Rossa's Ice Cream
1896
The family’s history began when Raffaele Boccarossa (his English name being Ralph Rossa) left his family in Italy to travel alone to Leicester. Shortly after he arrived, in 1896, he opened up a business named Rossa’s Ice Cream. Ralph started the business operating from an ice cream cart in Cheapside Leicester.
Later on, he started to produce their own ice cream in their home on Wharf Street, Leicester.
Café Rialto
1963
In 1963, Ralph's son Domenico, the second generation, established Café Rialto in the Malcolm Arcade Leicester.
Geoff, the third generation - Domenico's son, left school at the age of 14 to work in Café Rialto and later contributed to the family's other dining establishments in the old indoor market building, specifically, Don's Diner and, subsequently, Rossa's Café.
Café Bocca Leicester
2002
In 2002, when the Leicester indoor market was scheduled for demolition, Geoff, along with his daughter Bianca - the fourth generation, established Café Bocca in Leicester's Market Place.
Geoff, Bianca and her husband Ru started the business from scratch, dedicatedly working early mornings from 5am to prepare the sandwiches.
Café Bocca's move to Wigston
2023
Café Bocca Leicester had to close its doors in 2023, due to the ‘rebuilding of the market’ in Leicester’s city centre.
Geoff, Bianca and Ru found a new location in the heart of Wigston’s town centre where they moved the business to.
Bocca Bell Street
2024
After a stunning redesign Bocca Bell Street opened its doors to welcome new customers in Wigston.
Bianca, Ru and their son Zak, the fifth generation, continue to serve excellent food and drinks, high quality coffee and deliver exceptional service - known and loved for generations.
We are Closed
Saturday 19th October - Thursday 24th October
Our Story
Our rich family history dates back 128-years and spans 5 generations, originating from our great grandfather Ralph Rossa (Raffaele Boccarossa). After he moved from Italy to Leicester, he started an ice cream business, operating from a cart in Cheapside Leicester, 1896. Following his fathers footsteps, Ralph's son, Domenico opened Café Rialto in 1963 and subsequently Don’s Diner and Rossa’s Café in Leicester's Market Hall. Once Domenico’s son Geoff turned 14, he left school to work for his father in the various businesses. Later on, he took over and opened another - Café Bocca Leicester in 2002. In 2023, Café Bocca Leicester moved to Wigston after being taken on by his daughter Bianca and her husband Ru who redesigned and rebranded the business as Bocca Bell Street, to open in 2024.
Customer Reviews
"Had a wonderful coffee and cake here this morning. Excellent service, atmosphere and quality of coffee and cake first class. Will definitely return!!"
"Lovely independent coffee shop. Needed this in Wigston for a while and the owners are fantastic really looked after my son with a lovely hot chocolate. Nice to support local businesses and much better service than Costa etc."
"Fantastic new café here in Wigston. (After being at Leicester Market for so many years.) Excellent service ."
That's serious coffee!
King Charles III
In 2020, Café Bocca Leicester was visited by King Charles III, then the Prince of Wales. The café was prepared for the royal visit, as Geoff, the owner, said, “They’d ordered ahead so we were ready with the refreshments. I think they liked it."
After taking a sip of his Bocca espresso, the King declared, "That’s serious coffee."
