Puccini's in Salford

I go to this restaurant to meet a very special and dear friend and we always have a lovely meal. A long and chatty lunch where we are served so nicely and never rushed. We ate here on Thursday 12 September 2024 and it was as usual a very good standard. We had pate and a prawn cocktail for starters. Chicken and salmon for mains and it was all really delicious, such a treat. The starters came with toast and butter and the mains were with mixed vegetables. We then decided to ditch the diets and we had a tiramisu each! The whole meal was so nice, we had a bottle of wine, a beer and two coffees. We were not rushed in any way and could take our time to chat. To those who complain about the prices, honestly, you should try eating out in Manchester city centre. This place is great value for money. Overall, a very decent meal, good service and a good atmosphere. Thank you so much Puccinis for being there when we need you.

This is a unique and authentic Italian restaurant, no doubt an Italian jewel in Manchester’s crown. We had a couples’ lunch and totally enjoyed the hospitality of the charming owner Mike. Whether you have a pizza, tortellini or sea bass you cannot fault the quality of the food or the service. And there’s a special deal for lunch too! Taste the experience yourself. You won’t regret it.

We visited the restaurant yesterday with my partner, two daughters, and my daughter's boyfriend for a celebratory dinner at 6 PM. We've been coming here for years and have always loved the food, which remains very good, but at this price point, it should be. We spent around £280 for the five of us, which we expected as we were celebrating my daughter’s GCSE results. We've had memorable moments here, including my eldest daughter’s 16th birthday, so it holds sentimental value for us. However, things felt different this time. Portions have noticeably changed. For example, the bruschetta, which our family loves, came as a few broken slices of bread rather than the larger pieces we used to enjoy. The facilities also didn’t meet previous standards – the gents’ toilet had no lock on the door and visible patch repairs, with cleaning clearly needed. One particularly disappointing moment was when I wandered over to the bar to browse their once-impressive whisky collection between courses. I was stopped by two people questioning what I was doing. After explaining myself, one of them—who was drinking at the bar—ordered a staff member to assist me. It felt incredibly impolite and off-putting. I returned to my table without much fuss, but it left a sour taste. I’m guessing these two might have been new owners or investors, given the way they were ordering the staff around. Later, I ordered a whisky, but my first choice wasn’t in stock. The second was available, but had I been able to see the whisky selection myself instead of being shooed away, I could have ordered something that was actually available. Lastly, I noticed the manager (or owner, if it's still the same person) wearing an apron and serving tables, which was unusual. He used to be very personable and would take time to chat with customers, but that warmth seemed to be missing. The restaurant was much quieter than usual, too. There was a time when booking days in advance was necessary, but now, it seems like that’s no longer the case. The food is still good, but the personal and familiar touch that made this place special seems to be fading.

This was a magical experience. Enveloped with pictures of former sport celebrities and icons, and run by a lovely owner who welcomed us with open arms and toured us around the restaurants history - this restaurant was the best experience of my life. Putting the friendliness of the staff aside, and the excellent restaurant and environment, the food is also outstanding. I highly recommend getting a pepperoni pizza.

Michael made a special occasion extra special! The food was excellent and the staff really good. Thankyou for everything x

Took too long for food to arrive. When it did standard of food was not great. Very “over - hyped” by regulars and previous reputation. Staff okay but not very attentive. Cannelloni was hot outside not inside. Not very happy.

I am actually in shock at how appalling the service in this restaurant has been the past two times I’ve been. I was waiting for 45 minutes for my table which I had booked and another couple came in 30 minutes after me and got served straight away. We then asked the owner why we had been waiting 45 minutes for our table and he ignored us and said ‘ok’. Owner doesn’t have time for anyone in small parties and only gives the time of day to large groups or celebrities all over his wall. Been coming to this restaurant as a loyal customer all my life and can safely say I will not be returning again as service has gone completely downhill. And after all this awful services we were still made to pay for our coke that we had whilst waiting at the bar.

If you go on a Friday or Saturday night then expect it to be busy! Book in advance. The service is outstanding and personal. Friendly, social and welcoming. Which really gets things going from the minute you walk in. The owner meets and greets everyone...

I rang Puccinis at 14:10 and asked what time they closed for lunch to which they replied 14:30 so I drove from Worsley,arrived at 14:30 on the dot to be told "were closed" I explained that I had rang and was told to be there by 14:30 to which the waiter replied that the chefs had to go home as they return at 17:30 for the evening service. This is absolutely fine and understandable but when a customer rings asking what time you need to be there by to then arrive for that time and be turned away isn't good!! What a wasted journey when we could have gone somewhere in Worsley!!!

Starters where fine but main courses were terrible i had meatballs that were meant to be homemade were quite clearly prosecced crap and my wife had pizza i could of gone to Asda and brought a cheaper and better one. Overall a terrible experiance not be going again.

