The Best Pizza Restaurants in Melbourne

DOC Pizza & Mozzarella Bar

Look, DOC isn’t the cheapest spot on the list, but if you want one of the very best traditional Neapolitan-style pizzas delivered, you can’t go past this bright and busy shop in Melbourne’s bustling Carlton neighbourhood. Buffalo mozzarella, quality Italian cured meats, hand-picked fresh herbs, and a chewy, bubbly crust await. Order a classic Margherita pizza with imported salumi on the side or a bittersweet tiramisu for dessert from this local mainstay.

Deep End Pizza

Little known in Australia, Chicago-style deep-dish pizza gets its time in the spotlight at this buzzy Fitzroy spot that lets you order by the slice. Be prepared for gut-busting amounts of sauce and melty cheese barely supported by the dough. For a true taste of the Windy City, try the Chicago Classic Stuffed Deep Dish with sausage, mushroom, onion, capsicum, and black olives. There’s also Detroit-style square pizza on a thick, fluffy base with a petticoat of crispy burnt cheese. Paired with imported Hidden Valley ranch dressing from the States and washed down with a can of A&W Root Beer, this is Australian-made pizza the American way.

A1 Bakery

Established over 30 years ago to serve the fast-growing Lebanese-Australian community in Melbourne’s inner north, A1 bakery has become a staple of Melburnian food culture. Now with  locations in Brunswick, Fairfield, and Fitzroy, an A1 Lebanese-stye pizza is always close at hand. Grab a classic Spinach and Cheese Triangle or a Spiced Lamb Pizza for just $6. Or, try the Falafel Pizza loaded up with hearty falafel mix, fresh lettuce, tomato, pickles, and a drizzle of tahini sauce. Each spot churns through such a huge volume of food that their flaky baklava is always ultra fresh.

48hr Pizza e Gnocchi Bar

Expect incredible dough at this traditional South Yarra pizzeria; the 48hr in the name refers to their two-day minimum dough leavening time, which results in bubbly, perfectly elastic crust that’ll haunt your cheese dreams. Here, the chefs play hits like Margherita and capricciosa, but the less common combinations are worth the detour. Try the Summer Bressanone with brie, smoked prosciutto, and pear, or the La Norma pizza with crumbed eggplant and burrata. If you’re feeling noodles instead, the springy tagliatelle pasta and plump gnocchi are both house-made, and come with a choice of seven different sauces — though the Agnello with slow cooked lamb, kalamata olives, and mushrooms has my heart.

Shop 225 Pizzeria

This certified gluten-free pizzeria in Pascoe Vale South is on a mission to bring the delights of baked dough and sauce to everyone, regardless of dietary restrictions and without compromising on flavour. Allegedly, Shop 225 was the very first pizzeria in the country to be accredited by Coeliac Australia and also cater to vegans, lactose-intolerant folks, and Halal pizza lovers, as well as the garlic- and onion-sensitive crowd. For a spicy classic, try the vegan Diavola with fior di latte, hot salami, onions, roasted capsicum, and chilli oil, baked in a traditional wood-fired oven for maximum flavour.

Sunnyside Sliced

So few places do pizza-by-the-slice for delivery in Melbourne, and even fewer do proper square pizza. Sunnyside in Mentone is the local go-to for both. These American-inspired, 18-inch pizzas include New York classics like Pepperoni, alongside more creative pies like the Hella Honey with provolone, Parmigiano, chorizo, and jalapeños, which arrives dripping with hot honey sauce. For deep-dish Sicilian square pizza, opt for the Nonna Special, baked upside down (!) with a classic combo of mozzarella, provolone, tomato sauce, basil, and garlic.

Piccolino

Can’t decide between pizza and pasta? This simple, hole-in-the-wall trattoria in Fitzroy North serves house-made pastas and gnocchis inside edible pizza bowls. There is no self-seriousness here. Italian expat chef and co-owner Andrea Fioriti seamlessly melds playful Aussie sensibilities with longstanding culinary tradition, offering everything from wild boar ragu to pizza topped with fries. Few places do both buttoned up and dressed down pizza so well.

Gabriella Pizza

This old-school Aussie pie shop in Carnegie delivers on the nostalgic stuff of my childhood. A Gabriella’s pizza goes down perfectly with a rented VHS of your favourite big-budget action flick and a 2L bottle of full-strength Coke. Big, inexpensive, and loaded with toppings, it’s easy to see why the pies here get a lot of love from the locals. Expect all the classics like BBQ chicken and meat lovers, but the best has got to be the Super Lot pizza, which lists its ingredients in one simple word: “everything.”

