Latest news with #PitfirePizza
Time Out Dubai
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out Dubai
Best pizza places in Dubai 2025: 10 top-rated pizzerias to try next
Pizza is a dish universally adored by all. So, choosing the best pizza restaurant in Dubai was risky business. Napoletan? New York-style? Stuffed crust? Marinara base? White base? There is a lot of spectacular pizza to choose from. Luckily, the hungry folk at Time Out Dubai have eaten more than their fair share of slices to make very informed decisions about this. Check out the full list of the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025 winners here From thin and crispy to puffy crusts, here are the tastiest pizza places in town, as tested by us. Time Out Dubai reviews anonymously and pays for all its meals. For more on the review process click here. These are the best pizzerias in Dubai, as recognised by the Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards 2025. The best pizza places in Dubai 2025 WINNER Pitfire Pizza Credit: Pitfire Pizza It's done it again. New York-Neapolitan-style pizzas are the order of the day here at Pitfire. We really don't need to tell you that Pitfire is firmly a Dubai institution. Its latest outpost in Dubai Hills Estate now gives you the chance to enjoy the best pizza in town, alongside a fully stocked bar serving up a variety of grape and hop beverages, as well as some pretty creative mixed drinks. There's everything from traditional pepperoni and margheritas to turkey ham and pineapple and even potato or dates, meaning whatever your jam you'll find it here. The crusts are puffy and blistered and the place for those compulsory garlic knots. Hills Estate, (04 553 0465). Check out our full Pitfire Pizza review here Highly commended Pulcinella Credit: Instaragm @pulcinelladubai If you live anywhere near Sports City, you'll have heard of Pulcinella. A neighbourhood eatery that's one of the best pizzerias in Dubai, it has casual, family-friendly vibes and puffy-crusted pizzas that are perfect for sharing. Pepperoni, margherita, capricciosa – all the classics are present and correct at Pulchinella, while there are also white bases, calzone and more to take a bite out of. One for your Friday night pizza list. Unlicensed. Dubai Sports City, (04 277 6281). Za Za Slice Credit: Instagram @zazaslice Starting life as a pop-up at Sole DXB, Za Za Slice comes from the co-founder of popular sandwich spot Rascals. Found at Jumeirah Garden City, Za Za Slice has quickly established itself as one of the best pizzerias in Dubai. Pizzas boast thin and crunchy bases slathered with gourmet Italian ingredients, so expect a flavour-packed slice that belies its unassuming location. There aren't many seats at this pizza bar – which only serves six types of pizza – so be prepared for a wait, which we assure you will be worth it. Unlicensed. Jumeirah Garden City, @zazaslice (04 337 6679). Check out our full Za Za Slice review here Shortlisted Blu Pizzeria Credit: Blu Pizzeria With an extremely petite menu – with a little over a handful of pies listed – Blu Pizzeria focuses on doing a few plates, well. And it succeeds. One of the best pizzerias in Dubai, this unassuming spot at Umm Suqeim Harbour serves perfectly prepared Neapolitan-style pizzas, with blistered sourdough crusts and plenty of toppings. Opt for burrata, spicy pepperoni or margo (our top pick with San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte cheese and basil) for a classic slice, while musakhan comes with sumac sauce and sautéed chicken. There's also short-rib or truffle for an indulgent take on pizza. Unlicensed. Umm Suqeim, @bluepizzeria (050 812 6406). Check out our full Blu Pizzeria review here Franky's Pizzeria Credit: Franky's Pizzeria The Park in JLT is one trendy place to visit – being home to cool Asian street food eatery Hawkerboi and café Splendour Fields. And now you'll also find Franky in Florence here – one of the best pizzerias in Dubai, and one of the newest. Neapolitan-style pizzas come adorned with toppings including cavallo nero, black truffle and mushroom, mussels and prawns, 'broken meatball' or classic stracciatella. The interiors are decked out with foliage and artwork, while the views from this rooftop spot are also superb. Order a drink and enjoy a slice at sunset. Licensed. The Park, JLT, @frankyspizzeria (050 427 5217). Check out our full Franky's Pizzeria review here Il Motto Originally known for serving up the best pizza in New York, a meal down at Il Motto sure doesn't disappoint. You'll find plenty of great deals down at this JBR joint, including a three-hour brunch with free-flowing pizza on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons. It's also prime for date night between 5pm and 8pm on Friday to Sunday with belly-busting offers for couples. The best bit? The pizzeria opened its terrace at the end of last year, making it a great spot in more clement weather. Licensed. JA Ocean View Hotel, JBR, (056 216 5027). L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele Credit: L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele A globally renowned name, L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele is also one of the best pizza places in Dubai. Originally from Naples, branches in Dubai can be found in City Walk, JBR and Dubai Hills, but our pick is the City Walk version, which is in the new, licensed C2 area. Dig into authentic Italian flavours aboard pillowy wood-fired crusts. Keep it simple and go for the margherita, with agerola mozzarella, pecorino cheese and fresh tomato sauce. Licensed. City Walk, @pizzeria_da_michele_dubai (04 548 4489). Luigia Dubai Bright and lively, Luigia offers the full spectrum of Italian cuisine, all of it fairly traditional and very good. Where it excels, however, is in its pizza-making. There's a choice of almost 40 different types of pizza, but they all share some key characteristics: dough is matured for 48-56 hours, crusts are perfectly blistered, raw ingredients are carefully selected and overall, the pies are made to be as easily digested as possible. Which means we can eat even more of them. The stromboli, with tomato, fior di latte, peppers, Grana Padano and a choice of fennel sausage or spicy sausage never lets us down, and there are heaps of veggie options too. Licensed. Rixos Premium Dubai, The Walk, JBR, (04 349 6950). Check out our full Luigia Dubai review here Moon Slice Credit: Moon Slice Moon Slice offers some of the most exciting, innovative toppings when it comes to pizza in Dubai, so if you're in the mood for something other than pepperoni you're in the right place (although, disclaimer, it does a pretty excellent version of that, too). A short rib pizza comes with a tangy barbecue sauce base and an avocado one is drizzled with yuzu mayo one. One of the most popular pizzas is topped with wagyu carpaccio, spicy meatballs and arrabiata, while the MS Secret is one of several white bases with cheese and truffle. Dough is fermented for 48 hours before being fired at 380°C for a blistered, Neapolitan crust. Unlicensed. Dar Wasl Mall, Al Wasl, @moonslicepizza (04 344 4547). Check out our full Moon Slice review here Pull Me Pizza Credit: Pull Me Pizza Born in Dubai, this New York-style pizzeria serves its pizzas by the slice or the entire 20-inch pie. Ideal if you're not sure which toppings to go for or you just want a sneaky snack. Our top picks? Roni Queen, which comes with red sauce, baby pepperoni, mozzarella, parmesan cheese, basil leaves and honey, and Pull Me, with pink sauce, pulled beef, sautéed onions, mozzarella, parmesan cheese and BBQ sauce. Order a slice of each and a side of hot honey to drizzle all over them. You'll never eat pizza without it again. Alcove Residences Building, JVC, @pullmepizzeria (04 558 6470). More award-winning spots in Dubai Bookmark: the 10 best Italian restaurants in Dubai Transport to the Mediterranean, one plate at a time The 10 best budget restaurants to hit up in Dubai Amazing food for a steal The 10 best afternoon teas in Dubai to indulge in The best way to spend an afternoon in the city
FACT
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Forma serves pizza with a slice of culture
This new pizzeria in Dubai is guaranteed to become a favourite spot in Dubai soon. Dubai is no stranger to good pizza. From favourites like Pitfire Pizza and Blu Pizzeria to name a few, the city has its fair share of places serving up cheesy goodness. And now another exciting restaurant has entered the roster, say hello to Forma. Located within the artsy Al Safa Art and Design Library on Al Wasl Road, Forma is more than just a pizza joint. The space not only offers a laid-back spot for you to enjoy but do it while devouring artisanal pizzas and pieces, and coffee. Step into a space that's as much about vibe as it is about food. Imagine stepping out of Jumeirah's public library and right into a with handcrafted pies and specialty coffee. Yep, it's that kind of place. Forma is designed as a stylish cafe-meets-pizzeria that merges art and flavour. Situated next to the Jumeirah public library, the venue follows the same notes with its shelves, artsy details and minimal aesthetics. Cosy indoor corners and breezy outdoor seating will ensure that this place is perfect. From solo reading sessions to group pizza outings, this is where it's at. Forma's pizza menu includes tons of delicious options. While Margherita and Pepperoni-like classics grace the menu, it also offers unique tastes such as Bacon Pistachio, Hot Chicken and Miso Corn. Apart from pizza, you can indulge in the Burrata Poppers and Crispy Prawn to name a few. Pair these up with signature sips and desserts that'll make sure you keep coming back for more. Forma is backed by Belhasa Hospitality, which is also the brains behind NAC, Berenjak, and many others. So expect this new venture to draw in massive crowds too. With an artsy space, laid-back ambiance, and a flavour-packed menu, Forma is set to become a new favourite for all. GO: Follow @formauae on Instagram for more information.
