Panella

The story

Panella London: Sicilian Street Food Beneath Trellick Tower

Sicilian Roots and Seasonal Cooking

Panella brings authentic Sicilian street food to a converted basement kitchen in London’s Kensington district. Founders Giuseppe and Caterina Di Matteo draw on their native Palermo heritage to shape a daily menu that shifts with market availability. The Italian kitchen avoids rigid formulas, relying instead on fresh vegetables, simple preparations, and generous portions that honor both island traditions and local British harvests.

The Goldfinger Factory Space

Operating beneath the iconic Trellick Tower inside the Goldfinger Factory, the dining room embraces a deliberately unpolished aesthetic. Cluttered shelves, salvaged furniture, and eclectic objects create a homely environment that feels more like a shared living space than a formal venue. This grounded setting supports their weekly People’s Kitchen initiative, where donated market produce transforms into complimentary evening meals for the North Kensington community.

Honest Dishes and Local Recognition

The daytime service highlights uncomplicated plates like swordfish paired with bright cherry tomatoes or chicken braised with lemon and olives. Guests consistently seek out a deeply comforting parmigiana that restores faith in the often compromised dish, followed by individually crafted cassata pastries shipped from Sicily. This commitment to honest preparation recently earned the venue a Local Gem designation in The Good Food Guide, confirming its standing for authentic Italian cooking in West London.