Deptford has its fair share of cool-kid restaurants, and Marcella is one of those spots locals whisper about – though it’s officially time to stop gate-keeping.
Every Sunday, this neighbourhood favourite rolls out a £29 set menu that feels like a warm hug, a quick Italian getaway, and a slightly smug life decision all rolled into one. It’s a masterclass in how simplicity, seasonality and proper Italian instincts can create something genuinely memorable.
The menu changes daily, and the blackboard is intentionally short. Marcella isn’t here to give you 12 starters and a small panic attack. Instead, you get a tight, confident selection that proves the kitchen has taste, restraint, and maybe a nonna hiding somewhere out back.
On our visit, we started with the cuore del vesuvio with homemade ricotta and smoked almonds – a beautiful clash of creamy, smoky and bright flavours that somehow feels both rustic and elegant. Then came the hispi cabbage with bagna càuda, Taggiasca olives and breadcrumbs: a dish that turns a humble vegetable into something deeply savoury and northern Italian in spirit.
Marcella’s pasta is always a strong suit, and the casarecce with venison & bacon ragù kept that reputation intact. Slow-cooked, rich, and comforting without tipping into heavy – a great Sunday dish. For something lighter yet no less satisfying, the roasted cauliflower with peppers, stracciatella, and batterini nails that sweet and creamy, charred balance. It’s an excellent vegetarian option that doesn’t feel like an afterthought.
Desserts keep the understated charm going. The olive oil cake with custard is soft, fragrant, and quietly indulgent, while the almond ice cream is smooth, nutty, and the kind of simple pleasure you don’t realise you’ve missed until you taste it.
At £29, Marcella’s Sunday set menu is exceptional value – thoughtful, seasonal cooking that manages to feel both homely and refined. It’s the sort of neighbourhood restaurant every area deserves and one that you hope to visit at least a few times a month.
