A chef wearing a striped apron and plaid shirt carefully plates fresh ravioli, using a spoon to arrange pieces from a pan in a warmly lit kitchen setting.
A chef wearing a striped apron and plaid shirt carefully plates fresh ravioli, using a spoon to arrange pieces from a pan in a warmly lit kitchen setting.

Our story

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We started Semola to share the food we grew up with – fresh pasta made every morning, simple Italian dishes passed down through our families, and the kind of warm, relaxed hospitality that makes people feel at home.

Roberto & Luca

A chef wearing a striped apron, light-coloured shirt and cap speaks to diners while gesturing with his hands. He stands in a restaurant setting with glassware and a water carafe on the table in front of him, and shelves of ingredients and packaging visible in the background.
A chef wearing a striped apron, light-coloured shirt and cap speaks to diners while gesturing with his hands. He stands in a restaurant setting with glassware and a water carafe on the table in front of him, and shelves of ingredients and packaging visible in the background.

Roots in Italy, home in Hove.

Roots in Italy, home in Hove.

Roots in Italy, home in Hove.

A young boy and an older woman cooking together at a kitchen table, both stirring a large pan of sauce. The boy focuses intently on mixing while the woman gently guides him, creating a warm, nostalgic family moment.
A young boy and an older woman cooking together at a kitchen table, both stirring a large pan of sauce. The boy focuses intently on mixing while the woman gently guides him, creating a warm, nostalgic family moment.
A young boy and an older woman cooking together at a kitchen table, both stirring a large pan of sauce. The boy focuses intently on mixing while the woman gently guides him, creating a warm, nostalgic family moment.

Luca and Roberto both grew up in kitchens shaped by family tradition, from the fresh pastas of Puglia to the northern flavours of Milan. Luca began cooking professionally at thirteen, working his way from KP to head chef across Italy and Europe before settling in the UK. Roberto learned by watching his grandmother cook every day, later training in fresh pasta so he could bring those childhood memories to life here in Hove.

Luca and Roberto both grew up in kitchens shaped by family tradition, from the fresh pastas of Puglia to the northern flavours of Milan. Luca began cooking professionally at thirteen, working his way from KP to head chef across Italy and Europe before settling in the UK. Roberto learned by watching his grandmother cook every day, later training in fresh pasta so he could bring those childhood memories to life here in Hove.

Luca and Roberto both grew up in kitchens shaped by family tradition, from the fresh pastas of Puglia to the northern flavours of Milan. Luca began cooking professionally at thirteen, working his way from KP to head chef across Italy and Europe before settling in the UK. Roberto learned by watching his grandmother cook every day, later training in fresh pasta so he could bring those childhood memories to life here in Hove.

A chef in a striped apron and cap prepares a dish in a professional stainless-steel kitchen, surrounded by fresh herbs, containers of ingredients and cooking equipment, as he works over a counter with focus and precision.
A chef in a striped apron and cap prepares a dish in a professional stainless-steel kitchen, surrounded by fresh herbs, containers of ingredients and cooking equipment, as he works over a counter with focus and precision.
A chef in a striped apron and cap prepares a dish in a professional stainless-steel kitchen, surrounded by fresh herbs, containers of ingredients and cooking equipment, as he works over a counter with focus and precision.

Everything we serve starts with fresh pasta, prepared every morning by hand in our kitchen downstairs. Our dishes follow the rhythms of the seasons and the ingredients we find each week, brought together with the same simplicity and care our families taught us. Nothing is pre-cooked and every plate is made to order, guided by tradition, instinct and what tastes best on the day.

Everything we serve starts with fresh pasta, prepared every morning by hand in our kitchen downstairs. Our dishes follow the rhythms of the seasons and the ingredients we find each week, brought together with the same simplicity and care our families taught us. Nothing is pre-cooked and every plate is made to order, guided by tradition, instinct and what tastes best on the day.

Everything we serve starts with fresh pasta, prepared every morning by hand in our kitchen downstairs. Our dishes follow the rhythms of the seasons and the ingredients we find each week, brought together with the same simplicity and care our families taught us. Nothing is pre-cooked and every plate is made to order, guided by tradition, instinct and what tastes best on the day.

Fresh, simple, made daily.

Fresh, simple, made daily.

Fresh, simple, made daily.

A place that feels like home.

A place that feels like home.

A place that feels like home.

A man and woman enjoying a meal together in a warmly lit restaurant, smiling as they clink glasses of rosé wine. Decorative lights run along the wall behind them, and a small lamp and bowl of olives sit on their table.
A man and woman enjoying a meal together in a warmly lit restaurant, smiling as they clink glasses of rosé wine. Decorative lights run along the wall behind them, and a small lamp and bowl of olives sit on their table.
A man and woman enjoying a meal together in a warmly lit restaurant, smiling as they clink glasses of rosé wine. Decorative lights run along the wall behind them, and a small lamp and bowl of olives sit on their table.

We want Semola to feel like walking into a friend’s home: warm, relaxed and unpretentious. With our open kitchen, familiar faces and a room full of regulars, most guests tell us the same thing - that the welcome and atmosphere are as comforting as the food itself. Whether it’s a quiet dinner, a celebration or one of our weekly specials, we’re here to make you feel looked after.

We want Semola to feel like walking into a friend’s home: warm, relaxed and unpretentious. With our open kitchen, familiar faces and a room full of regulars, most guests tell us the same thing - that the welcome and atmosphere are as comforting as the food itself. Whether it’s a quiet dinner, a celebration or one of our weekly specials, we’re here to make you feel looked after.

We want Semola to feel like walking into a friend’s home: warm, relaxed and unpretentious. With our open kitchen, familiar faces and a room full of regulars, most guests tell us the same thing - that the welcome and atmosphere are as comforting as the food itself. Whether it’s a quiet dinner, a celebration or one of our weekly specials, we’re here to make you feel looked after.

A close-up spread of Italian dishes including a wooden board piled with sliced mortadella, salami, parmesan and salad, a portion of bubbly cheese pizza, and a fresh caprese-style salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, pear slices and pine nuts.
A close-up spread of Italian dishes including a wooden board piled with sliced mortadella, salami, parmesan and salad, a portion of bubbly cheese pizza, and a fresh caprese-style salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, pear slices and pine nuts.
A close-up spread of Italian dishes including a wooden board piled with sliced mortadella, salami, parmesan and salad, a portion of bubbly cheese pizza, and a fresh caprese-style salad with tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, pear slices and pine nuts.

What are you in the mood for?

What are you in the mood for?

Fresh handmade pasta, a weekly-changing special, or one of our simple Italian classics? Whatever you choose, everything is cooked to order with fresh ingredients and family tradition.

Fresh handmade pasta, a weekly-changing special, or one of our simple Italian classics? Whatever you choose, everything is cooked to order with fresh ingredients and family tradition.

View our menus

View our menus

View our menus