Tempo

The classics are done right at this Northcote favourite, with a sweet tomato base and wood-fired flavour. Tempo also leans into more experimental pies, like a pizza with pistachio pesto, prosciutto, and semi-dried tomatoes. The oozy calzones, a rarity in Melbourne, and the decadent Carbonara will warm your soul like a hug from Nonna. Another perk: You can order until 1:45 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, making it some of the best late-night pizza in town.

1000 Lire Pizza & Stuzzichini

Pliable slices with big, charred bubbles and pared-back toppings make this cosy Fitzroy North joint one of the most-loved traditional Neapolitan pizza restaurants in the city. Each pie is wood-fired for that subtly smoky flavour and perfect balance between a crust that’s crispy on the outside and chewy inside. Expect an extensive range of both red and white pizzas, as well as a couple of playful options like the Paolo’s, with fior di latte, chunks of hot dog, and hot chips.

Small Print Pizza

Sustainability-minded Small Print in Windsor makes pizzas using locally grown and organic produce and free-range meats. They also separate soft plastics, food waste, recyclables, and general waste to divert them from landfill. And, according to legions of fans, the pies are just as craveable as they are conscientious. The dough is proofed for 48 hours, hand stretched, and cooked on searing-hot stone. Try a vegan pizza with roast eggplant, cherry tomatoes, gremolata, chilli jam, and fresh parsley — or opt for the Prosciutto Pizza with pear, gorgonzola, mozzarella, and rocket.

Fruscolino Pizzeria

This Richmond pizza shop offers up fun and frivolity on a crispy base — and at super reasonable prices. The huge range of options here include all the usual suspects, like Hawaiian, Aussie, and capricciosa, along with plenty of childhood fantasy pizzas like Cheeseburger, Meat Extreme, and Ultra Death (claiming to be the spiciest pizza in town). Traditionalists, don’t fret: There’s also classic toppings like fior di latte and prosciutto on the menu.

A25 Pizzeria

Another go-to for Neapolitan-style pizza in South Yarra, A25 features airy crusts and deli-quality toppings. Expect mind-blowing weekly specials like a pizza with wagyu bresaola, Pedro Ximenez-infused radicchio crema, smoked mozzarella, and candied walnuts. Salad lovers will be right at home here, with a solid roster of options like the Radicchio Salad with beetroot, raisins, pistachios, Meredith Dairy goat’s cheese, and balsamic truffle honey. Vegan and gluten-free pizzas cater to any dietary restrictions, and do not skip the truffle aioli or squid ink mayo for dipping. No crust left behind!

Mozzarella Bar

Run by Italian-born Pino Veneziano, Mozzarella Bar in Seddon was accredited by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana in 2016 as one of only 18 pizzerias in Australia producing bonafide Neapolitan pies. As such, you won’t find any meat lovers or Hawaiian pizzas listed on this menu. But you can order a veal scallopini or a chicken parmesan alongside your La Calabrisella pizza, featuring nduja calabrese, hot salami, and olives. Fill out your order with veggie sides like a caprese salad or sautéed broccoli, and a crispy, cream-filled cannoli to finish.

Primo

Gluten-intolerant pizza fans swear by the bases at Northcote’s Primo, which you can sub in with any flavour. Original creations include toppings like goat’s cheese, Congo potatoes, oyster mushrooms, and smoked scamorza. Or, keep it traditional with Margherita pizza paired with an heirloom tomato and stracciatella salad. Open seven days for all your cheesy desires, Primo lives up to the name.

Red Sparrow Pizza

Melbourne’s vegans are the guests of honour at this Collingwood hotspot. Though, omnivores will love it too: The city’s first 100% animal-free pizzeria delivers big flavours. These wood-fired pizzas rely on vegan cheeses and mock meats to replicate the experience of traditional pies. Try the Bahn Mi pizza with hoisin sauce, cucumber, and char sui, or the Elote, with chargrilled corn and chipotle mayo. It’s also one of the few pizzerias that delivers beer and wine with your food.

Basil & Co

This much-loved Newport pizzeria rates highly on the value-for-money scale, making it an ideal choice for a fun family meal on a budget. With high-quality ingredients like San Marzano tomato sauce and San Daniel prosciutto, these pizzas are a fraction of the cost of their inner-city cousins, especially as part of a meal deal. There’s also pasta, sides, salads, and piles of antipasto to keep the crew happy.

Frankie’s Pizza

No list would be complete without a couple of all-Aussie favourites that would probably make nonna shake her head. Enter: Frankie’s in Ascot Vale, a much-loved shop with pizzas that have more toppings than a croc has scales. Think meat lovers with ham, salami, chicken, and bacon; Frankie's Choice with capsicum, pineapple, prawns, bacon, and olives; and the Dinki Di, an Aussie-style beast with ham, cheese, bacon, and egg. And if you simply can’t decide, grab a four-in one pizza and leave hard choices for another day.

