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Bottega by San Carlo has reopened at Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square following a refurbishment, introducing redesigned interiors, a new seasonal menu and an updated cocktail offering.
The restaurant, which first opened within Selfridges in 2013, welcomed customers back on 15 October 2026, marking the latest investment in San Carlo Group’s established Manchester restaurant portfolio.
The refurbishment introduces a contemporary interior scheme incorporating artwork sourced from local galleries and artists, alongside an updated food and beverage experience.
Curated by San Carlo’s in-house art curator, Katie Forrester, the collection brings together expressive portraiture and colourful contemporary pieces from Manchester-based artists.
Contributors include Vincent Spain, Connie Celeste, Oliver Gaiger, Constance Anne, IAMBOB.the.ARTIST, Daisy Fulton and Suzanne Bethel.
The redesign aims to strengthen the restaurant’s individual identity while maintaining the Italian influences that have shaped its offering over more than a decade.
Alongside the refreshed interiors, Bottega has introduced San Carlo’s autumn and winter menu, featuring seasonal ingredients and traditional Italian cooking techniques.
New dishes include Carpaccio di Barbabietola, combining beetroot carpaccio with goat’s cheese, asparagus, toasted herb breadcrumbs and a yuzu honey dressing.
Carpaccio di Vitello features slow-cooked veal with celeriac cream, wild mushrooms, Grana Padano and fresh black truffle, while Insalata di Zucca combines roasted pumpkin with chestnut mushrooms, ricotta salata, toasted hazelnuts and truffle.
Seafood additions include Rigatoni Affumicato con Monkfish, pairing smoked rigatoni with monkfish, bisque and fresh chives.
The restaurant has also retained an emphasis on tableside preparation, with dishes including Risotto Zucca e Tartufo, a pumpkin risotto finished in a pecorino cheese wheel and topped with fresh black truffle.
Other menu highlights include slow-braised beef cheek with mashed potatoes, red wine jus and salsa verde, alongside pumpkin-filled ravioli with sage butter and shaved truffle.
The updated drinks menu draws inspiration from the bars, hotels and cultural figures associated with Europe’s 20th-century cocktail scene.
Named La Dolce Vita, the collection takes inspiration from destinations including Venice, Milan and Rome.
Signature drinks include the Hemingway Martini, referencing the writer’s association with The Gritti Palace in Venice, and Bellini 1948, inspired by the cocktail created by Giuseppe Cipriani at Harry’s Bar.
Additional serves include Campari Seltz, the Negroni Sbagliato and The Audrey, a cocktail drawing inspiration from Audrey Hepburn and the glamour of mid-century Rome.
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.”
The reopening builds on Bottega’s established presence within Selfridges Manchester Exchange Square, combining its Italian dining offering with a stronger emphasis on contemporary art, seasonal food and cocktail development.
The refurbishment also reflects the continued investment by established restaurant operators in their existing locations, with interior design and food and beverage innovation playing an increasingly prominent role in maintaining customer appeal.
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