Nos dieron una cálida bienvenida en la puerta y nos llevaron a nuestra mesa: manteles blancos, un montón de espacio para el codo y flores preciosas. Una jarra de agua cargada con hielo y rodajas de limón fue rápidamente presentada cuando rechazamos aperitivos. Tuvimos un poco de pan de ajo y un plato relleno de pimiento rojo para empezar - deliciosos, y seguido con platos de pasta para nosotros tres y un plato de carne para uno. El servicio era excelente - la cantidad de calidez y atención combinado con eficiencia y respeto. Toda la comida era deliciosa (aunque a mi marido le pareció que su carne era un poco exageradas). El vino de la casa era tan buena como vinos de la casa vienen (muy bueno) y había un toque encantador al final de la comida cuando nos obsequiaron con una placa preciosa de fruta fresca a terminar (gratis). La factura fue de lo más razonable (sin duda volveremos) y nos deseó buenas noches cuando nos fuimos con apretones cálidos desde el propietario (un detalle). Para resumir: una noche muy agradable con buena comida, excelente servicio y un ambiente relajante. Bravo Puccini!

The exact items I wanted in the meatball calzone weren't available on the menu so I asked if certain ingredients could be added - not a problem and it was stunning. The starter of garlic bread with chopped onions and tomatoes is excellent too but filled me up before my calzone, not a problem again, was given it to take away and enjoy the day later for lunch!The atmosphere is happy, chatty, soft lighting, adorable staff, very busy but not so that there was a long wait for food or drinks, staff always milling around so that if anything more is required, there was always a waiter/waitress on hand to ask. Certainly could not ask for more! Best in the area. There was a birthday party going on while we were there, one of the waiters or owners came along to the table and sang 'Happy birthday to you' to the party goer and gave them a small cake with a candle in it - a great touch!

Fuimos para una comida familiar para celebrar un 50 aniversario de boda.. el personal encantador gracioso muy natural. La comida era absolutamente preciosa perfectamente cocinada y caliente el restaurantbis modernas y muy cómodas. Comida muy encantador y experiencia único defecto era todo el feliz cumpleaños que estaba cantando un poco tedioso después de la tercera vez en una noche.

A very nice restaurant,with good Italian food. It will be especially attractive to football fans because of the memorabilia on view.

we live in swinton been here a lot of times meal tonight terrible on complaining got told they had a tablel of 26 in why does this affect our meal it was our anniversary meal wont be going there again

La última noche fuimos 2 Puccins amigos por mi cumpleaños. La comida era deliciosa, pero el servicio, especialmente por una señora joven llamado Lucy era genial. Ella era muy amable y simpático. Una preciosa chica joven pero no arrogante y habla muy suave. 5 Estrellas Lucy! Esperamos que su flor castillo es mantener bien y, lo mejor de la suerte con sus estudios xxxx

What makes Puccini's so special, is the atmosphere the staff and owners create. It feels busy but everyone is made to feel special. It just has a buzz about the place that other restaurants dont have.Combine the with good food and reasonable prices and it is a perfect place to go for a good meal where you are guaranteed to come out with a smile on your face!Love it.

Over four months since our last visit to Puccini's restaurant in Swinton, Greater Manchester, chose to have lunch here on Tuesday this week. As always, never disappointed at the professional service and excellent food served here. The atmosphere was so relaxed, so Italianate, and warm and welcoming, and the grilled sardines were gorgeous. Lovely, relaxing lunch, and departed both feeling happy, and in good spirits, especially as the sun was shining. Special thanks, as always to the Chef, and in particular, to Tommy for his attention and special service. Well done Puccini's.

I booked a table for my partners birthday after hearing many excellent reviews about the place! I booked a Sunday night (BH Weekend) for 8:30pm having never been before I struggled to find anywhere to park so I kicked my fella and the other couple we were dining with out of the car while I went to park up! When I entered the restaurant at 8:40pm a little rude man came over with menus and said we had to order there and then or the kitchen would close! He told me the time was 9pm when I looked at my watch it was 8:45pm he snubbed this and told me that his watch was the same as the kitchens and they were closing and started to tell me that the chefs had been working since 12!! I have no idea how this is my problem me being the paying customer!!We were rushed so just opted for garlic bread started and I had the chicken risotto and must say it was tasteless! I have paid half of what they are charging at other restaurants and it had been 100% better! We were left without drinks they would take the glass and not ask if wanted another one, all in all it was one of the worst dining experiences and I certainly will not be going back! Overpriced tasteless food and staff that have 0 customer service!

Go here regular and this place is amazing it's not expensive but by no means cheap but the food is well worth it the drinks can be a bit dear but never mind Everyone should try this place

Nice restaurant for my first visit .very over priced for mediocre food .drinks expensive £4 bottle of peroni 330 ml don't mind paying that for a pint

The owner Michele Pucci takes a pride in ensuring his clients receive excellent quality service with meals to die for. Everything is fresh and the antipasto dishes are stunning. There are various interesting special pasta dishes and sea bass cooked in tin foil in the oven (aqua pazza) is a quite exceptional. This restaurant is in a class of its own and is frequented by top sports stars, tv stars as well as by the former PM (David Cameron) with his entourage a while back.

First time i have been to puccini's after living close by for years and i have to say Im sorry i have never been here before. What a great little place, very friendly staff.

