This April, we sat down with the passionate family behind the much-loved café and pizzeria located just downstairs at The Hill Hub. What started as a dream rooted in family legacy has grown into a vibrant space that brings people together over freshly made food with a whole lot of flavour. From the beloved hazelnut cornettos to the warmth of their welcome, this spot has quickly become a firm favourite.

Here’s what they had to say about their journey.

What inspired you to open a café at The Hill Hub? 

My father had a restaurant from 1968 to 1971. I wanted to honour him. I was inspired by my father to give to my son and daughter: I’ve dedicated 30 years of hard work, with extra hours, to build a future for them. This is my legacy of hope. The family and I decided to invest in a project where we can spend time together. Regarding The Hill Hub, it happened randomly actually; my son and I were standing outside the wrong venue for 10 minutes, making us late for the viewing! We are thankful that The Hill Hub waited for us to finally arrive at the actual place. We decided to stay here as the person who received us was very kind-hearted.

Can you share a little about your menu? What’s your favourite item and why? 

The menu was created from the meals we like the most. This family-based café & pizzeria brings us exactly what we miss from our country… Authentic and freshly made pizzas, like my Nonna used to cook. Paninis and Bocadillos with salami, chorizo, cured Spanish ham… tastes we love and miss. Our most famous product is the beloved hazelnut-filled cornetto. Having a cornetto filled with any product known is an art, and there are no barriers to how creative we can be.

How do you see the café enhancing the experience for people working here at The Hill Hub? 

Food makes people happy, and seeing others happy is our priority. Preparing meals with a smile, heart, thought, and reason creates a service that heals. For those stressful days when you need to let off steam…this cafeteria & pizzeria fits just right.

What do you hope to offer the local community that makes your café stand out from others in the area? 

The answer is already in your question… Hope. When we prepare your panini, we hope that you like it. When we brew your chosen coffee, we hope that you like it. So, we hope that you love what we do. Hope is necessary, and… we do not want to stand out; we look to spend quality time together on a project we hope works.

How do you create an atmosphere that encourages relaxation, networking and creativity? We have asked a brand called ‘Lofi’ to use their music; they create beats that merge very well with finding peace. We also brought sofa chairs with leg rests to allow a good blood flow when sitting down. All three of us love a conversation, we can create an environment for networking to be productive; with food, with hope and with enthusiasm. For creativity… Well, we played Tetris in this cafeteria, as it is a small place! “Piccolo.” Ask us how we did it, and it surely will provide your clients with a spark of creativity.

Do you have any special events or seasonal offerings we can look forward to? 

Our plan for the future is to concentrate on the present, to make daily improvements thanks to conversations with the people who visit us. We aim to create a welcoming and family-based atmosphere, here and everywhere we go. We have so much to do!

It’s clear that this café is more than just a place to grab a coffee or a slice — it’s a space built on values of connection, care and community. Whether you’re stopping by for a mid-morning espresso or a friendly lunch break, this family-run gem is a cornerstone of what makes The Hill Hub special. We’re proud to have them as part of our community — and we can’t wait to see (and taste!) what they bring us next.