Vicino: the Italian word for neighbour—and a neighbour worth raising a glass to.

There’s something special about a neighbourhood spot that gets it right from the start, especially when it’s your neighbourhood. Good wine, thoughtfully locally sourced food, and an atmosphere that encourages you to settle in and stay a while. That’s exactly what I found at Vicino, the newest venture from the team behind Sonder on Llandaff Road.

Built around a menu of small plates, Vicino is not aiming to be a traditional three-course, sit-down dining experience. Instead, it’s designed for grazing, snacking, and sharing—order a few dishes, open a bottle of wine, and let the evening unfold at its own pace. If you’re looking for a more structured, formal dining experience, its excellent sister venue (see previous blog) Sonder, is just across the road. Vicino, meanwhile, is its more fun, spontaneous, fun younger sister.

To drink, we went for a bottle of house Verdejo—fresh, crisp, and exactly what you want alongside a menu built for grazing. But don’t forget the cocktails. The cocktails are excellent here and we went for a couple of espresso martinis as desserts… but before we get there… the small plates ….

We began with the Spanish tortilla, served alongside aioli and slices of sourdough. Good old comfort food and it delivered everything you’d hope for from the classic dish. The tortilla was rich and surprisingly filling, while the aioli added a welcome hit of garlic that paired beautifully with the warm bread.

Next came the caprese salad. At first glance, it looked familiar, but Vicino’s version offered something a little different. Rather than the traditional basil dressing, it arrived with a vibrant red pesto that brought sweetness, depth, and a subtle richness to the dish. It was an unexpected twist that worked remarkably well, lifting a classic combination of tomato and mozzarella without losing its simplicity.

Alongside this came the beef crostini and tomato crostini—simple, well-executed bites that did exactly what they needed to. The beef crostini was rich and savoury without being heavy, while the tomato version brought freshness and acidity that balanced the earlier dishes perfectly. 

The standout for me, however, was the club sandwich. Not the sort of dish you’d typically expect to dominate a table of Mediterranean-style small plates, but this one absolutely did. Generously filled and packed with flavour, it struck the perfect balance between indulgent and refined, and was enough to share. Which is exactly what we did.

With a bottle of Verdejo definitely finished we made our way on to the cocktails for dessert. We were surprised at how full we were and the meal captured everything Vicino seems to be aiming for: approachable food, quality local ingredients, and a welcoming atmosphere that encourages people to gather, share, and stay a little longer than planned. Infact despite halving other plans, we stayed until close!

For a venue whose name translates as “neighbour”, Vicino already feels like a natural progression for Canton and something we really need around here.

Welcome Vicino. You’re a stormer.