The 8 best pizza restaurants in Pretoria

Alfie’s has achieved a near-legendary status among pizza lovers in P-Town. This cosy trattoria in The Village, Hazelwood, serves honest, no-fuss Italian food that has kept locals coming back for years. The owners also run an adjoining deli, so the ingredients are proudly Italian, from imported flour to cured meats.

The star is their wood-fired pizza: thin, bubbling, and with a slightly blistered crust with quality toppings. Regulars swear by the Prosciutto e Rucola pizza – paper-thin Parma ham, fresh rocket and pecorino – which Alfie’s bakes to perfection in the oven. For the full experience, pair your pizza with a glass of chilled house white and some antipasti to start.

It’s always buzzing, so booking is essential; otherwise, go early to snag a table. Expect a warm, unpretentious atmosphere.

16th Street, Hazelwood

Pizzeria Nenna makes a serious case for pizza supremacy in Pretoria. A recent addition to the dining scene in the capital city having started up only in 2022, their hand-shaped bases emerge from the oven with that just-charred, elastic texture that’s impossibly hard to get right unless you’re a born and bred Italian.

The toppings lean heavily on beloved Italian ingredients, such as pickled peppers and fontina cheese. For the vegetarians, a standout is the Ortolana, topped with tomato, mozzarella, grilled eggplant, grilled baby marrow, pickled peppers, red onion, and balsamic reduction.

There’s an open kitchen and a small patio perfect for lazy lunches or quiet date nights. It’s a refreshing change from the louder chains, and the menu has just enough personality to feel curated rather than overthought. It’s casual, cool, and absolutely worth a detour.

910 Pierneef St, Villieria

Tucked just outside the Brooklyn Mall, Izzeria is a ‘what you see is what you get’ sort of takeaway joint. They’re well-priced, quick, and have every topping you could imagine. The pizza purists are well catered for with crispy bases and classic variations like regina and margherita. But the experimental crowd will be truly delighted here.

Want butter chicken on top of your pizza? Sure.

A Thai green curry base? Absolutely. 

A Philly cheesesteak-inspired creation loaded with cheese sauce, beef strips, and caramelised onions? Why not?!

Vegan cheese and gluten-free bases mean they can cater for almost everyone - so it’s a safe bet when you need takeaways for your giant (and fussy) family.

Shop 19, Cnr Garsfontein & Moreleta Corner, Rubenstein Dr, Moreleta Park

Caraffa has been a Pretoria institution since 1990, and with good reason. Walk inside, and you’re greeted with the scent of garlic, tomato, and a hint of nostalgia. It’s a low-lit, wood-heavy space filled with families catching up over deep-dish lasagna and pizzas piled high with bacon, feta, or spicy salami.

While their pasta is popular, the pizzas hold their own - expect thicker crusts, generous toppings, and just the right hit of salt and olive oil. The four-cheese (quattro formaggio) combo is especially worth the calories, but there’s plenty for traditionalists, too.

Service is hands-on and welcoming; the owner or his son often greets tables. The restaurant’s longevity is also due to its consistency, making it a firm favourite for cosy nights and hearty portions.

46 Selati St &, Garsfontein Rd, Alphen Park

Tucked away in a residential corner of Constantia Park, Woodstock Urban Pizzeria is often called a “hidden gem”. It’s an intimate, funky eatery which feels more Cape Town coffee shop than Pretoria pizzeria in vibe, which is part of the attraction. The owners have Italian roots but love to experiment, using luxurious local produce to create pizzas that stand out.

Their pizzas are bold, generously topped, and big enough to share (but you won’t want to). There are options for pizzas topped with whiskey-glazed BBQ chicken or a jalapeno and chorizo combo. It’s not a large restaurant – maybe 8 tables inside, a few outside – so reservations on weekends are wise.

There are sweet pizzas for dessert too, if you’re feeling brave. Don’t expect old-school Italian - this is proudly local, playful pizza with attitude. Go hungry, go with friends, and bring your appetite.
 
206 Duvernoy St, Constantia Park

Family-friendly yet not tiring, La Fiamma has been around for years. Thanks to a humble location in the Faeriedale shopping centre - the heart of suburbia - it’s mainly popular with locals who’ve lived in Pretoria their whole lives.

It’s a solid menu with plenty of veggie options, loads of meat, some white-base pizzas, and a few surprises, like a salmon-and-cream-cheese option or the blue-cheese, fig, and bacon charcuterie board-style pizza that somehow works. The service is warm, the decor and furniture are unpretentious, and there’s a reliable, affordable wine list, too.

Faerie Glen

Moonshine Menlyn is self-described as a “New York style” restaurant rather than a pizzeria, but if there’s one food New York is famous for, it’s the pizza (ok, and maybe the bagels too). Luckily, Moonshine has nailed that part of the New York vibe just about perfectly.

If you’re looking for a quiet date night with a sommelier-recommended red or a family-friendly gem where the toddlers can run riot, you’re in the wrong place. This is where you go when you want to people-watch, catch up with mates, and enjoy a cocktail with a young, vibey, professional crowd.

There’s a stage for live bands, happy hour specials, and a kitchen which churns out food faster than you can blink. Take advantage of the build your own pizza menu if you’re always lamenting why nowhere does a topping of olives, pineapple, gorgonzola, onions and chicken.

Time Square, 209 Aramist Ave, Menlyn Maine

Villa San Giovanni has been around since 1981, and its longevity speaks to its quality. Dining at Villa San Giovanni is an experience: it’s located at Wonderboom Airport, right next to the runway. The outdoor terrace seating is prime.

It’s breezy, classy, and made to look like a genuine Italian piazza. Plus, you can literally watch small planes and skydivers coming in to land as you enjoy your meal. But on a winter’s night, the inside of the restaurant is cosy and adorned with aviation memorabilia.

This long-running family restaurant is famous for its hearty Italian fare, especially the wood-fired pizzas. Favourites include the “Pilot’s Choice” (slow-roasted beef, gorgonzola, rocket, caramelised onion, and garlic) and a classic pepperoni with red onion. Service is warm and kid-friendly; there’s even an on-site playground.

Wonderboom National Airport, Main Terminal Building, Linvelt Rd, Doornpoort