Tucked away in a small alleyway, this charming spot immediately sets the tone for a heartfelt Sicilian experience. From the welcoming service to the authentic dishes, it delivered a genuine sense of Italian warmth right from the start.
The cosy atmosphere inside Sicilian NQ provided the perfect relaxing setting for a meal, however the small number of tables also means that booking is definitely recommended.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
Our waitress, Serena, kindly recommended a beautiful organic Sicilian Syrah — smooth, balanced, and the perfect introduction to the meal ahead. Her suggestion came with clear knowledge and quiet confidence, setting the tone for a service that felt both attentive and genuinely informed.
To start we were able to sample the ‘Sicilian Street Food Board’ which provided a plentiful offering of some of the most sumptuous Sicilian food we have encountered in Manchester.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
The clear standouts for us were the caponata and the aubergine parmigiana which we would absolutely recommend. The selection beautifully captured the signature agrodolce balance of Sicilian cooking, where sweet, rich tomato-based dishes are perfectly offset by the gentle acidity of olives and eggplant. Each item had its own harmonious mix of textures, with every ingredient given room to shine.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
To accompany this, we had the garlic focaccia topped with melted mozzarella — a dish we devoured down to the very last crumb. Its airy, pillowy interior and crisp outer crust made it irresistible, and the perfect companion for soaking up every remaining trace of sauce.
After demolishing our starters, we were eagerly anticipating the mains. The extensive menu features many pistachio themed dishes — a trendy ingredient which can often struggle to live up to the acclaim. However, every dish we tried was exceptional, and the pistachio elements were thoughtfully balanced, enhancing rather than overpowering the flavours.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
Our first pasta dish, Montalbano Ate Your Heart, was comprised of hearty raviolis filled with sheep ricotta and spinach immersed in a creamy pistachio sauce. The ravioli was perfectly cooked to hold the structure of the filling and not collapse under the sauce. However it was the pistachio sauce that truly set this dish apart; the rich, nutty flavour paired perfectly with the pasta and left us scraping the plate for every last morsel.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
The Tagliatelle with Truffle and Portobello was another standout. The pasta was cooked to perfection, holding every bit of the sauce beautifully, and the portobello mushrooms were generous in both size and texture, never skimped on. Truffle, another challenging ingredient to balance, delicately enhanced the flavour of the dish and whilst the sauce may have been slightly on the thick side, this was still a great plate of food.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
We were also able to sample the Spaghetti al Ragù Siciliano — a vegetarian interpretation of the classic ragù. It didn’t fully meet the expectation of a deep, hearty, emulsified sauce and instead, leaned more toward a lighter tomato base with notably sweet undertones. While it lacked the richness traditionally associated with ragù, it was by no means an unpleasant dish — simply a gentler, less robust rendition than anticipated.
As our meal drew to a close, we were offered a shot of their espresso as a digestivo — a much-needed pick-me-up, especially with dessert still to come. Moments later, we were presented with a trio of beautifully crafted cannolicchi (the smaller, finger sized versions of cannoli) which were entirely vegan.
Credit: Ruby Filleul @ The Mancunion
These plant-based versions easily held their own against the traditional. The pistachio filling was light and not overly sweet, the chocolate rich and indulgent, and the cream smooth and satisfying. The pastry shells were far more solid than we were expecting, but still provided an excellent bite which had us devouring every crumb.
Just as we were ready to slip into a pleasant food coma, our waitress enthusiastically encouraged us to try their house pistachio gelato — freshly made that morning and as airy and silky as one could hope for. Dessert after dinner is an easy yes, but dessert after dessert proved to be just as irresistible. We found ourselves happily finishing the entire tub, a testament to just how exceptional it was.
Chef Miguel and waitress Serena delivered not only warm and attentive hospitality, but an experience that exemplifies what every restaurant should aspire to provide — genuine care, thoughtful presentation, and a meal that lingers in both memory and palate.
Whilst the prices may not make this a daily spot for students, we would absolutely recommend Sicilian NQ for a Christmas splurge on an undoubtedly special experience which marks true star amongst Manchester’s dining scene.
You can find their website here.
Dining and Cooking