San Rocco

I agree with Aaron, this place is a great little find. The interior is vibrant and warm and the staff are very friendly. I tried the Saltimbocca Romana (basically these are medallions of veal topped with Parma Ham in a sage and a Marsala wine reduction) which tasted very authentic. Depending on what you order it can be a rather reasonable night out for your wallet too (my main was a little pricier at £13.90 but worth every penny). There’s a wonderful meat and fish selection here as well as tasty pasta dishes. I hear the Lasagne al Forno (£7.50) is to die for. What a great find.

San Rocco really is out on its own in the Cheetham Hill desert, free from anything else worth mentioning really, yet people make the effort to come here.
Its a chain but there is only eight of them and they’re all around the north — a truly Mancunian establishment then whilst remaining truly Italian in its good quality food.
This used to be the standard dinner out when I was younger; you know a treat for the family every once in a while. And it delivers all the friendly, totally unpretentious atmosphere, quick service and range of dishes that such a treat needs. How could it be pretentious I suppose but still, you know what I mean.
The building here is really elegant and cool — both inside and out. The restaurant is really spacious and it does really feel like you are in Italy by the sea somewhere: cream walls, light wooden chairs and plants everywhere.
Everyone around here knows that San Rocco serves up good Italian food at a good price and you really should always trust the locals.

A hidden gem in the heart of dodgiest Cheetham Hill! Just walking into San Rocco’s does feel like you have been magically transported from deepest darkest north Manchester to sunny Italy.
The food is great too love the (very unitallian) rollmop starter, the wood fired pizzas are superb, perfect handmade pasta that’s making my mouth water just thinking about it, very nice house wine! Everything oozes authenticity and quality, and all at prices that didn’t scare the shot out of me when I was a poverty stricken graduate!

Delicious food, averagely priced. Resident parrot who wolf-​whistles throughout the meal! Service sometimes a bit slow — they seem to forsake their more regular clientele occasionally. Some of the waiters are over-​attentive to female visitors which is somewhat offputting.