OUR STORY
Arlecchino has been serving the people of Inverclyde with authentic Italian cuisine since 1966.
Our story, however, begins in 1908, when Nonno Mazzoni left his village of Castiglione Vara near La Spezia in northwest Italy in search of work. His journey took him across various towns until the outbreak of World War I, when he returned to Italy to serve in the army.
After the war, Nonno Mazzoni married Nonna Eda, and in 1921, the couple arrived in Greenock. They opened Mazzoni’s Café, a beloved local spot. In 1927, they relocated to our current premises and expanded the business with their sons, Dino and Bruno. The family poured their passion into the café until Nonno and Nonna retired in 1962 and returned to Castiglione.
Dino and Bruno took over the café with their wives, Licia and Gina, and in 1966 transformed it into Arlecchino—named after the iconic comic figure of 16th-century Italian folklore.
Tragically, Dino passed away in 1971 at just 44 years old, and the following year, Bruno and Gina emigrated to Australia. Licia, however, carried the business forward with unwavering dedication until her retirement in 1997.
Today, Arlecchino is proudly run by two of Licia’s sons, Giovanni and Michele, with the support of an incredible team—including members of the family’s fourth generation. Together, we continue to honour our rich history and serve the Inverclyde community with the same passion and care that started it all.