Emirates Woman
25-04-2025
- Business
- Emirates Woman
An interview with the founder of Dubai's gourmet pizzeria
This week, we speak to Michele Johnson, the Founder of Pitfire Pizza, a Dubai-based pizzeria known for its experimental flavours. Welcome to the Emirates Woman weekly series 'How I got my job as…' where we speak to some incredible entrepreneurs and businesswomen both based in the UAE and globally to find out about their career paths that led them to where they are now; what their daily routines look like; the advice they'd give to those starting out; and the hurdles they've had to overcome. Alongside her husband, Bill Johnson, Michele launched Pitfire Pizza in 2013, despite neither having prior experience in the food and beverage industry. Their vision was to create a neighborhood pizzeria that combined quality ingredients with a welcoming atmosphere. Under her leadership, Pitfire Pizza has grown to multiple locations across Dubai, including a branch in Dubai Hills Business Park. The brand has become known for its signature pizzas, such as the Pitfire Primo and Truff Daddy, and its dedication to quality and consistency. To delve into her entrepreneurial journey in the F&B industry, Emirates Woman sat down with Johnson to see how it all began. What was your favourite subject at school? In high school, I loved Home Economics—cooking was always my favorite part. In university, I shifted gears and studied Accounting, which gave me a strong foundation in business. Back then, I had no idea how both these subjects would play an important role in setting up Pitfire Pizza down the line. What was your first job? I started my career as a Junior Human Resources Executive. It was my first real exposure to the corporate world, and coming out of university, HR just felt like the right fit at the time. What brought you to Dubai? My job brought us to Dubai. We were living and working in Kuala Lumpur, where I was a Regional HR Director for a construction company covering several countries in Southeast Asia. As the company began to expand, we identified strong opportunities in Dubai, which led to the decision to move our head office here in 2007. What inspired you to enter the space and your brand? My husband had dreamed of opening a pizza restaurant since he was a teenager. By the time we got to Dubai, we were ready to give it a go. We started at home, with him experimenting with different doughs, tomato sauces, and cheeses. As a designer, he also conceptualized the brand's look and feel. At first, it was just the two of us, and let's just say the pizza wasn't quite what it is today! But with time, passion, and a lot of trial and error, we kept improving. We started hosting 'pizza parties,' inviting friends to try it, and eventually, we had a fantastic product and a brand ready to go. We found our first location, and the rest is history. That was 11 years ago—now, we have eight locations, with 4 more opening soon, including 1 in Abu Dhabi, which we're really excited about. Talk us through the concept? We're a neighborhood pizza joint, designed for high-volume delivery with a casual, cozy dine-in experience. Our strength is in consistently making unique, delicious, high-quality craft pizza—that's what has helped us build a fantastic community over the years. What are the key elements of your role? As CEO, I oversee all aspects of the brand and the organization, except for the design and fit-out of new locations, which my husband handles. I'm the main point of contact for our COO in decision-making and approving expansion plans, although my husband is involved in much of that too. We're a team. We take pizza seriously, without taking ourselves too seriously. Talk us through your daily routine. I start my day with coffee, then check WhatsApp, followed by both my personal and Pitfire's Instagram—mainly focusing on DMs and story mentions. Our social media agency handles most of the community management, but I stay hands-on, ensuring they're answering questions accurately. Most importantly, I always make sure to thank customers for story mentions or for reaching out. Depending on the day, I might head to one of our locations for a meeting, a shoot, or just a general check-in with the team. I love being hands-on, but I'm also very proud of the strong team and structure we've built over the years, which allows operations to run smoothly and expansions to roll out seamlessly. Being a foodie, I enjoy watching our industry evolve. Evenings out can range from a cozy date night with my husband at one of our regular favorites to checking out a new concept with a friend. I also love a night in—experimenting in the kitchen and sharing my dinner cooking adventures on