It’s long been a locals’ secret, with its easygoing southern Italian cooking headed up by charismatic owner Luca Meola. But did you know locally famed Highgate Road trattoria Rossella launched back in 2011?
Fast forward to 2021 and, during Covid, its dining room doubled in size, and an adjoining in-store deli opened, specialising in hard-to-find Italian ingredients and artisanal hampers.
And now, in summer 2025, a forthcoming must-do date for your calendars is Sunday 20th July, as Rossella’s alfresco dining event returns, a vibrant day-long celebration of food, community and togetherness inspired by the long-table street feasts of rural Italy.
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Taking place from 1pm to 7pm, Alfresco 2025 will see rows of communal tables stretch across the street in front of Rossella, welcoming neighbours from Kentish Town, Highgate, Camden and beyond.
You can tuck into a generous outdoor Italian buffet including their renowned pizzas, antipasti sharing platters, seasonal small bites and indulgent Italian desserts, all paired with live music and a roaming balloon artist included in their ticket. The event will take place, rain or shine, under gazebos.
The event marks Rossella’s first alfresco celebration since the pandemic, with previous events consistently selling out and becoming a summer staple for local residents.
Led by Luca, this year’s return is particularly meaningful. “Growing up in Italy, food was never just food, it was connection,”he says. “After everything the community has weathered these past few years, it felt like the right moment to sit down at the table again, together.”
Sunday 20th July 2025, 1-7pm, Rossella 103 Highgate Rd, London, NW5 1TR. Tickets: Adults (14+): £55 | Kids (4–14): £35 | Under 4s: Free (no seat provided) (Only 250 tickets available). A full bar will operate, with drinks charged separately. Book tickets here.