Started well we turned up 20 minute early it was a saterday night and the place was packed, we were greeted by a lovely chap who beckoned a member of staf who politely pointed us in the direction of the bar area and got myself and my partner a drink, within ten minutes they had sorted us a table, we were sat down and I had my chair pulled out for me we were treated very well at this point, starters came and I had the pate, the pate itself was stunning totally moorish I could of eaten a bucket of it, unfortunately the toasted bread was rock hard and inedible, the two middle pieces weren't to bad and I managed to eat them but today I,m having to eat food on the opposite side of my mouth as my gums are tender and sore from trying to eat the bread, it really spoiled the starter becouse the pate was so nice, we ran out of drinks after our starter and were left without drinks for over half an hour, and our mains took over an hour to come out, my partner actually had to ask where they were, although when we did get them they were served hot freshly cooked and they were delicious, the deserts were amazing although my first choice of trifle wasent available, there was a huge table full of Peaple next to us that was swamped with staff, I can't help but think we were neglected becouse there was so much focus on this table they actually received both there starters and mains while we were awaiting our mains, we will go again becouse I,v got friends that love this place so I,m sure my experience was a blip becouse of how busy it was, although this shouldn't be an excuse, if I could leave a note for this place I would say change the bread before somebody breaks a tooth!

Relaxed atmosphere with good food and good service. Love the place and have gone there for many years now.

A friendly welcome upon arrival and a clean modern interior.I ordered oven baked sea bass which arrived in a large foil parcel. This was opened by the waiter and de skinned and de boned at the table with good skill. It was succulent and very well cooked and came with a large portion of veg and potatoes.Nice friendly staff and good food , yes I'd recommend this restaurant.

I regularly go to Puccini's and I love the food. It is my favourite restaurant in Manchester. The staff are mostly Italian and so sometimes your order can be mixed up. However, they are all very friendly. Definitely worth a visit if you live nearby!

Lovely Italian restaurant and atmosphere. Never been disappointed with my food here and the staff are always helpful and attentive.

Was there for lunch few weeks ago with son and daughter inlaw and beautiful grandaughter . The food was fab as usual and the staff you can get no better.

This is a great place serving genuine italian food if a just a tad over priced !!!! The staff are great and have been there for years !!!! Only thing i find a liitle annnoying is how the owners are a little star struck and pander to the many celebreties who frequent here, just like to remind him my monies as good as theres !!!

Very disappointed with the Manger, Christopher Puccini, on our recent visit. As local residents we have been to Puccini's on many occasions and have always found the staff very attentive and food excellent. With this in mind we decided to book a table as part of the celebrations for our daughters Graduation on Fri 22 July 2016. The table was booked on 16 June and the round table, Table 24 was specified. This was due to the dynamics of our family and to allow easy interaction and the flow of conversation. To accommodate this the staff there advised we would have to book for 8.30pm rather the 8.00pm, the time we wanted. We accepted this. There were no other entries in the restaurant diary for that day when the booking was taken. I went into Puccinis on Thursday 21 July to confirm numbers and also to reiterate that Table 24 was booked. This was again confirmed. We arrived at the restaurant at 8.20pm to be told that the table we had specifically booked was taken by another party who were just about to order and that we would have to sit somewhere else in the Restaurant. To add insult to injury we were told an oval table was ready for us - it was an oblong table with one rounded end. At no point during either of my visits to the Restaurant in regard to this booking was I told that I could not specify a certain Table. The manager, Christopher Puccini, could not have cared less about this and simply said that it was not possible to book a specific table due to "business needs" . His body language was passive aggressive and his verbal communication was all about Puccinis being a business and about another party - not linked in any way to our booking - having rung up at the last minute to reduce their numbers significantly. How this should have impacted on our booking we failed to see. We were faced with a fait au complet - at a restaurant to celebrate a hard-worked for Graduation were we really in the mood to find another venue? or should we accept what we were given but not what was booked? We decided to stay. The serving/restaurant staff were fantastic and the food lovely -we were given 2 complimentary garlic breads but the manager failed to understand that a celebration is not just about the food - its about the environment, sharing conversation, eye contact and also that his role is about managing customers expectations - that it expecting to sit at the table you had booked 6 weeks previously and confirmed the day before. I advised the Manager that I would be submitting reviews on social media and he was more concerned that he did not have the same right of redress - I would welcome his comments on my points here.

Fantastic lunch fresh sardines, the pasta dish prepared specially was perfect! We both loved the restaurant and the service was excellent thank you guys!!!!

Came here for the first time and it was fantastic, service was great, very friendly staff and not over attentive, good menu and specials menu, had scallops for starter which were better than San Carlo in mcr, then my girlfriend and I both had lovely pasta dishes for main, recommend the Neville penne, the desert was great.. Not a bad thing to say about the place, for 3 courses each and garlic bread with 2 large wines and coffees and water only came to £80.. Great value.. We will definitely return

We visited for the first time and probably the last! The restaurant was busy for a Wednesday evening so the service was average. The starters were over-priced and poorly presented ( two fish cakes and some salad leaves £ 9-50).The mains were average but side dishes eg chips and onions were over £ 3-00 each and cooked from frozen packet.The desserts well presented and tasty but again over-priced. If you want to eat at a "trendy place" and pay for average food at inflated prices this is the restaurant for you!

