A charming Italian nickname for a ‘chubby sweetheart’, the word ‘ciccio’ is used only with love, never with judgement, and is therefore the ideal name for a health food café in Hasselt, Belgium, where customers are served Monday to Saturday with wide open arms and a side of comforting charisma.
Designed by concept agency Zware Jongens alongside its hospitality division Zware Kost, who create spaces that naturally draw people together, Ciccio Hasselt embodies this philosophy with an open-plan layout that merges kitchen, shop, and bar to bring to life a hangout where vibrancy is paramount.
Fusing Mediterranean allure with a contemporary feel, a design highlight is a huge neon chandelier that hangs above the counter area, whilst a ‘continuous bench’ stretches across the venue, symbolising community and fostering connection.
“The bench actually embraces the space alongside the big windows and the backside — in the poppy light blue — giving the space a truly recognisable face for passengers by,” explains Filip Janssen of Zware Jongens, highlighting its role in creating an inviting atmosphere. Complementing this are Italian-inspired standing tables, ideal for quick stops, and an interior palette that balances old-school Italian charm with contemporary sensibilities.
Natural materials like wood and flagstone are paired with poppy, light colours, wooden accents, mirrors, glass bricks, and lush plants to create a space that feels warm, vibrant, and timeless, and customers tell us how they love Ciccio’s versatile seating arrangements, enabling them to sit in or around the kitchen area, in love booths, or around more standardised tables.
Serving healthy treats alongside good coffee and aperitivo, Ciccio is the place to go to in Hasselt for good times and good vibes with a warm heart.
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Ciccio Hasselt Photography, Arne Jennard.
