As with all San Carlo restaurants, San Carlo Bristol is a lavish Italian eatery, celebrating modern Italian Cuisine in a luxurious setting. Just a short stroll from the Bristol Hippodrome, San Carlo’s formidable seafood-driven menu features pasta delights such as their spaghetti vongole with baby clams and punchy garlic and chilli, or similarly bright pasta gamberoni piccanti, a fusion of chilli-flecked king prawns, salty anchovies, briny capers, and fresh San Marzano tomato. For something a little more comforting, we recommend the rigatoni alla norma, a dish inspired by the cuisine of the South, featuring creamy aubergine, tomato, basil and garlic, lovingly topped with a lashing of pecorino cheese.

This “slightly old-fashioned Italian in a splendid room” from Carlo Distefano’s “good-quality chain” is “always packed” as it approaches its 30th anniversary next year – perhaps because it is “so consistently good: never had a bad meal here”. There’s a “reassuring” quality about the whole operation, which is “welcoming to children (and adults), with a stylish ambience and generous portions of traditional Italian food”.

Everything about San Carlo is swanky; from the many balloon-like pendant lights to the marbled tables and mirrored walls, but this authentic Italian restaurant group actually has very humble beginnings. Sicilian-born Carlo Distefano arrived in England back in 1962 so he could start a life working at a barber shop in Leeds. Three years later, he opened his first joint venture, a hair salon in Leeds.

A lavish, Italian venue in Bristol up keeping its high standards towards modern Italian cuisine. It’s only a 5 minute walk from the Bristol Hippodrome making it a perfect pre-theatre pasta spot too!. The menu includes carefully selected dishes straight from Italy honouring the different regions through a plethora of culinary flavours.

A 15-minute walk away from Bristol Temple Meads station on Corn Street. One of Bristol’s longest-running Italian restaurants, offering a range of dishes that originate from multiple regions of Italy. It is a chic experience for you to drink in on Valentine’s.

For those seeking something more a little up-market then San Carlo is the place. This luxurious, modern restaurant has been going for over twenty years and is the recipient of the Italian Food Association's best restaurant in the United Kingdom award.

Take a tour of Italy from the comfort of your table in this glamourous city centre restaurant. Expect impeccable service and grand interiors to match the delicious dishes.