Lucinda's 20 Best Pizza Places
Wednesday 01 August 2018
Nick Nairn, the well-known Michelin Star UK chef, said recently that what people wanted nowadays, at the end of the week, is pizza and a glass of wine. Pizza is undoubtedly a crowd pleaser, especially when it comes to summer holidays – it's quick and it's delicious, with lots of inspired creations popping up all over, says Lucinda O’Sullivan. So, to find the tastiest slice this summer, check out her selection of Ireland's 20 Best Pizza Places.
DUBLIN
OSTERIA LUCIO
Michelin-starred chef Ross Lewis’s sleek city osteria, in conjunction with foodie supremo Luciano Tona, has all the feel of Milan or Venice. Its huge wood-fired oven and bar counter greet you as you enter and there's an amazing ‘tunnel’ area to the rear. Try the Bianca Gorgonzola. Pizzas €14-€18. They do great secondi too!
osterialucio.com
PIZZA YARD
Recently opened in Ranelagh, and already a hit with the locals, pizzas here are sold literally by length – from 12 inches to 2 yards – adding a fun factor for families or groups of friends as the food arrives to the table on raised planks. A great variety of eclectic pizzas from Australiana to Mississippi. Price per foot €13.50-€19.
pizzayard.ie
FORNO 500
Located beside Dublin’s Olympia Theatre, in the shadows of Dublin Castle, it took two weeks to construct the specially-imported oven from Naples in their glass-fronted kitchen. It’s light doughy Napoli-style pizzas here, in varieties from Piccante to Amatriciana to Genovese. Pizzas €8-€15.
forno500.ie
GAILLOT ET GREY
Great French-style wood-fired pizzas which started from an old Citroen truck in Greystones. Gilles Gaillot and Emma Gray expanded to Clanbrassil Street with a hip pizza stop and bakery. There's a cool rear terrace too. Pizzas choices include Merguez and Bayonne ham with rocket. Pizzas €10-€15.
facebook.com/GaillotGrayP
CIRILLO’S
James Cirillo has Italian food in his blood, being the nephew of Emilio Cirillo of the legendary Nico’s on Dame St. However, this is a modern Italian restaurant with a really cool vibe. Have an Aperol Spritz while you decide whether you'll have your Napoletana with red, white or no tomatoes! Pizzas €10-€16.
cirillos.ie
FELLINI’S
Emilia Macari and Paolo di Adamo’s little gem in SoCoDu’s Deansgrange does great daily specials and antipasti plates, but their lavish pizzas are the tops. Try Tricolore – tomato sauce, Italian buffalo mozzarella, ventricina salami, rocket, fresh chilli. Pizzas €11.50-€17.50.
fellinisdublin.com
SHOVELHEAD
The denizen’s of Monkstown in Co. Dublin have been raving about this new spot on the Old Dunleary Rd. Traditional sourdough pizza from a custom made Italian wood-fired oven. Classics toppings to the likes of sweet potato and kale, with vegan options too. Pizzas €12-€15.
facebook.com/ShovelheadPizza
COUNTRYWIDE
LA PIAZZA
This popular Italian, on Gorey's Main St, always seems to have a buzz. There's a comprehensive menu, plus a great early bird, 2/3 courses €17.95/€20.95, but the pizza is the star of the show. Try the Pizza Nostra. Pizzas €8.95-€13.95.
lapiazza.ie
ANTICHI SAPORI
On Waterford’s High St, this restaurant/takeaway has lots to choose from, be it pastas, paninis, risottos or gnocchi, but they've a great rep when it comes to pizza. All of the faves are present, plus some specialities like a Guinness pizza with smoked scamorza cheese, pancetta and rosemary. Pizzas €9.50- €16.50.
facebook.com/AntichiSaporiRestaurant
FRANCHINI’S
The casual option at the splendid Castlemartyr Resort in East Cork, Franchini’s serves pastas, risotto and pizzas at really good prices in 5-Star surroundings. Try the Calzone, the traditional Napolese folded pizza, filled with salami, mushrooms, tomato and mozzarella. Pizzas €14-€15.