Came here for my mum's birthday, fantastic food - the BBQ ribs on the starter menu are amazing!! The food overall was great and the service topped the evening off as they also sang happy birthday and bought the cake out for us. Only downfall about the restaurant is the tables are very close together and feels a little cramped. However this didn't affect our night. Thank you for a lovely first time experience. Will definitely be back!!

Visited the restaurant for a family birthday. Relaxed atmosphere, good food, good service. Mentioned to the staff that we were there for a birthday and they brought out a profiterole with a candle and played 'happy birthday' over the speakers which was a great finish to the evening. Would recommend.

Friendly staff. Fabulous food. Was lovely and quiet with a romantic setting. Great service. We had a great night.

This restaurant makes remarkable food, and is one of the best pizza makers there are. Five-star food.Easy parking. Vibrant atmosphere.Always book a table.

Went for a meal on a Saturday evening. Restaurant was really busy, food was lovely and service was good. Only criticism was tables were very close together. Thought we would be able to hear conversations at the table next to us but you couldn't as back ground noise was so loud.

Never disappoints. Fantastic food. Professional, friendly staff.Menu is very comprehensive and has options for all tastes.Go there, you won't be disappointed

A full restaurant, midweek, in June, during the Euros speaks for itself, and there's no doubt that the food is good. It wasn't as 'wow' as I was expecting (having heard so much about this place over the years), and certainly the penne con salmone was a bit too creamy for my liking. The service was fine, although it was a touch on the slow side, and it was poor when they brought two of the starters several minutes after the others had arrived. By the time they went round offering up the Parmesan cheese, several of us were halfway though the starter. But the staff were generally friendly and affable. It's also nice to see a restaurant apparently doing so well despite being located in an unprepossessing run of ships in a fairly insalubrious area of town.

This is a well established and well loved Italian restaurant.Always serves prefect food.Fabulous staffHave visit for many years.The best Italian in the area

I've been to this restaurant numerous times and still love it. The food is always gorgeous (I usually have the penne Christopher made with steak and goats cheese in a tomato based sauce). The garlic bread with tomato is to die for! It's a real Italian family run business. The owner is always the with a little kiss on leaving. His twin sons are the head chef and head waiter I believe. Very friendly, relaxed place to have truly delicious food. I'll be back.

I can't find anything bad the say about Puccini's, it's all good.I dined here this week on a Thursday evening, we booked because it's usually always busy, the table was for 3 persons, we all had Bruschetta as a starter, very nice, tasted very fresh, my friend who was not dined here before had a Cannelloni which he said was the very best he has ever had, followed by a Pannacotta which he loved, my wife had a salmon dish, she loved it, and I had a Filleto Rossini it was amazing, incidentally I had the exact same meal a week earlier at an Italian restaurant in Walkden and it was nowhere near as good as this, I love Puccini's.If it's good enough for Sylvester Stallone then it's good enough for me!

My family visit quiet often when they took me I was amazing the staff are so friend always have a smile on the faces.. The food is lovely and very well presented

I really can't get enough of this place!! Lovely vibe, great food, brill prices. Deffo my go to place

We've been regulars at this fantastic restaurant for over 30 years.The food and service have remained exceptional throughout that time.Michael and his team are wonderful and we'll continue to eat there for as long as the venue exists.

Had a lovely night last night, food better than excellent, staff great, food prices brilliant although alcohol a little expensive, all in all a great night

first time for us but dined with regulars, 6 in total.bank holiday Sunday evening - busy but bearable. greeted by the staff like old friends....service was 1st class.my food was great , wife said her homemade creme brulle was bland - prices what you expect.I found the decor a bit dated - but I am being picky.would recommend and definitely return.

The restaurant and food is exceptional. The only negative thing (it's quite funny really) is at the end of the meal, you have to make a dash for the door when the waiters aren't looking. Because otherwise they pounce on the lady your with and snog her to death. I think they see it as saying good bye.

Having just read the reviews below I feel I must add my feelings. I have been going to this restaurant fo years, but will never return. Whenever I have been to other restaurants we have always been allowed to bring a birthday cake, some a made a cover charge some not. We were told we sell cake. As mentioned in a review below there was blue tin foil attached to one of my garlic mushrooms. This is actually dangerous, however when I told the waiter he merely shrugged. An apology would have been nice. When the scallops were sent back the staff were laughing behind the bar eating them!! The final humiliation was when the owner bange Baileys bottles on the table in front of my friend. Has he never heard of discretion?!Do they really want to lose customers?

Visited with 4 friends having booked a table for 8pm on a Saturday night. Loved the look of the place but all seemed a little frantic as the bar area was heaving. Our friends arrived 8.15 as rang to change booking during the week and time was confirmed. We sat down at 9pm with no question of who we were or whether we'd booked. Starters average including the waiter telling us we'd only ordered 1 garlic bread, mains (all pastas) were in the same tomato sauce (like a can of wishy washy tinned tomatoes). Service was unprofessional and appeared as if they were just going through the motions. Standard drinks order, nothing over the top and without any dessert or coffee, bill was £30 a head for a very ordinary meal. Won't be returning.