social media. What advice do you have for anyone looking to follow in the same footsteps? My path in F&B has always been with Pitfire. When we started, I kept my corporate HR Director job and worked on Pitfire part-time. That was possible when we were small. Once we hit a point where one of us needed to be with the business full-time to grow the brand, I left the corporate world and started my 'reinvention' into learning how to be an F&B operator. Along the way, I was lucky to receive guidance from others in the industry, and that helped set us up right from the start. My advice would be to find your own way in. There are many paths, but they usually stem from a long-held passion for food. Stay committed to the dream, because it's hard. When you're small, the revenue isn't enough to fuel growth—being well-funded is crucial. The startup costs are high, and it can take a couple of years (at least) to turn your P&L from red to green. Know your market and study it carefully so you can carve your place in it. Talk to people who've walked this path—they'll usually share their stories. Then, take a deep breath and jump in! Tell us more about your F&B offerings? We offer fabulous pizzas that sit somewhere between Neapolitan and New York style—thin, crunchy crust with a big, puffy edge and plenty of char. We pride ourselves on delivering a phenomenal pizza, whether it's hot and fresh in the restaurant or delivered to your door. With 8 locations and more on the way, we're bringing our pizza to people all across Dubai. Our teams are truly passionate about what they do—they're hard-working, friendly, and love creating that warm, welcoming experience for every guest. Whether you're enjoying the pizza in the restaurant or at home, you can always expect great service and the best slice in town. What is the best piece of advice you have ever received? The best advice I've received is to focus on my strengths and not spend too much energy on fixing my weaknesses. Instead, surround myself with people who excel in the areas where I'm not as strong. It's about building a solid team and playing to your strengths while trusting others to shine in their own areas of expertise. And what is the worst? The worst advice I've received was that it's safer to stick with a corporate job rather than taking a risk on something new. As you can see, I didn't listen to that advice at all. I decided to take the leap, and it's been one of the best decisions I've made. What's the biggest challenge you have had to overcome? Honestly, the biggest challenge was figuring out where to start once I left my corporate job. Stepping into a completely new world, I had no blueprint to follow. It was a lot of trial and error, but it taught me how to learn quickly and stay resilient. It's been a journey of continuous growth, but it was definitely worth the leap. What lies ahead for the brand? Growth. We've built something we're incredibly proud of, and now we're all about bringing it to more neighborhoods. With new locations opening in Dubai and our first spot launching in Abu Dhabi, we also have our eye on Sharjah, Al Ain, and beyond. Once we settle into Abu Dhabi, we'll be looking for more spots across the UAE, because we believe great pizza should never be too far away. – For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram Images: Supplied
The National
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Google menu sleuths who pre-plan their restaurant orders leave a sour taste in my month
If video killed the radio star, then the internet pretty much killed anticipation. With most goods and services just a couple of clicks away, attention spans are waning and patience is wearing thin. So, buckle up and sit tight for a Gen X gripe. I am married to a menu sleuth. This means that no matter how far ahead the restaurant is booked, my husband will know exactly what he's going to order when we get there. He knew what he was going to eat when went to Rang Mahal (peppered lamb chop, butter naan); Pitfire Pizza (Pepperoni Primo, garlic knots) and The Maine (600g rib-eye, triple-cooked fries and steamed broccolini, please), to name but a few. His rationale for sleuthing is that he can start looking forward to his dinner in advance. Perhaps pre-planning any belt-loosening which might be necessary, or what colour shirt to wear following the infamous sushi-dropped-in-soy-sauce-while-wearing-white-shirt incident of 2013, which remains a sore subject to this day. Sleuth is an interesting word. Think sleuth and the likes of Poirot, Miss Marple or Sherlock Holmes spring to mind. The sleuth is cerebral and measured, their decisions thoughtful, their actions deliberate. All of which must make me a Menu Moriarty, forever wondering why anyone would willingly forfeit the joyous spontaneity that comes from being presented with a list of never-seen-before choices and experiencing the thrill of thinking: 'Oooh, what shall I have?' Perusing the menu is part of the whole restaurant experience, along with that awkward pull-out-sit-down chair dance between you and the maitre d', which I have never quite mastered. And the frosting on the cake – the cherry is the actual arrival of the food – is discussing the menu together. 