Brisbane may be on the other side of the world to Europe, but we have an array of wonderful pizzerias making the sorts of delicious pizzas that would make you swear you were in Italy.
In a quest to find Brisbane’s best pizzas, we’ve scoured the CBD and outlying suburbs, looking for traditional Italian style pizza. In case you’re wondering, traditional Italian pizzas are made on super thin, crunchy bases and have just a few, very fresh toppings, chosen for the way their tastes and textures complement each other. These are pizzas where each bite has the perfect blend of crunch and chewiness, with no one flavour dominating the others.
If you prefer a thicker base and lots of toppings, read on because we will be recommending some of these, too.
Arriva
Arriva on Merthyr Road in New Farm makes exceptional pizzas. They’ve won more awards than they can find wall space to hang, and you’ll need to book because they are seriously popular. Their mushroom and truffle oil pizza is heaven on a super-thin dough base, the waiters are friendly and the outdoor tables are always packed. Did we mention that you won’t get a table if you don’t book? You’ve been warned!
Beccofino
This Teneriffe restaurant makes delicious pizzas with wood-fired thin bases. Beccofino specialises in Pizze Bianchi and Pizze Rossi (white and red pizza). The white pizza are made with olive oil instead of tomato in the sauce and a favourite is the Pancetta e Patate with mozzarella, thinly sliced potato, pancetta, stracchino and rocket. Yum. See all the options here.
Campo Dei Fiori
Campo Dei Fiori in Clayfield makes a great wood-fired pizza with a thin base and yummy toppings. If you love anchovies, their Tirreno is divine – a delicious combination of anchovies, mozzarella, garlic and oregano. See all the options here.
Il Forno
Il Forno at Sandgate is a fabulous traditional wood-fired pizzeria. They use crunchy thin bases and the freshest ingredients. If you like a hot pizza, try their Arrabiatta with tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, hot sopressa salami, chorizo, fresh chilli and cherry tomatoes. Where’s the fire hydrant? Don’t worry – there are also plenty of less spicy options on their menu.
Gusto da Gianni
Gusto da Gianni at Portside offers a stunning location with glorious river views to complement your amazing pizza. The pizza here is superb. The crust so thin, it bubbles. And the toppings are as fine as the bases. We tried the day's special, with pumpkin, chilli, thyme and shaved Reggiano cheese on an olive oil (white) base. Everything was so light and fresh, no one taste overpowering the others. It was tempting to order a second pizza, just because the first was so divine. Check out their menu.
Schonell Pizza Café
With all their pizzas named after famous films, directors or film stars, the Schonell Pizza Café at St Lucia is one of the cheapest and best thin-crust pizza options around. Check out their menu for some of the delicious taste sensations on offer. Who can go past a Sophia Loren with pan-fried baby spinach, loads of garlic, black olives and gorgonzola cheese? Very sexy. Just make sure your partner eats some, too, or carry breath mints!
Kookaburra Café
The Kookaburra Café in Paddington has been a favourite for locals for more than 17 years. Their pizza menu is extensive and the friendly atmosphere makes it great for families or party groups. A favourite is the Capricciosa with pepperoni, capsicum, onion, capers, olives and anchovies. If you have small kids you can also ask for a ball of dough for the kids to play with. Now, that’s service!
Windmill Pizza Paradise
Located in Petrie Terrace near backpackers’ hostels and Caxton Street's late night bars has proven to be a smart idea for Windmill Pizza Paradise. They sell pizza by the slice all night long, only closing at 6am on the weekend. While there’s no website with a menu you can check out, the staff are very helpful and will read the menu over the phone to you if you want to order. Whole pizzas are also available and are huge and delicious.
Pepperoni’s
If you’re after fresh ingredients, plenty of generous toppings and bases that aren’t too thick or too thin, then Pepperoni’s at Wishart might be the perfect place for you. The Extreme Works pizza is a popular favourite with its pepperoni, ham, mushrooms, onion, pineapple, olives, capsicum, chicken, bacon, fetta cheese, oregano and double cheese. The pizzas are never greasy and hit the spot for those who like their toppings generous rather than sparse.
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar
Crust Gourmet Pizza Bar is a franchise with a popular store in Hamilton. Crust’s extensive menu is bound to have something to suit all tastes. Health conscious pizzas are made on a wholemeal base and they even have an Upper Crust range featuring ooh la la toppings like Fromage with a white cheese base, gorgonzola, caramelised figs stuffed with mascarpone and garnished with buffalo mozzarella and walnuts. Bases and toppings are thicker here, with delicious sauces piped over the fresh ingredients.
Pizza Capers
Pizza Capers is another popular franchise with stores all round Brisbane. Their menu is a sure-fire crowd pleaser and includes gluten free pizzas for those who can’t digest wheat. Favourites include the Al Funghi with Capers’ pizza sauce topped with smoke cured pepperoni, shaved leg ham, mushrooms, garlic, herbs and Tasmanian camembert.
If your favourite isn’t on our list, or if you’d like to add your recommendation to one of the places we’ve mentioned here, please add your reviews/comments below.
If you're a fan of the peri peri, I definately recommend you go try Crust's peri peri chicken pizza, it is a flavour sensation!