I have frequented this restaurant for many years ....back in the day I was 17 (now 47) it was just a little back Street Italian but the quality of the food has always been authentic and exceptional. I have watched the business grow and expand and get greedy! When did it stop putting comfort,quality and the customer first? Now turning tables at whatever cost is more important! This evening for example..4 adults 3 children....cost isn't an issue...I work very hard for my money as the majority of us do... so i have high expectations and dont appreciate being mugged! I also own and run my own business so I understand that customer satisfaction is paramount. Scallops.... £10.50 for a starter portion. ... overcooked rubbery gritty and grey...before I even tried them they were clearly overcooked and the aroma was beyond fishy!!!! Yes I'm aware it's seafood...but fresh fish doesn't smell so strong! I sent them back...my friend found a piece of blue tinfoil in her starter, it was mentioned to the staff but dismissed without a word...the rest of the meal was fine. The staff are very nice but we didn't get asked if we wanted dessert or coffee so I approached the desk...a waiter finally took our order. We added liqueurs to our coffees...I asked for a single baileys my friend a double....straight away I knew it wasn't baileys it was very pale and thin and so was the smell ...I brought it to the attention of the waiter who changed it...now I had baileys...my friends didn't get replaced she didn't drink it i spoke to the owner and said we weren't prepared to pay the £7 as it wasn't a Baileys...he did take it off the £250.00 bill but then sent a member of staff over with two bottles of Baileys in front of a full restaurant to prove it was the real McCoy. It didn't prove anything it was just humiliating and to be honest he protest too much...very apt on the day of shakespeares birth and death.... I will not be returning I hope he thinks it was worth it! I have my own business and my own audience and I will be sharing my experience with them....I left £260.00 in cash... I wonder whether the luvly staff will see a penny...I very much doubt it!

We didn't book but as it was a quite early, mid-week evening took a chance (heard it can be difficult to get a table) and found we were seated immediately. The service was very good, attentive and friendly but not overbearing. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was relaxed and enjoyable. It was the first time I had eaten here and look forward to further visits. I would not hesitate to recommend this restaurant but do make sure you book to be absolutely sure of a table especially at weekends. But most of all, enjoy the terrific food.

Well the food is that nice you just eat yourself silly and the staff are very friendly. A very popular restaurant the best in Swinton by far

The food was delicious and authentic, the atmosphere was wonderful, service was brilliant. It was a really lovely evening. First time here. Definitely go again but probably for special occasions only. Reason why I haven't given 5/5 is because I thought it was a little expensive for what you got. Apart from that it was a perfect evening. Recommend to everyone but be aware the prices are a little high.

The food is so good you eat yourself silly !!! Friendly staff and great service would recommend to everyone ...

I have visited Puccini's many times and this time was just like all of the others.. Exceptional. Truly exceptional. The food was delicious. The drinks were spot on & the service was impeccable. Spot on. Thank you!

I have been here a few times and enjoyed it so much I have recommended it to many people. The food is good and the staff normally very attentive. However my thoughts and feelings have changed after my last visit and I will not be going back again or recommending. We came for a birthday and brought a cake, as who doesn't love a traditional homemake cake and an embarrassing happy birthday song!? The staff took the cake off us and said no problem to bringing it out. They came out with the cake and all the staff sang happy birthday which was lovely.. then nothing. We sat for a while as normally plates etc are brought. Still nothing. So I asked a waitress very politely if we could have some plates and a knife. To which the response was 'No we sell our own deserts so you can't eat that here.' I was so embarrassed and upset for the birthday boy, his family had travelled up from London specially for birthday tea. I understand you need to make money but happiness of your clients should be priority. There were 10 of us, we had had two large courses and numerous bottles of wine - it was hardly a cheap visit. The way it was handled was dreadful and I was made to feel very stupid for questioning why you didn't allow this. We should have been told on arrival when the cake was taken off us. I don't normally write reviews on here as I know they can be damaging. However I have tried to contact you about this and I have been ignored so you haven't left me much choice. Look forward to hearing from you.

Ive been here twice and both times never been wowed by the food. I honestly believe its highly over rated. The staff were arguing last rime I went in. The food was nice but I honestly expected more. Its built up a good reputation with all the celebrities going in. But for me it ends there

This is my 100th review and how appropriate it's for our favourite restaurant, Puccini's, Swinton. We booked a table for four and arrived on time, 6.30pm and were escorted to our preferred table where we ordered a bottle of Prosecco as we were celebrating our friends birthday. After starters we ordered steaks, lamb shank and sea bass with various veg.and as always the meals were superbly cooked and well presented. The service was first class as was the selected wines. The restaurant was buzzing all night and as we take our time between courses we really enjoyed our visit particularly when the staff wished our friend happy birthday with a complimentary bottle of wine. We have been regular visitors for 12 years and always look forward to the next meal, so my thanks go to Michele Puccini and his wonderful staff. See you soon.

