When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie that’s amore, right? When it comes to all matters of the heart (and stomach), we’re throwing carb-caution to the wind to find the sauciest slices in Sydney. You don’t need a passport for these pizza-loving experiences, just a big appetite and even bigger sweatpants.
Via Napoli
Surry Hills, Hunters Hill and Lane Cove
While it’s been a lifelong dream of Via Napoli owner Luigi Esposito to open his own restaurant, it’s been a dream of ours to devour authentic, Neapolitan pizzas without needing our passport. Recreating the ambience of Naples in the heart of Hunters Hill, Lane Cove and Surry Hills, Luigi’s love of high-quality products such as San Marzano tomatoes and imported fior di latte mozzarella, make the whole experience equally as high-quality.
Queen Margherita
Cronulla
Perfect for a snuggly date with your (carb-loving) beau, Queen Margherita in Cronulla, transports you with their scrumptious selection of thin-based beauties. Named after the queen who inspired the tomato-mozzarella-basil topped pizza, it’s safe to say these doughy delights are fit for royalty (yep, we did that).
Da Orazio Pizza + Porchetta
Bondi
Does the word “wood-fired” make your mouth water? Then, best to head on down to Da Orazio, stat (bonus points if you make the reservation in Italian). The stylish Italian restaurant in the heart of Bondi is best described as cool and sophisticated (and quite loud at times)—in other words, no red and white checked tablecloths and Italian kitsch here.
Gigi Pizzeria
Newtown
Bringing traditional wood-fired vegan pizzas to Newtown, Gigi owners Marco and Daniela Matino focus on freshness and clarity of flavours reminiscent of their beautiful hometown. One of the very few pizzerias in Sydney that are proud members of the AVPN (True Neapolitan Pizza Association), you can trust that all dough is hand-stretched and adorned with vegan friendly toppings.
Lucio Pizzeria
Darlinghurst and Zetland
Creating somewhat of an art form out of delicious dough, Lucio Pizzeria is one of those places you can work through a menu (and not burst at the seams). Expanding the traditional taste of Naples to Zetland and Darlinghurst, the two hardworking pizza ovens and large open kitchen allow you to grab an aperitivo, devour an artisan diavola and learn a little Italian lingo on the go.
Napoli Nel Cuore
Redfern
Translation: This pizza is so freaking good (well, Napoli Nel Cuore technically means ‘Naples from the heart’, but when it comes to pizza it’s all the same, right?). With four generations of pizzaioli (pizza-makers) at the helm of this rustic Redfern restaurant, it’s no wonder the homestyle spot calls itself “the most traditional southern Italian cuisine” in Sydney.
Aperitivo
Leichhardt
Light, fluffy and downright delicious—these are only a few words to describe how obsessed we are with the delicate bases served up at Aperitivo in Leichhardt. One of only four pizzerias in Sydney to attain the Vera Pizza Napoletana Classification, don’t reach for the car keys before sharing (or demolishing) a Scugnizz or Sfilitano pizza (because who doesn’t like a rolled-up pizza?)
Da Mario
Rosebery
Da Mario—home of the infamous Salamino (aka the best cheese-and-sausage pizza we’ve ever had). An industrial spot nestled in the heart of Rosebery, Da Mario is bringing Napoli to you one delicious pizza at a time. Lose yourself in the thin base covered in mozzarella and ricotta, before washing it all down with an authentic Italian wine (by the glass, of course).
Happy As Larry
Food truck
Pizza on wheels is a thing (and nope, this is not a drill). While I’m not recalling your dream from the night before last, I am sharing just why I’m happy as Larry about Sydney food truck Happy As Larry. Serving traditional, Napoli-style pizza plentiful of local artisan product and fresh organic produce, grab a napkin and prepare to get messy as you have your own private pizza party in the park.
Image credit: Alex Squadrito at Aperitivo, Ellen Ji at Da Orazio and Lisa Brooke at Napoli Nel Cuore
