London’s celebrated Italian kitchen and pasta workshop chain, Officina 00, has abruptly ceased operations across all three of its locations in the city. The immediate closure was announced by co-founder Elia Sebregondi via a public statement shared on Instagram, attributing the difficult decision to having faced “many challenges” in recent months, despite efforts made to navigate them.
Officina 00, founded by Elia Sebregondi and Enzo Mirto, established itself as a popular destination for fresh, handmade pasta and authentic Italian cuisine, distinguishing itself with its unique ‘pasta workshop’ concept that offered diners a view into the craft of pasta making.
Growth and Expansion Trajectory
The business embarked on its journey in 2019, opening its original site in Old Street. This initial venture quickly gained traction, building a reputation for quality and authenticity in London’s competitive culinary landscape. The success of the Old Street location paved the way for expansion.
In late 2022, Officina 00 extended its footprint with the opening of a second site in the affluent Fitzrovia district. This expansion signaled strong performance and growing demand for its concept. Continuing its growth, the chain launched a third location more recently, in March 2025. This latest site further diversified the offering by introducing pizza to the menu alongside its signature pasta dishes, indicating an evolving business strategy and a commitment to broadening its appeal.
Challenges Leading to Closure
Despite this seemingly positive trajectory of expansion, the co-founder’s announcement highlighted underlying difficulties. Elia Sebregondi’s statement explicitly mentioned that the business had encountered “many challenges” over the course of recent months. While the specific nature of these challenges was not detailed in the public announcement, the statement indicated that significant efforts had been undertaken by the team to overcome these obstacles.
The inability to surmount these difficulties ultimately led to the decision to close all three sites. The immediate effect of the closure suggests a critical situation that necessitated a swift and definitive response, impacting operations, staff, and patrons without prior notice.
The Announcement and Founder’s Reflection
The news of the closure was conveyed through a post on Instagram, a platform commonly used by restaurants to communicate directly with their customer base. Elia Sebregondi’s message acknowledged the difficulty of the decision to close the business that he co-founded with Enzo Mirto.
In his statement, Sebregondi also offered a glimpse into his personal perspective following the closure. He expressed a need for time to process the significant loss associated with the end of Officina 00. However, looking forward, he conveyed a sense of positivity regarding the future, signaling an intention to continue his creative endeavors, suggesting that this closure may not be the end of his presence in the culinary or creative sphere.
Impact on London’s Dining Scene
The sudden closure of a multi-site independent chain like Officina 00 represents a notable event within London’s dynamic and often challenging hospitality sector. The loss of these three restaurants removes a popular option for lovers of Italian cuisine and fresh pasta in the areas they served – Old Street, Fitzrovia, and the third, newer location. The immediate cessation of trading also has direct implications for the staff employed across the three sites.
While the hospitality industry is known for its fluidity, with new establishments frequently emerging, the closure of established businesses, particularly those that have undergone recent expansion, underscores the persistent economic and operational pressures faced by restaurants in urban centers like London.
Looking Ahead
The closure of Officina 00 marks the conclusion of this particular venture for Elia Sebregondi and Enzo Mirto. The focus now shifts to the implications of the immediate closure and the future paths for the individuals involved. Elia Sebregondi’s public statement, while lamenting the closure, offers hope for future creative projects, suggesting his continued passion for the industry despite the setback of Officina 00’s closure.
The specific details behind the “many challenges” remain undisclosed, leaving the public to reflect on the swift end to the operation of the Italian kitchen and pasta workshop that grew to encompass three locations across London between 2019 and March 2025.