Wonderful food, great atmosphere, always well looked after, reasonably priced. We came for my daughters birthday and they make young and old feel welcome and always make a fuss. Will be back

Been numerous times and always enjoyed itNever had a mediocre meal yetMichael n chris friendly hostsAnd great staff tooYep pricy but never mind for good food

Booked a table for 8.15 on a Friday night after recommendations to eat here, but waited 10-15 minutes to get seated once inside. It was absolutely packed and had a very lively atmosphere - quite exciting, but actually a bit too noisy to easily have a conversation across the table.I had the broccoli soup to start. It had a good flavour, but was so rich and such a huge portion that I could only half finish it (I like a good sized portion, but this was unnecessary!)I then had the vegetarian pizza to follow. The dough tasted nice, but was overly thick. The cheese was a bit bland, as were the vegetables on top - not what I'd expect from an Italian pizzeria restaurant.I shared a 'Tartufo Limoncello' dessert - low quality ice cream, an excessively sweet and artificial red gloop (strawberry?) drizzle, and I suspect it might have actually been pre-made/ordered-in thing. Not great/There's a huge menu with lots of choice, which is a positive.Service was alright - friendly, but some confusions and a bit hectic.Considering the quality of my food, prices were a little high.

Ordered soup big mistake too salty no bead roll or butter my partner ordered stuffed peppers it was served in a black microwave dish with far to much sauce spilling out looked like a frozen Tesco lasagne service shocking told a waitress I had a chip in my glass she replied oh ok never changed it the mains came wow I ordered a steak looked like a tin of tomatoes chucked all over it my parters pizza had not taste he ordered a hot and spicy no tast what so ever disgusting avoid this place

Really enjoyed meal here with friends from work. Nice and busy, good atmosphere and lovely food- mixed starters, slag nil main and tiramisu for pud. Bit pricy but you get what you pay for and this turned out to be a good evening in a nice place. Would certainly return but I think only for special occasions as opposed to regular eat out. Than you.

Was very impressed on the first visit and decided to eat here again for an early Sunday evening meal. Service excellent as usual. Ordered the crayfish pasta and the seafood must have been off because that evening I started to feel dodgy and at bed time I was throwing up my meal!

The family loves to eat here for special occasions as the food is always very good no matter what you order the service is very good and the whole family atmosphere is great the price is a bit higher than other places but worth every penny.

Attended on mothers day and left disappointed.First we were led to a table which had been positioned/crammed next to another so our party of 6 suddenly turned into a party of 12.........It then took an hour for the meals to arrive,when they did they weren't of a great standard,two veal choices were fatty/grissly,a seabass dish was bland and not presented at all well and two pasta meals were bang average and not particularly flavoursome.This has always been a restaurant of high standards both in service and quality,and you pay a premium for such.......so,while I realise today was a particular busy Sunday,it still lefty plenty to be desired.....it had a conveyor belt feel and the food was a huge let down,when asked about the quality of my meal by a young waitress I explained my concerns to which I received no reply.A shame its lost its magic as I always recommended this establishment to others.....well,not anymore,im disappointed and I will not be returning.

It was my first time in Puccini and I definitely coming back. Food was great bigger portions than I expected and very nice and welcoming staff. Only think what distracted us was staff asking 3 times if we want any desserts. Otherwise whole experience was great and hoping to visit soon again .

We had a staff leaving party there with about 20 of us all with different tastes. As I hate garlic, and this restaurant uses plenty, I had asked in advance that all my dishes be cooked without garlic and which they were happy to do. Food was delicious, staff were attentive and polite. Lots of Manchester United memorabilia on show and the players eat there occasionally, especially Gary Neville.

My son booked Puccini's for his 21st Birthday Party with 13 of his friends tonight. Prior to them arriving at at the restaurant I rang them and explained that I wanted to bring a cake to the restaurant and it would be a surprise for him. We arranged that I would bring the cake in at 5.30 (his table was booked for 6.30). I dropped the cake off at 5.30 and confirmed that they would bring it out as a surprise once they had finished their main course!They forgot!!!!!!!!!!!!

My wife eats here with the girls around once every 3 months and they always enjoy it. The wine is a little on the pricey side but the food is very good.Fillet steak is a right old door wedge, they certainly don't scrimp on portion size.

Second visit and still excellent, we had a great time on our Valentine’s Day dinner with delicious, authentic and fresh food. Quite expensive but you get what you pay for. One of the best Italian restaurant I’ve eaten. Staff are professional and service is fast which I always like, especially when I’m hungry and the portions are generous which is a plus! The owner or manager is welcoming and friendly giving hugs, interacting with the customers and he gave a rose to my girlfriend when we left which I thought was very nice of him. I definitely recommend Puccini and can’t wait for our next visit soon!

We booked weeks in advance, waited half an hour to be seated. We waited 20 mins for our order to be taken. Our mains were terrible. I had a Lasagne I simply couldn't eat, it was an overdone pile of slop, the worse lasagne I have ever tasted. I was offered a sweet but it never came and my husband waited 15 mins for his only to be told they had ran out of what he had ordered. The staff were not at all concerned about the terrible meal experience despite reflecting our disappointment. We asked for the bill which came very promptly and we paid it begrudgingly. I will not eat here again and would never recommend it. They ruined my valentine evening.

This is our favourite Italian restaurant. I always go for fillet steak with garlic sauce and its the best steak ive ever had. My girlfriend normally has fish and it again is delicious. Always busy and the staff are always polite and cant do enough for you. Always go for birthday meals.

