Jerusalem's Piccolino Restaurant Closes After 35 Years
Translated & summarized from Kipa by baba
Jerusalem's kosher Italian restaurant Piccolino is closing at the end of October after 35 years. The founding families announced the decision, citing a desire for rest after decades of operation. The restaurant was a significant part of the community, hosting celebrations and engaging in social activism. The family stated the closure is not due to a crisis but a personal decision to take a break.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Piccolino, a kosher Italian restaurant in Jerusalem, will close its doors at the end of October.
- The restaurant has been in operation for 35 years, founded by Nava and her husband Yoska.
- The family cited a desire for rest as the reason for closing, not a crisis or loss of passion.
- Piccolino was a significant community hub, hosting life events and engaging in social activism.
- The family invites customers to visit before closing to share memories.
Piccolino, a well-known kosher restaurant in Jerusalem, will close its doors at the end of October after 35 years of operation. The founding Bibi, Yizdi, and Dahan families announced the decision on social media, citing a desire for rest after decades of work.
The restaurant was originally opened 35 years ago by Nava, the matriarch, with her husband Yoska becoming a beloved fixture known for greeting guests. The family described the establishment as their home, where they learned the art of hospitality. Over the years, Piccolino served a strictly kosher Italian menu, including pasta, ravioli, pizza, focaccia, salads, and fish dishes.
The restaurant was a significant part of many customers' lives, hosting first dates, marriage proposals, weddings, and family celebrations. The family's own children and grandchildren grew up in the business. Piccolino also navigated challenging periods, including terror attacks, wars, the COVID-19 pandemic, and lulls in tourism.
Beyond its culinary offerings, the restaurant was a hub for social activism. The family assisted youth, employed individuals with disabilities, donated food, and fed lone soldiers. In recent years, it also served as a center for collecting donations for those in need.
Despite the closure, the family emphasized that the decision was not due to a crisis or loss of passion. "Nothing dramatic happened. We haven't run out of love for the place, nor are we tired of the work. On the contrary. We still love what we do very much, and we simply feel that the time has come to rest a bit and be at home," they stated. They invited customers to visit before the end of October to share memories and bid farewell.
