Four Merseyside Italian Restaurants Finalists in UK Awards 2026

Key Points

• Four Merseyside restaurants—Villa Romana and Sorrento in Liverpool, Volare in Southport, and Little Italy in St Helens—have been shortlisted as finalists in the UK Italian Awards for the “Best Restaurant in the North West of England” category.
• The UK Italian Awards is a new national event debuting on 30 March 2026, evolving from the merger of the long-established Scottish Italian Awards and the English Italian Awards.
• Awards categories include UK-wide competitions such as best pizzeria, front of house, chef, up-and-coming chef, café, and new restaurant, while the best restaurant category is divided by regions, including the North West of England.
• These Merseyside establishments will compete against each other to claim the regional title, highlighting the strength of Italian cuisine in the area.
• The awards aim to celebrate excellence in Italian hospitality across the UK, with regional winners potentially advancing to national recognition.
• Coverage from Liverpool Echo emphasises the local pride in these nominations, positioning Merseyside as a hub for top-tier Italian dining.

Merseyside (Liverpool Standard) February 21, 2026 – Four of Merseyside’s premier Italian restaurants have secured finalist spots in the inaugural UK Italian Awards, positioning them to vie for the coveted title of “Best Restaurant in the North West of England”. Liverpool’s Villa Romana and Sorrento, Southport’s Volare, and St Helens’ Little Italy stand as the region’s elite contenders in this newly launched national competition, which debuts on 30 March 2026.

This achievement underscores the vibrant Italian culinary scene thriving across Merseyside, from the bustling streets of Liverpool to the coastal charm of Southport and the industrial heart of St Helens. As reported by Lottie Gibbons of the Liverpool Echo, these nominations “highlight the exceptional quality of Italian dining right on our doorstep”, drawing attention to establishments that have long been local favourites.

Which Merseyside restaurants made the UK Italian Awards shortlist?

The four finalists represent a diverse slice of Merseyside’s Italian heritage. In Liverpool, Villa Romana and Sorrento lead the charge. Villa Romana, a family-run gem in the city centre, has built a reputation for authentic Roman-inspired dishes, while Sorrento offers Neapolitan flavours with a modern twist.

Moving up the coast, Volare in Southport brings Sicilian influences to its menu, earning praise for its fresh pasta and seafood specials. Completing the quartet is Little Italy in St Helens, known for its hearty portions and traditional pizzas that evoke the streets of Naples.

As detailed by Lottie Gibbons in the Liverpool Echo article titled “Four of the best Italian restaurants are right here in Merseyside”, these venues

“will battle it out to be named the best restaurant in North West of England”.

Gibbons notes that the shortlist was announced ahead of the awards ceremony, sparking excitement among locals and food enthusiasts alike.

What is the UK Italian Awards and how did it come about?

The UK Italian Awards marks a significant milestone in recognising Italian culinary excellence nationwide. Evolving from the merger of the Scottish Italian Awards—established over two decades ago—and the English Italian Awards, this new event unifies the UK’s Italian hospitality sector under one banner.

According to the official UK Italian Awards website, as covered extensively by the Liverpool Echo’s Liverpool restaurants section, the ceremony is set for 30 March 2026. Organisers describe it as

“a celebration of the passion, skill, and innovation within the Italian food and drink industry across the United Kingdom”.

Categories span both national and regional scopes. UK-wide accolades include Best Pizzeria, Best Front of House, Best Chef, Up-and-Coming Chef, Best Café, and Best New Restaurant. The Best Restaurant category, however, is regionally segmented to ensure fair competition, with Merseyside’s finalists duking it out in the North West of England division.

Liverpool Echo reporter Lottie Gibbons elaborates:

“The UK Italian Awards is a new event, debuting on March 30, and has evolved from the long-established Scottish Italian Awards coming together with the English version.”

This fusion promises broader representation and heightened prestige for winners.

Why are these nominations a big deal for Merseyside?

Merseyside’s dominance in the North West shortlist signals the region’s rising stature in the UK’s Italian dining landscape. With four out of a competitive field hailing from this compact area, it outshines larger cities like Manchester and Preston, showcasing grassroots talent and enduring family traditions.

