10 of the Best Pizza Restaurants in Beijing
Few foreign foods are as ubiquitous in Beijing as pizza. Inspired by places as distant as New York, Naples and New Zealand, pizza restaurants and delivery services have spread throughout China‘s capital city during the past decade and given consumers a vast range of choices. Here are ten pizza places worth checking out.
Gung Ho!
Pizzeria, Chinese
With its fun advertising campaigns and hot pink theme, Gung Ho! is among the most visible pizza chains in the city. The partners, hailing from Australia and New Zealand, offer a menu that is both indulgent and healthy. Balance the smoked pork and mushroom pizza by getting a wholewheat crust, then pair it with a salad like the low-salt Greek option. The flagship store is close to Hooter’s in the China View building.
La Pizza
Restaurant, Pizzeria, Italian
With its much-loved Naples-style cuisine, La Pizza carried the torch for years after opening nearly a decade ago at the Solana shopping center. It has since branched out and seen many worthy competitors rise up alongside. Along with the pizza, try the ravioli, spaghetti, calzone and more.
Bottega
Restaurant, Bar, Contemporary
This place picked up where La Pizza left off. Bottega is run by two brothers from Naples – one handles the kitchen, the other is front of house – and ranks among the city’s best Italian restaurants. Expect blistered crusts topped with quality cheeses and sauces made with tomatoes from back home as well as plenty of other Italian specialties. And it’s all paired with a carefully selected wine menu. Bottega is now in the process of moving into a new space in Nali Patio and should have its pizzas back in action in June.
Q Mex Bar & Grill
Bar, Pizzeria, Restaurant, Cocktail Bar, Chinese
Best known as a Tex-Mex venue, Q Mex Bar & Grill also makes excellent pizzas, including tasty thin-crust variations. Nacho pizza might sound a bit odd, but the mix of tomato sauce, beef, guacamole, crunchy nacho chips and sour cream is a treat. Those on a budget can pop in on Tuesday nights when pizzas are half-price.
The Irish Volunteer
Pub, Bar, Pizzeria, Irish
While better known for tipples like Guinness and Jameson, The Irish Volunteer also makes a worthy pizza. These are the kind of no-frills pizzas to enjoy while relaxing with friends and enjoying a few pints. Go for the meat-loaded Canadian pizza or the signature Cork pizza with feta cheese. The pies range in size up to a gut-busting 19 inches.
Pizza Saporita
Pizzeria, Italian
The owners recently adopted a new name (they were previously Pizza+) but kept the old focus on high-speed delivery of good-value pizzas. For traditionalists, the Capricciosa has olive, ham and artichokes piled on a tangy sauce, while the adventurous should try the earthy Four Seasons, a former World Pizza Competition champ, with white sauce base, walnuts, mushrooms, sausage and truffle cream.
Pie Squared
Pizzeria, Chinese, Fast Food
This suburban gem features ‘Detroit-style’ pizza, so expect thick crusts with toasted cheesy rims. Along with pizzas like Motor City Meat and the BLT, Pie Squared also offers mozzarella bread, stromboli and more.
Ramo
Restaurant, Chinese
Set in a secluded Beijing side street, Ramo has burgers, pastas, flat breads and more but is best known for its pizza, available either whole or by the slice. There are both vegetarian and meat options – for the latter, try the Parma ham-topped pie. This place also does fun events, such as contests where customers can enter pizza recipes, with the winners then featured in the restaurant.
Tavola
Pizzeria, Restaurant, Restaurant with Rooms, Italian
Great Leap #45
Bar, Craft Ale Bar, Gastropub, Pub, Restaurant, Pub Grub, Asian