What if we told you that you don't have to go all the way to Italy to taste a truly authentic pie? And if you are in Delhi, the distance between you and a delicious Napolean-style pizza is even smaller, as Leo's Pizzeria and Da Susy have won the 44th and 13th spot, respectively, on the "50 Best Pizzerias In Asia Pacific for 2024 list," which is announced every year by the Italy-based organisation, "Top 50 Pizza."
If you are a Delhi resident, the two spots are not unfamiliar to you, for they have floored everybody with immaculately authentic flavour. But if you haven't been there yet, we've got you covered with everything you need to know and, well, eat:
Leo's Pizzeria has three outposts. Soon after they opened their first one in Vasant Vihar's Basant Lok Market, the high footfall prompted them to come up with their second one in Amar Colony. While both of these locations are quite similar in terms of decor, which exudes a laidback vibe and is recognised for their cute frames and murals that adorn the walls, their third and most recent outlet in Ghitorni is more experiential, as it also hosts live gigs on a regular basis.
What to eat: At Leo's there's nothing on the menu that you can't simply close your eyes and take a chance with. However, if you are the one who likes to start by playing it safe and going by the recommendations, here's what you must pick: If you are a vegetarian and love classics, their Margherita pizza never fails to impress. In addition to that, you must try burrata pesto and piccante versions. While the pesto burrata melds the herby and cheesy flavours extremely well, balanced out by a generous topping of olive oil, the piccante pizza will appeal very well to those who love a hint of spice.
For non-vegetarians, the favourite picks are, of course, classic pepperoni (topped with a burrata), pollo, and prosciutto di parma e rucola. You can wash down their delicious slices with your choice of wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverages and end it with a tiramisu.
Average cost for two: INR 1,400 (excluding taxes and alcohol)
Address: 28, Basant Lok Market, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi
Timings: 12 pm to 11 pm
Started by chef Susanna Di Cosimo, who was born and brought up in Naples, this establishment rose to fame within only a few months of opening its doors, and the credit for it goes to home-style, no-fuss
pizzas that only an Italian nonna can ace. In addition to pizzas, you can trust Cosimo, who keeps a close check on everything that goes out of the kitchen, and her team to impress you with appetisers like panuozzo, salads and arancini.
What to eat: The menu at Pizzeria Da Susy is neatly split between salads, pizza, and panuozzos, and each list has ample to choose from. If you are a vegetarian, you must start your meal with bomba frita, a fried snack that oozes mozzarella and transports you to the lanes of Rome right away. Next, to balance it out, try their burrata salad, followed by spinacci and ricotta pizza (that doesn't come with marinara as its base sauce), and ortolana pizza (this one comes loaded with cherry tomatoes and zucchini in addition to a generous topping of mozzarella and a silky layer of marinara).
For non-vegetarians, the prosciutto and melone salad is a great way to get your appetite geared up. The salad is fresh and fuses the smokiness of prosciutto smoothly with the sweetness of the melon. From the option of pizzas, go for diavola if you like it spicy (this one includes spicy pork salami, chilly oil and chilli flakes), mortazza (which combines mortadella, mozzarella and pistachio), or pollo pizza for a more classic flavour. And finally, no meal here is complete without the silken-smooth and absolutely perfect tiramisu.
Average cost for two: INR 2,000 (excluding taxes and alcohol)
Address: 109-110, 1st Floor, Crosspoint Mall, DLF Phase 4, Gurgaon
Timings: 12 pm to 10.30 pm