From the classics to the oh so creative, here are the 14 must try pizza spots to check out.
If you ask around, you’ll quickly discover that everyone has their pizza place. Whilst some will argue that pizza isn’t pizza without that distinguishable Neapolitan look, others stand by the more contemporary-style creations. From the classics to the vegan rendition, here are the 14 pizza places you must try if you live in Sydney.
Bella Brutta, Newtown
Meaning ‘beautiful ugly’ in Italian, Bella Brutta specialises in just that. At this Newtown pizzeria, the imperfectly shaped pizzas are mapped with charred crusts – it’s just how co-owner Luke Powell (LP’s Quality Meats & Porteno) likes to eat them. As for the toppings, well they are creative and don’t follow any particular rules. If you haven’t yet been, do yourself a favour and check this pizzeria out.
Bella Brutta, 135 King Street, Newtown
Mary’s Pizzeria, Chippendale
Located inside The Lansdowne in Chippendale, Mary’s Pizzeria can be found serving up some particularly tongue-in-cheek pizzas in its intimate 12-seater pizzeria. The dough undergoes an impressive 72 hour fermentation process, before it’s then adorned with high quality Italian and Australian ingredients.
Mary’s Pizzeria, 2-6 City Road, Chippendale.
Rosso Pomodoro, Balmain
Rosso’s, as the regulars like to call it, is a bit of a pizza institution in Sydney. Since opening in Balmain in 2006, this pizzeria has made a name for itself, serving up Napoli-style pizzas with classic topping combinations that will leave you coming back for more.
360 Darling Street, Balmain
La Panchina, Surry Hills
Surry Hills seems to be the new Italy with its array of authentic pizza restaurants but La Panchina has to be amongst the best. The place is quite small and decked out with half a dozen tables and stools amongst a serious wood-fired pizza oven. Our top choices are the Carpaccio with Bresaola, Rucola, Shaved Parmesan, Olive Oil, Lemon Juice and Sea Salt, as well as the Gamberi with Tomato, Fior di Latte, Prawns, Cherry Tomatoes and Rocket.
Da Mario, Rosebery
Situated in the heart of Rosebery, Da Mario offers a homely fusion of traditional cuisine in an industrial space. Here, simple yet impeccably balanced pizza toppings take pride of place on the menu. Take the classic Margherita, topped with tomato, mozzarella and basil or the salamino made with mozzarella, ricotta and spicy salame.
Da Mario, 36 Morley Ave, Rosebery
Vacanza, Bronte and Surry Hills
“Changes and modifications are politely declined unless it’s a matter of life and death”. This is what you’ll find on Vacanza’s website and it kind of sums them up perfectly. This authentic Italian restaurant situated in both Surry Hills and Bronte is buzzing every night of the week, often with queues out the door. Highlights on the pizza menu include the ‘Il Capitano’, made with San Marzano tomatoes, Italian fior di latte, truffle oil, goats cheese, Swiss roasted mushrooms and Italian pork and fennel sausage.
Vacanza Surry Hills, 414 Bourke St, Surry Hills NSW and Vacanza Bronte, 261 Bronte Road, Waverley NSW
Via Napoli, various locations
With outposts in Lane Cove, Surry Hills and Hunters Hill, Via Napoli quickly realised they were onto a good thing, serving up classically Neapolitan pizza. That distinguishably blistered and puffy pizza base is accompanied by traditional toppings, with a focus on quality ingredients. Via Napoli is also home to the metre-long pizza!
Pocket Pizza, Manly
Channelling New York’s Little Italy is this pocket-sized pizzeria in Manly. Small it might be in size, seating up to 36 guests at a time, Pocket Pizza delivers big on flavour. The pizza here leans closer towards the creative rather than the classic with everything from the dough to the sauces all made in house.
Pocket Pizza, 46 Pittwater Road, Manly
Marilyna’s, Freshwater and Cremorne
Infamous on both the Northern Beaches and North Shore is Marilyna’s, a pizza joint where good, honest, local fare trumps over all. With eateries in both Freshwater and Cremorne, you’ll find the classics sitting alongside some very contemporary creations, such as the Green Thai pizza – made with homemade green thai sauce, spinach, coriander and either chicken or prawns. If that doesn’t take your fancy, fret not, there’s an equally delicious traditional menu to choose from.
Marilyna’s Freshwater, Shop 18 1/3 Moore Rd, Freshwater & Marilyna’s Cremorne, 307 Military Road, Cremorne
Society Pizzeria di Catania, Bondi Beach
This Sicilian eatery knows good pizza. Johnathan Faro, Society’s co-owner and chief pizzaiolo, serves up a combination of his family recipes and a few Neapolitan classics. The real standout here has to be the pizza dough. Soft, blistered and perfectly chewy, some would argue that the dough (rather than the toppings) is the real star of the show.
Al Taglio, Surry Hills
Opening its doors back in July 2016, this Surry Hills eatery was quick to win two awards at the World Pizza Championship (Australian Edition) at the Fine Food Festival. Pizza chef Daniele Paoletti won the title for the best gluten free pizza as well as the best pizza classica. They beat more than 50 competitors for the converted gourmet pizza awards. Impressed? You should be.
Al Taglio, 102/104 Albion St, Surry Hills (02) 8021 5944
Gigi’s Pizzeria, Newtown
There’s no melted mozzarella, salami or pepperoni insight at Gigi’s, operating as a completely plant-based pizzeria in Newtown. Flavour doesn’t come as an afterthought though, with the menu adhering to authentic and traditional flavours from Naples. Feast on the likes of the Marinara Tradizionale ($18) a stone roasted pizza topped with San Marzano tomato, garlic, fresh oregano and extra virgin olive oil or alternatively the Funghi e Radicchio ($23), made with swiss brown mushrooms, garlic, dairy free blue cheese, parsley, radicchio, and roasted walnuts, extra virgin olive oil.
Gigi’s Pizzeria, 379 King Street, Newtown NSW 2042, Phone: 9557 2224
Hugo’s Manly, Manly
Could this be Sydney’s post picturesque pizza spot? Situated on the shoreline of Manly Wharf, Hugo’s is a Northern Beaches institution. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a drizzly Monday afternoon or lively Saturday night, Hugo’s is always pumping, tables often filled with an array of pizzas. The mushroom pizza is a total delight, made using garlic roasted field mushrooms, taleggio, caramelised onions, basil, goats curd on a mascarpone base.
Hugo’s Manly, Shop 1, Manly Wharf, East Esplanade Manly NSW
The Dolphin Hotel, Surry Hills
Inspired by the traditional pizza of Rome and Northern Italy, The Dolphin Hotel utilises fresh Australian ingredients to create a killer pizza menu. The classic recipes are honoured at this Surry Hills haunt; the Sorbello, a simple marriage of tomatoes, garlic, basil and mozzarella. What goes well with pizza you ask? A spritz, naturally. The Dolphin offers a creative mix of aperitifs, each designed to quench your thirst and leave you properly satisfied.
The Dolphin Hotel, 412 Crown St, Surry Hills NSW 2010