As Emporio Italia celebrates 20 years of service, beyond raises a glass of vino to the much-loved restaurant and the family who made it all happen.

For 20 years the name Emporio Italia has been synonymous with some of the finest and most authentic Italian food available in Yorkshire.

And this December as the popular family-run Italian in the heart of Ilkley celebrates two decades in business, owner Luigi Pignanelli and his family can look back on their incredible journey with immense pride.

It is a reputation that has seen Emporio Italia become one of the biggest success stories on the local culinary scene with reservations booked up months in advance and people travelling miles to sample the legendary dishes that have made it such a popular destination for diners.

Since launching the restaurant in 2005, Luigi estimates he has served in the region of 650,000 customers a total of more than 800,000 dishes which he lovingly prepares round the clock using the recipes that were passed down to him from his parents and grandparents while growing up in Calabria.

And that has always been the secret to their success – the creation of authentic Italian cuisine that is served the right way and in the right atmosphere.

Dining at Emporio has always been far more than going for a meal, it is pure theatre, served up on a plate with such heart that it’s hard to imagine you’re anywhere other than an Italian taverna and it’s an experience that never disappoints.

Lovingly supported by his wife Sam and their three children, Stephanie, Gianluca and Fabrizia – who were just toddlers when Emporio first opened –  it is a restaurant firmly based on family traditions and while there has been obstacles along the way, their endurance and spirit to overcome them has been even more remarkable.

Back in 2005 when the doors to the restaurant – that has become lovingly known as ‘The little Italian in Ilkley’ – first opened, Luigi would prepare dishes at the family home before transporting them to the restaurant for service.

It was a round-the-clock operation and within months, word was soon spreading of this exciting new Italian diner in town.

A second restaurant in Skipton opened in 2008 but despite seven years of successful service there, Luigi and his family decided to focus all their energy into the Ilkley one and its popularity grew.

Despite surviving two recessions, the crippling effects of Covid and then a life-threatening liver transplant in 2017, Luigi and his family survived it all and while cutting back on their hours in 2022, it is a business that remains as popular as ever

Now aged 68 and having spent the past 20 years cooking up a storm single-handedly in the cosy family diner and 15 years prior to that in his previous Ilkley restaurant, la Sila, Luigi is still as passionate about cooking and knows the restaurant is in the best hands with Gianluca and Fabrizia ready to take over the reins when the time comes for him to finally hang up his pots and pans for good.

He said: “The past 20 years at Emporio have given me some of the most wonderful times of my life and our customers have become life-long friends for whom it has been a pleasure to cook for.

“It is hard to believe where we have come from in those early days but thanks to all the incredible staff we’ve had over the years and the unrelenting support of my amazing family we have survived through hard-work, passion and the love of bringing the best food in the world to the table.”

But for now, Luigi is going nowhere and as they prepare to celebrate another Christmas, the good news for regulars, is that his delicious menu will still be available at lunchtimes from Tuesday to Saturday and one evening a week.

In addition, the team will also be taking bookings for private functions and outside catering for any big celebrations and despite his age, Luigi is showing no signs of slowing down.

He added: “I can’t thank all our customers enough for their support over the years and I look forward to continuing cooking for you in the restaurant or the comfort of your own home.”

For a family who have brought so much pleasure to so many and who have put their heart and soul into this much-loved restaurant, we can’t thank them enough and here’s to the next 20 years of Emporio Italia.

To book a lunchtime table at Emporio Italia or enquire about their upcoming events or private booking services, please call 01943 608797 or follow them on facebook and Instagram @emporioitaliailkley

Emporio Italia , Railway Road, Ilkley LS29 8HQ
T: 01943 608797