Italian chain Carluccio's will open its first Northern Ireland restaurant in Victoria Square.

It comes after long speculation that the family Italian eatery was eyeing up Belfast as its latest location.

The business is currently seeking chefs and managers.

But a location for the eatery hadn't yet been revealed.

The site was identified in the latest report from commercial property firm Lisney.

Two years ago it was reported the company had been looking for a spot here, according to commercial property firm CBRE.

Antonio Carluccio is the latest celebrity chef set to open one of his franchised eateries here.

The news comes after the Belfast Telegraph revealed chef Marco Pierre White is opening his first restaurant in east Belfast.

The chef, the youngest cook to hold three Michelin stars, is set to launch one of his franchised Steakhouse Bar and Grill eateries in east Belfast.

It was confirmed new Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill will open in October following an agreement with the chef’s restaurant company Black & White Hospitality.

Belfast Telegraph