Piccolino Chester

You'll find yourself on Pepper Row in the heart of Chester's dining quarter, walking into what feels like a proper neighbourhood Italian rather than a chain—though Piccolino is part of a small group doing things right. The room's got that warm, bustling energy where locals and visitors alike are tucking into housemade pasta and seafood risotto, and the kitchen clearly knows what it's doing. It's the kind of place where you'll see couples lingering over a bottle of Prosecco and groups of mates getting properly stuck in, which tells you everything about how unpretentious this feels despite the 4.5-star rating. Prices won't break the bank either.