Cafe Italia and Tesoro Pizzeria in final of Italian Awards

Café Italia and Tesoro Pizza Napoletana have both been announced as finalists in the Best Restaurant (North West) category at the UK Italian Awards 2026.

They will compete against other top venues from across the region, with the winners set to be revealed at a gala final at the London Marriott Grosvenor Hotel on March 30.

Tesoro Pizza Napoletana, a family-run restaurant based on New Hall Lane in Heaton, specialises in authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Joe Whittaker and Peter Lancaster from Tesoro (Image: Newsquest)

The business says it has focused on quality over quantity since opening, using high-quality ingredients sourced from local suppliers alongside authentic Italian cheeses and cured meats.

Some of the produce used in the restaurant is also available to buy at its neighbouring deli, Provisions by Tesoro.

The restaurant also highlights the traditional approach taken by its team, with pizzas prepared by hand and baked in a traditional Neapolitan oven, visible to diners from the dining room.

Café Italia, which was established in 2014, is owned by Vito Cammarota, who trained as a chef in his native Italy before moving to the UK.

Mr Cammarota, who is originally from Naples, moved to England 17 years ago at the age of 18. After working in a number of Italian restaurants across Bolton, he took ownership of Café Italia in 2017.

Bruschetta from Café Italia (Image: NQ)

He told The Bolton News: “We’ve been going for at least seven years now and we actually won in 2020.

“It’s across the whole of the UK, so it’s a good competition to be a finalist in.

“It would be a great achievement to win, as it shows the hard work we’re putting in.

“We’d like to thank all of our customers because it means they appreciate what we’re doing.

“Hopefully it will be a good night.”

The UK Italian Awards 2026 celebrate Italian cuisine and businesses across the country, with categories including Best Chef, Best Pizza and Best Mixologist.

Regional awards aim to recognise talent nationwide, while London-specific categories are judged by an expert panel including several celebrity chefs.

Both Bolton restaurants will be hoping to bring the title back to the town and further highlight its thriving Italian food scene.