This February, The Cicheti Group unveils Casa Cicheti in the vibrant enclave of Tiong Bahru. As the homegrown hospitality group’s fifth concept since opening its flagship, Cicheti, in 2013, Casa Cicheti marks a bold reimagining of the trattoria that started it all: a neighbourhood trattoria designed to complement the charm of Singapore’s oldest housing estate, celebrate its community, and pave the next chapter in the Group’s commitment to placemaking.
True to its name, which translates from Italian to “Little House,” Casa Cicheti invites guests into a warm, intimate setting housed on the ground floor, in one of Tiong Bahru’s carefully preserved pre-war flats, and aspires to be a “home away from home” for the town’s residents. Inspired by the neighbourhood’s unique juxtaposition of old and new—Art Deco silhouettes set against towering condominiums; kopitiams brewing alongside specialty coffee roasters—the restaurant’s design, from interiors to branding, swathes modern comforts in a patina of nostalgic warmth. From its cosy, inviting interiors to its comforting Italian fare, every detail is designed to evoke a sense of belonging and nostalgia, reflecting Tiong Bahru’s rich character.
“We’ve waited years for the right space to come along in Tiong Bahru—and it all worked out,” shares LIling Ong, restaurateur and co-founder of The Cicheti Group. “With every concept we’ve opened in the last decade, we’ve been able to explore different facets of Italian cuisine while growing in an organic way that stayed true to our brand ethos. Flavourful and unfussy Italian food, intriguing wine lists, and seamless design—these are what people have come to expect in a Cicheti concept today.”
On the impetus behind its latest opening, Ong explains, “Casa Cicheti isn’t another deep dive into any singular aspect of Italian cuisine. It feels like we’re coming full circle—returning to the essence of what we started over a decade ago, but with greater intention, maturity, and in an entirely new neighbourhood.”
Since the opening of Cicheti, its flagship trattoria on Kandahar Street, The Cicheti Group has been redefining the Italian dining experience in Singapore with bold, distinctive concepts. From Bar Cicheti on Keong Saik’s fringes to Forma in Joo Chiat’s quaint outskirts, the Group has cemented its reputation not only for its unique perspectives on Italian cuisine, but also for rooting itself in slightly “offbeat” locations that are tucked away from the main thoroughfares, injecting fresh vibrancy into charming, undiscovered enclaves.
Casa Cicheti takes this ambition a step further, embracing Tiong Bahru’s unique identity while deepening the Group’s commitment to placemaking. The restaurant is not positioned as a destination, but as an integral part of the neighbourhood—a trattoria designed to serve and evolve with its community, while staying grounded in The Cicheti Group’s hallmarks of hearty Italian fare and unpretentious hospitality.
“For us, restaurants are more than just places to eat,” shares Ong. “At their core, they are spaces to gather, to create memories, and to feel connected—to the food, the people, and the neighbourhood. As long as we can nurture these intrinsic human needs, guests will always return.”
The food menu builds on Cicheti’s signature brand of “hearty, never fussy” Italian cooking—an approach responsible for many of the flagship’s signature staples that have remained on the menu for years. Time honoured techniques and bold, comforting flavours anchor the menu, while new creations—including an inventive take on Neapolitan pizza—keep things fresh. Chef Lim Yew Aun, who co-founded Cicheti alongside his cousin, Ong, stepped back to the plate to conceptualise the opening menu—and the results are unmistakably his.
Wine lovers will find plenty to love and uncover in Casa Cicheti’s curated selection of over 80 bottles, designed by managing director Ronald Kamiyama to cater to, while evolving alongside, the neighbourhood’s taste. The wine programme, in its opening stage, champions small producers and lesser-known varietals, creating a sense of adventure for both seasoned oenophiles and curious newcomers.
The interior design of Casa Cicheti, conceptualised by Ong, captures the essence of an Italian home while embracing the unique identity of Tiong Bahru as Singapore’s iconic pre-war estate. Spanning 250 square metres, the trattoria is a harmonious blend of modern-retro aesthetics, where rustic charm meets contemporary elegance. Every detail, from the handmade light fixtures to the textured stucco walls, invites diners into a warm, inviting space that feels both nostalgic and fresh—perfectly in tune with the restaurant’s ethos of community and connection.
Materials and design choices echo the neighbourhood’s heritage while evoking the familiarity of home. Stucco walls, terracotta tiles, and natural timber furniture create an earthy foundation, while patinated metals, exposed brick walls and bespoke lighting add an industrial flair. Entire walls were removed to ensure seamless transitions between the open kitchen, main dining area, and private spaces, resulting in a cohesive, unbroken experience; a sense of openness carved out by the clever use of different materials within each section.
At its heart, Casa Cicheti is designed to make guests feel at home, weaving together thoughtful design, timeless materials, and the rich heritage of both Tiong Bahru and Italy into a backdrop for meals brought to life by The Cicheti’s Group brand of homespun Italian hospitality. “Casa Cicheti isn’t just another new addition to the neighbourhood—it’s a modern reflection of what makes Tiong Bahru so special. It celebrates the old and new, the bold and nostalgic, and most importantly, the people who call this neighbourhood home,” concludes Ong.
