Derby’s dining scene is getting a flavour-packed boost, as Bustler brings one of the region’s most buzzed-about pizza traders to St James Yard.
Indie hospitality outfit Bustler has just confirmed that cult street food fave El Capo’s Pizza will be setting up shop at its hotly anticipated St James Yard development – and yes, it’s a big deal.
After years of slinging seriously good pies at festivals, pop-ups and private events across the UK, El Capo’s is finally going bricks-and-mortar. The new site – opening later this year – marks the brand’s first-ever permanent restaurant, and it’s landing right in its hometown.
If you’ve somehow missed the hype, El Capo’s was founded in 2021 by Ben Trivett and Steph Blest-Stone, who started out during lockdown with nothing more than a converted horsebox and a lot of ambition. Fast-forward a few years and they’ve become one of the East Midlands’ most talked-about pizza names, with a loyal following to match.
So, what’s on the menu? Expect Neapolitan-style pizzas with that signature airy crust, plus a lineup of sides and a few Spanish-inspired dishes thrown in for good measure.
They’ll be joining the lineup at St James Yard, Bustler’s new city-centre playground made up of around 20 stacked shipping containers spread across two levels. The whole thing is shaping up to be a buzzy, all-day hangout, mixing food, drinks, retail and social spaces – both indoors and out.
And that’s not all. A neighbouring building is set to house Dukes, a brand-new taproom from Buxton Brewery, so you can expect decent pints to go with your pizza.
Bustler’s managing director Olivia Pritchard is clearly a fan, calling El Capo’s “exactly the kind of brand we love working with” – the kind that’s built its reputation the old-school way, through “great food, hard work and personality”. Meanwhile, events director Andy Darke reckons the pizza crew will be “a massive draw” for the site.
For Trivett, the move feels like a full-circle moment. Opening a permanent base in Derby, he says, is “really special” – especially after years of building a die-hard local following.
Applications for traders at St James Yard are now closed after a flood of interest from indie businesses across the UK, with more names set to be revealed before the launch later this year.
In short: come hungry. Derby’s newest food hub is gearing up to deliver.
