Lecce inspired café Capilungo to open in Covent Garden

Capilungo, a café and wine bar inspired by the city of Lecce in Puglia, is to open in London's Covent Garden next month.

Capilungo's menu will showcase hyper-local delicacies, from freshly baked ‘pasticiotto' and ‘rustico', burrata salads and cured meats, to Pugliese wines, aperitivo, and cocktails.

Founded by Lecce-born brother and sister Gianluca and Asia Capilungo as well as Asia's partner Huzefa Sajawal, the café has been inspired by their uncle Luca Capilungo, who has run his own much-loved bakery in their home city since 1991.

Asia (ex-Soho House and Cubitt House) and drinks expert Gianluca (former bar manager of Aqua Restaurant Group) will oversee the management of the venture,

The 15-cover site on Long Acre will serve a concise menu centred around ‘pasticiotto' and ‘rustico' pastries, only found in Lecce. These sweet, shortcrust ‘pasticiotto' pies will be filled with pastry creams such as custard, cherry or pistachio.

Savoury offerings will include mozzarella and aubergine ‘rusticos', encased in puff pastry, and pizzettas.

Evenings will see a concise cocktail list, and selection of wines exclusively from Puglia and the neighbouring region of Salento served alongside traditional bar snacks and small plates.

In spring 2023, Capilungo will expand downstairs, providing a dedicated bar area for cocktails and additional seating.