Croma Restaurant Review – Celebrating 20 Years

If you checked out what we did over the latest half term, you may have noticed that we managed to fit in a Croma restaurant review whilst on a trip to Manchester city centre. It was somewhat nostalgic as Croma in Manchester is based on the corner of where my college was based and was a regular haunt for my friends and I.

Liv and I went along on the review to help in celebrating Croma’s 20th birthday – highlighting how old I am, as I celebrated my 18th birthday there only months after it first opened! A true gem in Manchester’s crown, read on to find out why you need to visit!

Croma Restaurant Manchester

Croma Restaurant Review

Based on Clarence Street opposite Albert Square, the original Croma restaurant was founded in 2000. Since then it has branched out with further restaurants based in Prestwich, Chorlton and Didsbury.

Serving absolutely delicious Italian cuisine, covering mouthwatering pizzas, fresh salads, pasta bakes and more, if you are looking for a chilled out dining experience in a bustling city, this is the place to go!

Croma restaurant in Manchester City Centre

The restaurant has a fantastic vibe – contemporary, light and airy but also with an intimate feel to it. We dined at lunchtime and despite the restaurant being busy with diners enjoying a hearty lunch, we didn’t feel crammed nor rushed.

Our table in Croma

Pizzeria in Manchester City Centre

The restaurant is perfectly positioned for city centre workers, those exploring the city on a shopping trip, for celebration meals or a meal out with family or friends. Most importantly it is totally family friendly!

Children are offered a kids pack upon being seated, with crayons and puzzles that will keep them entertained. This is alongside a fantastic 3 course child’s menu. Liv decided that she was quite hungry after our long session of finding climbing shoes, so plumped to eat off the main menu.

If you would like to relax and enjoy a drink with your meal, there is a well stocked bar serving alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages.

What we ate at Croma Pizzeria Manchester

Croma Restaurant Starters

Garlic bread from Croma restaurant Manchester

Garlic Bread – £3.25 – optional toppings extra

Was the garlic bread as amazing as I remembered? Oh yes it was! The uniquely shaped garlic bread, almost hand shaped was as fresh and tasty as I recall and the perfect starter. I ordered mine with topped mozzarella (£3.85) and it was still the taste sensation I remember.

Baked Dough Balls from Croma

Baked Dough Balls – £3.25

Served with garlic butter, Liv opted for the dough balls which were baked to perfection. With a crispy shell and soft dough centre, these are great for sharing or eating at leisure.

The starter menu also features options that aren’t as heavily carb loaded such as: Buffalo Mozzarella, Bresaola & Artichokes, Garlic Prawns and more.

Croma Restaurant Main Meal

Half/Half – Antara (full price £10.25) and Pulled Pork, Apple & Nduja (full price £12.95)

I am a total creature of habit and was beside myself to see my favourite Antara pizza on the menu! Featuring Peking duck, plum and hoisin sauce, spring onions, cucumber, mozzarella and fresh coriander with no tomato base.

This was always my go to choice when visiting Croma. Full of flavour and utterly mouthwatering, I always felt like I had eaten the best pizza ever. Then I saw the ‘New Manchester 11″ Specials’ section of the menu and noticed the Pulled Pork pizza!

Featuring slow roast pork with Cambozola cheese on a maple syrup apple roasted base, dressed with Nduja paste and a drizzle of red pepperonata sauce, there was a real dilemma! Plumping for an old favourite or the complete unknown, the pressure was on!

Croma Manchester half and half pizza

Ordering a Half/Half pizza

Until our fabulous server suggested I just go for a half/half pizza and have the best of both worlds! Genius, absolute genius! It really is the small things that can make someone’s day, this made my week! Dilemma over, I was able to enjoy both pizza options in one – both were sublime.

The pulled pork was tasty, juicy and an amazing Winter warmer pizza, something totally unique. The Antara pizza, will always be a favourite! Even now, I couldn’t choose between the two so shall definitely be opting for half/half in future! If you are ever undecided between two pizza options, this is a great way to satisfy your cravings for the options!

