Cicio Cacio Osteria

Welcome to Cicio Cacio Osteria, located at 167 Riddiford Street in Wellington, New Zealand. Our establishment is a unique blend of a restaurant, a point of interest, and a food establishment, offering a memorable dining experience.

At Cicio Cacio, we embrace the charm of traditional Italian osterie, where people come together to indulge in the joy of singing and revel in the atmosphere. We value the allure of both the cursed and the light, and take pride in serving deep glasses of wine that perfectly complement our delectable dishes.

Our journey began over a decade ago, when I found myself lost and lonely, working as a cook and aspiring to be a writer. Living in an old motel, I would spend my day off walking to Newtown, leaving my laundry at a nearby laundromat, and enjoying a coffee at Baobab café. It was there that I would catch a glimpse of Manon, a quaint eatery tucked away in an alleyway. The place exuded an old-world charm and bohemian decadence that captured my heart.

Years later, my wife Patricia, my former business partner, and I took a leap of faith and opened Cicio Cacio with $16,000, a name that challenges pronunciation, and a vision to defy conventional business rules. Starting with humble beginnings, we served two sausages on an empty plate, poured only Italian wines, and crafted menus in Italian. Despite the skepticism, we persevered, and today, we celebrate our love for good people, honest food, and genuine wines.

As an osteria, Cicio Cacio is committed to cooking humble Italian cuisine in a warm and welcoming family environment. We are passionate about exploring the diverse regional flavors of Italy, delving into lost recipes, and embracing the culinary traditions of different cities each month. From our famous homemade bread and pasta to our flavorful sausages, we take pride in creating authentic dishes by hand.

Our goal is to deliver an authentic taste of Italy, reminiscent of the food you would enjoy in an Italian home. We pay close attention to ingredients, places, people, and memories, infusing our dishes with simplicity, care, and respect. Our menus, wines, and even the language we use are all in Italian because Italy is the heart and soul of our osteria. We invite you to join us on this culinary journey and savor the flavors of Italy.

When it comes to our wine selection, we take pride in reflecting our travels through Italy and our passion for unique and exotic grape varieties. With over 500 different varieties, Italy is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating wine producers in the world. We carefully curate our wine list to match the diverse tastes and preferences of our guests, ensuring there is something for everyone, regardless of their background, profession, or age. We believe that wine, like any other art form, should be accessible, enjoyable, and democratic.

Cicio Cacio is not just a restaurant; it is our home. We create an ambiance of warmth and intimacy, lighting candles, stoking the fire, pouring wine, and playing music. As Baudelaire once said, "We will boil and serve our own heart." We invite you to join us at 167 Riddiford Street in Newtown, Wellington, New Zealand, for a truly memorable dining experience.