.
The female-run independent cafe on Oldham Street in the heart of the Northern Quarter first opened its doors to hungry Mancs back in July 2017, after owner and manager Lauren had dreams to take her business of selling brownies at local artisan markets and turn them into a cosy cafe of her own that catered to people with all sorts of dietary requirements.
The cafe has since been acknowledged by tastemakers as one of the most accessible places in Manchester.
Not only is Nibble known and loved for serving up some of the best homemade bakes in the city, with something for everyone to tuck choose from, but they also provide a tasty selection of all-day brunch dishes, salads, and sandwiches, as well as corporate catering too.
So of course, to celebrate eight years of the lovely Nibble team feeding the good people of Manchester, the business is giving away free slices of birthday cake on Friday.
Nibble NQ is giving away 100 free slices of birthday cake / Credit: The Manc Group
After doing something similar to celebrate their birthday last year, this time around they’re taking things once step further, as it’s not just 100 free slices of scrumptious cake you can get your hands on, there’s plenty other prizes too.
Nibble will be ‘levelling up’ and throwing in some ‘hidden surprises’ in the form of vouchers, giving people an opportunity to win a free brunch, brownie box, or coffee and cake.
To be in with a chance of taking away one of the 100 free slices of birthday cake, all you’ll need to do is head to Nibble on Oldham Street this Friday (11 July) and line up outside the cafe from 9:30am, then you may just be lucky enough to start of your day in the sweetest way possible.
Clementine Hall -
29th March 2024 
