Rossella To Open Second North London Site In Muswell Hill
Italian neighbourhood restaurant Rossella will open a second North London site in Muswell Hill, introducing an expanded all-day offer combining dining, drinks and deli retail.
Neighbourhood Italian restaurant Rossella is set to open its second North London site in Muswell Hill this May, building on the success of its Kentish Town location with a new space combining a restaurant, bar and deli.
Led by owner Luca Meola, the brand has developed a loyal following for its seasonal Italian cooking and informal, family-led approach to hospitality. Meola, a Londoner and second-generation Italian, draws on his heritage to shape a concept rooted in tradition and storytelling.
The origins of Rossella trace back to Benevento, Italy, where the Meola family opened its first restaurant in 1960. Meola’s father later relocated to London in 1978, establishing a trattoria and laying the foundations for the family’s presence in the UK. Meola continued that legacy in 2012 with the launch of Rossella in Kentish Town, centred on simple Italian cooking, quality ingredients and wines from the family vineyard.
The Muswell Hill site, located on St James’s Square, represents a considered expansion into another North London neighbourhood. Designed as an all-day destination, the space will include a full restaurant, a dedicated bar serving aperitivo and cocktails, and a deli offering Rossella products alongside curated Italian hampers.
Expanded Food And Drink Offer
The food offer will remain aligned with the brand’s established ethos while introducing a broader à la carte menu with a stronger emphasis on main courses. Alongside pasta dishes such as Tagliatelle Ragù di Agnello and Spaghetti allo Scoglio, the menu will feature dishes including Veal Milanese, Bistecca Tagliata and Salmone alla Puttanesca.
Antipasti will include Bruschetta di Pomodoro, made using bread from Dunn’s Bakery, and Mozzarella Fritta. A pizza counter positioned beside the bar will serve 48-hour slow-fermented dough, prepared to order.
Desserts will include a tableside Tiramisu service delivered from a restored vintage trolley once owned by Meola’s grandfather, reinforcing the personal narrative behind the brand.
Deli And Drinks Concept
The drinks and deli offer continues this focus on heritage. House wines are sourced from the family vineyard in Benevento, while Limoncello and Meloncello are produced on the Amalfi Coast using family recipes.
The Rossella Collection includes in-house products such as chilli oil and balsamic glaze, available both in the restaurant and for retail. The deli concept, already established in Kentish Town and online, will be extended into the new site.
The drinks list will include Italian classics such as Limoncello Spritz and Negronis made with Sacred Vermouth, alongside a curated wine selection that combines family-produced wines with a wider Italian range.
Design And Layout
Interiors, designed by Faber & Co, aim to create a layered, characterful space with a retro aesthetic. The layout separates restaurant and bar areas while allowing flexibility between daytime and evening use. The bar can also be adapted into a private dining space for up to 30 guests.
As with its existing site, Rossella Muswell Hill is intended to integrate into its local community. The venue will be both family- and dog-friendly, with a children’s menu, pizza-making workshops and a programme of wine tastings and events.
“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.”
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