Diego: The Man Behind Local Favorite, La Capannina

One day, my friends and I started to talk about lunch. We all pitched different options like chicken fingers and quesadillas, but once pizza was mentioned, we all paused and said La Capannina? We were all in agreement; we cruised over and picked up our slices and homemade sangria. We sat outside and enjoyed our slices on a perfect sunny day. 

La Capannina makes some of the best pizzas and pasta dishes in the Hamptons. Whether you’re a local or a summer renter, it’s the perfect place for a quick and delicious lunch without the usual hassle of booking reservations or parking fiasco you face at other dining establishments.

You may be wondering how La Capannina became the beloved pizza place it is today. I sat down with Owner Diego Belfiore and asked him that very question. 

How did La Capannina come to be? 

Diego: I was born here, but my father is from Sicily. I grew up in a household where Sicilian culture and traditions were very important. La Capannina’s menu definitely leans more towards Sicilian cuisine.

Well, I was working with a friend at another pizzeria, and we started thinking about buying our own place. We found this one for sale about 26 years ago. We loved the location, the store, everything about it, so we ended up buying it.

La Capannina means “the cottage” in Spanish, kind of like a small beach cottage. It just felt right for our place.

We love the sangria and fresh cannoli. Was that your idea?

Diego: Yeah, my partner and I used to enjoy sangria ourselves, so we thought people might like it. We make a Sicilian sangria with Sicilian blood orange juice and red wine. It’s been a hit.

I have to ask this controversial question: Do you like pineapple on pizza?

Diego: For the record, I don’t really like pineapple on pizza. But hey, I defend people’s right to eat it if they want.

What’s your favorite slice?

Diego: I love the Sicilian pizza, but I also enjoy the white slice and the eggplant parm slice. Can’t go wrong with those.

What are some of your favorite places or things to do in the Hamptons?

Diego: Definitely the beaches, walking around Sag Harbor, and sometimes fishing with my son in Montauk. There’s always something fun to do around here.