Don Ciccio, an Italian restaurant on Hampstead Lane in affluent Highgate, north London, shut its doors for the final time this week – and owner Marco Claudio Valente explained why
The owner of an Italian restaurant took aim at locals — blaming them for its closure — in a brutal parting jab last night.
Marco Claudio Valente said his staff were left “humiliated” by empty dining rooms at Don Ciccio as residents across affluent Highgate, north London regularly chose to grab takeaways elsewhere. The restaurant shut its doors for the last time this week after six years of trade.
Speaking last night, Mr Valente said: “We tried to do everything, and despite that, we are the only Italian restaurant, probably in the world, that needs to close, not for any bad reviews, prices, quality of food or the service, but just for the indifference around us.
“Of course I stand by my words. They are still there [online]. We had a lot of very nice customers, but it was very tough. We were struggling there and were somehow humiliated in this place.”
Don Ciccio had faced uproar when Mr Valente wrote in a bitter final website post to take a swipe at locals in Highgate. It said “bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck” were not at fault, rather potential patrons ordering takeaways elsewhere, an argument the businessman further stressed last night.
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The eatery had served traditional Italian fare, including pizzas costing up to £18 and a risotto priced at £26, and was named Traveller’s Choice on TripAdvisor between 2023 and 2025.
However, it faced challenges lately, so much Mr Valente said his staff were left “humiliated” by the frequent empty tables. This is despite being in well-heeled area, where properties regularly sell for more than £1million, according to Rightmove.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Mr Valente continued: “When you are an Italian restaurant, and sometimes you do just £40 or £45 per day total revenue, it is very frustrating. It’s very humiliating. Probably we could have been supported better by the community. I’m not saying anything bad against Highgate or the people around us. The point is that nobody supported us, and we were probably the only Italian restaurant in the world making £40 revenue a day.
“An Italian restaurant does not need rich people instead of poor people or normal people. We only need people. It doesn’t matter how rich the wallets of these people are.”
Don Ciccio, which opened in 2019, had boasted a 4.7 out of 5 rating on Google. Its resilient former owner now intends to use his previous success and extensive experience in hospitality to open a new restaurant in London, despite disappoint around this project.
Mario Seyho, who runs local newsagent Brooksby, said: “He’s (Mr Valente) upset… Nobody was going to his restaurant. How many times have restaurants at that spot closed down? I know another that has got problems.”