Italian restaurant housed in a 15th-century guildhall, offering casual dining amid Venetian murals.
Address and Contact Information
Address: 5-6 Market St, Carlisle CA3 8JE, United Kingdom
Phone: +44 1228 512305
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Franco’s Italian Carlisle: Home
Discover a unique blend of authentic Italian flavours and rich history at Franco’s Italian Carlisle. Nestled in Carlisle’s oldest private building, …
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. 82% recommend (9 Reviews) ; . Closed now ; . 5-6 Market Street, Carlisle, United Kingdom, CA3 8JE ; . Carlisle City, UK · Carlisle, UK …
Menu | Franco’s Italian Carlisle
Garlic Bread with Mozzarella Cheese £6.80 Warm garlic bread smothered in melted mozzarella for a cheesy indulgence. Garlic Bread with Mozzarella Cheese and …
Reviews
Foxes Thistle
Quiet for a Saturday night but the staff alone are worth the five star. Made me feel so welcome as a lone diner. Very attentive and made sure I had everything I needed. Lovely lasagna and nice crispy chips
… moreChris Mancini
Gorgeous building and interior with beams across the ceiling. We had a table at one of the windows which had a nice view straight up the high street.
The staff were very friendly and helpful.
The food was delicious. We both had different pizzas. Freshly made, thin bases, tasty sauce, fresh cheese and the topping were superb. Just the right amount to not overpower the base, cheese and sauce. So tasty!
Deserts were also amazing. I had Tiramisu, which was clearly freshly made and easily one of, if not the best I’ve ever had. My partner absolutely loved her chocolate cake as well.
To top it off, the coffee’s were excellent. The overall price was also very good.
As we were on a day out from Dumfries doing some shopping, we’re already looking for an excuse to go back! Loved it 🙂
… moreThe staff were very friendly and helpful.
The food was delicious. We both had different pizzas. Freshly made, thin bases, tasty sauce, fresh cheese and the topping were superb. Just the right amount to not overpower the base, cheese and sauce. So tasty!
Deserts were also amazing. I had Tiramisu, which was clearly freshly made and easily one of, if not the best I’ve ever had. My partner absolutely loved her chocolate cake as well.
To top it off, the coffee’s were excellent. The overall price was also very good.
As we were on a day out from Dumfries doing some shopping, we’re already looking for an excuse to go back! Loved it 🙂
Ana Sander
I don’t usually leave reviews, but this experience genuinely needs to be shared.
unfortunately, the entire experience was extremely disappointing. The service was poor from start to finish, the food was very low quality, and the prices were completely unjustified for what was served.
The pizzas were particularly bad. They tasted cheap and mass-produced, yet were priced as if they were freshly made. When the waiter came to ask how the food was and we politely raised our concerns, his response was simply “I know,” before walking away. He never returned to address the issue.
When clearing the table, he then asked if we wanted to take the food home, which felt inappropriate given we had already explained that it wasn’t good. Again, no apology, no attempt to resolve anything.
To make matters worse, when the bill was brought over, the waiter stood at the table watching us count the money, which felt rushed and quite rude.
Overall, the service was shocking, the food was disappointing, and the prices were unreasonable. The whole experience was appalling, and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Save your time and money and go elsewhere
… moreunfortunately, the entire experience was extremely disappointing. The service was poor from start to finish, the food was very low quality, and the prices were completely unjustified for what was served.
The pizzas were particularly bad. They tasted cheap and mass-produced, yet were priced as if they were freshly made. When the waiter came to ask how the food was and we politely raised our concerns, his response was simply “I know,” before walking away. He never returned to address the issue.
When clearing the table, he then asked if we wanted to take the food home, which felt inappropriate given we had already explained that it wasn’t good. Again, no apology, no attempt to resolve anything.
To make matters worse, when the bill was brought over, the waiter stood at the table watching us count the money, which felt rushed and quite rude.
Overall, the service was shocking, the food was disappointing, and the prices were unreasonable. The whole experience was appalling, and I would not recommend this restaurant to anyone. Save your time and money and go elsewhere
Nicky
I’ve never been to a restaurant where I’ve ordered a bottle of wine, it’s just been dumped on the table with the waitress immediately walking off. Service was shocking.
