Rossella to open Muswell Hill restaurant, bar and deli in May as family-run Italian expands in north London

Kentish Town Italian restaurant Rossella will open its second location in Muswell Hill this May, as founder Luca Meola expands his family-rooted neighbourhood restaurant concept into another North London community. The new site will operate as a combined restaurant, bar and deli, broadening the offering that has drawn a loyal following to the original Kentish Town branch since 2012. Ahead of the official opening, a soft launch period will run from Tuesday 5^th to Sunday 10^th May, during which diners can receive 50% off the food menu. 

The new site reflects a family history that stretches back to Benevento in southern Italy, where Meola’s family opened the first Rossella restaurant in 1960. Meola’s father, Luigi, relocated to London in 1978 and opened a trattoria in Seven Kings, Ilford; then Luca Meola continued that tradition when he opened the Kentish Town restaurant at the age of 19, naming it in homage to his Italian roots.

The space, designed by Faber & Co, has been conceived to feel as though it has developed gradually over time, with layered details, rich colours and a retro aesthetic intended to lend warmth and character. The layout includes a dedicated restaurant area, a separate bar focused on aperitivo and cocktails, and a deli section stocking Rossella’s own-label products and curated Italian hampers. The bar can also be reconfigured into a private dining space for up to 30 guests.

The menu at Muswell Hill builds on the team’s existing approach to seasonal Italian cooking whilst introducing a broader à la carte selection with a greater emphasis on main courses. Signature pasta dishes such as Tagliatelle Ragù di Agnello (a slow-braised lamb ragù) and Spaghetti allo Scoglio (seafood in a Napoli sauce) sit alongside mains including Veal Milanese, Bistecca Tagliata and Salmone alla Puttanesca. Antipasti include Bruschetta di Pomodoro made using ciabatta from the long-established local Dunn’s Bakery, and Mozzarella Fritta. A pizza counter positioned next to the bar will serve pies made using a 48-hour slow-fermented dough, with options including the Friarielli, topped with Sicilian pork and fennel sausage, sautéed friarielli (Italian-style broccoli) and red chilli.

One of the more distinctive elements of the dining experience is the dessert service. Rossella’s homemade Tiramisu will be presented tableside via what the restaurant describes as their Tiramisu Trolley – an adapted vintage drinks trolley that once belonged to Meola’s grandfather.

Drinks at the new site will draw heavily on the family’s heritage. House wines are sourced directly from the Meola vineyard in Benevento, while Limoncello and Meloncello are produced on the Amalfi Coast using traditional recipes. The cocktail list includes a Limoncello Spritz, Negronis made with Sacred Vermouth (distilled in nearby Highgate) and espresso martinis served in vintage glassware.

The restaurant is intended to serve the local community across different times of day and occasions, operating as a family-friendly and dog-friendly venue. A children’s menu will also be available, and the restaurant plans to host child-led pizza-making workshops alongside wine tastings and other events.

Meola said: “Everything we do at Rossella comes from my family and how I grew up. Food was always about bringing people together around the table, and that’s still what drives it now. Muswell Hill feels like somewhere that really values that kind of place, somewhere local, relaxed and genuinely part of the neighbourhood. We’re not trying to reinvent anything, it’s about doing things properly, sharing those traditions and creating somewhere that feels like part of people’s everyday life.”

Food Desk

Rossella Muswell Hill opens on 12^th May 2026 at 107 Muswell Hill Road, London N10 3HS. For further information or to book a table, visit the group’s website here.