Farewell to the cult Italian restaurant: Santo closes in Nippes after 51 years!

Farewell to the cult Italian restaurant: Santo closes in Nippes after 51 years!

In Nippes, the closure of a culinary treasure is commonplace. After 51 years, Santo Infantino is ending the era of his restaurant “Mimmo & Santo” at Neusser Straße 336-338. In an emotional farewell, he describes Nippes as his “Veedel” and plans to retire. The news of the closure is not well received by many regulars and neighbors.

Founded as the first Italian restaurant in Nippes, Infantino opened his restaurant on Nordstrasse in 1974 before moving to its current premises in 1989. In the early years, visitors came predominantly from Italian families who worked at Ford. Over time, the restaurant transformed into a real meeting place for Nippes residents. Infantino has had numerous positive experiences, including joyful carnival celebrations and the Cologne Nativity Trail, which have only strengthened his connection to the community.

The future of the Nippes gastro location

However, the future of “Mimmo & Santo” remains uncertain as there is currently no successor for the restaurant. Infantino expresses his concerns about the closure of many Italian restaurants, some of which are suffering from a lack of successors. He not only observes the problems in Italian gastronomy, but also in Spanish and Greek restaurants. The trend is not towards an increase in diversity, but rather towards a decreasing selection of evening gastronomy. The advance of system catering also receives critical mention.

But while old oases of Italian cuisine are closing, new doors are opening for other gastronomic concepts. This is demonstrated by the opening of another Banh Mi branch on Niehler Straße in Nippes. These Vietnamese street food classics are very popular and offer a diverse range of fluffy white bread, various fillings and many additional delicacies such as summer rolls and mango-cucumber salad. Apparently there is still room for innovation in Nippes' culinary landscape, which is constantly changing.

The culinary diversity in Cologne

Nippes is known for its rich gastronomic offerings. With more than 364 results tagged as “Favorite Italian,” the district boasts a wide range of Italian and Mediterranean restaurants offering plated meals priced between € and €€€. The area's popular dining establishment, often praised for its hospitality, delicious food and great service, shows that despite the challenges, opportunities still exist.

The closure of Mimmo & Santo is a loss for many who have made the restaurant their second living room over the years. Santo Infantino is already thinking about his plans after gastronomy, wants to explore Germany and its world heritage sites and has even planned a farewell party for the fall. He would like the next operator to continue the legacy of his restaurant, which could preserve a piece of the Nippes district's culture.

The culinary landscape remains fluid, and while old traditions are ending, there are also new avenues to be discovered. The future could bring both challenges and opportunities – a change that remains exciting.