'This looks nice,' you might say, pointing to something featuring heirloom tomatoes and a balsamic glaze. 'Did you see that they have…,' your dining companion might reply, having spotted a dish you like. But if you already know what you're going to have thanks to menu sleuthing, this removes or at least seriously impairs the casual chatter that is part of the restaurant experience. Those who know me might assume I would be a big fan of menu sleuthing, because I am that most wretched of dinner party guests: the picky eater. My pickiness is esoteric and, even though I say it myself, both adorable and quirky. For example, I like prawns, but only the small ones, because the big meaty ones freak me out. I am not a vegetarian and enjoy a good steak, but if I'm invited to a dinner party at your house, I will tell you that I am vegetarian because I dislike meat being cooked for me if I cannot personally oversee its preparation. And what host doesn't love a guest in their kitchen prodding at the chicken fricassee and asking: 'Are you sure it's done on the inside?' In my defence, I had a bad experience once with a pink chicken at a dinner party, from which I have never fully recovered. Am I against restaurants having their menus online? Of course not. For those who are picky (not me, obviously, other people), have allergies or certain preferences it can be useful. But if you're Googling the menu just to decide what you're going to eat three weeks from now, quite frankly, you're abusing the system and should have your internet privileges revoked. If it's a steak restaurant, let's assume there'll be steak and a vegetarian option based around cauliflower, or worst case scenario, a salad. If it's an Italian restaurant, assume variations on pasta will be available, and so forth. You don't need to know exactly what's on the menu. For me it comes down to the fact there's not much mystery in life these days. For every vague question you have, there's thousands of YouTube videos explaining, debunking and offering alternative theories to the answer. For every passing query there's a plethora of TikToks, Instagram posts and hashtags dedicated to examining every angle while also suggesting you get ready with them and enjoy their outfit of the day. For me, menu sleuthing removes a little bit of the fun, anticipatory not-knowingness that comes from discovering a new restaurant. I just told my husband I've written this column about him. 'I'm not sure about sleuth,' he said. 'I'd call it being a connoisseur.'
FACT
04-03-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Akmal Anuar brings funky flavours to Neighborhood Food Hall with Pizzeria Funkcoolio
Dubai is no stranger to great pizza. With beloved spots like Blu Pizzeria, Pitfire Pizza and 'Za' Za constantly drawing crowds, there's a new contender coming to town called Pizzeria Funkcoolio. Located at the Neighborhood Food Hall in Dubai Motor City, Pizzeria Funkcoolio is a NYC-inspired pizza concept backed by acclaimed chef Akmal Anuar. The food hall is already home to some firm FACT favourites like Al Naqa and High Joint, meaning the upcoming restaurant is in great culinary company. The star of the show at Pizzeria Funkcoolio is, of course, the pizza. Chef Akmal Anuar has taken classic Italian flavours and added his signature twist. The menu features handcrafted pizzas such as Margherita, Pepperoni, Spicy Duck, Shrimp Aji Amarillo, Chicken Ragu, Shakshuka, and much more. Served in sizes of 20-inch, 15-inch or 10-inch, you can top off your selection with truffle oil, spicy mayo, chilli oil or honey chilli. Pizzeria Funkcoolio has also got plenty in store for pasta lovers. A build-your-own pasta bar allows you to pick from favourites and pair them with your choice of rich and creamy sauces. For dessert, you can indulge in a terrific homemade tiramisu. For those unversed, Chef Akmal Anuar is the brains behind Goldfish Sushi & Yakitori, Osterio Funkcoolio and Harummanis in Dubai. So, if you're in the mood for a classic slice, a build-your-own pasta, or a creamy tiramisu, Pizzeria Funkcoolio has something for everyone. Pizza enthusiasts, get ready to indulge GO: Follow @funkcoolio on Instagram for more information.
