An Italian eatery in north London’s Highgate has issued a blunt and biting goodbye to its local community and customers following its permanent closure, bluntly stating, “Thank you for never supporting us, not even once.”
Don Ciccio, which opened its doors six years ago on Hampstead Lane, ceased operations earlier this month. The restaurant’s website featured a fiery farewell letter titled “Farewell,” directly addressing the neighborhood and expressing deep frustration over the lack of patronage.
The closure was attributed explicitly to insufficient customer turnout. The message went on to deliver a series of sharp rebukes:
The restaurant sarcastically thanked the Highgate community for their complete lack of support, emphasizing that not a single visit was made after the pandemic lockdowns, despite Don Ciccio being one of the few establishments open during that period.
A pointed critique was also aimed at residents living just a few doors away who chose to order food from other venues rather than supporting their local Italian restaurant.
The closing statement read: “In summary, thank you all for your impeccable support. WE MAY BE THE FIRST ITALIAN RESTAURANT TO SHUT DOWN… not because of poor cuisine, negative reviews, or misfortune, but due to the sheer apathy of our neighbors.”
The letter also addressed the Highgate Society, expressing disappointment over the lack of response to collaboration proposals. Andrew Sulston, chair of the Society, replied with sympathy for the restaurant’s closure but explained that as a volunteer-run organization without paid staff, they are unable to respond to every inquiry.
Despite receiving glowing accolades and maintaining a strong reputation, these honors were insufficient to keep the business afloat. Don Ciccio highlighted that being a Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice winner for multiple years and having one of London’s top-rated pizzas did not translate into sustainable patronage. Over six years, the restaurant held a 4.7-star Google rating from 700 reviews.
On Tripadvisor, Don Ciccio earned a 4.6 out of 5 rating based on 239 reviews, though recent feedback has been less favorable. The menu, still accessible online, featured traditional Italian fare with prices ranging between $19 and $35. The farewell concluded simply with the Italian word for goodbye: “Addio.”
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