Inside Camp Rubirosa: The Hamptons' Hottest New Pizzeria With A Summer Camp Twist
It's been said that going to The Hamptons is like going to summer camp for adults, so it's no surprise that one of this season's hottest new restaurants is a chic pizzeria with a playful camp theme. Located at 31 Race Lane in East Hampton, Camp Rubirosa is both the family-friendly spot Hamptonites have been craving and the one they didn't know they needed.
Cheers to The Camptons
Full of whimsy, gorgeously presented food, and delightful cocktails, Camp Rubirosa blends nostalgic Americana with the rustic charm of the Italian countryside. It's one of the most uniquely designed restaurants in the area, where every detail evokes a feeling.
Here's a look inside and the story behind the happiest restaurant in The Hamptons, which is co-owned by restaurateur Maria Pappalardo and media entrepreneur and restaurateur behind Billy Durney's Sag Harbor Tavern, Brian Bedol.
A Pizza Legacy
Rubirosa's famed tie dye pizza
If Rubirosa sounds familiar, it's because the restaurant has a location in Manhattan at 235 Mulberry Street. Pizza is truly a family affair for the Pappalardos. The founder's father, Giuseppe, opened a pizzeria on Staten Island, and Manhattan's Rubirosa was founded by her late brother AJ Pappalardo. After he passed away, Pappalardo stepped in to keep her family's legacy alive.
Pappalardo tells me, 'Brian and I decided to partner in 24 hours, and from there, we hit the ground running. He was living in Sag Harbor and could be on site every day, while I was in the city, focusing on hiring and operations. We got really lucky with an incredible executive chef and a seasoned general manager who brought both local knowledge and pop-up experience. It was a total team effort.'
A cool campfire
While the duo could have opted for a super-upscale concept—and it would have been successful—she wanted to do something different. 'We wanted to lead with fun — something with its own casual energy, not just a copy of Rubirosa on Mulberry Street, but still true to the original flavors and signature dishes everyone loves.'
While Camp Rubirosa has a distinctly different vibe from its city counterpart, a few signature dishes remain—like the camp-appropriate Tie-Dye pizza, made with vodka sauce, tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, and a vibrant swirl of pesto.
Design Camp
Once Bedol and Pappalardo were settled on the camp theme, that's when the hard work began.
A fun warning
One of the most surprising things about this restaurant—which feels as if it's been there for decades—is that the owners used AI to help create Instagrammable design moments Bedol tells me, 'Maria and I were both set on the camp theme, but she was thinking more glamping than traditional camping. I asked ChatGPT to design a restaurant entrance that felt like stepping into a glampsite, and it came back with the perfect concept in 60 seconds.'
In less than three months (warp speed even by New York standards), they transformed the space, which was previously Dopo. 'It was a fully collaborative effort between Brian and me,' explains Pappalardo. With lots of wood and high-beamed ceilings, it was the perfect spot for a Camptons dining hall.
The right direction
'We reupholstered the banquettes, added some fresh paint, and layered in details to bring it to life. A lot of it felt like dressing a movie set. We were figuring out how to tell a story with the space while keeping it light, playful, and true to the summer camp feel,' says Pappalardo.
One of Bedol's Facebook Marketplace finds led him to a local artist in Montauk who said he could build it. 'He showed up the next day with two by fours and canvas and brought the iconic, Instagrammable entrance to life.'
Camp chic
The team then sought out all the authentic camp kitsch that decorates the walls, including an inflatable horse, vintage water skis, and painted signs. They ended up sourcing many of these items from Facebook Marketplace and Etsy along with the help of some local contractors. 'The goal was to create a collected, lived-in summer camp vibe in the Italian countryside using pieces full of character with a bit of quirk. We didn't want things to feel too polished or perfect,' says Bedol.
Still, it's the perfect place to camp out this summer—and unlike dining hall fare, the menu is full of dishes you'll come back for again and again.
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