We arrive at 8pm on a Wednesday night, there were several other occupied table when we arrived, but we were the last to leave at 8.55pm. As we paid, the music was switch off, but, thankfully, the did leave the lights on for us to walk out.
There’s a lot of nice reviews for this place, but sadly, that’s not what we experienced.
I would not recommend here.
… moreWe arrive at 8pm on a Wednesday night, there were several other occupied table when we arrived, but we were the last to leave at 8.55pm. As we paid, the music was switch off, but, thankfully, the did leave the lights on for us to walk out.
There’s a lot of nice reviews for this place, but sadly, that’s not what we experienced.
I would not recommend here.
Nicolle Murdoch
We were in Carlisle for a couple of days and came across this Italian restaurant in the centre. It looked quaint. Thete was only a la carte which is quite unusual at lunch time. No set lunch menu.
We ordered a margarita, garlic bread with tomatoes and a portion of cannelloni.
The pizza was tiny and clearly frozen.tjr cheese was burnt and was not proper mozzarella. We were shocked to be served this in what seemed to be an authentic Italian restaurant. The garlic bread was like a large biscuit with some tomato purée on it. No actual tomatoes were on the garlic bread. The cannelloni was edible but greasy.
Won’t be back. Made me realised how spoilt we are in Edinburgh for high quality Italian restaurants.
It was also cold in the restaurant.
… moreWe ordered a margarita, garlic bread with tomatoes and a portion of cannelloni.
The pizza was tiny and clearly frozen.tjr cheese was burnt and was not proper mozzarella. We were shocked to be served this in what seemed to be an authentic Italian restaurant. The garlic bread was like a large biscuit with some tomato purée on it. No actual tomatoes were on the garlic bread. The cannelloni was edible but greasy.
Won’t be back. Made me realised how spoilt we are in Edinburgh for high quality Italian restaurants.
It was also cold in the restaurant.
Ria Gibbs
This place doea look inviting from outside. Level 5 hygiene rating so decided to give it a go.
My dish was chicken in a diane sauce with side veg. It was awful. Swimming with grease and no taste.
My partner had lasagne. Looked lovely but no taste/flavour. We both could not eat it and when the waitress collected the plates I told her it was awful with no response. Not even a gesture of a reduction on the bill
We both had a foul taste of fat in our mouths. Do not waste your money going here. Wish o had took a photo for you to see
… moreMy dish was chicken in a diane sauce with side veg. It was awful. Swimming with grease and no taste.
My partner had lasagne. Looked lovely but no taste/flavour. We both could not eat it and when the waitress collected the plates I told her it was awful with no response. Not even a gesture of a reduction on the bill
We both had a foul taste of fat in our mouths. Do not waste your money going here. Wish o had took a photo for you to see
Willow Tkw
My first visit meeting with friends before attending an event. The premises themselves are beautiful with lots of history. We were early birds so as the evening progressed and the restaurant filled the warm friendly atmosphere became more apparent. The menu was good and varied with happy hour options clearly marked. The staff were approachable and obviously very busy during our visit. There was a choice of tables both upstairs and downstairs, although all required access via at least one set of stairs.
Toilet facilities were upstairs too, the ladies had one cubicle so plan well. Even the gents had a queue. Queuing was quite awkward too, at the top of the stairs with staff needing to pass with food from the kitchen. In such an old building this cannot be avoided, it’s just important to be aware.
We weren’t able to find room for a dessert, having had such wonderful filling main meals. We opted for a traditional limoncello instead.
… moreToilet facilities were upstairs too, the ladies had one cubicle so plan well. Even the gents had a queue. Queuing was quite awkward too, at the top of the stairs with staff needing to pass with food from the kitchen. In such an old building this cannot be avoided, it’s just important to be aware.
We weren’t able to find room for a dessert, having had such wonderful filling main meals. We opted for a traditional limoncello instead.
Martin “Skwatinnevil” Sanders
I’ve been here a few times and have never been disappointed. Apart from the food been top notch i love the actual building and the cosiness inside the restaurant. Shout out to all the staff, especially the young lady who liked my wifes t-shirt! She was very professional and training staff at the same time! Why would i need to go to any other Italian restaurant when this place is
… moreLee Rielly
A unique Italian restaurant that’s both impressive in some ways but lacklustre in others…
My partner and I entered at around 2:15pm on a Saturday and despite the place being busy we were able to get a table (I would recommend booking a table just in case)
The place is cosy to say the least, there’s not much space between the tables and it could leave you feeling a little claustrophobic.
