[category]
[title]
Sydney’s pizza scene has always punched above its weight – but according to a recent (v reputable) global pizza guide, it’s now officially gone stratospheric.
The freshly dropped 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2026 list (essentially the Michelin Guide to top slices of the good stuff) has crowned a Sydney favourite among the fourth best in the region, with three other neighbourhood spots making the list.
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.
Leading the charge is Balmain’s Gigi's Balmain, which has soared to an equal third place ranking across the entire Asia-Pacific. Possibly even more impressive, Gigi's head pizzaiolo Daniel Semrani also snagged Pizza Maker of the Year – cementing the Sydney spot as a serious global player, not just your go-to Inner West carb temple.
If you’ve ever queued outside Gigi's on a Friday night, this glowing title won’t come as a shock. The Balmain institution has built its reputation on meticulous dough and a creative approach to Neapolitan tradition.
According to Daniel, who's been perfecting his craft for 15 years, the allure comes from what he's coined “Crunchy Contemporary Neapolitan: a technique that sits between traditional Neapolitan and a more structured, high-crunch finish, while maintaining a soft, melting interior."
"At Gigi’s, we’ve been refining this process through fermentation, hydration and a unique baking method that challenges the traditional rules of Neapolitan pizza. The goal has always been to evolve the category while respecting its roots," he tells us.
What is surprising in this year’s results is the scale of the leap for Sydney’s pizza palaces. Just a few years ago, Sydney’s best were hovering further down the list – impressive, sure, but not quite brushing shoulders with Tokyo’s pizza elite. Now, Gigi’s is sharing the podium with Hong Kong heavyweight Fiata and sitting just behind Tokyo’s top two, in a list long dominated by Japan.
Gigi’s isn’t flying solo, either. A handful of other Sydney pizzerias also landed on the 2026 list, proving this city is more than capable of holding its own in the global pizza conversation.
The other Sydney big hitters were Surry Hills’ Al Taglio (ranked 16th), Cronulla neighbourhood gem Queen Margherita of Savoy (25th) and Tempe favourite Lil Franky Pizzeria (29th).
If you ask us, that’s not bad for a city better known (historically, at least) for its brunch game.
You can check out the full global list over here and you can book a table at Australia's best over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Sydney newsletter for more news, food & drink inspo and activity ideas, straight to your inbox.