Neapolitan Pizza
Ciao Chow
Arguably the best pizza joint for people watching, you’ll find Ciao Chow right in the heart of Lan Kwai Fong with great views of all the madness that takes place just a few feet away. Entertainment aside, Ciao Chow prides itself in being the first restaurant in Hong Kong to be certified by the Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana (AVPN). This means the Italian government has certified the establishment for meeting specific guidelines when making their Neapolitan pizza. Kind of a big deal, huh? You can expect a wide variety of authentic Italian pizzas at Ciao Chow all with a deliciously light and crispy base, or, you can always play chef and create your own.
G/F California Tower, 30-32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 2344 0005 or
208 Duecento Otto
208 Duecento Otto has been an Italian staple in Hong Kong for a while now, so it’s no surprise that they serve up some of the best Neapolitan pizza we’ve had in Hong Kong. Similar to Ciao Chow, 208 ensures their pizza is prepared to the standards of The Association Verace Pizza Napoletana (though they are not officially certified). They’re so serious about their pizza, 208 orders their buffalo mozzarella from Campana, Italy and even had their pizza oven shipped over from Naples. Each month you can expect a different [email protected] treat, which gets you a pizza and two drinks for only $208 at the bar (the pizza and drinks change monthly).
208 Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, 2549 0208
Motorino
Originally from Brooklyn, New York, Motorino quickly spread to the streets of Hong Kong and now calls Soho and Wan Chai home. Motorino cook their pizzas in a customised Stefano Ferrara oven for less than 90 seconds in incredibly high heat to achieve a soft interior and a slightly charred crust. With comprehensive pizza options that focus on quality ingredients and a variety of additional toppings to add on, you might have a hard time choosing just one pizza. If you’re looking for something a little different, head to Motorino for brunch and order the Pizza Al’ Uovo with fior di latte, fried farm eggs, smoked pancetta, basil, and pecorino.
14 Shelley Street, Central, 2801 6881
15 Ship Street, Wan Chai, 2520 0690
New York Pizza
Paisano’s
Whether it’s a quick bite at lunch or a desperate 3:00 am slice before bed, Paisano’s serves up great New York-style pizza. With seven locations around Hong Kong, you’re likely much closer to getting your fingers around one of their giant pizza slices than you think. Paisano’s has been in Hong Kong since 2009 and was one of the first restaurants to bring pizza by the slice to the city. Love it or hate it, there’s just something about a slice of Paisano’s pizza that’s hard to beat.
Locations throughout Hong Kong include Sai Kung, Discovery Bay, Central, Stanley, Wan Chai, TST, and Mong Kok (click here for exact locations).
Linguini Fini
Known for their massive pizzas that take up an entire table, Linguini Fini is a casual restaurant with a laid-back atmosphere. The restaurant focuses on sustainability and uses plenty of fresh locally-sourced ingredients in their dishes. Meat-lovers should order The Bronx pizza with fresh mozzarella, porchetta, pepperoni, and meatballs. If you’re vegetarian, worry not. The Brooklyn Special (fresh mozzarella, fried eggplant, roasted garlic and peppers, and basil) is equally as satisfying. Be sure to come to Linguini Fini hungry, as these pizzas are not for the faint of heart (or stomach).
49 Elgin Street, Central, 2387 6338
Checkmate Pizza
Checkmate Pizza serves up the largest pizza in Hong Kong. As a reference point, Paisano’s largest pizza is 24”, while Checkmate Pizza’s is 30”. The menu offers classic pizza choices along with some slightly more unusual options like the Fiancbetto: roasted turkey with mushroom in a creamy white cheese sauce. With a great spot in Kennedy Town right along the water and a brand new flagship location in Hung Hom, the word on Checkmate Pizza is certainly spreading.
7-8 New Praya, Kennedy Town, 2797 9999
Shop 14A G/F, 92 – 112 Baker St, Hung Hom Bay Centre, Hung Hom, 2244 6999
Bit of this, bit of that
Pizza Express
Easily a Hong Kong favourite based on its reliability and longevity, this UK based pizza chain has a whopping 19 locations throughout the city. The pizzas on the menu are either Romana (bigger, thinner, crispier) or classic (traditional Neapolitan), and offer a great selection of toppings with plenty of vegetarian options. We were surprised to find out that the pizzaiolos in the kitchen are given 12 weeks of training, which certainly adds to the quality and consistency of each pizza.
19 restaurants throughout Hong Kong (click here for locations).
Mercato
From Shanghai to Hong Kong, Mercato delivers a fine selection of pizzas baked in their traditional-style pizza ovens. Though the range of pizzas may not be as comprehensive as some other restaurants, the quality of pizza we’ve had at Mercato has been fantastic each time. Using fresh ingredients, the pizzas here have a bit of a contemporary spin on some of the classics. Our pick is the Black Truffle, Three Cheeses, and Farm Egg pizza that, albeit quite pricey, is an indulgent choice we just can’t say no to.
8/F, California Tower, 32 D’Aguilar Street, Central, 3706 8567
Cafe Deco Pizzeria
With spacious locations in both Kowloon and Sheung Wan, Cafe Deco Pizzeria is a great option if you’re looking for a selection of innovative pizzas. Taking inspiration from well-known Asian cuisine, you’ll find options like the chef recommended Korean Bulgogi Beef pizza. Looking for more of a local pizza inspiration? Try The Duck pizza, made with roasted sliced duck, bell peppers, apricot compote, fresh chilli, and Hoisin sauce.
Shop 3 – 4, G/F, 11 Po Yan Street, Sheung Wan, 2559 4100
Shop 1005 – 1006, Elements, 1 Austin Road West, Kowloon, 2196 8099
thisgirlabroad is a Canadian expat who found herself packing her life up in the Great White North to move to a city filled with skyscrapers, dim sum, and 7-Eleven’s. She’s been living, loving, and eating her way through Hong Kong for the past four years without any plans to slow down. Between working full time, managing her blog, and freelance writing, you’ll likely find her with a strong cup of coffee in one hand and a jar of crunchy peanut butter in the other.
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