For a small pub residency, Tiella at The Compton Arms got a lot of column inches. There was something about chef Dara Klein's cooking that reflected the places she'd worked in London (Brawn, Trullo, and Sager & Wilde) and her background that included a childhood spent both in Emilia Romagna and New Zealand. Her cooking was different, exciting yet deeply hospitable.
Now, like The Compton's Four Legs residency before it, Tiella is moving into permanent digs. We have a strong gut feeling that Tiella Trattoria & Bar is going to be one of those places where securing a seat is going to get you serious bragging rights.
For this new venture, owner chef Dara Klein has teamed up with one of her childhood friends, Ry Jessup who handily happens to be the co-founder of Homeslice and The Plimsoll, so he's going to take over front of house. The pair have picked out a former pub site on Columbia Road for the trattoria's new home. The old central pub bar is being retained, so it's going to be a good place to pop in for a drink as well as settling in for a proper meal.
Being a modern London trattoria, Tiella is going to champion both Italian and British produce. "It's about honest food and honest hospitality,” says Dara. “We hope for it to become a trattoria for everyone - a place that feels like home, but with the generosity and rhythm of a restaurant." We'll have more details on just what's on the menu here closer to the opening.
More about Tiella Trattoria & Bar
Where is it? 109 Columbia Road, London E2 7RL
When does it open? Early 2026
Find out more: Follow them on Instagram @tiella_trattoria
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