ARE YOU INTO PIZZA?
- thenewbigtree
- Apr 16
- 3 min read
**🍕 Best Pizza Locations in Africa: A Culinary Tour**
Africa’s pizza scene is a vibrant mix of authentic Italian traditions, innovative fusion flavors, and locally inspired creations. From award-winning pizzerias to hidden gems, here’s a curated list of the continent’s top spots to savor a slice of heaven:
### **1. Massimo’s (Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa)**
**Why it shines:** Crowned *Africa’s Best Pizzeria* by 50 Top Pizza in 2021 and 2023, Massimo’s is a Cape Town institution. Co-owner Massimo Orione, hailing from Italy’s Piemonte region, crafts Roman-style pizzas with a thin, crunchy crust and premium ingredients like Italian Parmesan and locally cured meats. Don’t miss the **Napoli** (anchovies, capers, olives) or the charity-driven **Pavarotti** pizza, which supports leukemia research .
**Specialty:** Vegan and gluten-free options, wood-fired perfection.
### **2. IBRIS (Trento, Italy – By an African Immigrant)**
**Why it shines:** Though located in Italy, IBRIS is the brainchild of Ibrahim Songne, an immigrant from Burkina Faso. His pizzeria earned a spot on the *50 Top Pizza Global List* for its innovative “crunch pizza” with toppings like saffron, ceci bean, and purple-potato cream. Ibrahim’s story of resilience against racism and his “pizza sospesa” (pay-it-forward pizza) initiative make this a must-mention .
### **3. 360 Degrees Artisan Pizza (Nairobi, Kenya)**
**Why it shines:** A runner-up in 50 Top Pizza’s Africa rankings, this Nairobi hotspot blends creativity with quality. Expect artisan dough and inventive toppings like smoked ostrich or vegan plant-based cheese, reflecting Kenya’s diverse culinary influences .
### **4. Pizzamore (Dakar, Senegal) & What the Crust (Cairo, Egypt)**
**Why they shine:**
- **Pizzamore**: A Dakar favorite praised for its fusion of Senegalese and Italian flavors.
- **What the Crust**: Cairo’s trendy spot offering bold toppings like spicy lamb and tahini drizzle, reimagining Middle Eastern classics on a pizza base .
### **5. South Africa’s Pizza Powerhouses**
South Africa dominates Africa’s pizza scene with diverse styles:
- **Burrata Restaurant (Cape Town)**: Uses a hand-built Neapolitan oven for blistering, authentic pies .
- **Franco’s Pizzeria (Johannesburg)**: A decades-old recipe with “mouth-watering” Roman-style crusts .
- **Pizzaboyz (Durban)**: Known for square Roman-style pizzas and social dining vibes .
- **Nonna Lina (Cape Town)**: A BYOB gem with seasonal pizzas like winter pancetta and spring artichokes .
### **6. Casareccio Cucina Italiana (Hout Bay, South Africa)**
**Why it shines:** Blending Italian and Portuguese flavors, this coastal gem offers wood-fired pizzas with fresh seafood and chorizo. Perfect for a post-Chapman’s Peak Drive meal .
### **7. Ferdinando’s (Observatory, Cape Town)**
**Why it shines:** A vegan-friendly hotspot with gluten-free bases and quirky creations like the **Turbanite** (grilled marrows, caramelized onion jam). Named after the owners’ dog, it’s a community favorite .
### **8. NY Slice Pizza (Cape Town)**
**Why it shines:** Craving New York-style? This Kloof Street joint ships its dough mixers from NYC, delivering foldable slices like the secret **“Soho”** .
### **9. La Matta Pizzeria (Cape Town)**
**Why it shines:** A Long Street hotspot with a “secret saucy recipe” and the **Muffuletta** sandwich. Ideal for a vibey night out .
### **10. Earthfire Pizza (Stellenbosch, South Africa)**
**Why it shines:** Their wood-fired ceramic ovens are legendary, and they even sell DIY kits for home pizza-making .
**Honorable Mentions**
- **Bin Rashied (Cape Town)**: Halal-certified with wood-fired classics .
- **Jamie’s Italian (Johannesburg)**: Celebrity chef flair with imported ingredients .
**Final Slice**
From Cape Town’s award-winning wood-fired pies to Nairobi’s artisan innovations, Africa’s pizza scene is as diverse as its cultures. Whether you’re chasing tradition or fusion, these spots prove pizza is a universal language — with a distinctly African accent.
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