Located in the heart of Xintiandi, Capri by Bottega brings the vibrant, sun-drenched spirit of a Southern Italian piazza to Shanghai, with a Napoli-forward menu that challenges what you think you know about pizza.
About Capri by Bottega
The restaurant commands a prime corner position on the ground floor of Xintiandi Galleria, a newly minted mall complex loaded with eateries.
Capri’s wrap-around terrace is defined by vibrant blue-and-white umbrellas and potted greenery, creating an ideal al fresco escape. A big plus, the promenade at Xintiandi Galleria is also semi-covered.
Inside, the atmosphere blends contemporary Italian design with classic Mediterranean warmth; warm lighting plays upon traditional tiles, and an open pizza station provides a theatrical focus, centered around a glittering oven.
For pet owners, note that the space is dog-friendly inside and out.
Food, By Way of Naples
Capri’s culinary ethos is drawn directly from Naples, the home city of brothers and co-founders Paolo and Daniele Salvo. The menu is a tribute to their childhood, filled with nonna’s kitchen favorites, comforting pastas with regional sauces, and a celebrated array of deep-fried snacks. As Daniele says, “In Naples we deep-fry everything.”
The heart of the menu, however, is the pizza. The Bottega Group has a proven track record, earning consecutive honors from Gambero Rosso and 50 Top Pizza for their Neapolitan-style pies — a legacy of Chef Paolo Salvo’s standing as a fourth-generation pizzaiolo.
What is Cartwheel Pizza?
Yet at Capri, the pizza is not Neapolitan, despite also originating from Naples. It is la pizza a ruota di carro, or “Cartwheel Pizza,” an irregular, shareable behemoth named for its resemblance to the wonky wheels of old carts. In Naples, it’s typically sold by the slice, whereas Neapolitan pizzas are personal servings.
Closer to 20 inches, the Ruota di Carro overflows its plate. Its crust occupies middle ground: not thin and soft like a Neapolitan, nor cracker-crisp like a Roman style.
The cornicione, the raised edge of the pizza, is almost flat, and the crumb is denser, of a medium thickness that is still light, airy, and slightly chewy. This structure provides a desirable chew and makes for a sturdier base that supports its toppings without stealing the show.
FYI: It also holds up remarkably well for delivery and reheats nearly as good as new the next day.
On The Menu
Capri offers over a dozen pizzas and calzones. The Margherita Provola e Pepe (¥99) is a Naples classic, topped with smoked provola cheese (infused with apple wood) Solania Italian tomatoes, freshly ground black peppercorn, and fresh basil.
The Fiocco (¥109) uses the same smoked provola, layering it with chunky herbed Italian sausage and light, fluffy mashed potato croquettes for a satisfying, if not carb-heavy, combination. Between the two, the Margherita prevails, as I find its where you can truly appreciate the smokiness of the cheese.
A standout is the fully loaded Diavola Calabrese (¥109). It’s a spicy, salty, and cheesy combination of salame Napoli, black olives, fior di latte mozzarella, and fresh basil on a base of Nduja sauce and Solania tomatoes, finished with house-made chili oil. This is my go-to.
For truffle lovers, the Cotto e Funghi e Tartufo (¥149) is compelling, featuring truffle-infused ham, sautéed mushrooms, freshly shaved truffle, and a parmesan reduction sauce.
Napoli Favorites & Southern Italian
Beyond pizza, the menu offers delicate starters like the Carpaccio di Polpo (¥109), thinly sliced octopus with a lemon dressing, pink peppercorns, and grassy dill oil.
A testament to Neapolitan tradition, the fried snacks deliver on their promise. The Mozzarella in Carrozza (¥49) is a breaded and deep-fried sandwich of fior di latte mozzarella, ham, and basil, served with fresh tomato sauce to dip. It’s a rich, heavy treat best prescribed for post-drinks.
The lighter Mortazza Mia (¥39), a mini fried pizza topped with mortadella, stracciatella cheese, and pistachio sauce, is the perfect companion for a Spritz on the terrace.
Pastas draw inspiration from Southern Italy. The Tubettoni Patate e Cozze (¥109), a dish from Puglia, combines short tube pasta with a creamy sauce base of potatoes and mussels, fat-rendered crispy guanciale bits, provola and Parmesan cheese, fragrant with garlic, chili, and basil. It’s truly comforting.
Another pasta is the Rigatoni al Ragu Bianco (¥130), coated in a luxurious sauce of braised beef short rib, deglazed with white wine and speckled with crispy guanciale.
For dessert, alongside a traditional Tiramisu (¥69) and a warm Fondente al Cioccolato (¥69) with vanilla ice cream, Capri currently hosts a gelato cart in collaboration with famed Italian brand Fabbri.
The Gelato All’Amarene (¥59) features freshly churned vanilla gelato crowned with Fabbri’s signature Amarena cherries, preserved in their distinctively sweet syrup.
In Summary
In a part of town known for its high prices, Capri by Bottega delivers a genuine slice of comfort in a pretty enticing space. The real draw is the pizza’s versatility: the massive, shareable Ruota di Carro is just as suited for a lively group dinner as it is for a reliably good delivery order.
Book Now
Capri by Bottega is offering Nomfluence Readers a 50% off voucher for the Margherita Pizza (¥89), topped with fior di latte mozzarella, Solania Italian tomatoes, and fresh basil.
Scan the QR code above to claim the voucher before December 18. Claim your 50% off margherita pizza before December 18.
Click here to book now.
Capri by Bottega
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