Things we’ve learnt through writing this article: if you want a pizza-filled night, head to Carlton. I mean, it shouldn’t be a shock that the area where Lygon Street resides has the highest population of fantastic pizza restaurants.
From old classics to modern twists, to new and entirely different pizza experiences—these are the best spots to grab a pizza in Melbourne.
Kaprica
Carlton
Kaprica is wine poured into latte glasses, a crackling wood-fired oven in an open kitchen, Campari served with fresh grapefruit juice with some of the best pizza in Melbourne, all at the edge of Lincoln Square. The pizza is all about the classics done well, and some *healthy* pizzas that are actually so yum. The broccoli pizza is incredible, with chilli, lemon and pecorino. They make all of their dough in-house (for both pasta and pizza), right in front of a huge, rustic, probably handmade pizza oven.
How to order: Kaprica accepts walk-ins or takeaway and bookings via 0447 043 404 or via Uber eats and Deliveroo
Bar Romantica
Brunswick East
Bar Romantica has always been known as the late-night bar of Brunswick East, serving up classic cocktails and wood-fired pizza to the wee hours. Post-COVID, their hours have slightly changed, but the pizza still remains some of the best in Melbourne. You can dine in amongst the indoor plants, low-lit lamps and red curved booths, or order takeaway. The pizza dough undergoes a long 48-hour ferment, making it super bouncy and light. The potato pizza with pecorino, blue cheese and rosemary is a must-try.
How to order: book here, order here
Leonardo’s Pizza Palace
Carlton
Leonardo’s Pizza Palace is the 70s Italian red brick pizza palace we didn’t know we needed. Their slogan is literally “what dreams are made of”, which is both a Lizzie Mcguire reference and completely true. They have some adventurous pizza flavours which totally pay off, like the Ramblr Chinese bolognese pizza and the habanero & Carolina reaper pizza—both often sold out favourites. Every pizza is served with a side of ranch, for you to dip your slices in and we gotta say, it’s not very Italiano, but it’s bloody yum.
How to order: book here, order here
SPQR
CBD
SPQR is just classic, delicious pizza. Sold by the slice at the front of the venue and by the whole at the back, SPQR wood-oven their crust to perfection, all while pumping great tunes (live DJ style) and pouring a great selection of craft beers and natty euro plonk. On Wednesdays, they open their DJ decks to amateur DJs -of which Melbourne has many—and exchange an hour-long set with a pizza and bottle of vino. You’ve got your classic pepperonis and your margherita, as well as some fancy flavour combos such as prawns, nduja, basil and olives on the Surf n Turf, and kale, gorgonzola, parmesan and fior di latte on the ill Cavolo. They also offer woodfired gnocchi, antipasti, tiramisu and a nutella pizza.
How to order: order here or via Uber Eats or Deliveroo
D.O.C
Carlton, Albert Park & Mornington
This is true Italian pizza. The base is thin and crispy with a fat, chewy crust, and the toppings are simple and classic. D.O.C have pizzerias in Mornington and Albert Park—with a pizza truck that frequents Mordialloc—however their best and original is on the corner of Drummond and Grattan Street in Carlton. The Italian waiters are loud and unapologetic while somehow still brimming with devilish charm, and you always leave in a better mood than when you arrived. They have daily specials, a great gluten-free base and spritzes for days. They specialise in classic Italian combos on pizza like pork and fennel sausage, fresh prosciutto and shaved parmesan,
How to order: book via OpenTable, order via DoorDash, Uber Eats, or call any of the restaurants for pick up
Capitano
Carlton
Believe it or not, the light-filled, art-deco x italo-disco-influenced venue that is Capitano used to be dark, nordic-themed pub The Beaufort. Debuting its transformation in 2018, Capitano has been delivering quality pizza, an extensive wine offering and an excellent cocktail list. Although their specialities revolve around more than just pizza, the pizza is damn good. Deep-dish pizza pie style, these luscious hunks of dough come with a range of toppings, ranging from black pepper, ricotta, pecorino and herb oil to tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, stracciatella and basil. Capitano also does some red hot pasta dishes, snacks and sides.
How to order: book here, order here or call (03) 9134 8555
Pizza Pizza Pizza
CBD
Go down Meyers Place and look for the neon sign that reads “PIZZA PIZZA PIZZA” and you’ve arrived. Fronted with an original pizza-by-the-slice pizza bar, you’d never guess that behind the black curtain that surely leads to the pizza kitchen, you’ll find an unnamed, hidden cocktail bar. Pizza Pizza Pizza is the gift that keeps on giving, with New-York style pizza slices big enough you need both hands, with stringy cheese to boot. It’s the perfect late-night bite, open on the weekends until 1am. The sling New-York style huge ass (18”) pizzas with classic triple cheese, pepperoni, marinara, troppo (tropical) etc. The dessert pizza is incredible, topped with peach, white chocolate, sliced almonds and vanilla ice cream. They also do croquettes, wings, meatball sliders, garlic bread, a green salad and a chocolate mousse.
