The best thing that can happen to a dough? Being transformed into pizza, of course. And fortunately, Berliners have plenty of choice when it comes to their pies – from traditional Neapolitan styles with chewy burnt edges to inventive Californian creations, this city has it all. Who wouldn’t want a slice? Here’s our handy guide to the best pizza in Berlin.
Zola
This pizza is so good, it needs neither website nor hype. Their first branch on Kreuzberg’s popular Paul-Lincke-Ufer is often jam-packed, particularly during lunch. Not surprisingly, their pear and gorgonzola-pie has been one of our favourites since day one. Recently, they opened another branch at the Funkhaus on Nalepastraße, to satisfy your pizza needs before catching a gig or during a conference.
Address: Paul-Lincke-Ufer 39/40, Kreuzberg | Open daily 12-10pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Kottbusser Tor
www.facebook.com/zolakreuzberg
Malafemmena
The only pizzeria in Berlin certified by the Associazone Versace Pizza Napoletana, the official organisation determining what makes a humble pie a true Neapolitan pizza. It doesn’t get more authentic than this. Do not miss out on their fluffy sourdough-y Neapolitan pizza. Pray to the pizza-gods, head to Friedenau!
Address: Hauptstraße 85, Schöneberg | Tue-Fri 11.30am-11pm, Sat+Sun 11.30am-12am
Directions: S- and U-Bahn station Innsbrucker Platz
Monella
This Neukölln gem has probably the most beautiful oven in Berlin, glittering like a disco ball. But this place is not only about appearances, oh no, they serve both traditional Neapolitan-style pizza, as well as more creative concoctions. Paired with a Negroni, or two, or more, they make for a brilliant start to a long (or short!) night out.
Address: Weichelstraße 17, Neukölln | Open daily 6-11pm
Directions: M29, U-Bahn station Rathaus Neukölln
Ristorante Masaniello
The mother of all serious pizza in this city – they’ve been serving true Neapolitan pizza just across from Hasenheide park since 1979. Don’t let the kitsch décor inside fool you, this could very well be one of the best affordable Italian restaurants in the city. And do not miss the excellent desserts and pastries.
Address: Hasenheide 20, Kreuzberg | Open daily 12pm-12am
Directions: U-Bahn station Hermannplatz
Sironi – Il Pane die Milano
Wrapped in paper and eaten to go, just like in Italy: Alberto Sironi not only bakes some of the best bread in town, but also some wonderful pizza and focaccia. The Margherita is a dream made from dough, tomatoes and milky cheese, but meat-lovers must try their salsiccia-version.
Address: Eisenbahnstraße 42/43, inside Markthalle Neun, Kreuzberg | Mon-Wed + Fri 8am-8pm, Thu 8am-10pm, Sat 8am-7pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Görlitzer Bahnhof
St. Bess
It doesn’t always have to be Naples: St. Bess brings some California-vibes to Sprengelkiez. Or at least the Cali-style of pizza-making. Their cold fermented dough with seasonal toppings adds a bit of Beverly Hills to Wedding.
Address: Sprengelstraße 41, Wedding | Open daily 5-10pm
Directions:
Standard – Serious Pizza
It needs some serious confidence to call your new restaurant ’standard‘ – but this Prenzlauer Berg eatery has really established a new standard with their ‚Taste of Brandenburg‘ pizza: no tomatoes, but topped with potatoes, salsiccia, and rosemary.
Address: Templiner Straße 7, Prenzlauer Berg | Tue-Fri 6pm-12am, Sat+Sun 1pm-12am
Directions: U-Bahn station Senefelder Platz
W Pizza
Some say Berlin’s best pizza has arrived and that this all-white Neukölln-joint serves it. Whether this is true or not you can decide for yourself, but these fluffy pieces of joy have taken our hearts by storm. Speaking of joy: upon request they bake pizza with a hemp flour mix, too.
Address: Fuldastraße 31, Neukölln | Mon-Thu 6-10pm, Fri 6-11pm, Sat 5-11pm, Sun 5-10pm
Directions: M41
Malafritta
The owners of Malafemmena have opened their second branch in Kreuzberg, but serve a very different Neapolitan specialty here: deep-fried calzone, as seen on the streets of Naples. With ten different fillings, made fresh to order, and a selection of other deep-fried delights like arancini and croquettes available, too, this little hole-in-the-wall has grown to become a firm favourite among lovers of gluten and high calorie counts alike.
Address: Kottbusser Damm 1, Kreuzberg | Tue-Thu 12-10.30pm, Fri+Sat 12-11.30pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Schönleinstraße
Gazzo
Lovers of sourdough, rejoice: newcomer Gazzo is devoted to fermented dough – and to inventive toppings, for example, kale or aubergine instead of tomatoes. Vegans don’t need to worry – they swap all their cheeses for vegan alternatives, too. But the real star here is the beautiful soft-serve ice cream churned fresh with buffalo-milk from Brandenburg. Have it with olive oil and sea salt and wash it down with a few of their spritzes.
Address: Hobrechtstaße 57, Neukölln | Tue-Sun 5-10pm
Directions: U-Bahn station Hermannplatz
Gasthaus Figl
Everything but the ordinary: a mix between a traditional Austrian tavern and an Italian pizzeria, Gasthaus Figl is devoted to the culture of South Tyrol. They are famous for their hearty pizzas, topped with everything from chard to candied walnuts, apples, salmon, or Tyrolese sausage. Oh, and they have a traditional German bowling alley in their basement, too.
Address: Urbanstraße 47, Kreuzberg | Open daily 6-11pm
Directions: M29, U-Bahn station Hermannplatz