The decor is rustic but definitely Italian inspired, I actually really enjoyed the decor, it felt unique and a new experience for this area which was nice.
For food, my partner opted for the spaghetti bolognese from the lunch menu while I went for the Quattro Stagioni pizza (I swapped the peppers for mushrooms) and we got a bowl of chips to share.
For drinks, I went for the Irn Bru while my partner chose Coca Cola.
Our drinks arrived in a surprisingly small half pint glass, surprising as there was no indication of drink size on the menu and they cost £2.30 each…
The food arrived pretty quickly and we tucked in, my pizza was absolutely amazing, full of flavour and very generous with the toppings (except pepperoni, I would’ve appreciated a few more slices). My partner had Parmesan added to her spaghetti bolognese but unfortunately didn’t enjoy it, she said it tasted like watery tomatoes – I gave it a try and have to agree unfortunately. The chips were also disappointing, for £4.50 I expected something better than frozen theme park chips.
After we had finished, we asked for the bill and it took rather a long time to firstly get the bill and secondly get someone to bring the card machine over, there’s a big sign saying “please do not come to the till to pay” but I feel this would’ve made things a lot quicker.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quality pizza in a unique environment then this is really hard to beat – as for pasta, the spaghetti bolognese needs some work.
… moreMy partner and I entered at around 2:15pm on a Saturday and despite the place being busy we were able to get a table (I would recommend booking a table just in case)
The place is cosy to say the least, there’s not much space between the tables and it could leave you feeling a little claustrophobic.
The decor is rustic but definitely Italian inspired, I actually really enjoyed the decor, it felt unique and a new experience for this area which was nice.
For food, my partner opted for the spaghetti bolognese from the lunch menu while I went for the Quattro Stagioni pizza (I swapped the peppers for mushrooms) and we got a bowl of chips to share.
For drinks, I went for the Irn Bru while my partner chose Coca Cola.
Our drinks arrived in a surprisingly small half pint glass, surprising as there was no indication of drink size on the menu and they cost £2.30 each…
The food arrived pretty quickly and we tucked in, my pizza was absolutely amazing, full of flavour and very generous with the toppings (except pepperoni, I would’ve appreciated a few more slices). My partner had Parmesan added to her spaghetti bolognese but unfortunately didn’t enjoy it, she said it tasted like watery tomatoes – I gave it a try and have to agree unfortunately. The chips were also disappointing, for £4.50 I expected something better than frozen theme park chips.
After we had finished, we asked for the bill and it took rather a long time to firstly get the bill and secondly get someone to bring the card machine over, there’s a big sign saying “please do not come to the till to pay” but I feel this would’ve made things a lot quicker.
Overall, if you’re looking for a quality pizza in a unique environment then this is really hard to beat – as for pasta, the spaghetti bolognese needs some work.
Holly Mountford
We managed to get a table here having not booked, but it wasn’t quite so I think booking ahead to avoid disappointment would be sensible.
The atmosphere was warm with Italian homey vibes with a good volume of music the temp was a little high for me but probably fine for most.
The loos were clean, however there is one lady’s and one gents that see up the stairs near the kitchen, the stairs are in regular use from waiting staff so be mindful, also the light was switched off while I was using the lady’s (I was thankful for my phone torch at this point) as the light switch for some reason is on the out side wall..just a minor hiccup
The staff were a little rushed but given this they were still attentive and professional
The food was delicious, cooked well and presented nicely. I made a request for a change of pasta type to my favourite and they accommodated gracefully
I would definitely dine here again.
… moreThe atmosphere was warm with Italian homey vibes with a good volume of music the temp was a little high for me but probably fine for most.
The loos were clean, however there is one lady’s and one gents that see up the stairs near the kitchen, the stairs are in regular use from waiting staff so be mindful, also the light was switched off while I was using the lady’s (I was thankful for my phone torch at this point) as the light switch for some reason is on the out side wall..just a minor hiccup
The staff were a little rushed but given this they were still attentive and professional
The food was delicious, cooked well and presented nicely. I made a request for a change of pasta type to my favourite and they accommodated gracefully
I would definitely dine here again.