Casa Cicheti, a new Italian restaurant in Tiong Bahru, welcomes you to grandma’s place. But she’s no ordinary Nonna, she’s a cool one.
Five-cheese pizzas, chilli vodka pasta, burrata on fluffy country bread… this is a love letter to carbs and comfort. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I wandered into the unassuming entrance of Casa Cicheti, but it all made sense the moment I stepped in. Of course, The Cicheti Group would choose Tiong Bahru for its latest opening. It’s Singapore’s old-school charm neighbourhood after all.
And true to its name (which means “little house” in Italian), Casa Cicheti feels less like a shiny new restaurant and more like stumbling into your Italian nonna’s living room. That’s if your nonna had a thing for sleek lines, retro tiles, and earthy-chic design. This isn’t another snazzy pizza-pasta affair with queues down the block (Scarpetta, we love you, but we’re still recovering). Instead, it’s built for the neighbourhood: cosy, casual, and brimming with soul.
Casa Cicheti review: Honest-to-goodness Italian fare at Nonna’s home
The menu is an extension of that ethos. No camera-eats-first type of IG-worthy presentation here. Just honest-to-goodness Italian comfort food that warms your insides. I kicked things off with antipasti like the Insalata Della Casa ($19), a sweet-savoury medley of pear, parma ham, roasted almonds and pecorino tossed in greens. Not pictured here is the Insalata Verde ($19), which is so umami-packed and vibrant it might just convert salad sceptics.
I’ll find any excuse to order some burrata, and Casa Cicheti’s Burratina ($25) comes with fluffy country bread for a hefty bite. I’m all for chilli oil, but I wish it were served separately so I could have the choice of drizzling the heat just right instead of having it soak the whole dish.
The pizzas: Crisp, cheesy, and a little bit rebellious
The pizzas walk a fine line between Roman and Neapolitan. They’re crisp, thin-based, and smoky thanks to a gas oven and a dough that’s been lovingly tweaked. The Cinque Formaggi ($29; yes, five cheeses!), though not for me, is a cheesy fever dream, especially with a drizzle of Greek honey ($5) on the side. I don’t mean to play favourites, but I have a soft spot for the Quattro Formaggi at the original Cicheti restaurant.
I preferred the Salsiccia ($29), which the table may or may not have dubbed the atas Super Supreme of a certain pizza chain. It’s a hearty pizza loaded with fennel sausage, marinated bell peppers, olives and melted fior di latte on a rich tomato base.
Pasta picks to write home about
The pasta isn’t handmade, but don’t let that deter you, as my dish of the day is right here. First up, the light and delicate Cappelacci ($30) – little pasta parcels stuffed with spinach and ricotta, perfectly matched with a bright, tangy pomodoro sauce. But the showstopper? The Rigatoni alla Vodka ($29). This dish of the day hit all the right notes with its chilli-infused vodka and house-made ‘nduja. I loved the spicy little punch – it zapped me right out of my food coma, until dessert arrived.
The Branzino ($36) is your classic seafood mix with a generous hunk of fish that’s juicy, flaky and well-seasoned. And for the love of dessert, do not leave without trying the Classic Tiramisu ($16) or the Budino ($15), made of hazelnut chocolate custard topped with gelato, chopped hazelnuts and chocolate crumble. Both are creamy, rich, and straight-up addictive. No photos as I was busy indulging in them.
On a Tuesday afternoon, the place was buzzing with office types and neighbourhood residents. No hype machine, no scene-chasing crowd – just a trattoria that feels like home. So if you’re looking for a spot that isn’t trying to reinvent the Italian wheel, Casa Cicheti’s where it’s at.
Must-try dishes: Insalata Verde, Gnocco Fritto, Rigatoni alla Vodka, Salsiccia
Price range: Food from $9 – $88++; drinks from $18/glass and from $85/bottle
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, Lunch: 11.30am – 2.30pm (last order: 2.00pm); Dinner: 5.30pm – 10.30pm (last order: 9.30pm)
Reservations: Highly recommended, make a reservation here; takeaway options available for pick up
Menus: Food, family-style sharing menu (for groups of 8 and above), wine
Address: Casa Cicheti, #01-41, 78 Guan Chuan Street, Singapore 160078
