San Pietro has been named Best Restaurant in the Midlands at The Italian Awards 2026, taking home the title at a glittering ceremony held on Monday (March 30th) at the Marriott Grosvenor Hotel in Mayfair, London.
The win, which was announced in the company of special guest Carol Vorderman and Vito Coppola, recognises more than two decades of dedication to authentic Italian and Sicilian hospitality, heritage-led cooking, and a commitment to quality ingredients, as well as the loyalty of the local community that has supported San Pietro for twenty-two years.
Michelle Catalano, co-owner of San Pietro, said: “We are bursting with pride following our win as Best Restaurant in the Midlands at The 2026 Italian Awards. What an honour this is for us – with so many amazing restaurants and celebrities in the room, I cannot put into words the emotion we felt on hearing San Pietro being called up as the winners of this competitive category. To receive this industry recognition for the dedication of our hardworking team and our fabulous, loyal customers is a dream come true.
“Twenty-two years of passion, hard work, and belief in all that we do, and everything that our wonderful team puts their name to, feels as though it has been paid back in abundance. Twenty-two years of sharing and celebrating life’s special moments with our wonderful customers in true Italian style – showcasing Italian ingredients, authenticity and heritage. It has been our honour, and we are so grateful to share this award with you all.”
San Pietro’s award win marks a proud milestone for the team and a moment of celebration for customers, who have made the restaurant a go-to destination for special occasions and everyday dining alike. Judged by independent judge ‘diners’, not just votes, this was an incredibly competitive region in terms of finalists. Which saw San Pietro shortlisted alongside some of the region’s most highly-regarded foodie hot-spots:
● A Tavola Gastronomia Siciliana, New Mills, High Peak
● Amalfi Blu Italian Restaurant, West Bromwich, West Midlands
● Lucarelli – West Bromwich, West Bromwich, West Midlands
● Lucarelli – Mailbox, Mailbox, Birmingham
● Osteria v2.0, Shrewsbury, Shropshire
● Radici Restaurant, Shifnal, Shropshire
● San Pietro Restaurant, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire
● Sicily Restaurant, Chesterfield, Derbyshire
● The Carpenters Arms Italian Kitchen, Walesby, Nottinghamshire
● The Italian Connection II, Sleaford, Lincolnshire
● Timo, Stoneygate, Leicester
● Casa Nostra Restaurant, Market Harborough, Leicestershire
The Italian Awards celebrate excellence across the UK’s Italian dining scene, recognising restaurants that demonstrate outstanding food, service, atmosphere and cultural authenticity. The 2026 awards brought together leading figures from hospitality and entertainment for an evening spotlighting the very best of Italian restaurants across the country.