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Melbourne’s foodie scene is famously top-tier – but one humble pizza joint in the city’s north continues to prove that you don’t need white tablecloths and freshly shucked oysters to dominate the global stage.
Located along a Pascoe Vale South shopping strip, Shop225 – the pizzeria crowned Australia’s best pizza last year – has just picked up another serious international accolade. The beloved local was recognised as the seventh best pizza restaurant in the Asia-Pacific region at the prestigious 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific Awards, announced recently in Tokyo.
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The rankings form part of the global 50 Top Pizza World Awards, one of the most respected competitions in the pizza world. Restaurants across 13 countries in the region were in the running, with winners decided through a strict mystery-shopper system. Judges dine anonymously, meaning venues never know when they’re being assessed – or which slices are being scrutinised.
For Shop225, the honour continues an impressive run on the international stage. At last year’s global ceremony in Italy, the venue was named the best pizza in Australia and placed 28th in the world – a remarkable result for a low-key neighbourhood pizzeria that still feels resolutely local.
Behind the operation is founder Lorenzo Tron, whose mission extends beyond perfectly blistered crusts and carefully sourced toppings. The venue has long been known for its commitment to eating equality. In fact, Shop225 was the first pizzeria in Australia accredited by Coeliac Australia, and remains one of the few restaurants nationwide able to confidently cater to virtually any dietary requirement.
Tron’s philosophy is simple: everyone deserves to share the same meal at the same table. Whether diners are gluten-free, vegan or somewhere in between, the goal is to ensure no one misses out on the ritual of pizza night. That ethos carries across to the team’s second venue, Il Caminetto, where traditional Italian recipes meet modern, inclusive dining.
You can check out the full global list over here.
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