Thanks to the rich influence of the many Italian communities which have grown across the UK since the 19th century, Italy’s distinctive cuisine can be found in every region beyond London. Here are five of the best – let us know where you live and we’ll book you a table or fine more suggestions nearby.
Jamie's Italian
Oxford, Bath, Kingston, Brighton, Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, Cambridge, Chelthenham, Glasgow, Leeds, Guildford, Liverpool, Portsmouth, Milton Keynes, Reading, Nottingham and London. Opening in St Albans (January) and Manchester (February) in 2012
Even the toughest critics agree: perennially popular Jamie Oliver’s expanding chain of neighbourly Italians means excellent cooking at affordable prices. Oliver’s restaurants serve fresh, organic, rustic Italian food amid a bright, bucolic atmosphere. Antipasti, pasta and grilled mains are all equally good, with dishes such as crispy spaghetti fritters with ricotta and parmesan, turkey and beef meatball carbonara, and slow-cooked osso bucco Milanese with white polenta and capers. Like Oliver, the restaurant is family-friendly (but it doesn’t turn into a creche).
Firenze
9 Station Street· Kibworth Beauchamp, Leicester LE8 0LN
You might be surprised to learn that some of the most authentic northern Italian cuisine in Britain can be found in this corner of the Midlands. This critically acclaimed family-run restaurant, with understated, neutral decor and rustic-style chairs, serves a deliciously indulgent menu – think deep-fried risotto balls with truffle and fontina cheese fondue, breast of duck with wild mushrooms and Tuscan bean stew, and fillet of beef and oxtail in red wine and polenta. End with warm fig upside-down tart with brandy ice cream.
Stock
The Stock Exchange, 4 Norfolk Street, Manchester M2 IDW
With one of the largest groups of first- and second-generation Italian immigrants in Britain, the market for the cuisine in Manchester is very competitive. Stock persistently comes out on top. Diners rate the stylish location in the former stock exchange building, with its 50-foot domed ceiling and carved marble pillars. They also praise the southern Italian cuisine, which includes a lavish tasting menu for two, lobster ravioli in a pink crayfish tail and tomato sauce, and rump of lamb marinated in balsamic, mint and chilli.
Il Forno
132 Duke Street, Liverpool L1 5AG
In this bold, classic Italian, the wood-burning pizza ovens are a centrepiece of the restaurant – both for pizzas and for a wide range of bruschettas and focaccias. There’s a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, which are used to create dishes such as oven-baked rack of lamb with rosemary, garlic and artichokes. The extensive menu also includes homemade swordfish-filled pasta with tiger prawns, a selection of steaks and fish, and antipasti such as sautéed chicken livers in a reduction of marsala, cream and sultanas.
Valvona & Crolla
19 Elm Row, Edinburgh EH7 4AA
Tucked in the back of one of what the Wall Street Journal recently hailed as ‘arguably the best Italian delicatessen north of the Alps’, this trattoria only serves breakfast and lunch, but dinner is unnecessary – try a starter of homemade pork and beef meatballs with pine nuts, followed by free-range chicken breast with pan-fried sage, prosciutto and white wine with mashed potato and broccoli.
The quality of the dishes, simply made from produce sold in the shop, is matched by the wine list. You can also supplement the latter by taking any bottle from the shop to enjoy with your meal. While there, pick up a jar of La Gallinara green pesto sauce – it’s been highly praised by Italia! magazine for its authentic flavour.
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