Cibus
Greater Manchester, Levenshulme - Italian - Restaurant - ££
Popular and super-friendly neighbourhood trattoria
Levenshulme’s Stockport Road is a notoriously crammed highway flanked by a string of kebab shops, curry houses, takeaways and discount warehouses. Cibus sits modestly in the midst of this hustle and bustle, grown from a market stall to a consistently popular neighbourhood restaurant. Indeed, when you enter you could almost be in the Italian tratt of your dreams – one where you are 'made to feel like an old friend when you walk in'. During the pandemic, Cibus delivered pizzas to the housebound and that service continues: 'it has transformed the food scene in Levenshulme,' noted one fiercely loyal follower. At first glance, the menu might seem like a roll call of trattoria standards, but it also features regularly refreshed regional specialities, coupled with a level of cooking, sourcing and service that would shame many a fancier joint. Alongside top-class Italian ingredients, the owners support local suppliers, and can regularly be seen shopping in the nearby market. ...
Levenshulme’s Stockport Road is a notoriously crammed highway flanked by a string of kebab shops, curry houses, takeaways and discount warehouses. Cibus sits modestly in the midst of this hustle and bustle, grown from a market stall to a consistently popular neighbourhood restaurant. Indeed, when you enter you could almost be in the Italian tratt of your dreams – one where you are 'made to feel like an old friend when you walk in'. During the pandemic, Cibus delivered pizzas to the housebound and that service continues: 'it has transformed the food scene in Levenshulme,' noted one fiercely loyal follower.
At first glance, the menu might seem like a roll call of trattoria standards, but it also features regularly refreshed regional specialities, coupled with a level of cooking, sourcing and service that would shame many a fancier joint. Alongside top-class Italian ingredients, the owners support local suppliers, and can regularly be seen shopping in the nearby market. Their approach is flexible. You can pop in for a glass of wine and some cicchetti (perhaps masterly zucchini fritti, bagna cauda or clams with fregola) or settle down for a more substantial multi-course meal.
The mainstays of the menu are the well-flavoured, crispy sourdough pizzas (‘the best in Manchester’), and interesting pasta dishes – homemade pappardelle with duck ragù, for example. In addition, there's always a meat dish of the week (exceptionally delicious fennel meatballs with peas and guanciale on our visit), as well as a catch of the day. To finish, check out the salted doughnuts fashioned from little parcels of pizza dough.
Cocktails and digestifs have an Italian accent, likewise the well-chosen craft beers and wine list. When the handsome bartender winks and says ‘ciao, bella’, it's tempting to start checking out local house prices.
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E Counsell
20 May 2024
You are made to feel like an old friend when you walk in, whether it is your first time there or you’re a regular. The food is seasonal, delicious and always freshly prepared.
VENUE DETAILS
847-849 Stockport Road
Levenshulme
Greater Manchester
M19 3PW
0161 278 6304
OTHER INFORMATION
Private dining room, Counter seating, Outdoor dining, Wheelchair access, Family friendly