Rossella

At the heart of Kentish Town, a proud culinary legacy thrives, rooted in decades of cherished family tradition. This is the story of Rossella, the vision of resident and owner Luca Meola.

The journey began in 1960 when the Meola family opened the first Rossella in Benevento, Italy, blending products from their vineyard with a deep love for food. Luca's father brought this passion to London in 1978, establishing a trattoria where young Luca honed his culinary talent. By 2011, at just nineteen, Luca proudly opened his own restaurant, an homage to his Benevento roots.

Like its namesake, Rossella embraces the same warm family feel and classic Italian dishes crafted with fresh ingredients. Classic pasta and risotto selections abound, such as the spaghetti pomodoro featuring a rich Napoli sauce with sautéed savoury plum tomatoes and Genovese basil. Other highlights feature tagliatelle stracciatella and penne all'Arrabiata, each delivering a burst of authentic Italian flavour in their vibrant Napoli sauce.

The menu also features pizzas crafted in the classic Neapolitan style, boasting a tomato base and fior di latte mozzarella, with options like the Margherita, Quattro Stagioni, and Calabrese. For heartier appetites, the mains present the pollo saltimbocca—succulent chicken breast enveloped in prosciutto and fresh sage—and branzino al limone, a pan-fried sea bass fillet delicately bathed in a baby prawn sauce.

Rossella upholds a strong family feel and a passion for classic Italian dishes made with fresh ingredients, alongside wine from the original Benevento vineyard. Its friendly, warm service extends to both the indoor restaurant and alfresco dining space, welcoming all—including well-behaved dogs—to savour a true taste of tradition.