Words By: Carinna Reyes
Pineapples on pizza or nah? Whatever your preference is, at the end of the day, we can all agree that pizza is one of everybody’s favorite comfort foods. The perfect ratio of cheese, tomatoes, and grease is enough rewards to our bellies after a stressful day, or even on days when we don’t feel like doing anything. And so, when you’re in Manila, it is essential that you know where all the good pizzerias are and how much they cost.
Here are 13 of our favorite Pizzerias around the metro and what we recommend you order:
13. Amare La Cucina
91 East Capitol Drive, Kapitolyo, Pasig
Pizza starts at PHP 340
Must Try: Foie Gras Pizza (PHP 595)
This is one of the few places where you can find good pizza cooked traditionally. They also have a make-your-own pizza activity, which can be a fun bonding experience for you and your family or your barkada.
12. Motorino Pizzeria Napoletana
2nd Level, Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center Makati City
Pizza starts at PHP 365
Must Try: Soppressata Piccante (PHP 495)
@motorino_ph
If you’re looking for authentic Napoletana pizza, this is the place to be. Founded by Belgian Chef Matthieu Palombino in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, they serve pizza so hot that the middle is almost melting, and each slice is so big it’s best eaten when folded.
11. Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza
319 Katipunan Ave, Quezon City
Pizza starts at PHP 320
Must Try: SMEGG (PHP 485) with spicy honey
@ginosbrickovenpizza
Gino’s pizzas have gotten so popular, they’ve built three more locations in Serendra, Salcedo Village, and Shangri-La Mall, and still, crowds accumulate outside their doors just to get a taste of their pizza. The one that you definitely need to try though is their SMEGG pizza, which has homemade sausage, egg, gouda, and cream as toppings. Don’t forget to drizzle your slice with spicy honey!
10. Salvatore Cuomo & Bar
G/F Uptown Parade
9th Avenue corner 38th Street. Bonifacio Global City, Taguig
Pizza starts at PHP 680
Must Try: D.O.C. (PHP 850)
Entering this restaurant feels a lot like being welcomed in the living room at your richest friend’s home. There is no division of their kitchen from the dining area, so diners can watch the chefs cook their delicious meals from the comfort of their seats. If you also love the Japanese as much as you love Italian food, then this is the right restaurant for you.
9. Pizza World
9677 Kamagong St. Cor. Pasong Tamo St. San Antonio Village, Makati
Pizza starts at PHP 209
Must Try: Persian Pizza (PHP 299)
It’s common for us to hear pizza flavors based on Italian Cuisine, so tasting pizza inspired by Persian food is a new gastronomic adventure. For those of you who think they’ve tasted all the variations of pizza there is, check out Pizza World as your next location. Bring your friends and family as well, as they have beer pong and KTV services that will surely be too fun to resist.
Also Read: Pizza World: Brick Oven, Charcoal Fire Pizza + Beer Pong & Karaoke
8. Crosta Pizzeria
The Social on Ebro 5770 Ebro St., Poblacion, Makati
Pizza starts at PHP 200
Must Try: Vegan Stuffed AF (PHP 400)
Arguably, others believe that what makes a great pizza isn’t the sauce or the toppings, but the crust. And when it comes to crust, Crosta Pizzeria delivers. Their sourdough crust is perfected from four years of experimenting with pizzas, which is something you’ll definitely expect from a restaurant whose name “Crosta” is the Italian word for Crust!
7. PizzaExpress
G/F Uptown Place Mall, 36th St. Cor 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Pizza starts at PHP 395
Must Try: Le Rose (PHP 470)
For the second time around, one of the top pizza joints in the UK has arrived in Manila to take another chance to win our hearts over. Pizza Express does not simply serve lip-smacking, delicious pizza, they’re also out to prove that their dough is one of the best. Before going to their main course, make sure to try their Baked Dough balls, which serve as a great teaser for their wonderfully flavored pizzas.
6. TONI & SERGIO Gastro Italiano
G/F Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig City
Pizza starts at PHP 345
Must Try: 6 Cheese (PHP 530)
If Salvatore Cuomo & Bar’s a fusion of Italian and Japanese, Toni & Sergio has succeeded in blending Italian dishes with Spanish cuisine. With the view of the Grand Canal outside and the European setting of the restaurant, you’d automatically feel like you’re in Italy or Spain without the need to ride an airplane. Their dishes are great for sharing, especially their 6 Cheese pizza, which consist of gorgonzola, mozzarella, pecorino, parmigiano, scamorza, and taleggio.
Also Read: Italy Meets Spain at Toni & Sergio Gastro Italiano in Venice Grand Canal Mall
5. Nolita
4/F The South District, Madison Galeries, 398 Don Jesus Blvd., Alabang
Pizza starts at PHP 710
Must Try: 4 Cheese (PHP 180/slice)
North of Little Italy or Nolita is a place where you can get one of the most authentic New York pizzas in Manila. Aside from their incredibly large servings of pizza, their cannoli is a must-try dessert, which caps off a hearty meal sweetly.
4. Pizza Grigliata
2/F 8 Missouri St, San Juan
Pizza starts at PHP 280
Must Try: Prosciutto Arugula Pizza on Squid Ink Dough (PHP 400)
I’m sure you’ve tried brick oven pizza at one point, but have you tried grilled pizza? Pizza Grigliata (Italian for ‘grilled’) is famous for their thin crust, torched pizzas, which they say brings out the flavors more on the bread. Moreover, they also have a wild selection of doughs to choose from; flavors such as beetroot dough, carrot dough, and squash dough, which are new and fun takes to a classic pizza.
3. Rice & Dough
G/F Venice Grand Canal Mall, McKinley Hill, Taguig
Pizza starts at PHP 330
Must Try: Philly Cheesesteak (PHP 375)
As its name implies, Rice & Dough is the carbohydrate heaven for those who can’t decide if they want sushi or pizza (or both) for a meal. Their witty flavors of both classic comfort foods is a different experience, and for the best part, you can even play chef and make your own sushi or pizza for only PHP 495!
2. PARMIGIANO Ristorante Pizzeria
2/F Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila, Newport City, Pasay
Pizza starts at PHP 395
Must Try: 6 Cheese (PHP 595)
One of the underrated restaurants that serve authentic Italian food, Parmigiano is not only the king of cheese but of pizzas as well. Even ordering their Pasta del Parmigiano is as exciting as ordering one of their pizzas. When you order this pasta, they will roll out an actual Parmigiano-Reggiano wheel, douse it in alcohol, flame it, and toss the pasta on top of the cheese once the flames die down. The theatrics, as well as the taste of the pasta, is money well spent on this pizza joint indeed.
1. Mamma Mia
G/F Uptown Place Mall, 36th St. Cor 9th Ave., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City
Pizza starts at PHP 385
Must Try: Mortadella e Pistachio (PHP 595)
No, not the musical–although, the festive ambiance of this restaurant reminds us of it! In here, you can relax and have coffee in the day and join the party at night, all while enjoying great food as the Romans do. Their must try pizza is a unique flavor as well. Its chewy crust is topped off with a mix of cheeses, and nutty Pistachio bits, that will surely take your taste buds to a whole other experience.
Also Read: Here’s Why You Should Try Mamma Mia’s Stuffed Crust Pizza!
What other pizza joints would you recommend us to try?
