Our Story

Ciao! We’re Alessio and Andrea — two childhood friends from Palermo, Sicily, and the chefs behind Trattoria Italiana.

Our journey began long before we opened the doors to our restaurant. We’ve been friends for over 20 years, bonded by a shared love for food, tradition, and the flavours of our homeland.

For both of us, cooking has always been a part of life. Andrea grew up watching his mother cook simple, beautiful meals with love, learning the importance of care and tradition in the kitchen. Alessio discovered his passion early, working in a local pizzeria as a boy, fascinated by the craft of pizza-making and the joy it brought to others.

After gaining over 15 years of experience each in the culinary world, we moved to the UK with a dream: to create a place where people could experience the true taste of Italy — not just through food, but through atmosphere, hospitality, and heart.

That dream became Trattoria Italiana.

Here, we bring a little bit of Sicily to every dish we serve. From handmade pastas to wood-fired pizzas and classic Sicilian favourites, everything we make is inspired by the flavours we grew up with and the traditions passed down through generations.

To us, food is more than just a meal — it’s a way of bringing people together, sharing stories, and celebrating life.

We’re so happy to welcome you to our trattoria, and we hope that from the first bite to the last, you feel the same warmth, love, and passion that we pour into every dish.

With love,

Alessio & Andrea
Founders & Chefs – Trattoria Italiana

A Taste of Italy in the Heart of Essex