Supreme choice: The five Melbourne’s pizza joints you knead in your life

What makes the perfect pizza? Let’s not open that particular can of San Marzano tomatoes. Instead, here are five first-rate Melbourne pizzerias we reckon rank among the very best.

In the world of food there’s many things that can divide opinion, and Pizza is most certainly one of them. What started out as a cheap-to-make, and quick-to-consume street food, has not just become synonymous with Italian cuisine but has also become deeply embedded in the culture in the US and here in Australia and has sparked many an argument about the proper way to make it, what to put on top and how to cook it to perfection.

A most common dividing line is whether you’re in the pineapple camp, or vehemently opposed to any tropical diversions when it comes to toppings.

But you may also have deeply-held opinions on the appropriate thickness or even shape of the pizza base, be a stickler for the right amount of colour on a crust and pay close attention to the provenance of the flour, or the number of hours that the dough preparation has taken.

Personally, while I love the classics I’m all for diversions if they’re delicious. What do I draw the line at? Synthetic truffle oil, gold leaf, yeah I can do without those.

1. 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar

48h Pizza e Gnocchi bar.

Back in 2021, 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar, which operates from South Yarra and Elsternwick took out the top spot as best pizzeria in the Oceania region as part of the 50 Top Pizza awards. The (not-so) secret of their success is undoubtedly the provenance of ingredients – using Grana Padano cheese, Italian sourced buffalo mozzarella, and prosciutto di Parma – and the bigger clue being in the name. The 48h referring to the time that should be taken on a pizza dough. All proof that there’s no substitute for time and quality when it comes to great pizza. And of course, there’s also gnocchi.

Address: 15 Gordon St, Elsternwick and 373 Malvern Rd, South Yarra.

Visit the 48h website

2. Figlia

Pizza from Figlia restaurant.

This corner pizzeria in Brunswick East is from Alberto Fava, Andreas Papadakis and Luke Skidmore. It joins their other feted Melbourne offerings, Tipo 00 and Osteria Illaria. Specialising in organic sourdough pizza, chargrilled snacks, and a wine list that errs to minimal intervention makers it’s a well rounded experience. The pizza selection is honed, at just eight options, ranging from the classic margherita to a spicy ‘nduja with bullhorn peppers. Our pick is the mortadella with taleggio and roasted pistachio nuts.

Address: 335 Lygon St, Brunswick East

Visit the Figlia website

3. Di Stasio Pizzeria

Pizza from Di Stasio. Picture: Tony Gough

Di Stasio. Photo: Peter Tarasiuk

The newest addition to the Di Stasio staple serves up classico pizza e vino from an Italian courtyard, complete with a 17th century water fountain. Pizzas are split into five red sauce and five white, pillowy-crusted, thin-based, uncluttered Neapolitan-style slices that run the gamut from margherita and capricciosa to the slightly less humble lobster with lardo and fior di latte cheese, which is made in-house. Fans of carb layering can also get a housemade pasta to start.
Address: 224 Faraday St, Carlton

Visit the Di Stasio Pizzeria website

4. Small Print

Small Print. Pizzeria Melbourne. Melbourne's Best Pizza.

Besides winning praise for the pizza basics, the team at Small Print in Windsor are bringing environmental credentials to the table, operating a closed-loop system where all food waste ends up as compost. Small Print’s menu is vegetarian and vegan-friendly, and, where possible, meat is grass-fed and free-range. The focus is very much on getting back to the basics, with lower food miles and using producers that limit their impact. Doing the right thing never tasted so good.
Address: 388 High St, Windsor

Visit the Small Print pizza website

5. Sunnyside Sliced

Ali Ali from Sunnyside Sliced, a New York style pizzeria doing great things in Mentone. Picture: Jason Edwards

Ali Ali, owner took of Sunnyside Sliced, new this year to Mentone, took inspiration from time in New York. Channelling the rich canon of pizza in the five boroughs, there’s an appreciation of the pizza culture borne of Italian immigration to the Big Apple; much in line with the trend towards red sauce pasta joints. You’ll find red pies, white pies and Sicilian pies nad deep dish. There’s also a sideline of subs and pasta dishes that further allow diners to get into a New York state of mind.
Address: 34 Como Parade W, Mentone

Visit the Sunnyside Sliced pizza website

What’s your favourite pizza place in Victoria? Post your comments below.