San Carlo Bottega, the Italian restaurant on the second floor of Selfridges department store in Manchester city centre, has reopened following a major refurbishment – its first significant change in 13 years. The space, which overlooks Exchange Square, has swapped its old pastel blue scheme for warm terracotta booths, graphic print bucket seats and statement chandeliers.
New Design and Art Collaboration
The family-run business said it wanted to "bring together design, authentic Italian food and expertly crafted cocktails" in the new iteration of the restaurant. Art is woven into the space through a collection curated by San Carlo's in-house art curator, Katie Forrester, featuring expressive portraits and contemporary works from local galleries and painters.
Marcello Distefano, CEO at San Carlo Group, said: "Bottega has been part of the Selfridges Manchester experience for more than a decade, so this refurbishment marks an exciting new chapter for us. We wanted to elevate the entire experience, from the design of the space through to the food and cocktails, while staying true to what Bottega represents – craftsmanship, quality and creativity. It’s about creating a space that feels distinctive while also reflecting the energy and character of Manchester."
Artists and Culinary Highlights
Artists whose works feature in the new-look restaurant are Vincent Spain, Connie Celeste, Oliver Gaiger, Constance Anne, IAMBOB.the.ARTIST, Daisy Fulton, and Suzanne Bethell. Forrester said the curation aimed to "honour the profound roots of Italian craftsmanship while celebrating the vibrant, cutting-edge creative community right here in Manchester."
The new autumn/winter menu introduces seasonal dishes including Carpaccio di Barbabietola (beetroot carpaccio with creamy goat's cheese) and Insalata di Zucca (roasted pumpkin with chestnut mushrooms, ricotta salata, toasted hazelnuts and fresh black truffle). Signature dishes include Risotto Zucca e Tartufo, a pumpkin risotto finished tableside in a pecorino wheel, and Beef Cheek with creamy mashed potatoes, red wine jus and salsa verde. Tableside-prepared dishes include Cartellata Zucca e Tartufo and Vitello Valdostana.
Drinks and Expansion
The drinks offering takes inspiration from La Dolce Vita, with a list influenced by grand hotels, legendary bars and 20th-century culture, moving from Venice and Milan to Rome. Bottega first opened at Selfridges Manchester in 2013, and the reopening marks a new chapter for the restaurant.
The San Carlo story began in Sicily, birthplace of chairman Carlo Distefano, who arrived in Britain in 1962 aged 17. After opening his first restaurant in Birmingham in 1992, the group has grown to employ more than 1,000 people globally and has won more than thirty industry and consumer awards. San Carlo Group is entering the second half of 2026 with international expansion plans, following the March opening of Signor Sassi Miami in Hallandale Beach, its first US venture, with further openings planned across the Middle East and North Africa throughout 2026.
