Don Ciccio restaurant in London has been slammed by locals after it closed

An Italian restaurant criticized local residents after closing, saying: “Thank you for never supporting us, even once.”

Don Ciccio brought down the doors to its Highgate, north London, store earlier this month, exactly six years after it opened.

Announcing the closure on its website, the Hampstead Lane restaurant took an angry parting shot at the “community”.

“We are closed due to lack of customers,” the message read.

“To the Highgate community and its neighbors – 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 was over.

“To the Highgate Society – thank you for never responding to any of our proposals for cooperation.

“To those who lived a few doors away but ordered delivery from elsewhere – thank you for keeping your distance.

​In short: Thank you all for your exemplary support.

“We may be the first Italian restaurant to close its doors…

“…not because of bad food, bad reviews, or bad luck – but because of the utter indifference of our neighbors.”

Don Ciccio’s menu, which is still available online, lists classic Italian dishes including pizza and pasta, priced between $19 and $35.

Rated 4.6 on TripAdvisor (out of five), from 239 reviews.

However, the last two reviews are less than complimentary – with one ending: “Don’t go there.”

The online message – titled “Farewell” – continued: “We are closed due to lack of customers.

“It wasn’t enough to be named Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Choice 2023 – 2024 – 2025. It wasn’t enough to be told we had one of the best pizzas in London.

“It wasn’t enough to get 4.7 stars on Google, with 700 reviews, for each of those six years. Nor to change our menu every season, cycling through Italian flavours.

“We are guests in this country, and as guests, we will not complain.

“We will simply say: addio.”

When asked about the restaurant front, Andrew Sulston, chairman of the Highgate Society, told Ham & High: “We are always very sorry when any local business closes.

“Because the Highgate Society has no paid staff and all our activities are run by volunteers, we are unfortunately not always able to follow up on all requests.”