Written by: Hennie Fisher
Across the world, pizza has become de rigueur. We accept the fact that pizza can be found in most countries on our planet. However, not all pizza is good pizza, and even though wood-fired ovens may be a vague indication of higher quality, that is also not always the case.
Great produce, and perhaps a long-fermented dough may give additional indication of higher-quality pizza, and of course, with some fine skills from the Pizzaioli, or more specifically, the Pizzaiuòlo when you are from Naples. But last year, at the 2025 World's Best Pizza competition, it was not a Neapolitan who won that title but rather a pizza maker from Milan, Francesco Martucci, from the restaurant Masanielli. Here is our list of the best wood-fired pizzas in Pretoria.
Holy Dough Eastside
Tucked away behind the Menlyn Boutique Hotel, you’ll find one of the best wood-fired pizzas in Pretoria. They pride themselves on the fact that their dough is fermented over several days and consists of only four ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and salt. They believe their pizzas are the closest you’ll find to the authentic Neapolitan ideal in Pretoria. Their pizzas have wonderful names, such as the “Unholy Creation,” which allows you to put anything on your pizza, the “Da Vinci” with red onion, mushrooms, and Parmesan, some ‘white’ pizzas, such as the Frank White with mozzarella, cream cheese, caramelised onion, Parmesan, chopped parsley, and a sesame seed crust.
Website: https://menlynhotel.com/holy-dough/
Pizzeria Nenna
This little neighbourhood gem is fast becoming one of Pretoria's most talked-about pizzerias. Run by a husband-and-wife team, everyone is always welcomed with open arms. They have two or three small tables outside on the pavement, some inside in the main room where the pizza oven is, and then a back area through the kitchen – real Italian style. Pizzas lean towards the poufy-edged Neapolitan style and offer wonderful choices such as Ortolana with tomato, mozzarella, grilled eggplant, grilled baby marrow, pickled peppers, red onion & a balsamic reduction, or a Filomena with tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, onions & gorgonzola cheese, to name a few.
Website: https://www.pizzerianenna.com/
Tony’s Pizza
Tony Sime, the owner of Tony’s Pizza, has been around for a fair number of years now. They survived Covid, have expanded, but now, apart from their main business in Deerness, they may often be seen at large gatherings where they operate pizza food trucks. Their pizzas remain innovative and are available in Pizzette, Pizza, and Grande sizes. Interesting pizza options include the Pizza Insalata with garlic, chilli, avocado or artichokes, rocket, grana padano and toasted pine nuts (no tomato base), or an old-time favourite Pizza Al Toni with mozzarella, tomato base, roasted butternut, gorgonzola, artichokes, basil pesto, toasted pine nuts and prosciutto.
Website: https://tonipizza.co.za/
Blumin Pizza
A family operation where a pizza shop and a florist co-shares one space – of course, from there the name. The pizzas are superb; they are innovative and baked to perfection. They make a lot of take-out pizzas and if you want to eat in, be aware that service is relaxed and space is limited. Their Regina Büsch pizza is named after a famous picture framer in their neighbourhood and is made with San Marzano tomatoes, mozzarella, ham, and large brown mushrooms, while “Die Parmantige Vy” is made with their own hand-harvested figs, along with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, brie and rocket.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blumin_pizza/?hl=en
Casa Gelati
Casa Gelati is located just south of Wonderboom High School, a landmark of the suburb. This is a small shop specialising in take-outs, with only two tables and no atmosphere to speak of, but both the pizzas and the staff make up for it. They make a “family” size pizza, which often requires two people to carry it out of the shop in a special flattened-out take-out box. But it is the simple pizzas, such as ham and mushrooms, or feta & olives, that one wants to order for no other reason than possibly lathering the pizza with one of the best accompanying chilli sauces in all of South Africa.
Phone: 012 335 5977
Chilli Tomato Wood Fired Pizza
This is the temple of “Pretoria Pizzas”. They are well-made and have generous toppings (most certainly too generous for any self-respecting Italian), and between Mondays to Wednesdays they run a pizza special, where one can choose any two large pizzas from a selection of eight, including BBQ Chicken and Rib & Peppadew for R170. The base is crisp and biscuity, like many people in our city like it, the desired ‘thin crust’. But it leaves them slightly breakfast-toast-like. And if you like a sweet version of pizza – apparently a firm Pretoria favourite – this is your go-to place.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChilliTomatoZA
Villa San Giovanni
The setting and view at Villa San Giovanni are often the main attraction – and they remain special, perched right there on an airport runway, allowing patrons to feel the vibration of aeroplane motors buzzing in and out. But the service and food at VSG are old-school, classic, and without any compromise. Choose any of their Pizza Artigianale for a real treat, such as their traditional Frutti Di Mare with calamari, shrimps, crab sticks & garlic, or the Siciliana with anchovies, capers, olives and chilli. Their wood-fired pizza is baked in a pizza oven with a rotating floor, requiring less maneuvering for the pizza maker.
Website: https://vsg.co.za/
Pretoria features a diverse pizza scene ranging from authentic, long-fermented Neapolitan styles to unique local favorites with creative toppings. Top wood-fired options include Holy Dough Eastside for authentic bases, Pizzeria Nenna for neighborhood charm, and Villa San Giovanni for its unique airport runway view.