Whether you like it thin and crispy, chewy and puffy, sparse toppings or loaded, plant-based or meat-lover, there’s a pizza that suits everyone’s tastes in Melbourne. We’ve found eight of the best. Words by Lindy Alexander.
Want the real deal? Head to DOC in Carlton where the Italian accents are authentic and so is the pizza. Order the Pizza Sopressa, with San Marzano tomato, salami, provolone, olives and pesto it’s the perfect taste of Italy in Melbourne. 295 Drummond St, Carlton; https://docgroup.net/
Plant-based pizza is a thing. And it’s a good thing at Red Sparrow in Collingwood. From kooky (think vegan hot dog mac ‘n cheese) to conventional (mozzarella, fior di latte, zucchini, cherry tomato, pesto and pine nuts), the pizzas are fast (we’re talking 90 seconds), hot and absolutely delicious. 406 Smith St, Collingwood; https://www.redsparrowpizza.com/
We love a restaurant where you can eat amazing pizza and feel good afterwards. That’s the case at Small Print Pizza in Windsor, where having a small eco footprint is as important as making delicious food. But this isn’t some cardboard pizza – the sourdough bases are chewy and light, and the flavours, a revelation (go for the roast portobello mushrooms, enoki mushrooms, truffle oil and rocket). 388 High St, Windsor; smallprintpizza.com.au.
It’s a big call but we reckon 400 Gradi might be right when they say they have the best pizza in Australia. For the ultimate Neapolitan experience, order a Margherita and prepare to be converted. 110 Keilor Road, Essendon; 400gradi.com.au
Chewy, puffy pizza with seasonal ingredients? Count us in. Ladro has stolen our pizza hearts, and we absolutely adore their sustainable ethos that sees them recycle all their organic waste. 224 Gertrude St, https://ladro.com.au/gertrude-dinner/
For a long time, pizza by the slice was reserved for food courts and 3am post-nightclub munchies, but when it’s this good, we all need to get a slice of the action. The slices are crusty and puffy with killer toppings like smoked leg ham, basil, fior di latte and mixed mushrooms. 26 Liverpool St, Melbourne, https://www.spqrpizzeria.com/
Good pizza in the suburbs? Not only is it possible, but also it’s worth the drive. We’re talking 72-hour bases that give you a billowy crust unlike any other, so order anything on the menu and you’re in for a treat (we particularly love the gamberi with creamy scamorza, prawns, zucchini and parsley). 97 Whitehorse Rd, Deepdene, postino.com.au/
We dig the décor (think checkered table cloths and exposed brick walls) but we dig the pizza even more at this funky Collingwood pizza ‘club’. The pizzas are generously topped and the combinations are pretty out there (think braised beef with red wine and marmalade or the pork belly pizza with a dripping base). 9-11 Peel Street, Collingwood; lazerpig.com.au
