On International Pizza Day, these are Czechia's top 5 favorite pies

February 9 is International Pizza Day, and the classic Italian staple remains one of the most popular dishes in the Czech Republic. According to 2024 data from Bolt Food, fast food options led by pizza and burgers were the most-ordered items in Czechia through the popular food delivery app.

"Pizza orders even surpass such a staple as kebabs," Petr Krátký, Senior Operations Manager at Bolt Food in the Czech Republic, says through a press release. "Its popularity is also evidenced by the order of an unnamed diner who had a total of 16 pizzas worth CZK 4,000 delivered by our partner courier last year."

But what are the most-ordered pies on the menu for Czech pizza lovers? The top rankings reveal a mix of classic Italian favorites and some surprising choices, and have evolved over the course of the past decade.

According to recent data from Bolt Food, the top five pizzas in the Czech Republic represent a variety of classic Neapolitan favorites along with a pair of American-influenced pies—including one especially contentious offering.

1. Quattro formaggi – For those who crave something cheesy, the quattro formaggi (four cheese) pizza is a staple. Traditionally made with a cream sauce instead of tomato, the pizza is made with mozzarella, gorgonzola, fontina, and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheeses in Italy, though the cheese selection varies in the Czech Republic.

2. Salami (pepperoni) – While not a tradition in Italy, pepperoni pizza is the top choice in the United States and growing in popularity in Czechia. The combination of spicy salami and a classic tomato sauce offers a delicious, well-balanced bite.

3. Capricciosa – This pizza has everything pizza lovers could want: ham, mushrooms, artichokes, and olives. The classic, often referred to as the "Swiss army knife" of pizzas, has long been a popular choice in both Italy and the Czech Republic.

4. Margherita – With its simple combination of fresh basil, mozzarella, and tomato sauce, pizza Margherita—named after Queen Margherita of Savoy—is often seen as the most authentic and pure expression of Italian pizza.

5. Hawaiian – Often the subject of spirited debates, Hawaiian pizza remains enduringly popular in Czechia. While the combination of ham and pineapple may divide pizza lovers, its place in the top five reflects the undeniable appeal of this sweet-and-savory pairing.

Over the past decade, pizza preferences in the Czech Republic have shifted slightly. According to similar 2014 data from local delivery app Dáme jídlo (now Foodora), capricciosa reigned supreme, followed by quattro formaggi, Hawaiian, Margherita, and prosciutto in the fifth spot.

While traditional Italian favorites like quattro formaggi and capricciosa continue to be well-loved in the Czech Republic, Hawaiian pizza has dropped to fifth place, suggesting a decline in demand. On the other hand, pepperoni pizza has seen a notable rise in popularity in recent years.

You won't find pineapple on pizza in many classic Italian pizzerias, with the topping proving especially contentious among traditionalists who argue that fruit has no place on a savory dish. Still, it remains so popular among some diners that a UK restaurant recently added it to its menu—for a princely sum of £100 (CZK 3000) for the indignity.

In Czechia, the question of pineapple on pizza has divided diners almost evenly. A 2024 survey by EdenRed's Barometr Food revealed that 50.5 percent of Czechs don’t like pineapple on pizza, while 49.5 percent do enjoy it. Compared to other choices of toppings, however, pineapple may not be so bad in one regard.

"If pineapple is the only fruit or vegetable in the dish, such a pizza is certainly nutritionally better than one without pineapple," says MUDr. Eliška Selinger from Czechia's National Institute of Public Health. "Although I personally do not prefer Hawaiian pizza, in southern Italy I have seen other variations served with everything from figs to pears to French fries."

While Italian-style pizza remains the most popular in Czech pizzerias, American options have popped up in recent years. In Prague's Žižkov neighborhood, Detroit-style pizza is served up at Third Coast Pizza, while Chicago-style deep dish can be found at Philly and Co's Original Cheesesteaks. We're still waiting on a proper New Haven-style pie.

Other unusual pizzas have also been spotted in the Czech capital. At Matoka, which has multiple locations in Prague, diners can find pies with toppings like nachos and meatballs; at Rolotto&Pizza, specialized pizzas are named after Prague boroughs. And for some spicier choices, PizzaHub offers pizzas named after adult entertainment stars, with a collectible trading card accompanying each pie.