San Carlo - Leicester

You'll spot the dramatic black frontage from halfway down Granby Street, all polished marble and golden lettering that screams serious Italian business. Inside, it's full-on glamour with crystal chandeliers, deep leather banquettes, and enough mirrors to make you feel like you're dining in a particularly posh version of someone's nonna's front room. The staff glide about with practiced efficiency, twirling fresh pasta tableside and making sure your prosecco glass never hits empty. The menu sticks to crowd-pleasers done well – their lobster ravioli is genuinely excellent, and the tiramisu arrives looking like a work of art. Yes, it's part of a chain, but they've got the formula down pat. Perfect for impressing visiting relatives or celebrating that promotion, especially when you bag one of the window seats for prime Granby Street people-watching.