Being Italian I know a good pizza when I eat one. Growing up with homemade pizza every Friday night from my Nonna, a traditional pizza is what I know best. Scouring the city to find something close to Nonna’s pizza has been a mission, but I have compiled a list of some of my favourite pizza’s in Melbourne.
1. D.O.C PIZZA
It’s no surprise that D.O.C Pizza has made my number one spot. When there’s a line out the door to get a table on a week night, you know their pizza’s top notch. From the authentic Italian staff yelling in their mother tongue to the smell of the wood oven upon entering the eatery, this is an overall true Italian experience. Their buffalo mozzarella has won me over as a Margarita pizza is close to my heart. D.O.C offers some of the best cured meats to accompany their thin pizza bases and just the right amount of homemade sauce.
2. LADRO GREVILLE
A close second is Ladro Greville with their wood fire pizzas. Their San Daniele is one of my favourites with bufala, fior di latte, onion and their delicious Prosciutto San Daniele Riserva. Pricing is a bit on the higher scale, however what you get is out of this world.
The bases are perfectly thin with just the right amount of char to get that crisp crunch you want from a thin crust pizza, yet chewy in the middle. The balance of flavours are pure perfection. Their pizza list isn’t extensive, however they have chosen only the best.
This is definitely a must try in my books. The pizza’s aren’t heavy which allows you to enjoy the flavours presented without feeling too guilty afterwards.
3. +39 PIZZERIA
Third up is +39, with it’s famous Italian style pizza. This has been rated one of the top Italian pizza’s in Australia, and it’s no surprise. By day run as a simple cafe and by night as a bustling pizza joint along busy Little Bourke St. Again, plan to wait for a table if you’re heading here after 6pm, as everyone in town will be waiting to get a slice of this goodness.
Their pizza’s are only made with the best imported Italian deli meats, creating simple yet rustic combinations. My favourite has to be the Diavola, with spicy salami, chilli and fior di latte cheese. With a fiery finish, this is by far my favourite spicy pizza in town.
4. PIZZA E BIRRA
Moving away from the city we have Pizza E Birra. A simple eatery with beautiful wood fire pizza and a generous selection of beer, what a perfect combination! Pizza, calzone and focaccie all make the list including some delicious traditional pastas for those looking for something a bit heavier.
I’m a bit of a sucker for cheese, so when I saw their 4 Formaggi, it was a done deal. Mozzarella, taleggio, gorgonzola and parmesan topped with fresh radicchio and pear, what more could you ask for. They offer a glutten free option to all their pizza’s which is a great option for this growing market.
Wednesday nights feature BYO, so you can enjoy their already reasonably priced pizzas with your favourite bottle of red to match.
5. QUEEN MARGARET
A new comer on my list is Queen Margaret in Fitzroy North. These guys know how to make a serious margarita pizza, and not just one, but 3 different versions of a margarita to be exact! What better way to eat a 24-hour fermented thin crust dough then with one of their ’boutique beers’ available.
The open kitchen and simply floor plan make this eatery the perfect setting for a lazy afternoon with a tasty pizza and beer in hand. Start the night with a variety of their small plates to share before indulging in their long list of thin crust pizzas.
