Rossella Opens Muswell Hill Restaurant, Bar & Deli in 2026

Key Points

• Kentish Town Italian restaurant Rossella, founded by Luca Meola, will open its second location in Muswell Hill in May 2026.
• The new site combines a restaurant, bar, and deli, expanding the original concept established in 2012.
• Soft launch from Tuesday 5th to Sunday 10th May offers 50% off the food menu.
• Family history traces back to 1960 in Benevento, Italy; Luca’s father, Luigi, opened a trattoria in Seven Kings, Ilford, after moving to London in 1978.
• Luca Meola opened the Kentish Town branch at age 19, naming it after his Italian roots.
• Interior designed by Faber & Co with a retro aesthetic, layered details, and rich colours; includes restaurant area, aperitivo bar (reconfigurable for private dining up to 30), and deli with own-label products and Italian hampers.
• Menu features seasonal Italian cooking with expanded à la carte mains; signatures include Tagliatelle Ragù di Agnello, Spaghetti allo Scoglio, Veal Milanese, Bistecca Tagliata, Salmone alla Puttanesca; antipasti like Bruschetta di Pomodoro (using Dunn’s Bakery ciabatta) and Mozzarella Fritta; pizza with 48-hour fermented dough, e.g., Friarielli with Sicilian pork sausage, friarielli, and chilli.
• Dessert highlight: tableside Tiramisu from a vintage trolley once owned by Meola’s grandfather.
• Drinks include house wines from Meola vineyard in Benevento, Limoncello and Meloncello from the Amalfi Coast, Limoncello Spritz, Negronis with Sacred Vermouth from Highgate, and espresso martinis in vintage glassware.
• The venue is family-friendly and dog-friendly, with a children’s menu and planned events like child-led pizza workshops and wine tastings.
• Luca Meola’s statement: “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.”

Muswell Hill (North London News) April 28, 2026 –

Why is Rossella opening a second location in Muswell Hill?

Kentish Town Italian restaurant Rossella will open its second site in Muswell Hill this May, marking founder Luca Meola’s expansion of his family-rooted neighbourhood concept into another North London community. As reported in the primary coverage from local food and hospitality outlets, the new venue operates as a combined restaurant, bar, and deli. This broadens the offering that has built a loyal following at the original Kentish Town branch since 2012. Ahead of the official opening, a soft launch runs from Tuesday, 5th to Sunday, 10th May, where diners receive 50% off the food menu.

The development reflects Rossella’s deep family history, stretching 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 established a trattoria in Seven Kings, Ilford. Luca Meola then continued this tradition, opening the Kentish Town restaurant at the age of 19 and naming it in homage to his Italian roots.

What does the new Rossella site in Muswell Hill look like?

The Muswell Hill space, designed by Faber & Co, aims to feel as though it has evolved gradually over time. It features layered details, rich colours, and a retro aesthetic to provide warmth and character.

The layout separates a dedicated restaurant area, a bar focused on aperitivo and cocktails that reconfigures into private dining for up to 30 guests, and a deli section. The deli stocks Rossella’s own-label products alongside curated Italian hampers.

This design choice supports the venue’s role in serving the local community across various times of day and occasions.

It operates as a family-friendly and dog-friendly spot, with a children’s menu available. Plans include hosting child-led pizza-making workshops, wine tastings, and other events.

What will be on the menu at Rossella Muswell Hill?

The menu builds on the team’s approach to seasonal Italian cooking while introducing a broader à la carte selection with greater emphasis on main courses.

Signature pasta dishes include Tagliatelle Ragù di Agnello, a slow-braised lamb ragù, and Spaghetti allo Scoglio, seafood in a Napoli sauce. Mains feature Veal Milanese, Bistecca Tagliata, and Salmone alla Puttanesca.

Antipasti comprise Bruschetta di Pomodoro, made using ciabatta from the long-established local Dunn’s Bakery, and Mozzarella Fritta.

A pizza counter next to the bar serves pies from a 48-hour slow-fermented dough. Options include the Friarielli, topped with Sicilian pork and fennel sausage, sautéed friarielli (Italian-style broccoli), and red chilli.

One distinctive element is the dessert service. Rossella’s homemade Tiramisu arrives tableside via the Tiramisu Trolley, an adapted vintage drinks trolley that once belonged to Meola’s grandfather.

What drinks will Rossella Muswell Hill offer?

Drinks draw heavily on the family’s heritage. House wines come directly from the Meola vineyard in Benevento. Limoncello and Meloncello are produced on the Amalfi Coast using traditional recipes.

The cocktail list features a Limoncello Spritz, Negronis made with Sacred Vermouth distilled in nearby Highgate, and espresso martinis served in vintage glassware.

Luca Meola commented on the expansion:

“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.”

This statement appears across initial reports from North London hospitality sources.

The Muswell Hill opening positions Rossella as a multifaceted neighbourhood hub. Its combination of dining, drinking, and retail elements caters to diverse needs, from casual meals to events.

The soft launch discount encourages early visits, allowing locals to experience the space before full operations begin. Integration of local suppliers like Dunn’s Bakery underscores a commitment to community ties.

Further details from the coverage highlight the venue’s operational flexibility. The bar’s reconfiguration for private events suits group gatherings, while the deli’s hampers offer takeaway options.

Family-oriented features, such as the children’s menu and workshops, align with Muswell Hill’s demographic of families and pet owners.

This expansion follows the success of the Kentish Town site, which has operated for over a decade. The move into Muswell Hill taps into another vibrant North London area known for its independent businesses and community focus. All elements—from design to menu—preserve the authentic Italian traditions that define Rossella.

Background of the Development

Rossella’s origins trace to 1960 in Benevento, southern Italy, with the first family restaurant. Luigi Meola moved to London in 1978, opening a trattoria in Seven Kings, Ilford. Luca Meola launched the Kentish Town branch in 2012 at age 19, establishing its neighbourhood Italian focus.

The Muswell Hill site extends this legacy, with Faber & Co designing the interior and the menu retaining core signatures while expanding offerings.

Prediction: How This Development Can Affect North London Residents

This development provides Muswell Hill residents with a new local venue for all-day dining, drinks, and deli shopping, potentially increasing casual social options and family events.

The soft launch discount and community-focused features like workshops may encourage repeat visits, supporting neighbourhood footfall. Dog-friendly policies and children’s menus cater to local families, while the deli’s products offer convenient Italian staples. Private dining flexibility benefits groups, and ties to local suppliers like Dunn’s Bakery foster economic links within North London. Overall, it integrates as an everyday community spot without altering existing dining landscapes.