'Thank you for never supporting us': Italian restaurant lashes out as it closes after six years
Don Ciccio Osteria Italiana has closed after six years, blaming 'a lack of local support' despite top reviews and awards.
The restaurant was located in Highgate, north London, and was known for its authentic southern Italian cuisine and warm, family-run atmosphere.
Its menus showcased regional Italian classics such as spaghetti alla norma, Aubergine Parmigiana, and homemade tiramisu, with seasonal changes every few months to reflect regional Italian produce.
the announcement
A message on its website read: "Dear residents of Highgate, of the neighbouring villages, of North London, and of London in general, Don Ciccio – Osteria Italiana has closed today, exactly six years after its opening in October 2019.
"We have closed due to a lack of customers. It wasn’t enough to be Traveller’s Choice 2023 – 2024 – 2025 on Tripadvisor. It wasn’t enough to be told we had one of the best pizzas in London. It wasn’t enough to hold 4.7 stars on Google, with 700 reviews, for every one of those six years. Nor to change our menu each season, roaming through the flavours of Italy. We are guests in this country, and as guests, we will not complain. We’ll simply say: addio.
"And now, with gratitude: To our staff - Roberto, Diego, Daniele, the many waiters and chefs who came and went - thank you for your passion, and for enduring the humiliation of entire evenings with an empty dining room. To our faithful customers - we’ll miss you. Perhaps one day we’ll meet again, in Italy.
"To the community of Highgate and its neighbours - thank you for never supporting us, not even once. To those we served during lockdown, when we were the only restaurant open,
thank you for never visiting us once the pandemic ended. To the Highgate Society - thank you for never replying to any of our proposals for collaboration.
"To those who lived a few doors away yet ordered delivery from somewhere else - thank you for your commitment to distance.
"In short: thank you all for supporting us so perfectly.
"WE MAY BE THE FIRST ITALIAN RESTAURANT TO CLOSE....not for bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck - but for the sheer indifference of our neighbours.
"To those who said, back in 2019, “they’ll close within three months” - congratulations!
"You were only off by five years and nine months.
"We’re proud to have served the elderly, the children, the families, the lonely, the joyful and the broken alike. At least we did our duty.
"It’s only a drop - soon it will dry. Unless, of course, it’s the beginning of a storm.
"Addio. Goodbye"
A separate announcement was also posted on Instagram:
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