Lupa Team Opens Ornella in Hackney Wilton Way 2026

Key Points

• The team behind Lupa in London’s Highbury—Ed Templeton, Naz Hassan, and actor Theo James—are opening Ornella, a 48-cover Milanese restaurant on Wilton Way in Hackney, at the end of April 2026.​
• Ornella launches just nine months after Lupa opened in June 2025 and has been listed in the Michelin Guide.​
• The menu, created by head chef Naz Hassan and collaborator Alessandro Boscolo (also called Sandro), focuses on butter-rich, Alpine-influenced Milanese cuisine including mondeghili meatballs, penne alla vodka, vitello tonnato, ‘elephant’s ear’ cotoletta di vitello, tagliatelle al burro e Parmigiano, and millefoglie alle fragole for dessert; other reports mention risotto alla Milanese and Zuppa Inglese.
• Named after Milanese singer Ornella Vanoni, Ornella pays homage to Milan institutions like Osteria Conchetta and Trattoria del Nuovo Macello.​
• Described as ‘less trattoria, more ristorante’, it will offer aperitivo hour with cocktails, Italian wines, and amaro, including alfresco in summer.​
• Design by Studio Arlette and furniture maker Herb Palmer, inspired by Milan’s neighbourhood ristoranti with warm wood panelling, mid-century furnishings, and contemporary artwork.​
• Site previously housed Fran’s; Ornella is almost double the size of Lupa (28 covers) with an expansive pavement terrace.​
• Ed Templeton stated: “We’d always spoken about doing another one one day, but I don’t think we ever imagined we’d be opening a second restaurant just nine months later. Sites like this one don’t come up very often though. When we were discussing the concept, we knew immediately that we had to give Naz the chance to cook the food of his home city. He’s exceptionally talented, as is his sous chef Sandro. We can’t wait to see how they channel their talent into another iconic city with another very strong culinary identity. We could have done a second Lupa, and maybe we will one day, but we wanted to do something even more ambitious here and Milan gives us licence to do that. We’re super-excited to become part of another very special neighbourhood.”​
• Lupa background: Roman-inspired neighbourhood restaurant at 73 Highbury Park, N5 1UA, opened 21 June 2025; Pidgin former head chef Naz Hassan leads kitchen on Roman comfort food.
• Ornella at 51 Wilton Way, E8 1BG, in London Fields area of Hackney; joins dynamic scene near Teal by Sally Abé.
• Naz Hassan grew up in Milan; represents underrepresented Northern Italian cuisine in London.​
• Follow Ornella on Instagram @ornella.restaurant.​

Hackney, London (East London Times) 26 March 2026 – The team behind the acclaimed Lupa restaurant in Highbury—Carousel co-founder Ed Templeton, former Pidgin head chef Naz Hassan, and White Lotus actor Theo James—are set to launch Ornella, a 48-cover Milanese restaurant on Wilton Way in Hackney, at the end of April 2026.

This follows just nine months after Lupa’s opening in June 2025, which has earned a Michelin Guide listing for its Roman-inspired dishes. Ornella, named after Milanese singer Ornella Vanoni, will showcase butter-rich, Alpine-influenced cuisine from Hassan’s hometown, differentiating it from Lupa’s Roman focus.

Who is behind Ornella restaurant in Hackney?

Ed Templeton, co-founder of pop-up space Carousel, leads the business side alongside local Highbury resident and actor Theo James, known for The White Lotus, and chef Naz Hassan, previously head chef at Pidgin and Crispin. As reported in The Caterer, the trio launched Lupa at 73 Highbury Park, N5 1UA, on 21 June 2025, as a 28-cover Roman osteria dedicated to

“the beauty and simplicity of traditional Roman osterias with a distinct London flare”.

