Long overdue review I have been eating here before it was Manuel's and when they changed management they did not change the quality of their food. This is our family restaurant and we're made to feel like it. We spend birthdays as well as casual occasions here as the quality never stumbles. The staff strive for excellence, they also have live bands on Sundays or special days. I can't thank them enough for their consistency.
If you like seafood you are in for a treat. I particularly enjoy the scallops but there is nothing on the menu that I haven't tried and all the dishes are tasty and well thought out.
The lobster Linguine is also another favourite of mine.
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Manuel's Restaurant: Where Culinary Excellence Meets Heartfelt Hospitality :)
Manuel's Restaurant is an absolute gem! My family have made it our go-to spot for unforgettable dining experiences. The attention to detail in every dish is truly remarkable, as you can see in the photos. One of our favourite traditions at Manuel's is the Sunday roast, where Roberto masterfully carves our meat right at our table. As well as Manuel’s personal greeting, which adds a special touch to each visit, making us feel like part of the family. As well as Manuel, the incredible chef, Roberto, is a true gem. His service is impeccable, and he consistently goes above and beyond to ensure our dining experience is exceptional. We've dined here for over a decade, and it's not just the food that keeps us coming back — it's the warm, welcoming atmosphere and the incredible staff, and the personal touch from Manuel himself. I wholeheartedly recommend Manuel's to anyone visiting London. It's a culinary treasure you don't want to miss. The consistency in quality is truly remarkable. It's Manuel's love for his craft that sets his restaurant apart and makes every dining experience extraordinary. One particular instance left an indelible mark on our hearts. On a previous visit, I was craving Tiramisu for dessert, only to be told they had run out due to a busy service. But then, just when we thought our night couldn't get any better, they surprised us with the news that Manuel was crafting a fresh Tiramisu specially for us. Such dedication to exceptional service is a rare find. And as if to cap off our already fantastic experiences, they never fail to graciously treated us to complementary limoncello shots. Manuel's Restaurant is more than just a place to eat; it's a place where you're cared for, where every meal is a delight, and where memories are made. If you haven't been yet, you're truly missing out on something extraordinary
Will be coming back here again, food gorgeous, mussels as starters so tasty and so big. Lamb chops for mains was tender juicy and I'll be back for more.
Entertaining Elvis impersonator on the night.
Staff was so friendly it felt like home.
I highly very highly recommend this establishment!!
Its lovely to have discovered this local gem of great Italian restaurant. My seafood risotto has clam, mussels, prawn, scallop, it tastes delicious. The tiramisu is smooth and beautiful too. I am here for the live opera and I am not disappointed! The singers tonight have powerful voices and deliver a pitch perfect performance! I counted myself lucky being in the audience of a high standard operatic singing. One of the customers told me the singer was on TV, he went back to his other profession working as a doctor in NHS ,helping the COVID patients during the pandemic. His act of kindness is as great as his voice !
Friendly, attentive and personable staff. Food was delicious- highly recommend the scallops. Red wine was authentic and portion sizes of food are generous. Looking forward to returning!
We have just moved to Gipsy Hill and decided to book for dinner and jazz tonight.
Delightful friendly and professional service. Superb authentic Italian food served with love and generous portions.
We were lucky to get a table outside on such a hot day.
Thoroughly recommended 10/10
Booked the ABBA tribute night with a group of friends and it was honestly one of the most fun evenings ever. The staff are super friendly and attentive, the food was delicious, and the atmosphere and entertainment was brill. Good vibes all round and cannot wait to go back!
One of the best Italian restaurants in Southeast London. Great food, amazing service, very personal and never rushed. My favourites include the Lobster linguini and Ravioli with Crab and Lobster. Seafood is always fresh! A hidden gem worth discovering!
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We visited Manuel’s restaurant for a special occasion yesterday night.
The place is very nice, we sat outside and booked ahead of time.
Food was outstanding, and the only reason why I am not giving 5 to this local gem, is because if food was 5 out of 5, service we received was very poor yesterday (I would give service 2 out of 5).
We waited 1.5 hours for our mains, as our order got lost and we got to eat at 10pm, one hour plus after receiving our starters. When eventually one waiter came to ask us what we were waiting for (as they wrapping up at that point) we very surprised and we told him we were waiting for the mains. Waiter left and never came back with information about how long that would take or what happened (as it was clear by then, that our mains were not being cooked after all that time). He pretty much avoided eye contact and stayed at the end of restaurant chatting with other staff.
After waiting some more and as we are now ready to leave, another waiter comes to ask what we were waiting for, at which point we ask for the bill.
Soon after that, the chef and co-owner came to speak to us and he was very apologetic, explaining that for yesterday night in particular they did not use their usual experienced staff as they were on leave. This would explain also why other little things were a bit odd yesterday (considering the high review this place has and the mention of great customer service) such as when we sat, we waited for a menu for nearly 10 min, and we had to ask for one at the end. Or why we got asked us if we wanted butter but then never received it or why they let us order the specials and only told us after a while that they run out. Also a very confused young waiter was walking with plates and drink back and forward, trying to understand where they needed to go. Restaurant was not busy either.
Chef very kindly waived cost of both mains, and we got our food not long after. Food was again excellent, however at that point, we were not much hungry anymore and wine was finished after the long wait, which meant we did not enjoy them as much as we could have.
We will definitely come back because the food was truly incredible, fresh and so tasty. We had the scallops (capesante), king prawns, the lobster linguine and the seafood risotto with a bottle of Very cold Pinot Grigio.
Chef/Co-owner was very honest in his explanation and it was clear that we have just been unlucky with the night. Offering the two plates free of charge was also very kind and we truly appreciated that. Lovely Italian waitress too, from my hometown.
Hope to come back soon
We went on a dining and dancing ABBA night, It was packed and very lively. Great if you love ABBA music and happy to join in. Service was slow but food was delicious when it came. I had sea bass. You can ask for it to be filleted which another guest did. House white was light and went perfectly with the fish
I visited Manuel for dinner on mother day. It is a comfortable place with good quality of food and services. The atmosphere is warm with a smiling faces from the managers and waiters.
It is a good place for both casual and formal dinner.
First time in Manuel's and I have to say that I enjoyed every single bite of my dinner. Considering the quality of the food and service, the price is reasonable. Ideal for those who want a romantic Italian/Mediterranean night out.
A group of us went to Manuel's for an ABBA night. It was incredible. The staff were lovely, service excellent, food very good, and the atmosphere was top notch. Would highly recommend.
Great Sunday roast, I will be coming back for the beef! Very tasty 😍
Had an absolutely wonderful evening celebrating my daughters birthday. Everything was perfect. They had a Tina Turner and Motown tribute. Thank you ladies for singing happy birthday. The food was outstanding. It’s the only resturant I’ve been to were the whole resturant we’re dancing by the end of the evening. We will be back soon. X
The food was fresh and delicious. Every dish was immaculate. Spacious tables and chairs, great welcoming service and an authentic atmosphere.
A piece of Italy in London. If you want to enjoy good quality food and good portions this is your place. With live music and super nice staff and an atmosphere that makes you leave London and be in Italy. I will definitely be back. Thanks to Enrico our Sardinian waiter! A 100% success
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