Firstly the food was very nice. When the main course arrived the waitress came around with the veg but ran out she got to me. I then had to wait nearly ten minutes before veg came. As the last folk of food entered my mouth my plate was taken. Pudding came and went quickly and we were asked if we would like coffee which we ordered. At this point we were told more than asked to take it in the bar area. The bar was completely packed and was standing room only. We cancelled the coffee, paid and left. A poor end to the evening. Have been before and everything was great but not this time, a real shame..

Out with my wife my brother and his wife. table booked for 8:00 pm.when we entered the restaurant it was packed and looked like we may have to find an alternative venue.To our surprise we were seated within 20 minutes.From then on everything was great,quick friendly waiting staff do a really great job.Food was excellent two of us trying the Neville and Giggs signature pastas.Not disappointed.If you are after a quiet romantic meal for two don't come here on a saturday night, the place is on the noisy side [ in a nice way].All in all good atmosphere,good food and all for a very reasonable price,Recommended.No on-site parking but free parking 2 minutes across the road

meal was lovely, staff nice, felt abit rushed with our meal. not a bad overall place to go for a quiet italian meal.

This is a nice family restaurant, food is always good, however can be very busy at certain times, which gives the place a good atmosphere, however I feel as though there is much space between tables, meaning you can hear other peoples conversations, I think they have put too many tables in which ruins this

My wife usually struggles to find starters but here the meni is large and there were half a dozen options foer her which was a pleasant rarity. he specials selection of starters and mains was also very large so you would have to be very fussy to not find something to your taste.They were late in seating us by about 20 minutes as we had booked for 8.15 on a Saturday but the place is so busy that dozens of customers had to wait around in the bar area to be seated.My advice is drink beer or water as the house pinot was absolutely awful. The specials wine list only had 4 options so this is certainly a weakness here. They did not even pour the first glass or offer the opportunity to taste, it was just plonked on the table which is pretty poor.The starters were fine and my main of Lemon Sole was very good. My wife's Filleto Rossini was fine but a bit over cooked, it was closer to well done than the medium she asked for but that is always a bit subjective of course.It took an eternity to order pudding and coffee, and sugar had to be asked for.Overall, not bad but I have been to better. ISIS in Swinton is far better as is San Giovani in Flixton if you live in the Manchester or Salford areas.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants I have ever eaten in. It has absolutely everything going for it food out of this world service is excellent and the atmosphere is superb all at great value for money overall world class.

Been here a couple of times now. Both times the meal were great. Not very big portions to look at but filled you up never the less. A little pricey I'd say for what we had but still good for a treat now and again. Can't fault the service at all. Morris ( a older gentleman) was professional and courteous and ever so hard working never stopped, put allot of young people to shame. Top job Morris!! So food was great, nice and hot, service awesome. Friday night so a little loud for me but enjoyed it never the less. 15 of us with 2 birthday celebrations. Will be back.

Have been going to Puccins since it was on Swinton Precinct many moons ago. It was where Halifax Building Society is. Never in all these years has the standard dropped. Went last night for a meal and it was superb. Michel the owner and his two sons always make you feel welcome. Staff are friendly and efficient. Food is second to none.

We haven't been to Puccini's for quite a long time but decided to have lunch with our friend there. Great choice! The staff were very welcoming, the lunchtime menu has plenty of choice but you can order from the other menu/specials etc. Two of us had pizzas & our friend had the carbonara, we had olives & garlic bread as starters. The restaurant was not crowded as it can get in the evening. We had a relaxing time, delicious desserts my sister said her tiramisu was to die for & our lemon meringues were lovely , all desserts were beautifully presented. We finished with lattes & decided there & then we will have to return!

We arrived first so sat in the bar area with a bottle of wine once everyone.was gathered we were shown to our table which they had allowed our grandaughter to go earlier and decorate with a balloon.and various other.trinkets we had our starters which.everyone enjoyed all ordering various one's. My husband and I had bowl of olive's and garlic bread with tomatoes we shared these onto main course which was delicious and then to top it off Tiramasu of course.The staff were very attentive to our every need even though it was busy surprisingly for a Tuesday evenng.There was another 3 birthday's in the Reataurant when each party had finished they played Happy Birthday and brought a cake if 1 had been taken to the Restaurant. would highly recommend this Restaurant.but recommend booking as it gets very busy

Second time I have visited Puccini's and the second time I have been more than happy. Food is excellent, service is excellent. I really can't recommend this venue enough for a special occasion, whatever it may be. Keep it up and you are guaranteed a customer for life!!

Love going to puccinis, always welcoming, food fantastic, great for a special occasion or just for tea, however sometimes the staff can be too over powering pouring your wine and not giving you enough time to relax. Can feel rushed.