castlemartyrresort.ie
VIKKI’S
A chic new cafe and wine bar in the Old Post Office of Cork's slightly posh Sunday's Well neighbourhood. Handy for visitors to the historic Cork City Gaol, Vikki’s mixes Moroccan style dishes with tasty wood-fired pizzas. Great outdoor walled garden. Pizzas €12-€13.90.
facebook.com/vikkisoldpostoffice
VISTA
There’s lots of great restaurants in Kinsale, but few offer the same vistas as Vista. On the waters edge on Pier Road, they’re open throughout the day, with a great evening tapas menu. The pizza here is a local fave, with great toppings as well as gluten free options. Pizzas €10-€16.
vistarestaurant.ie
OAK FIRE PIZZA
With locations in Clonakilty and Bandon, the guys at Oak Fire have earned a rep for superior quality pizzas, cooked to perfection in their traditional wood-fired ovens, which were built in Italy using clay from the hills of Modena. Necessary? Perhaps not, but the food is great and the story sounds good. Pizzas €9-€12.
oakfirepizza.ie
THE PUFFIN CAFE
Offering beautiful seaside views at Long Strand, Castlefreke in Clonakilty, The Puffin is a great spot to grab some top-notch stone-baked pizza. Try the ‘Frankie Knuckles’, San Marzano Tomatoes, mozzarella, 'nduja paste, mushrooms and Italian sausage. Fab Italian ice-cream too! Pizzas €10.50-€15.
thepuffincafe.com
LITTLE ITALY
Set on Market Lane in Killarney, Little Italy is big on taste. Specialising in wood-fired, brick-oven pizzas, they do a great 12” calzone with ricotta, salami and pepperoni, as well as their tasty ‘Vittoria’ with sweet potato, cream, salami and mozzarella. Also doubling as a café and gelateria, with fantastic authentic Italian ice-cream. Pizzas €11-€20. Half-metre/metre specialties €25/€40.
facebook.com/LittleItalyKillarney
NOVECENTO
Synonymous with great pizza in Dingle, Novecento fire up their ovens here throughout the summer months. Try the ‘Atomica’ with ham, salamino, olives, onions, roast peppers, mushroom and artichokes. But, if you miss the summer rush, they’ve got two branches in Cork – on MacCurtain Street and Douglas Street. Pizzas €8-€22.
novecento.ie
PONTE VECCHIO
A slice of rustic Italianate paradise in the idyllic little village of Killaloe, Co. Clare, this cafe/deli/winebar and book store also happens to be a great pizzeria. A perfect spot to spend an afternoon over coffee or a couple of glasses of wine, with some great thin and crispy pizzas. Pizzas €10-€12.
facebook.com/PonteVecchioKillaloe
THE DOUGH BROS
A legend in Galway, The Dough Bros started off with a food truck before opening their hip hot restaurant, right smack in the middle of the city. Great wood-fired pizza, along with craft beers, in a fun casual atmosphere. Try the Prawn Po’Boy – Gannet’s prawns, fior di latte, burnt chilli emulsion, pickled daikon, fresh lime. Pizzas €7.50-€11.50.
facebook.com/thedoughbros
LUNA
A bastion of tasty Italian food in Dromahair, Luna does a great selection of pizza and pastas to stay or go. There are nice safe pepperoni and Margherita options, but why not try something different, like a Guinness & leek sausage pizza with spinach mozzarella and parmesan. Pizzas €12-€15.
facebook.com/LunaRestaurantDromahair
WESTPORT WOODFIRE
With a passion for fresh local produce, they do great salads, gourmet burgers, seafood including lobster, along with a fab selection of wines and craft beers, but their artisan Italian pizzas are also a real draw. Try the Calabrese with homemade San Marzano tomato sauce, fior di latte mozzarella, pepperoni, roasted peppers, caramelised onions and olives. Pizzas €8.50-€18.50.
westportwoodfire.com
lucindaosullivan.com
First Published In The Sunday Independent