The best restaurants become part of people’s lives. They host first dates, birthdays, anniversaries and family celebrations, creating memories that last long after the plates have been cleared. For more than 30 years, Valentino’s Restaurant has earned its place as one of Worcester’s best-loved independent restaurants.
The story began in 1989 when two university friends, having worked in Italian restaurants, decided to turn their passion for Italian food into a business of their own. Valentino’s first opened in Upton upon Severn, quickly building a loyal following.
Within six years, customers were encouraging the team to think bigger, leading Franco, alongside his wife Mandy and brothers Gino and Antonio, to transform a former bank on Foregate Street into the Valentino’s Worcester diners know today.
Today, Franco and Mandy are still at the helm, supported by Head Chef Will, who has been with the restaurant since day one, and a dedicated team whose friendly service has become just as much a hallmark as the food itself.
Rather than chasing trends, Valentino’s has remained true to three principles: quality, value and consistency. Authentic Italian cooking provides the inspiration, but enjoyment comes first. Over the years, recipes and techniques from chefs around the world have shaped a menu that respects tradition while evolving naturally.
Will, who grew up in Malta, continues to draw inspiration from his cycle tours across Europe, bringing ideas from Tuscany, the Alps and the Basque Country back to Worcester. His homemade lasagne, perfected over almost 30 years, has become the restaurant’s signature dish, while freshly prepared pasta, famous garlic bread with cheese and homemade tiramisu remain favourites with first-time and regular diners alike.
Fresh herbs, vegetables, meat and dairy are sourced from trusted local family-run suppliers, complemented by carefully selected Italian ingredients, including premium plum tomatoes that form the heart of many sauces.
Valentino’s has hosted proposals, birthdays, graduations, retirements and family gatherings, becoming part of countless personal stories. Many guests have been visiting since the Upton upon Severn days, while others are introducing a new generation to a restaurant they’ve loved for years.
More than three decades after arriving in Worcester, Valentino’s continues to prove that generous hospitality, honest food and familiar faces never go out of style.
Visit Valentino’s at 43 Foregate Street, Worcester, WR1 1EE, call 01905 617773 or email info@valentinosrestaurant.co.uk.