After dining here 6 years ago for the first time, then again 2 years ago for our honeymoon, when deciding to come back for our 2nd anniversary we were nervous. After reading some more recent reviews, we feared we had built puccinis up too much and we were in to feel deflated. Absolutely not the case! Puccinis was everything we remembered and more! The service was slick and very professional. Chris has an amazing ability to suggest items on the menu without being forceful and everything he suggested was outstanding. The antipasti misto was amazing with fresh meats and the beef carpaccio my husband had was a delight. Using the freshest of fillet steak. Amazing!our main courses of veal and for myself the fillet with half a lobster thermidore; which at £33 was a lot of money but well bloody worth it! The service, wine, cocktails and food all make this place what it is. The decor of famous people on the walls might pull a lot of people in but for me it is the history on the walls, the pictures of staff and the different generations shown shows the fantastic atmosphere puccinis still has tk this day! Coming from Dumfries in Scotland just to go out for dinner may seem madness to some! But we cannot wait for our next anniversary to go again! Well done Chris and team!

Excellent food ! Always greeted and assisted to table like a lady . Food never fails to impress . A hidden gem tucked away in the corner is it any wonder why lots of A listers visit ??? What a credit to the centre of Swinton

This is a superb establishment with great food the drinks are a bit pricey but you don't mind as going heard is a treat not an every day occasion Staff are friendly enough

Excellent food, served by excellent staff. A very good menu to choose from and the table service was first class. Highly recommend a visit.

Whenever I go for a meal if it is a birthday celebration or a night out the service is excellent and the staff are so friendly. The meals are always brilliant , the choice is. Always difficult as there is such a lot on the menu. It doesn't matter what I choose it is always excellent.

Puccini's, living proof that you CAN fool MOST of the people MOST of the time!Its massive fan base ensures that good profits are enjoyed week after week, celebrating Grans birthdays, with 2 and 3 families (and if your brother says one more time that 'we didn't have a starter so I'll knock £20 off my share of the bill', I swear I'll knock him out) from within a conurbation of 5 or 6 miles. If it had ANY competition whatsoever, it would be a very different story but it hasn't and therefore continues with its very thin veneer of providing good service. With 25 different appetizers (which doesn't include the 9 starters or separate 'specials' appetizer menu), 14 pizzas, 24 pasta and rice dishes, 23 meat dishes and 8 fish dishes, there really is something for everyone. In attempting to provide over 103 different dishes, something has to suffer and it is definitely the quality of each dish that does suffer. My 'Filetto Al Dolce Latte', (cooked medium instead of medium rare), was tough and stringy and a sauce so 'thin', that the cheese sauce accompanying the cauliflower was far superior. Whilst on that note, the mass cooked vegetables of: roasted potatoes (tasteless), cauliflower cheese (al dente bordering on undercooked) and carrots (overcooked with too much sugar) would be more at home in a Motorway Service Station. The restaurant was full with people waiting for tables and there was not enough staff to cope with the number of diners. Service was poor, our orders were either miss heard by the waiter or misinterpreted by the kitchen. In either case 2 out of 4 starters were wrong and 1 out of 4 main dishes was wrong. With no desserts or wine, only 2 small beers plus waters and 2 of our party having Pizza and Pasta for main courses, the bill of £119 was excessive. 5 adults had eaten in Manchester City Center (less than 5 miles away) the previous evening (see separate review) and with 4 beers plus wine and water (and considerably better quality food) the bill had been less than this. I had used to frequent Puccini's quite regularly in the 90's and it was then good value and very good food. It has been well over 6 years since my last visit however and I will not be returning.

It is on the expensive side but food was lovely so it's worth it. It was very busy and the atmosphere in the restaurant was good. The staff were attentive and very friendly. The menu is very extensive and we felt less choice wouldn't be a bad thing. Would definitely go back as it was a very enjoyable evening.

I went here just before Christmas. This was our 3rd visit & can tell the same old story. You do get a warm welcome & attentive service from who I believe is the owner but after that it goes downhill. The food is average to say the least. We shared a wafer thin garlic bread with no flavour & a wafer thin tomato garlic bread that was really tasty. For me this was followed by a rubbery chicken stuffed with garlic & parsley. I didn't bother with a dessert. Generally the serving staff are poor & the drinks overpriced. It was my last visit for sure as nothing has improved to change my opinion. This is one of those weird places that are always really busy but does nothing great to explain why it is so popular. If you have been to a good Italian you will be very disappointed.

Very disappointed with this restaurant as the food was average but very overpriced, have had better food in a 241 pub deal, the steak was fatty and rubbery, vegetables cold and all served out of sync due to the terrible service from staff who did not know what they were doing.Also, £6.50 for a bottle of Kopperberg......extortionate.

The pizza was like Italy's pizzas the service was excellent and a lot of celebrities have been there and they have frames with football tops in

This is one of the best restaurants that I have been to in a very long time.Went with colleagues for a Christmas lunch. From walking through the entrance,the staff were lovely and very welcoming. The restaurant was very busy,but even so was absolutely fantastic. The menu and specials menu were superb and the food itself was the best food that I have had in a long time.Can't wait to go again.

Well tonight we had a table for 4 booked, we had to return a meal as the steak was inedible! The service was poor, no sooner had you finished a drink the staff cleared your glass ... Even though the rest of the group were still drinking and chatting. At the end of the main course we were not offered the desert menus ! When we raised this with the manager we were told we should have asked !!! Out of 10 - no more that. 4 disappointing