Overview
When it comes to pizza, people often joke that bad pizza is still pretty good. And while that may be true, we have done a little hunting to ensure you never have to eat bad pizza ever again if you don't care to.
We have rounded up ten of our favourite places to grab a slice, with both newcomers and authentic, familiar faces featuring on the list. Buen appetito.
1. Ladro
Ladro has been dishing up delicious pizzas to the masses, north (Fitzroy) and south (Prahran), for many years now. Authentic thin crust pizzas are topped with delicious good quality ingredients and delivered in record time. The fit-out for both restaurants, designed by owners and design duo Sean and Ingrid, is sleek and sophisticated. New Italian-born chef Niko is bringing more seafood to the table of late, while Zia is hand-making pasta daily for both venues. The Badabing pizza with tomato, provolone, pork sausage, chilli, and basil is crowd favourite.
Ladro Gertrude - 224 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy; (03) 9415 7575 and Ladro Greville -162 Greville Street, Prahran; (03) 9510 2233; www.ladro.com.au
2. La Svolta
La Svolta has been in Hampton winning over pizza lovers for years, but just recently they spread their wings and opened a second restaurant in Prahran — cue applause. When it comes to pizza, these guys are seriously qualified. They have been accredited by the Associazione Versace Pizza Napoletana. This is only given to those who are making pizzas to strict standards as set out by the AVPN. Yep, we told you they were qualified. Think thin and slightly chewy bases topped simply, just as the Italians like it. We love their Bufala pizza with prosciutto di Parma.
Hampton - 450 Hampton Street, Hampton; (03) 9521 8990 and Prahran - 3-5 Cecil Place, Prahran; (?03) 9510 3001; www.lasvolta.com.au
3. D.O.C Pizza and Mozzarella Bar
What happens when a pizzeria and a mozzarella bar come together? Greatness, that's what happens. Thin crust authentic pizzas are topped with some of the highest quality buffalo mozzarella going around. When it comes to D.O.C., we can't go past the margarita. The ingredients speak for themselves and there is no need to mess with perfection.
295 Drummond Street, Carlton; (03) 9347 2998; www.docgroup.net
4. + 39 Pizza
Tucked into the bottom end of Bourke Street, this slice of Italy comes from six Italian friends with a love of food. Don't be surprised if you have to wait for a table here, they're as busy as their pizzas are good. Try a classic Capricciosa Italiana, which is topped with tomato salsa, Fior Di Latte, leg ham, olives, artichoke hearts, and mushrooms.
362 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne; (03) 9642 0440; www.plus39.com.au
5. Cantina Centrale
Cantina Centrale is the latest venture from the guys that brought us Cafe Bedda in Northcote. They are serving up the same pizzas, but this time with a full wood-fired oven giving them crisp, chewy bases. Things are just getting better, folks. If you like pumpkin, we also suggest ordering a serve of their savoury pumpkin doughnuts to start.
11 Hamilton Street, Mont Albert; (03) 9890 4836; www.cantinacentrale.com
6. 400 Gradi
So here we have another well-qualified pizzeria. Johnny Di Francesco, 400 Gradi’s chef, was the first Australian to be trained in Naples to the Accociazione Verace Pizza Napoletana VPN rules. He even travelled back to Naples in 2012 to compete in the World Pizza Olympics; no, we didn’t know they existed either. This means you can expect authentic pizza down to the letter. True to authenticity, they have a marinara originale, which is simplicity at its best — san marzana tomato, garlic, and oregano.
99 Lygon Street, Brunswick East; (03) 9380 2320; www.400gradi.com.au
7. Supermaxi
Rita Macali is what sets Supermaxi apart from other pizza restaurants in Melbourne. Once at Ladro, now here, she knows the ins and outs of good pizza like no one else. Home-style pizzas and pastas make up a large part of this menu, with a few Italian-style mains on offer like the crumbed veal cotoletta with coleslaw.
305 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North; (03) 9482 2828; www.supermaxi.com.au
8. Moors Head
Moors Head are not making what comes to mind when you think authentic pizza; they are actually aiming to make 'inauthentic pizza'. These inauthentic pizzas come in the form of pides and manoushes. It's pizza given a Lebanese twist and it's good folks, it's really good. Try the Sultan Mehmet, a pide filled with tomato, lamb ma’anek, red pepper, feta, and black olives.
2/774 High Street, Thornbury; (03) 9484 0173; www.themoorshead.com
9. Shawcross Pizza
Shawcross are the new kids on the block in the pizza scene, and they are bringing us a little slice of New York City — pun intended. These are the gents behind Phat Brats the gourmet hot dogs, so they are tried and tested in taking something old and making it new again. Pizzas are available by the whole pizza (12") or by the 'slice' (from a 22" pie). The Fat Tony is a classic, with tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil, while the Bloody Vegans is hummus, spinach, tomato, red onions, green olives, and lemon. 'Kick-ass' salads see the carb-conscious diners among us sigh with relief with well, due to combinations like chicken, spinach, edaname, avocado, red onion, and quinoa.
324 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy; www.acebook.com/ShawcrossPizza
10. Baby
If you haven’t heard of Chin Chin, you are probably living under a rock. Baby Pizza is the new one from Chris Lucas and his gang. They are sticking to the usual Italian offering, but when it comes to their pizzas, they are putting their stamp on things with their fried and grilled specialty range. Try a pan-fried Burrata of shredded fresh burrata, caramelised cherry tomatoes, fresh basil, extra virgin olive oil, and sea salt. They are also open all day, every day, so pop in for breakfast in you're in the area.
631-633 Church St, Richmond; (03) 9421 4599; www.babypizza.com.au
Shawcross photos by Sofia Levin.