Arianna Distefano
Finding an authentic Sicilian restaurant in Southwark turned out to be quite the challenge. That’s when I stumbled upon Bellucci, a small pizzeria tucked in Surrey Quays.
As soon as I read the menu, which included panelled arancini and cannoli, I had a good feeling. Most places I came across had only a few traditional dishes scattered across their menus.
I won’t lie. The Google images made the place look unpolished, but when my friends and I arrived at Bellucci, we were happily surprised. The dining room is inviting, with wooden tables, chairs, and greenery decorating the space. It felt like the spot where you could sit for hours without realising how much time had passed.
The atmosphere was warm and cosy, and the owner, Angelo, welcomed us with that easy-going Sicilian friendliness. He told us he opened the place in 2019 after working in restaurants since he was 14, first in Sicily, then in Montenegro, and finally in London.
We kicked things off with the Sicilian Mix, a proper feast of panelle, arancini, crocchette, and fries for a reasonable price of £18 for three people. The portions were generous (as they should be!), and some of us already felt full before the mains arrived.
This led to a nostalgic conversation with my housemate (we are both Sicilian) about how, back home, Sunday lunches were an endless tradition, where food kept coming, and leaving the table not properly stuffed was not an option. “I remember when my dad used to take me out on a Sunday, to eat a sandwich with panelle. It reminds me of home,” Angelo says. And after tasting it, I understood why he recommended it. The panelle and crocchette were easily my favourites—crispy on the outside, soft and comforting inside.
Then the arancini came in two flavours: classic ragù and ham and cheese. The ragù one was a dream—creamy, rich, with that slow-cooked depth of flavour that makes you close your eyes for a second to enjoy it fully. The ham and cheese, on the other hand, didn’t quite hit the same way. It wasn’t bad, just… missing something.
For mains, we shared three dishes: parmigiana, lasagna, and pasta with prawns and pistachio pesto. All were priced under £15 each, making them excellent value for their quality and portion size.
The lasagna was exactly how it should be—layered just right, packed with flavour, drowning in parmesan, and so rich that it melted in my mouth. The pasta with prawns and pistachio pesto was another winner. Al dente and creamy with just the right amount of nuttiness. The little crunchy pistachio bits on top made a nice contrast, and the prawns were fresh and juicy.
Now, about the parmigiana—I’ll be honest, aubergine isn’t my thing. But my Sicilian housemate, who’s way more qualified to judge, called it the best she’s had in London. So, I’ll take her word for it.
I also ordered a small pizza on the side to see how their dough and sauce held up. Unfortunately, it was the weakest dish of the night. Although the sauce was great, the dough lacked the magic of the pasta dishes. It wasn’t bad, just forgettable.
We all had slightly different opinions on the saltiness of the dishes. I love salt; I inherited this from my Sicilian grandma, who cooks like she’s seasoning for an army. So, I felt some dishes could have used just a pinch more to truly bring out the flavours. While it wasn’t a huge issue, I think a tiny bit of extra seasoning would have made the food perfect. Angelo admitted they’ve adjusted the local palate: “We have tried to reduce the amount of salt, as people here don’t really like it as we do in Sicily.”.
To conclude the meal and honour our traditions, we ordered two cannoli—one with ricotta and one with pistachio for £4.5 each. I could honestly write an entire page just about this.
The cannolo was massive, taking up the entire plate, and everything about it was perfect. The ricotta filling was silky and sweet, while the pastry shell was bright golden and satisfyingly crisp. The kind of bite instantly transported you back to grandma’s home.
Just when we thought the night couldn’t get better, Angelo, the owner, brought us over some limoncello on the house. At that moment, I truly felt at home.
It’s clear that Bellucci is built on passion rather than just business. “I feel lucky and truly satisfied. For me, it’s not about the profit—it’s the people, the atmosphere, and the joy on their faces when they taste my dishes,” Angelo shared. Bellucci’s vision is found in every bite.
Despite the contrast between British and Italian food culture, the restaurant has remained committed to tradition: “We have never changed or compromised. We have always maintained our recipes. We had requests, like pizza with ananas toppings or carbonara with chicken, but we have always refused to make them.”
The restaurant also prides itself on its ingredients. “Most of our suppliers are Italians, importing products from Italy, except for fresh ingredients like vegetables, which we take from local markets,” says Angelo.
Bellucci has always had strong support from the local community. “Locals here helped us a lot. This area is great, there’s lots of Italians who have always supported us.” As for the future, Angelo has big plans, “So far, we have only opened Bellucci Cafe. Our mission is to expand and open more Bellucci in different areas, to create a standard menu and experiment.”
My friends and I all agreed—we’d be back soon, no doubt about it. And if you’re looking for a little slice of Sicily in London, with reasonable prices, Bellucci is 100% worth a visit.
Bellucci is one of those places you might walk past without thinking twice, but once you step inside, you’ll feel like you’ve discovered something special. The food is generous, hearty, and nostalgic—the kind that makes you want to call your family afterwards just to say hi.
Featured image by Lauren Miller.