How to order: via Uber Eats
Papa Gino‘s
Carlton
Papa Gino’s is a Lygon Street classic. The pizza is huge, the chianti is cheap and the brick archways are a-plenty. The pizza dough gets thrown in the front window in front of the pizza oven, offering a show to on-lookers. Papa Gino’s opened the same year as the Sydney Opera House—1973—and is still under the original ownership of the Brosca family. If you’re overwhelmed by the euro chaos of Lygon Street just cut the bullshit, and head to Papa Gino’s for an extra large pepperoni. They also serve every Italian dish under the sun, from risottos to pasta, to minestrone to veal steaks.
How to order: via Uber Eats or call 03 9347 5758 for takeaway and bookings
Freddy’s Pizza
Windsor
Freddy’s is a little slice of Italia on Chapel Street, red-checkered tablecloths and all. You’re looking at fresh cannoli, great banter and even better pizza is what you should expect from a trip to Freddy’s Pizza. The pizza dough is left to ferment for 72 hours, making the crust crispy, and the inside soft. And knowing all ingredients are imported from Italy—how can you go wrong?
How to order: book via OpenTable, order via Uber Eats and Deliveroo
Connie’s
CBD
Connie’s Pizza is another great New York-style pizza joint in Melbourne’s CBD. You may struggle to find Connie’s via Google Maps as it lives inside Heartbreaker Bar—an acclaimed dive bar on the corner of Russell Street and Lonsdale Street. Enter Heartbreaker, walk past the bar, past the pool table and you will arrive at Connie’s Pizza window. Order, pay and wait for your pizza, delivered to you by the slice on white cardboard party plates.
With one-word titles, these pizzas are simple and straightforward. They pick one flavour, and they run with it. There’s Cheese, Pepperoni, Sausage, Sicilian and Mushroom – just to name a few. You can buy it by the whole or by the slice.
How to order: via Uber Eats or inside Heartbreaker
Thin Slizzy
Collingwood
Thin Slizzy is an amalgamation of rock’n’roll and pizza. Ex-band member of Holy Serpent Scott Pentherby took over Angelo’s Pizza e Cucina in Collingwood and transformed it into a home for rock’n’roll puns, craft tinnies, retro fittings and smashable pizza. Thin Slizzy have great gluten-free, and vegan bases, and a range of pun-intended toppings including the Meatallica, the Smashing Pumpkin and the Brockin’ in the Free World.
How to order: Call 03 8597 4475
Supermaxi
Fitzroy North
Supermaxi is owned by the original chef and co-owner of Ladro, Rita Macali, who arguably started up the whole Melbourne pizza craze in the first place. With that in mind, Supermaxi is a dream. Pizza isn’t the main focus, however, it is a large part of the menu given Macali’s celebrated homemade dough. Their motto is “simple Italian food, done well” and the comfy North Fitzroy restaurant is an inviting/10 place to eat. Pizza is available to eat in or takeaway. Known for their simple Italian toppings, Supermaxi pizzas are beautifully balanced. We’d highly recommend the Boscaiola; mushrooms, porcini and truffle oil, the GTV 105 Series 2; zucchini, cherry tomato, fior di latte, garlic and chilli and the Maxi; pancetta, treccia, parmigiano and radicchio.
How to order: bookings and takeaway via phone call only (03) 9482 2828
Shawcross
Fitzroy
Open til 4am on Fridays and Saturdays, Shawcross is the late-night New-York style pizza joint, perfect for the final stop on a successful Tinder date. The slices are large and salty and cheesy and located amongst the party centre of Brunswick Street. Shawcross is constantly cooking and slicing so the pizza is always hot and always fresh and they’ll even pay for your pizza if you can eat a 22” guy in 11 minutes or under. Shawcross offer their pizzas in either 12” or 22”. Each pizza has some sort of film, music, or pop culture reference, just to keep you on your toes after a night out on Brunswick Street. They also do amazing takeaway deals, most notably “99 PROBLEMS BUT A PIZZA AIN’T”, which is nine pizzas for $99. Damn.
How to order: via Menulog, Uber Eats, Deliveroo or call (03) 9419 9596
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