Capilungo

It’s rare to be surprised in Covent Garden. Dominated by big brands, you don’t often trip over an independent gem, with a genuinely interesting back story and unique menu to boot. Well, Capilungo is all that and more, bringing a small corner of Lecce to London, offering Londoners the mini break they didn’t know they needed.

Upon seeing the café’s prestigious address (Long Acre, no less), we assumed Capilungo must be a chain and were delighted to be greeted by the business’s co-founder, whose family opened the original in Puglia, back in 1991. After warmly shared stories, we get stuck into the menu which is uncomplicated, but wall-to-wall delicious. We started with a Rustico; a dense, rounded parcel of flaky, puff pastry, packed with sweet tomatoes and gooey mozzarella. Although Italian fare can be found all over the city, it’s special to taste something so specifically of a certain region, and this gives an insight into what makes Puglian staples their own.

This sentiment continues into the pizzette sectionPuglian pizza is more like a savoury cake than your traditional Napolitan-style pizza - formed from the softest focaccia, crisped up at the edges and laden with fresh, indulgent ingredients. In other words, it’s an absolute game changer. Our advice is to wash this section of the menu down with a generous Aperol Spritz, before enjoying a Caffe Leccese – a speciality coffee from Lecce – which combines coffee, ice and a delectable homemade almond syrup, perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up.

Whether you’re stopping for lunch or just passing by, we doubt anyone can resist the temptation of the sweet counter, packed with spongey pasticciotto which when pulled apart, reveals thick cream, flavoured with pistachio, strawberry, coffee and more. A final word on the aesthetics – think terracotta tones, café curtains and bistro chairs, it’s just adorable from start to finish, and we’re rooting for them.

A cafe by day and wine bar by night, Capilungo brings all the flavours and folkways of Lecce, a gorgeous city in the southern region of Apulia in Italy, to London. The 15-cover restaurant, located on Long Acre in Covent Garden, boasts a huge window filling the space with light. Along with the terracotta tinted walls and an array of greenery, it's the perfect place to stop for a coffee or a cocktail. 

The menu, which has been curated by head chef Luca Capilungo, is largely inspired by the pasticciotto and rustico pastries which are unique to Lecce. If you're in the mood for something savoury, a classic rustico made with mozzarella, tomatoes, and puff pastry will definitely hit the spot. If you're after a sweet treat, there are plenty of pasticciotto to choose from, whether you fancy custard or Amarena cherry, pistachio, or chocolate. You could even have one for breakfast, washing it down with a shot of espresso. 

Aside from pasticciotto and rustico pastries, there is also a variety of sandwiches to try, whether that's spicy Apulian vegetables, pistachio and mortadella with creamy stracciatella, or smoked burrata with pesto and sundried tomatoes. There are also a number of Sponge Tart Tortinos on offer, which are a firm favourite of the Capilungo family. Perhaps you like the sound of chocolate and ricotta, or pineapple, pinenut and walnut. 

As the sun goes down, Capilungo transports into a traditional bar, which you would find across the city of Lecce, offering numerous, Lecce-inspired bar snacks, small plates, cocktails and wine. The menu champions locally sourced produce which is local to Puglia, sourcing burrata and ricotta from Puglian producers.

You can also enjoy its signature Bicicletta cocktail, comprising of Aperol, Dockyard vodka, Amaro Del Capo and apricot, or maybe a glass of Puglian wine.