Coal & Daisies Opens Up “Different" Pizza Restaurant in Branford

BRANFORD, CT - It isn’t usually front page - or these days huge social media - news when a new pizza restaurant opens. But the new one that just opened in Branford is a little different than your standard pizza joint.

Coal & Daisies, which just opened in the past few weeks at 5 Sycamore Way off Exit 56 in Branford, ain’t your average pizza place.

First, let’s start with the name.

It’s Coal, according to co-owner Pete Diadamo “because it took us forever to find the perfect coal oven to make the pizza.”

And, it’s Daisies because while your eating the delicious pizza made by co-owner Anthony Prifitera (of New Haven’s Naples pizza fame) you can try one of a couple dozen different “Daisies” - or as its better known - Margarita.

You see daisy is the Spanish translation for margarita.

Coal & Daisies Branfordites will remember is the former location of first, Humphrey’s and then the BB Shack.

But the place looks nothing like those two restaurants a quick tour of the renovated site soon shows.

Besides the pizzas and margaritas, Coal & Daisies has a beautiful bar area that is located on the opposite end of the restaurant that the old bar used to be.

And that bar, according to Diadamo “has 28 beer draft lines - 20 of which are draft beers made right here in Connecticut. We believe in supporting local business,” Diadamo said.

And if you aren’t a beer or margarita drinker Coal & Daises also has an extensive wine list for you to choose from.

Diadamo, who lives in Branford along with his young family, said he and his partner “always wanted to open up a high-scale pizza place here.”

“Just look at this location. Anywhere you live in Branford, Guilford, Northford, even Madison is only a 10-minute drive,” he said.

“We want to put out a great product for people to enjoy,” Diadamo said. “Hopefully we are going to be.”

Besides pizza, the restaurant also serves small plates, salads, paninis and has an array of desserts.

Diadamo said the restaurant does take reservations and also does take out orders. For more information on hours of operation and to see the full menu, you can go here: https://coalanddaisies.com/

So far the restaurant, which employs about 25, seems to be meeting expectations.

Here’s a sample review from Yelp:

“Awesome new restaurant that specializes in Pizza from a Coal fired oven and Tequila drinks! Staff was very friendly!

“We had questions about some of their Tequila drinks and one of the employees (I think the owner) was very helpful and passionate about their selection.

“Great, new concept and different from anything else on the Shoreline.

“They also had over 20 craft beers from CT breweries which was really nice to see.

“Definitely will recommend this new restaurant to friends and family and it's refreshing to see a new restaurant doing it right!”