Sad End in Belsize: Why Caldesi in Belsize Closed Its Doors

Who didn’t love the idea of authentic Italian food on Belsize Park’s high street? Caldesi in Belsize opened in April 2024 with great hopes. It boasted fresh designs, a menu of shared plates, and the backing of celebrity chef Giancarlo Caldesi. Yet barely a year later, it shut down in early 2025. Let’s walk through the story, from big investment to final closure, and what lies ahead.

High Hopes and Bold Beginnings

In April 2024, Caldesi in Belsize took over the former Calici site. The space had seen several restaurant attempts, but this one carried fresh promise. Giancarlo and his team invested around £400,000 in renovations before launch. The idea was simple: an Italian restaurant with flair, quality dishes, and a social vibe.

The Belsize fit-out aimed for warmth and welcome. It included a shared-plates menu, designed for groups to enjoy together. The cookery school, La Cucina Caldesi, and Caldesi’s other sites in Marylebone and Campagna offered a track record. Belsize felt like a great next step.

A Touch of Glamour

Giancarlo Caldesi is no stranger. He rose to fame on the BBC series Return to Tuscany, then appeared on MasterChef, Saturday Kitchen, and more. He built two well-regarded venues, one in London (Marylebone) and another in Bray (Campagna). The cookery school added to his. His name lent sparkle to the Belsize launch.

Many locals hoped for a long run and regular bookings. The menu promised proper Italian fare, with quality ingredients and a communal feeling. Fans of his past work welcomed the addition to North London’s dining scene.

Speedy Fade-Out

Earlier this year, an Instagram post ended the dream. Caldesi in Belsize shut its doors “at the tail end” of January 2025. The team thanked customers for their support and the moments they shared. The team did not provide a reason.

Reports in media outlets such as The Sun suggested broader issues. Rising costs, pandemic recovery, and a tough hospitality market played roles. Not every restaurant made it. Even big names like Byron Burger and Papa John’s were closing branches.

Industry Pressures Explained

Since the pandemic, restaurants have felt the strain. Energy bills rose sharply. Staff costs went up alongside national insurance and minimum wage hikes. Inflation edged past 10%. With fewer people eating out, even popular places saw thinner tills.

Celebrity chef venues weren’t immune. Even Gordon Ramsay and others saw closures this year. Caldesi in Belsize operated against that backdrop. It struggled to fill seats at prices that still covered its costs.

Family, Future, and Other Sites

The closure hit the Caldesi family hard. Giancarlo’s sons, Giorgio and Flavio, helped out at the venue. The family had hoped for a lasting local hangout. Instead, they paused after less than 12 months.

But hope wasn’t all lost. Their Marylebone and Campagna branches remain open. Their cookery school continues under the name La Cucina Caldesi. The family also plans a new restaurant in Bray’s village of villages, aiming for a Michelin star by September.

What the Closure Tells Us

Location can be tricky
Belsize Park saw several restaurants close before—Calici, XO, and now Caldesi. The area proved to be hard soil and could not attract enough customers.

High costs hit hard
Even £400,000 in investment doesn’t safeguard a restaurant. Ongoing bills and food costs catch up fast.

Reputation only helps so much
Giancarlo’s name carried weight. But the local economy and market pressures outweighed it.

The group reflects and renews
Other Caldesi venues remain strong. Plans shift toward cookery teaching and high-end dining elsewhere.

A Look Ahead

Giancarlo looks forward, not back. In March 2025, he announced the takeover of a restaurant in Bray. It will join other renowned names, like The Fat Duck, on the Michelin map. He calls it “the biggest challenge of my career.” But he believes his team can win the accolade and revive his culinary vision.

Meanwhile, Belsize fans can still enjoy his food at two other London sites. And details of a new local concept in Belsize Park may surface in the future. The site may get a third chance. But for now, CIB (Caldesi in Belsize) remains a bittersweet story.

Final Thoughts

Caldesi in Belsize closed far sooner than hoped. The family invested heavily in ambition and renovation. But hospitality is a tough field. Even top chefs must weather costs and market shifts. This closure adds to a long list of recent losses in London. Still, with other sites going strong and new plans on the way, the Caldesi story does not end here. It evolves.