Revamp at ‘legendary’ restaurant after 50 years of serving up Italian cuisine

San Carlo Flying Pizza, an Italian restaurant in Roundhay, Leeds, has re-opened its doors following a £2m refurbishment.

The refurb features new terrazzo floors and a completely revamped bar. All designed in-house, the custom design draws on concepts from the restaurant group’s Alderley Edge establishment.

With a seating capacity of up to 130, San Carlo Flying Pizza has been established in Roundhay since 1974.

Marcello Distefano, CEO at San Carlo Group, said: “We lived in Roundhay until I was seven years old. My family and I would eat at Flying Pizza every Sunday at the same table.

“The place was always buzzing with regulars who brought life and character to the restaurant. Adriano, the original owner, was a larger-than-life character who epitomised the role of an Italian restaurant owner. My father still keeps in touch with him.”

The Distefano family acquired the restaurant when it faced closure years later.

Marcello added: “It was important to us to keep the name Flying Pizza because it had legendary status in Yorkshire. Now, on its 50th anniversary, we’ve undertaken a second refurbishment to breathe new life into this iconic establishment.

“As a kid, I was always in awe of the supercars parked outside. It felt like a showroom at the front of the restaurant.

“We hope that Flying Pizza will be around for another 50 years. We might not be here, but hopefully, someone else will continue to look after the restaurant and its heritage.”