Little Rita’s

This cosy pizza and pasta spot in Abbotsford is loved for its crispy bases, fresh ingredients, and plenty of vegan options. On offer are traditional Italian toppings like potato and taleggio alongside Aussie classics such as Prawn and Surf & Turf. Each pie is crafted with fresh vegetables, house-made sauces, and butcher-quality meats you won't find at your average takeaway pizzeria. For the best deal, get a package that includes multiple pizzas, garlic bread, and a tub of salted caramel gelato by Everest (mandatory, if you ask me).

Il Caminetto

This little Moonee Ponds restaurant scores big points for beautifully presented, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza. Where others tend to go lighter on the toppings, these pies are piled high. The Ligure, with ricotta mousse, mozzarella, prawns, peeled tomatoes, oregano sauce, and breadcrumbs, is a full meal in itself. So is the Raguttino, with eggplant ragu, smoked scamorza, ham, and a fresh glob of baby burrata sitting proudly in the middle.

Duke Pizza

Come to this Parkville favourite for the silly names and uncommon toppings, and stay for the actually great pizzas. Melbourne Uni students with the munchies are catered to with offerings like May The Cheese Be With You, a four cheese pizza of gorgonzola, pecorino, parmesan, and fontina, and the mushroom-heavy Magic Fun Guy. Gimmicks aside, these pizzas are student-budget-friendly and topped with plenty of fresh ingredients. Go big with buffalo wings, cheesy bacon fries, and 12 different styles of chicken parm for under $20 each. I mean, gnarly deals, dude.

+39 Pizzeria

The name of this classic in the CBD is a nod to the country code for dialling Italy, and like a call home, the food at +39 reaches out for the old country. Think radicchio, pancetta, and more kinds of cheese than you’d find at a deli. There’s some real complexity on offer, too, with fresh mint and lemon oil on the Prawns and Zucchini pizza and truffle honey on the Radicchio Treviso salad. Top it off with lobster on squid ink linguine and you’ll have a little taste of Naples at home.

Bubba Pizza

With fan favourites like Tandoori Chicken and capricciosa and flights of fancy like the Big Bubba Mac, with streaky bacon, beef, and roasted capsicum topped with special sauce, it’s easy to see why this casual joint gets the tick of approval from Richmond locals. Vegetarians can opt for “cheat meats,” or you can round out the meal with pub-style chips loaded with slow-cooked beef, an order of mozzarella sticks, or a salted caramel milkshake.

Lamb On Brunswick Street

This Fitzroy local is open from 11 a.m. to 3:45 a.m. seven days a week, meaning it’s saved countless wayward souls on the stumble home from the neighbourhood’s many bars. Look alive with souvlaki shop classics like Ham & Mushroom and Lamb Lovers pizza. And in the wee hours, nothing will set you right like the Lamb Snack Pack, a honking load of hot chips smothered in tender shredded meat and all the sauces: chilli, BBQ, and garlic.

Green Acre Pizza Bar

Brunswick has long been home to hippies and Italian-Australians alike, making it a natural home for this eco-minded pizza shop. The majority of Green Acre’s packaging is biodegradable, the restaurant uses locally sourced ingredients where possible, and there are plenty of vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. Try a Grass is Greener with vegan mozzarella, roast zucchini, spinach, chilli, peas, vegan feta, and mint — or the omnivorous Beef Pizza with slow cooked beef cheek, mozzarella, and house yoghurt.

San Marzano Pizzeria

With thin, chewy bases and ballooned crusts, San Marzano is a solid option in Docklands. As the name would imply, the tomato sauce is top-notch and the meat pizzas are piled high with the goods. (You won’t find any of that one-bit-of-sausage-per-slice tomfoolery here). As well as classic toppings such as pepperoni and prosciutto, you’ll find creative takes like the Beef Short Rib pizza with a zippy salsa verde, or smoky Lamb Leg with harissa mayo.

Papa Gino’s

No list of Melbourne’s best pizza restaurants would be complete without one old-school, Lygon Street entry. This is the neighbourhood that taught Melbourne how to eat Italian, and everyone who grew up in the Carlton area has their nostalgic favourite. For me, it’s Papa Gino’s, a stalwart of Australian-Italian cuisine since 1973. Their capricciosa is the first pizza I can ever remember eating; the little slivers of ham charred crunchy on their tips, the heat-wrinkled mushroom slices, and the salty pop of olives were all a revelation to my young palate. Even now, it still puts a sauce-covered smile on my face.