This October marks a milestone for one of Manchester’s most iconic dining rooms. San Carlo, the glittering Italian on King Street, is celebrating 20 years since it first opened its doors back in 2005.
From day one, San Carlo was the spot. A see-and-be-seen destination where footballers, musicians and TV stars mingled with locals over plates of pasta and fizz. But while the celebrity buzz made headlines, it was the everyday moments that made it truly special: birthdays, family reunions, first dates and those long, laughter-filled dinners that turned into nights to remember.
Two decades later, nothing’s changed. The room still hums with that unmistakable mix of glamour and warmth, still drawing the city’s loyal crowd back again and again for a proper good taste of la dolce vita, but with some signature Manc charm.
What started as one family-run restaurant here has grown into an empire of 35 across the UK and beyond – with Miami next on the horizon. Yet for the Distefano family, Manchester is where it all began, and where the story will always feel closest to home.
Marcello Distefano, now CEO of the San Carlo Group, reflects: "San Carlo Manchester will always hold a special place in my heart. I started my journey here on the restaurant floor and have grown with it ever since – from those early days of service to now leading the business as CEO, driving its growth across the world. After 20 years we are still going as strong as ever – which shows we've created something truly special. San Carlo has never been just a restaurant; it has become part of people’s lives.
"Hospitality is about creating an emotional bond with our guests, and I believe this restaurant has done that in a way very few places do. The confidence and success we gained in Manchester gave us the platform to expand globally, and even now we have to pinch ourselves that two decades later we are preparing to open in Miami."
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