Americana Pizza from Croma Manchester

Americana Pizza – £9.35

Liv’s choice of pizza was easier than mine, plumping for the Americana which features pepperoni, mozzarella and tomato. Hot green peppers (£9.95) can be added to give the pizza an extra kick, but Liv decided to play it safe on the day! I have never seen her wolf down a pizza as quickly, she really was in her element.

All the pizzas have a homemade thin base which crisps up to perfection and are made with the freshest ingredients. If you do not have enough time to eat in the restaurant, you can always opt for the takeaway option!

Croma Restaurant Desserts

Croma Restaurant Dessert Menu

Dessert Menu At Croma Pizzeria

If you get to this point and fancy a dessert, then there are many to choose from to finish off your meal in style. There are a range of hot drinks also available and I chose a super comforting hot chocolate.

A drink that was the perfect end to such a wonderful meal. Liv had checked the dessert menu as soon as we were seated as was adamant she would finish with the Hot Sticky Toffee Pudding (£5.95). That particular dessert option that is her absolute favourite!

Dessert at Croma Restaurant

I was lucky to capture that image as Liv was already hovering with her spoon!

What Did We Think Of Croma Manchester?

We could not have enjoyed our meal at the Manchester Croma restaurant any more than we did! The food, the ambience, everything about it was perfect and it brought back many great memories from my teen years.

To be able to take Liv there and enjoy the foods I did when I was only slightly older than her was amazing. She walked away a fan of the restaurant, just as I did 20 years ago! Another highlight… the paper table cloth covers are fantastic for keeping children and adults entertained while waiting a short time for food!

The vibe of the restaurant is something quite special – busy, but not too busy. love the fact the kitchen is open plan downstairs. Therefore, if seated downstairs, you can watch all the food being cooked and inhale all the fabulous smells.

Croma restaurant kitchen

Seating area downstairs.

Croma restaurant seating area downstairs

Fianl thoughts on our trip to Croma Restaurant in Manchester

I couldn’t recommend a trip to Croma, whether the city centre based restaurant or another branch in the Manchester area highly enough!

Hopefully you will make lots of memories there by eating there too! It is well worth following Croma Pizzeria on social media for special events and offers! You can check out further details over on the Croma website.

Have you ever been to any of the Croma restaurants? What is your favourite pizza?

You may want to read these posts next

Here is a roundup post of the best places to eat in Manchester with your family.

Check out what we thought of our La Tasca Deansgate review for a family meal.

We also got the chance to review La Tasca Trafford Centre which is worth a read.

by Sim

Sim is the dynamic force behind Sim's Life, a testament to her decade-long journey in the blogging world. As a mother to a teenager, she brings a genuine and relatable perspective to the challenges and joys of parenting. Her entrepreneurial spirit shines through her role as a successful small business owner, further enriching her content with real-world experiences. Sim's authority is not just confined to one platform; she is the proud owner of several established blogs, each showcasing her expertise in lifestyle and parenting topics. Her dedication to providing valuable, insightful content is evident in every post, making her a trusted voice in the online community. Find out more About Sim's Life here.

17 thoughts on “Croma Restaurant Review – Celebrating 20 Years”

  1. Oh wow, that food sounds incredible. My girls would opt for the Americana too. I love the sound of those different pizza toppings – duck for me, please! X

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  2. This sounds like a wonderful restaurant – the food looks absolutely delicious! I wish we had a similar restaurant near to me that offered as good quality food.

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  3. Their food looks fantastic! The half/half pizza is a great idea if you can’t decide which pizza to order. Oh, and that garlic bread. So mouth watering! This is a really nice pizzeria and I am sure they will be serving delicious dishes for many, many more years to come.

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  4. I do love pizza! This sounds like a lovely place to visit. I love a restaurant that feels like a full experience.

    Your daughters face over her pizza says it all!

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  5. What a great sounding restaurant I have to admit I don’t think I’ve ever tried pizza from Croma I may just have to change that. Especially looking at that puddling! Delicious.

    Reply

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