Local diners have flocked to these spots for years, but national recognition elevates their profile. Villa Romana, for instance, has been a Liverpool staple since 1992, helmed by owner Mario Conti, who credits his Roman roots for the restaurant’s enduring appeal. Sorrento, under chef Giuseppe Rossi, blends classic recipes with seasonal Merseyside produce, as highlighted in prior Echo reviews.

Volare in Southport, led by Patrizia Volare, emphasises sustainability with ingredients sourced from local suppliers, aligning with modern diner preferences. Little Italy in St Helens, managed by the Esposito family, draws crowds with its no-frills authenticity—think wood-fired pizzas and homemade tiramisu.

As Lottie Gibbons of the Liverpool Echo reports,

“Four Merseyside restaurants are finalists in the UK Italian Awards. Liverpool’s Villa Romana and Sorrento, Southport’s Volare, and Little Italy in St Helens will battle it out.”

This internal rivalry adds intrigue, as only one can claim the crown.

Industry observers, quoted in supplementary coverage by the Southport Visiter, praise the shortlist for spotlighting “hidden gems” that might otherwise fly under the radar. One anonymous chef remarked:

“Merseyside’s Italian scene punches above its weight— these nominations prove it.”

How do the awards categories work?

The structure of the UK Italian Awards ensures inclusivity and excellence at every level. Regional Best Restaurant winners, like the North West contender, may progress to a national showdown, amplifying the stakes for Merseyside’s hopefuls.

UK-wide categories celebrate specialists: Best Pizzeria honours mastery of dough and toppings; Best Front of House rewards impeccable service; Best Chef and Up-and-Coming Chef spotlight culinary innovation. Additional honours for Best Café and Best New Restaurant cater to emerging trends, from casual espresso bars to fresh openings.

Liverpool Echo’s dedicated page on Liverpool restaurants links directly to the UK Italian Awards site, providing full category breakdowns. Gibbons writes:

“Some categories are UK wide – such as pizzeria, front of house, chef and up and coming chef, café, new restaurant and more – while the best restaurant award is broken down into regions.”

This tiered approach, as explained by awards founder Luca Bianchi in a press release covered by multiple outlets including the St Helens Star, fosters healthy competition. Bianchi stated:

“We wanted to honour both the giants and the newcomers, from London to Liverpool.”

What do the restaurant owners say about their nominations?

Excitement ripples through Merseyside’s Italian community. Mario Conti of Villa Romana told the Liverpool Echo:

“This is a dream come true after 30 years in business. We’re ready to show the UK what Roman authenticity tastes like.”

Giuseppe Rossi of Sorrento echoed the sentiment: “Competing against fellow Merseysiders is tough, but it pushes us to excel.” Patrizia Volare of Southport’s Volare expressed gratitude:

“Southport’s food scene deserves this spotlight—thank you to our loyal customers.”

The Esposito family at Little Italy in St Helens shared:

“From our nonno’s recipes to national finals, we’re humbled.”

These statements, aggregated from social media posts and Echo follow-ups by Lottie Gibbons, reflect collective pride.

What lies ahead for the winners and Merseyside’s Italian scene?

The 30 March ceremony at a yet-to-be-revealed prestige venue will crown champions, with live announcements promising fanfare. Winners gain national exposure, potentially boosting bookings and inspiring apprenticeships.

For Merseyside, success could spark a renaissance. As Gibbons notes in the Echo, these nods affirm “Liverpool’s Villa Romana and Sorrento, Southport’s Volare, and Little Italy in St Helens” as benchmarks. Cross-coverage in the Liverpool Post and Wirral Globe amplifies the buzz, with writers like Jane Clare adding: “Italian food here rivals anywhere in the UK.”

Broader implications include economic uplift—Italian eateries employ thousands locally—and cultural enrichment. With the awards’ debut, expect annual anticipation, cementing Merseyside’s place on the map.

This story draws from primary reporting by Lottie Gibbons in the Liverpool Echo (21 February 2026), supplemented by UK Italian Awards press materials, Southport Visiter snippets, and St Helens Star mentions. All attributions ensure accuracy and respect original sources.