Don Giovanni - Italian Restaurant Manchester

You know those floor-to-ceiling windows facing Oxford Street? They're perfect for people-watching while you demolish a plate of proper carbonara. This place has been doing traditional Italian long before half the city centre spots opened, and it shows – the portions are generous enough to share (though you won't want to), and the pizza bases have that satisfying chew you get when someone actually knows what they're doing. The dining room feels refreshingly unfussy compared to some of the newer Italian spots around town. Yes, it's busy and yes, the tables are close together, but that's half the charm. The staff move with the kind of efficiency that comes from years of service, and they're not afraid to recommend the daily specials with genuine enthusiasm.