Greater Manchester's Lupo Named Among Britain's 100 Best Local Restaurants 2026

The Good Food Guide has unveiled its 2026 list of Britain's 100 Best Local Restaurants, featuring two venues from Greater Manchester. Lupo Caffe Italiano in Prestwich secured the 19th position, the highest ranking in the region, while Michelin-recommended Sparrows in Manchester city centre placed 58th.

Lupo: A Hidden Gem on an Industrial Estate

Lupo is an Italian restaurant tucked away on a Prestwich industrial estate, operating as a charming cafe-style trattoria. For over a decade, it has served pizzas, pastas, and pastries, earning the title of Best Local Restaurant in the North West from the guide last year. Owner Nico Pasquali started the business in Salford, helping to transform Chapel Street into a bustling hub of independent enterprises.

The restaurant has moved several times due to factors beyond Pasquali's control, including engineering works and pandemic-related challenges. Since settling in Prestwich, it has flourished, featuring red and white gingham tablecloths, pictures of Rome, and shelves stocked with Italian produce. An outdoor terrace offers al fresco dining in summer.

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Authentic Italian Experience

Lupo prides itself on an authentic Italian experience, using top-quality ingredients flown in from Italy or harvested from its own allotment. The menu includes starters like Antipasto di Terra, burrata, and handmade potato balls with scamorza cheese, as well as Roman-style fried tomato rice balls with fior di latte.

Mains feature pizzas and pastas such as Rigatoni Amatriciana with San Marzano tomato sauce, guanciale, chilli, and pecorino; Lobster Ravioli with San Marzano tomato sauce, chilli, garlic, and cream; and the namesake Lupo pizza with San Marzano tomato sauce, guanciale, Napoli salame, fior di latte mozzarella, and chilli.

Good Food Guide's 2026 Rankings

The overall winner is La Locanda in Gisburn, Lancashire, described as an uncompromisingly authentic taste of Italy. Co-owner Cinzia said: "My heart is exploding. I think this is the biggest achievement we have had in 23 years."

Head of Reviews & Listings at the Good Food Guide, Chloë Hamilton, commented: "In the face of adversity, creativity has flourished in unusual and unlikely places. It has been hugely rewarding to see how these tiny operations are offering outstanding quality in a way that so clearly strikes a chord with the local crowd. Arrive with an open mind and a good appetite and you'll be brilliantly rewarded."