Neapolitan pizza: the search for Barcelona’s finest!
The Italians are the undisputed kings of pizza – but you don’t have to go all the way to Naples to find the real deal! We‘ve been on a hunt for Barcelona’s best, and we’re here to share our findings with you.
Traditional pizza should be made from simple, fresh ingredients: flour and water, tomatoes, mozzarella, a touch of basil… and not much else! Of course, it takes a true professional to spin the dough properly and cook it to perfection in a real pizza oven, though.
We’re of the opinion that Neapolitan pizza is The Way To Go if you’re looking for something that’s both authentic and delicious. And guess what? We’ve tried and tested 3 different pizzerias in Barcelona just for you!
Reina Margherita
Hidden, as it were, among a group of “tourist” restaurants, the Reina Margherita doesn’t look like much. Step inside, though, and you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise!
No “Italian” pizza here, if you please: it’s Neapolitan, thank-you-very-much, and don’t even think about confusing the two. The staff at the Reina Margherita are specialists, and they know their stuff!
- Small restaurant, huge pizza oven: the priorities here are clear!
- The ingredients are all top-quality, and each pizza is cooked over a wood fire, with delicious results: bases are crispy on the outside, but soft and chewy within.
- You can choose to eat on the terrace, or even get your pizza to take away. This is a good place to go if you’re in a hurry, as the service is fast.
- We recommend the restaurant’s namesake pizza, the Reina Margherita, if this is your first visit.
- Visiting on 14th February? Look out for the special heart-shaped pizzas!
Where? Passeig de Joan de Borbó, 29, Barceloneta
When? Every day, 1pm – midnight or later on Fridays and Saturdays
How much? Pizzas around 10 euros
Why? For the delicious Reina Margherita
Murivecchi
Located near the Mercat del Born, this small, family-run establishment makes truly breathtaking pizza! We were first introduced by an Italian friend, and let’s just say he’s picky about his pizza.
The pizzas are cooked over a wood fire by a genuine pizzaiolo, complete with beret and red scarf. so you know your food is in the hands of an expert.
- The restaurant is relatively spacious and immaculately kept. There are two or three tables on the terrace, and even a “dog bar” to keep our four-legged friends happy. You can choose to eat in or take away.
- The pizza bases are just perfect, and the products used come directly from Campania. The star of the show, for us, is the “Murivecchi”, featuring raw mozzarella di bufala, aged parma ham, fresh rocket and parmesan. Drizzle with chili oil for a flavour explosion!
The menu features some more original options, including the Sabrosa, with a ricotta and pesto-stuffed crust, and the Calzone Spaccanapoli, which is… fried! Fear not, though: we’re a long way from the Scottish chip shop staple here. Give it a try!
Where? Carrer de la Princesa, 59, 08003 Barcelona, Born
When? Every day, 1pm – 4pm and 7pm – midnight
How much? Between 8 and 14 euros
Why? For the incredible mozzarella di bufala
Pizza Circus
Why Circus? Step inside to find out…
Quite simply, the Italian owners decided to serve their pizza in a circus atmosphere. You won’t find cages, caravans or a big top, but the walls are painted and decorated in a definite circus style – you almost expect to see the servers juggling!
No elephants in the kitchen, though, and no seals on the waiting staff (last time we checked) – just Barcelona’s biggest pizzas. And that’s no exaggeration, they barely fit on the tables! To top it all off, the flavours are as big as the bases, in the purest Italian tradition. Now that’s a show worth seeing!
- The pizzas are cooked over a wood stove using high-quality ingredients, and the bases are soft and light. The prices are also impressive, with giant pizzas (big enough for 4) for 23 euros. We keep coming back for the impressive value for money – and we haven’t given up hope of seeing a clown one of these days!
Think you can manage one of the giant pizzas all on your own?
Where? Takeway (whole pizzas or slices): Carrer Nou de la Rambla, 40, Raval
Restaurant: Carrer del Carme 74, 08001 Barcelona, Raval
When? Every day except Monday, 1pm – 11:30pm
How much? €2.50 a slice, around €10 for a standard pizza or €23 for the giant option (serves 4).
Why? For pizzas that are big in scale and big on flavour!