Delicious Instagram posts offer guide to a new wave of Prague pizzerias

The Italian pizza authority 50 Top Pizza has revealed the best pizzerias in Europe, and a Prague pizzeria has once again made the list. Pizza Nuova, operated by the Ambiente Group, jumped up the leader board to 36 (from 49 in 2023) on the list of Europe’s best pizzerias outside of Italy.

Two Prague pizzerias were also given the “excellent pizza” designation. The pollsters hailed Amunì in Prague’s Vinohrady district for its “gourmet pizzas that truly provide a pleasant surprise.” Sasy the Original, opened in 2023, is described as being "firmly anchored to a vision of pizza that adheres to the traditional Neapolitan style," recommending their "melt-in-your-mouth Margherita made with top-quality ingredients."

The method for selecting the top 50 pizzas on the continent? It’s not just about pizza. Regional inspectors assess service quality, ambiance, cleanliness, and patron well-being. Reviewers consider pizza taste and digestibility, service quality, space cleanliness, wine and craft beer selections, among other criteria to arrive at their list.

Of Pizza Nuova, situated in Prague's Old Town, the judges wrote. "This pizzeria has always been a reliable choice, featured in the 50 Top Pizza guide since its first edition." While reliability is a fine quality in a restaurant, one could argue that a saucier pizza scene awaits Top 50 Pizza judges.

Enter the pizza (and burger) aficionado behind the Czech Please Instagram account, who recently posted reviews of a wave of newish Italian-style pizzerias cropping up across Prague but concentrated mainly in Vinohrady.

Czech Please's posts (shared below with permission) offer a nice slice of a growing pizza scene waiting for international recognition.

Celebrity chef Emanuele Ridi once proclaimed Da Pietro in Pilsen the best in the Czech Republic. With a new Prague location opening in in Vinohrady, Czech Please tried the Calabrese (CZK 355) made with cream from Italian red onions and wine, mozzarella, salsiccia with fennel, minced 'nduja (a spicy Calabrian sausage) and black olive dust.

His verdict? “It was delicious. I loved the flavorful sausage and the 'nduja’s spiciness. The crust was my favorite part – so light and airy. I understand why Ridi singled them out for the highest praise.” The drawbacks? A slightly underwhelming sauce and the pink decor.

San Carlo recently added a new branch in Vinohrady to its five other locations throughout Prague. Czech Please was impressed with the “light and airy” crust. Trying the Alla Giorgio (CZK 295) with tomato sauce, buffalo mozzarella, anchovies and olives, and the Montanara (CZK 315) with sauce, mozzarella, salsiccia, and porcini mushrooms, he writes: “They do an odd thing...they put one topping on one side and the other topping on the other side instead of mixing them together. I’d rate Da Pietro higher.”

Another Vinohrady newcomer in 2023, Pizza Gatto Nero, was cited by Czech Please as an affordable option with a Margarita for CZK 199. A good choice for fans of cheesy, saucy pies and “light, puffy crust”

Ordering a Margherita (CZK 240) and Campagnola with eggplant, dried tomatoes, olives, and mozzarella (CZK 310) for delivery from Wolt, Brewsta writes of Fasu in Manifesto Market: “Crisper crust than a classic Neapolitan...but would be much better straight from the oven." (Since April, Fasu pizza can be found at the Akropolis' revamped bar and restaurant).

While Italian-style pizzas are plentiful in Prague, a few outliers offer more dynamic renditions. Among them are Slice Slice Baby, a one-time pop-up with a new brick-and-mortar location in Holešovice, and Third Coast Pizza, a Detroit-style pizza place in Žižkov.

Ordering the Kim, with house kimchi, tomato sauce, mozzarella, Gran Padano, chili mayo, sesame, and umami stardust at Slice Slice Baby (CZK 255), Brewsta writes: "It was good. I liked it. Great? I’ll be the odd one out and say no. Why? There was just too much going on for me with the thick and heavy toppings. Less would be more."

Third Coast got higher marks for its riff on Detroit-style pizza with a "very thick, crunchy-cheesy crust, a rich, flavor-packed sauce – lots of it." Czech Please appreciated that "they don’t go light on the cheese" and called the pizza both fluffy and dense, with creative topping combos.

At CZK 420, the Finch pizza CP sampled, with caramelized onions, cherry tomatoes, black olives, sautéed button mushrooms, San Marzano sauce, and cheese blend was a hit and provided plenty of leftovers.

To read more reviews of local eats in Prague, follow Czech Please on Instagram.