When most of us think about Italian food, pizza comes to mind. 9 out of 10 times when someone says they’re going out for Italian, they talk about eating pizza. Although many countries are known for their national dishes, very few have created an international favourite the way the Italians have.
When you are in Italy, you will find two dishes that are the most popular – definitely pizza and pasta.
Aside from being the most well-known meal on Earth, pizza is a symbol of sociability and sharing. You’re probably wondering what Italian restaurants near me make the finest traditional Italian pizza?
That’s where my restaurant comes in to help! The best Italian restaurant, Italian Street Kitchen, where you will be sure to find a variety of mouth-watering Italian pizzas ready to be devoured.
Sometimes it can get overwhelming sitting at a restaurant and not knowing what to order. That’s why I’ve created this guide with the 10 most popular Italian Pizzas to choose from.
Margherita
Queen Margherita’s favourite dish, the Pizza Margherita, is a royal delicacy. In 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy visited Naples, where the chef served her a pizza with tomato red mozzarella cheese and green basil, built to resemble the colours of the Italian flag. The Queen loved the dish so much that the chef, Esposito, named it after her.
Pizza alla Bufala
The components of this dish are the same as those of Pizza Margherita, except that buffalo mozzarella is used in place of fior di latte. Buffalo mozzarella is placed raw on the hot dough for a unique taste and twist on this pizza. Could you ever turn down buffalo mozzarella? Not many can.
Pizza con Patate
This classic pizza style, Pizza con Patate, is one of the simplest to prepare! This sort typically omits any sauce or cheese to focus on the thin, crispy potatoes placed on top as the meal’s focal point. Creamy potatoes with a light and delicate flavour complemented by soft and silky dough will definitely win your heart.
Capricciosa
The name of this dish, which literally translates to capricious, is fitting because the toppings often change from one area to the next. In central and northern Italy, capricciosa is made with a constantly changing combination of ingredients that usually includes tomatoes, mozzarella, mushrooms, artichokes, ham, olives, and a sliced hard-boiled egg.
Prosciutto e Rucola
The Prosciutto Crudo e Rucola pizza is a summertime favourite because of its fresh tastes. Prosciutto, rocket, and your choice of cheese combined to make pizza Prosciutto Crudo e Rucola, a dinner party classic that is easy to prepare and appreciated by everyone.
Calzone
The half-round form of this particular kind of pizza is created by folding a full-sized pie in half. Calzone comes from the Italian term for pant leg, calza, which refers to the original purpose of calzone, which was to be a pizza that may be enjoyed while walking or standing.
Calzones are a favourite in Italian dishes. They’re typically stuffed with meats like salami or ham and cheeses such as mozzarella, ricotta, parmesan, and pecorino. Fried calzones with mozzarella and tomatoes are a specialty of Apulia in Italy, also known as panzerotti.
Quattro formaggi
The name Quattro formaggi refers to a style of Italian pizza topped with four types of cheese. Depending on the region, mozzarella and three other typical local kinds of cheese include Gorgonzola, Fontina, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
In Naples, they make it exclusively white, while elsewhere, like Rome or Milan, it is also possible to try it with the addition of tomato sauce.
Quattro Stagioni
The Pizza Quattro Stagioni (four seasons) is a popular Italian dish made up of four components: Margherita tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, salami or prosciutto ham, and artichoke hearts. The elements are combined to make the pizza, in chronological sequence, from early summer through late fall, corresponding to their season of maturity. This Italian pizza is both delicious and appealing to the eye.
Carrettiera (also known as Broccoletti e Salsiccia)
The ingredients in this Italian pizza include sausage and broccoli, which are two typical components of Neapolitan cuisine. It’s a delicious and satisfying choice for the gluttonous, especially if you add provolone or parmesan flakes to the top!
Nutella pizza
If you adore Nutella, this dessert pizza recipe is a must-try. It’s a delectable dessert! The concept for the Nutella Pizza was conceived by the crepe stands that began popping up in Italian tourist destinations in the 1990s. Nutella wanted to get more attention, so it rented spaces outside cafes and bars, enticing tourists away from normally-sought gelato. Despite being a dessert dish, it’s safe to say that this has become one of Italy’s most well-known pizzas.
The Italians are the best at making pizza – and there is no doubt about that. They invented it, and they’ve certainly perfected it. And just as they have refined the fundamental pizza components such as dough, tomato sauce, and cheese, many different toppings have been developed in various areas of Italy.
Many varieties of ingredients originating from all over Italy have spread across the world and can even be enjoyed here in Australia on the other side of the globe.
Especially here at our Italian restaurant in Sydney, Italian Street Kitchen, where quality and flavour is our non-negotiable commitment to all of my guests!
