Manzi's

The Wolseley Hospitality Group has breathed new life into seafood stalwart Manzi’s which, despite closing in 2006, had a decent innings with just under 90 years in business. This rekindled iteration is a pristine, stylish and comically quirky riff on the original, where fresh fish and seafood dishes abound from morning to dusk.

Its location down a rather unexciting alleyway just off Greek Street belies the level of beauty behind its grey walls. We visit a mere three weeks after opening, the whiff of fresh paint and newness still heavy in the air. Its spell-binding dining room is awash with nautical splendour, from blue leather booths to gingham fabrics and a beautiful cocktail bar that runs the length of the room. It’s a large space, but the room quickly fills up throughout the evening.

The world is your oyster when it comes to the food menu, which includes an expansive selection of sandwiches, platters, crustaceans, raw dishes, starters, mains and specialities. We venture off piste with a starter from the sandwiches section, a mightily delicious lobster roll featuring soft chunks of dressed lobster and crunchy radishes packed inside a soft sub, although it’s a steep bet at £27.50. Flecks of signature Wolseley drama shine through from time to time. A starter of dressed Dorset crab is served in an antiquey, crab-shaped piece of silverware, while desserts are large and fabulously kitsch, including a ‘grande’ Knickerbocker Glory finished with chocolate shards, whipped cream and strawberry sauce. A classic take on lobster thermidor, we felt, lacked a little in flavour, but crunchy, heavily salted fries for dunking in the rich sauce brought the dish back to life.

Dining at Manzi’s is not without its fun, and although it is certainly a luxurious addition to Soho’s dining scene, is just as suited for fancy family outings as it is a relaxed business lunch or dinner.

Occupying a massive space in bustling Soho, Manzi’s is a seafood restaurant, sitting towards the casual end of the Wolseley Hospitality Group's restaurant spectrum. Unlike some of the pair’s other former projects (such as high-end The Wolseley), Manzi’s offers a fun and affordable vibe, similar to that of Brasserie Zédel.  

If you’re wondering where the name comes from, it’s a bit of an in-joke with diners who have long been exploring London’s restaurant scene. Manzi’s was a long-standing fish restaurant in central London which shut its doors in 2012. The restaurant spreads itself across two floors and runs the full length of Soho's Bateman's Buildings, boasting a huge dining room as well as an expansive terrace. The dining room also boasts windows on both sides (a rarity in Soho), guaranteeing plenty of natural light. While the interiors channel a nautical theme, albeit with plenty of glamour, with a blue colour scheme, leather booth seats, a beautiful cocktail bar and glossy marble-topped tables. 

Like its namesake, Manzi’s food menu specialises in seafood with a wide range of crustacea and fish on offer. Expect classic dishes and creative twists, from smoked haddock souffle Suisse to a New York shrimp burger. The all-day menu is divided into various sections, including sandwiches, crustaceans, starters, raw and cured options, mains, moules and specialities. Signature dishes include a monkfish Wellington with sauce Americaine, moules mariniere classique, and dressed Dorset crab with brown crab mayonnaise. A small selection of meat dishes are also available. 

To drink, the cocktail list encompasses a range of Mediterranean-inspired creations, while the extensive wine list showcases esteemed producers from across the globe. 

The restaurant seats 241 diners across two floors, as well as an additional 44 covers outside on the terrace. There is a ground-floor bar and dining room, while another more formal dining room can be found upstairs.