Best Pizza in Melbourne

Melbourne established its pizza credentials long ago. Toto’s, our first pizzeria, opened on Lygon Street in 1961. Although Neapolitan-style pizza – woodfired, crisp at the edges, pliant in the middle – has come to dominate our restaurants since, a new generation has being doing some tinkering. The results are interesting – it’s now easy to find pizzas that go toe-to-toe with the best Neapolitan interpretations, despite being cooked in electric ovens or using something other than the revered San Marzano tomato. And as much as we love staunchly traditional pizzas, it’s hard to beat the excitement of tasting something new and totally original to Melbourne.

Takeaway Pizza

Try the bone marrow and house-made pastrami pizza.

535 High Street, Preston

Rita's Cafeteria

These salty, semolina-dusted bases are like no other.

239 Johnston Street, Abbotsford

Harley and Rose

Pizza and salads from two notable chefs, plus a banging wine list.

572 Barkly Street, West Footscray

Capitano

Approachable, unfussy American-Italian food with fine-dining pedigree.

421 Rathdowne Street, Carlton

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Ollie’s Pizza Parlour

Pizzas that fall somewhere between Neapolitan and New York-style. Pull up for spicy, garlicky clam pies (with chowder-like cream); zhooshed-up Hawaiians; cheesy, anchovy-topped savoury doughnuts; boozy gelati; and natural wine.

133 Sydney Road, Brunswick

Wolf and Swill

Pizza, beer and not much more – this little corner bar keeps things delightfully simple.

901 High Street, Thornbury

Leonardo’s Pizza Palace

A rollicking good-times pizzeria from the Leonard's House of Love crew.

29 Grattan Street, Carlton

Santoni Pizza Bar

Blistered crusts, three storeys up.

634 Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn

Italian Artisans

A D.O.C co-founder using pizza to celebrate small, high-quality producers.

135 Victoria Avenue, Albert Park

Thin Slizzy

At this rock'n'roll pizzeria and bar you'll find punny, Neapolitan-style pizzas such as the Meatallica, the Smashing Pumpkins or the Brockin' in the Free World – by an ex-Rita's chef.

115 Johnston Street, Collingwood

La Svolta

Perfectly smoky, thin crisp pizzas.

450 Hampton Street, Hampton

Red Sparrow

A vegan pizza joint on Smith Street.

406 Smith Street, Collingwood

Bar Romantica

The late-night bar that replaced a pizza institution pays respect to its legacy, and has an atmosphere of romance.

52 Lygon Street, Brunswick East

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Shop225 Pizzeria

Here, nearly every item on the menu can be made vegan and/or gluten-free.

225 Melville Road, Pascoe Vale South

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48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar South Yarra

Ever tried lobster- and caviar-laced gnocchi? You can here.

373 Malvern Road, South Yarra

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Slice Shop Pizza

Behind the Western Bulldogs-coloured neon sign, the team from Burn City Smokers is serving New York-style slices – large, thin and pliable enough to fold into your mouth.

101a Nicholson Street, Footscray