Terra Terra

If there’s one thing better than a brand new Italian restaurant, it’s a brand new Italian restaurant that’s open all day, and we mean all day. With fresh Italian coffee available from 6.30am and freshly-baked goods from the on-site bakery making an appearance from 7.30am, early birds and commuters will have no excuse to travel hungry from north London to wherever they’re headed.

Inspired by the bustling food markets of Bologna and Florence, Terra Terra’s focus will be on melding traditional Italian dishes with modern recipes to create simple food that epitomises the rich flavours of the cuisine. The owners have also pledged to use only locally-sourced ingredients from trusted suppliers who have cultivated and nurtured their land for generations, so diners can be sure of the freshest produce on their plates.

The menu is simple but enticing, with typical dishes such as cacio e pepe arancini, fennel sausage pizette with roasted peppers and chilli oil, and pea and courgette risotto appearing alongside more innovative creations including crab macaroni with chilli and samphire, and lamb ragu with casarecce and pangrattato. There will also be sandwiches and lighter bites for lunch. Traditionalists will love the desserts on offer, which include ricotta cannolo, and Amalfi lemon posset with fennel and almond biscotti.

Come evening, the two-floor restaurant, conveniently located opposite Finchley Road station, will transform from a trendy bakery/café-restaurant to a space for great cocktails. Overseen by award-winning mixologist Walter Pintus (formerly of The Mandrake, the Rivoli Bar at The Ritz and The Conduit), the list will feature a range of exciting concoctions. During summer months, guests seeking tranquillity can take advantage of the outdoor space, which takes the form of a private terrace that’s nicely tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the Finchley Road.