London Fields Is Getting a Milanese Restaurant That Tourists Did Not See Coming

East London is about to get a serious upgrade in its Italian dining scene — and it’s not coming from Rome or Naples. A new restaurant called Ornella is opening in London Fields, bringing the lesser-known culinary traditions of Milan to one of the city’s most culturally rich neighbourhoods.

The restaurant is the work of three founders — Ed Templeton, Naz Hassan, and Theo James — and draws directly on Head Chef Naz Hassan’s Milanese roots. It’s a deliberate departure from the trattorias and southern Italian staples that dominate London’s Italian restaurant landscape, and it’s already generating real anticipation ahead of its April opening.

For food lovers and visitors exploring east London, Ornella isn’t just another new opening. It represents a focused, considered effort to bring an underrepresented regional Italian cuisine into the spotlight — and to do it properly.

What Makes Milanese Cuisine Different From the Italian Food You Already Know

Most Italian restaurants in London lean heavily on southern traditions — think olive oil, tomatoes, dried pasta, and the bold flavours of Campania or Sicily. Milanese cuisine, rooted in the northern region of Lombardy, operates on an entirely different set of principles.

Where the south reaches for olive oil, Milan and its surrounding region rely on butter and dairy. Where the south celebrates sun-dried ingredients, Lombardy draws from fertile plains, grain-rich landscapes, and a culinary culture shaped as much by its industrial heritage as its agricultural one. It’s richer, subtler, and in many ways more demanding to execute well.

Ornella’s founders describe their mission as promoting Milanese cuisine by elevating its “quiet confidence” — a phrase that captures something real about this food. It doesn’t announce itself loudly. It earns its reputation through flawless execution of simple dishes, not through complexity for its own sake.

Head Chef Naz Hassan and chef Alessandro Boscolo are the two culinary figures leading that charge in the kitchen, with a shared commitment to doing the food justice rather than adapting it for a broader audience.

Inside Ornella: What the Restaurant Is and Who Built It

Ornella is positioned as a ristorante — a step above the casual trattoria format — which signals something about the level of care and formality the founders are aiming for. This isn’t a neighbourhood spot for a quick bowl of pasta. It’s a destination that takes its regional identity seriously.

The restaurant sits in London Fields, a part of east London known for its creative energy, independent businesses, and a dining culture that tends to reward originality. It’s a neighbourhood where a focused, regionally specific concept can find its audience.

Why This Opening Matters for Visitors and London’s Food Scene

For international tourists visiting London, the city’s east end has long been a draw for culture, street art, and independent food. What Ornella adds to that mix is something genuinely rare: an immersive gateway to Lombardy’s culinary identity without needing to book a flight to Milan.

The restaurant is being described as a destination for those who want to experience traditional Italian regional dishes in an authentic context — not a diluted, crowd-pleasing version, but the real thing, shaped by a chef who grew up with it.

That matters for a particular kind of traveller: the food-focused visitor who researches restaurants before they book flights, who looks for places that offer something specific rather than something generic. London Fields, with its existing reputation as a neighbourhood of independent character, is exactly where that kind of restaurant can thrive.

There’s also a broader significance for London’s dining scene as a whole. Milanese cuisine has been consistently overshadowed in the UK by more familiar Italian regional styles. A serious, well-resourced restaurant dedicated to that tradition — run by people with direct personal connections to it — fills a genuine gap.

What Comes Next for Ornella

Ornella began welcoming guests from March 28, 2026, with a soft opening period running ahead of its full April launch. That phased approach gives the kitchen team time to settle in and refine the experience before the restaurant operates at full capacity.

The founders — who were previously behind Lupa — bring prior experience in building restaurants with a clear identity and a loyal following. That background suggests Ornella isn’t being treated as an experiment but as a serious long-term venture with a defined vision.

As April approaches, the restaurant is expected to open fully to the public, cementing its place in London Fields’ already competitive dining landscape. Whether it becomes the go-to destination for Milanese cuisine in London will depend on execution — but the foundations, from the team’s experience to the culinary philosophy, are clearly in place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Ornella located?
Ornella is located in London Fields, east London.

Who are the founders of Ornella?
The restaurant was founded by Ed Templeton, Naz Hassan, and Theo James, who were also previously behind a restaurant called Lupa.

What type of cuisine does Ornella serve?
Ornella specialises in Milanese cuisine from the Lombardy region of northern Italy, focusing on dairy-driven, grain-rich dishes rather than the olive oil traditions of southern Italy.

When does Ornella open?
Ornella began a soft opening on March 28, 2026, with a full opening planned for April 2026.

Who are the chefs at Ornella?
Head Chef Naz Hassan leads the kitchen alongside chef Alessandro Boscolo. Hassan’s personal Milanese roots are central to the restaurant’s culinary identity.

Is Ornella a casual restaurant?
No — Ornella is positioned as a ristorante, a more refined format than a casual trattoria, reflecting the founders’ commitment to elevating Milanese cuisine.