Dining at Cicchetti Piccadilly feels akin to being ensconced within a Venetian sunset. Dishes we sampled:
In the heart of London, the Venetian-style restaurant Cicchetti Piccadilly has undergone a stunning modern redesign, transforming it into a theatrical yet inviting dining destination. The transformation was the work of London and LA-based interior architecture and design studio Fettle, who collaborated with the San Carlo Group, the restaurant's operator.
The design inspiration for Cicchetti Piccadilly draws heavily from Venetian architecture and the city’s iconic atmosphere, specifically referencing the magic of dusk and a Venetian sunset. The material palette and detailing evoke elements reminiscent of Venice’s waterways and water taxis, integrating warm timber, mosaic tiles, and geometric fabrics to reflect this mood.
The design spans 7,520 sq ft across two floors, encompassing a large bar area with distinctive bevelled mirror ceiling coffers, a curved back bar, and bespoke pink geometric upholstered bar stools. The main dining space is defined by vibrant yellow walls, while mirrored tiles set into a frieze and verre églomisé mural panels add a touch of elegance. The flooring includes a chequerboard pattern, striped, scalloped detailing in the bar, and marble palladiana in the toilets.
Cicchetti Piccadilly's private dining room follows a similar theme, with an inset bespoke rug that echoes the tones of a hand-painted sky ceiling fresco overhead. The chandelier light reflects off the mirrored tiles and softens the lofty ceiling, creating an atmosphere akin to a Venetian sunset.
Popular starters at Cicchetti Piccadilly include the stylish tempura prawns, dressed with spicy mayonnaise and served in a cocktail glass. The extensive menu offers a wide selection of Italian classics, including pane and bruschetta, fritti, stuzzichini, salads, pasta, pizza, meats, fish, and vegetables. The portions are generously sized, and the team recommends ordering two to three dishes per person and sharing them as they become ready.
The dessert menu includes the Dolci Cicchetti, a selection of mini bites accompanied by a glass of limoncello. The new Cicchetti Piccadilly is designed to resemble a Venetian local bacari (small bar or tavern).
Cicchetti Piccadilly has moved to a new location, still in Piccadilly, London. You can find it at 172-173 Piccadilly, London W1J 9EJ, in the United Kingdom. The restaurant's extensive menu is available from noon until near midnight, making it an ideal destination for a leisurely dinner or a quick bite.
Andy Goodwin, co-founder and creative director of Fettle, explains that they modernised the look and feel of the original restaurant through colour blocking and incorporating details such as scalloped borders and chequered patterns. The result is a blend of San Carlo’s legacy with a contemporary, playful neighbourhood Italian restaurant atmosphere.
The metamorphosis of Cicchetti Piccadilly reflects a fusion of Venetian architecture and London's modern aesthetic, transforming it into a theatrical yet inviting dining destination that offers an extensive food-and-drink menu, reminiscent of a Venetian local bacari. The lifestyle of Cicchetti Piccadilly, from its design to its cuisine, incorporates home-and-garden elements like warm timber, mosaic tiles, and geometric fabrics, evoking the tranquility of Venice's waterways and sunsets.