Naz Hassan, who grew up in Milan, brings personal authenticity to Ornella’s menu, partnering with long-time collaborator and sous chef Alessandro Boscolo (Sandro). Templeton emphasised the rapid timeline, noting in The Caterer:

“We’d always spoken about doing another one one day, but I don’t think we ever imagined we’d be opening a second restaurant just nine months later. Sites like this one don’t come up very often though.”

What menu items will Ornella feature?

The menu follows a classic antipasti, primi, secondi, dolci structure, highlighting Milanese staples. Dishes include mondeghili meatballs, penne alla vodka, vitello tonnato, the signature ‘elephant’s ear’ cotoletta di vitello (veal cutlet), tagliatelle al burro e Parmigiano, and millefoglie alle fragole for dessert, as detailed by The Caterer.

Additional reports from SSBCrack News mention risotto alla Milanese and Zuppa Inglese, an Italian trifle interpretation. Restaurant Online notes the focus on Northern Italy’s underrepresented flavours. Ornella will also host aperitivo hour in Milanese tradition, serving cocktails, Italian wines, and amaro—alfresco in summer months.

As reported by The Caterer, the menu pays homage to institutions like Osteria Conchetta and Trattoria del Nuovo Macello, dubbed ‘less trattoria, more ristorante’.

Where exactly is Ornella located and what was there before?

Ornella takes over 51 Wilton Way, E8 1BG, in Hackney’s London Fields area, previously home to Fran’s, according to SSBCrack News. The site is nearly double Lupa’s size at 28 covers, with an expansive pavement terrace for an inviting atmosphere.

Restaurant Online specifies Wilton Way in London Fields, positioning it amid a dynamic scene. Hot Dinners confirms the address as ideal for Hackney’s vibrant food neighbourhood. Templeton highlighted its rarity:

“Sites like this one don’t come up very often though.”

Nearby, Teal by Sally Abé has recently opened, enhancing Wilton Way’s appeal, per SSBCrack News.​

When will Ornella open its doors?

The restaurant is slated for late April 2026, as announced across multiple outlets including The Caterer and Restaurant Online on 26 March 2026. This quick follow-up to Lupa underscores the team’s momentum.

SSBCrack News echoes the April 2026 timeline, anticipating it will draw food enthusiasts for authentic Milanese fare. Potential patrons can track updates via Instagram @ornella.restaurant.​

How does Ornella differ from Lupa?

While Lupa specialises in Roman comfort food—casual, fun, and delicious with seasonal specials—Ornella shifts to ambitious Milanese cuisine. Templeton explained in The Caterer:

“We knew immediately that we had to give Naz the chance to cook the food of his home city… We could have done a second Lupa, and maybe we will one day, but we wanted to do something even more ambitious here and Milan gives us licence to do that.”

SSBCrack News notes Ornella differentiates by bringing Milan flavours, contrasting Lupa’s Roman focus, with Hassan’s roots influencing the menu. Larger in scale, it blends Lupa’s intimacy with Milanese scale.

What does Ornella’s design look like?

Designed by Studio Arlette and furniture maker Herb Palmer, Ornella draws from Milan’s neighbourhood ristoranti. Features include warm wood panelling, mid-century-inspired furnishings, and contemporary artwork, as reported by The Caterer.​

This creates a welcoming, elegant space suited for aperitivo and dining, aligning with the venue’s upscale yet neighbourhood feel.

Why is this opening significant for Hackney’s food scene?

Hackney’s culinary landscape gains from Ornella’s arrival, filling a gap in Milanese representation amid vibrant spots like Teal by Sally Abé. Templeton expressed excitement:

“We’re super-excited to become part of another very special neighbourhood.”

The project’s celebrity backing and rapid success post-Lupa—Michelin-listed—signal rising ambition in London’s Italian dining. SSBCrack News predicts it will become a standout for expertly crafted dishes and cocktails.

Industry observers note Wilton Way’s dynamism, positioning Ornella as a key player. With Hassan’s talent and Boscolo’s input, it promises to channel Milan’s strong identity into East London.