Well if you feel like pizza, just go out and get some, right?
I wish it were that easy.
I’m in Brisbane, or more generally, Australia, where I love so many of the local treats here: hot chips, meat pies…the list goes on.
But as far as pizza places go, Australia is seriously lacking.
It pains me to say it because I love this country. I love the beaches, the cities, the people…I’d stay here in a heartbeat, if it weren’t for the pizza situation.
You probably think I sound ridiculous, ungrateful. You’re saying to yourself, She’s in a beautiful place, with perfect warm weather, and she’s still not satisfied?
WAIT–stay with me here–and let me explain:
Australia is gorgeous. Its beaches are breathtaking, its citizens charming, its bush land and endless starry nights magical.
But what I really want is pizza. Good pizza would be great. Decent pizza would be enough! Is it really that hard?
The funny thing about travelling, for me, is that I am often surprised by what I miss most. All the things I worried about leaving behind? Haven’t given them a second thought (well, except for my pretty computer).
But what I do miss is PIZZA.
A quicky slice on the way home from the bar at The Big Slice, a delivery pizza from Pizza Nova (tomatoes, mushrooms, bacon and onion is my standard order), and Friday prix fixe lunches from the godfather of pizza in Toronto, Pizzeria Libretto.
While these places all differ and have their own take on the simple pie, what remains constant is the texture and taste of the dough, the tomato sauce, and the choice of toppings. Oh, and the lack of grease (except for maybe Big Slice, but at the end of the night, you need all the grease you can get).
I’m not saying Australia is completely devoid of pizza choices, but for all their culinary gifts, this one seems to be an obvious miss.
I realize that as a Torontonian, I am spoiled when it comes to great pizza opportunities (and most other cuisine opportunities too). We have a number of chain restaurants that are more than enough to satisfy your pizza cravings when time is tight and even more restaurants and establishments pushing out pies rivaled perhaps only by those found in Italy (a bold statement, I realize, but one I whole heartedly stand behind). And really, when even bad pizza is good pizza, how has Australia gone so wrong?
I think it’s fair to say that both Sydney and Melbourne can more than hold their own on the world culinary stage. Even Brisbane’s food scene is growing by leaps and bounds. Hello Australia!–or should I say G’Day!–did you forget something? The tasty $15-$20 large 3-topping pizza pie?
Great tasting, convenient Australian pizza:
Where the bloody hell are you?
What I fear is beginning to sound like a bit of a rant is simply a fierce love of pizza and the belief that it can be done well, and for a decent price, even here in Australia. And I believe, too, that Australians would embrace good pizza as another choice to add to the standard Thai food or Fish and Chips, as toe curling as both of those options are in this country.
So if I’ve completely missed the mark on this one, if there are in fact stellar pizza joints in this fine country, you really need to fill me in. I’ll make a beeline to each and every one of them. So give it up—-Where are you hiding the pies?
Please prove me wrong, dear Australians. Share with me YOUR favourite pizza hangouts below. Let’s get a respectable list of great pizza places going in the comments section.
I will be forever grateful.
Comments (15)
You have to head down south to Melbourne! There’s an entire neighborhood full of Italian restaurants, and the pizza there is amazing. Don’t give up yet!
Thanks Dianne. I did recently head down to Melbourne for a mostly good related visit but couldn’t get into the one decent looking pizza place, DOC (huge line ups–it was already 8pm and my tummy couldn’t wait). I’d love to hear your specific recs–names of restos please–or are you holding out on me, keeping these places secret? 😉
Hahahaha! This is perfect, Melanie. Whenever someone finds out I’ve been to Australia, and after I’ve gushed about it for hours, someone will ask something like, “Is there any flaws in Australia.” Um, yeah. Pizza. I could never find a really good pizza, lol. I just love this post, I totally agree! I can’t wait to see replies from Oz, I’m dying to know where they hide it too!
I’m so glad to hear that you had the same experience. I worried u was sounding a bit snobby. I too am looking forward to hearing from Aussies about if and where this elusive pizza is. Stay tuned:)
I missed pizza so much in Latin America, there were only a few places that were decent. It’s funny what we long for when we’re away.
Wow, and with all that fresh, local food! Its true though, and I’m fairly certain that when I go home and have pizza, it won’t be quite as good as I dream it will be. You always want what you can’t have.
Have you been to Pizza Capers ? Or Elios (Italian) Restaurant – google it, there’s one at Underwood that’s awesome, but maybe one closer to you.
Yay Lisa, two places to start our list. I have visited Pizza Capers but only once. It was a bit greasy/spicy, but I might try different toppings and see if that makes a difference. Their pizzas are quite expensive but food in Australia is expensive overall, so maybe that’s just something I’ll have to get used to. As for Elios, no, I’ve never heard of it but will absolutely give it a try. With you perhaps?
If our back in Melbourne try Crust in Brighton, right across from middle Brighton station. But I agree there is nothing like what we have in Canada, like a little late night after the bar Pizza Pizza.
Fantastic, I’ll add it to the list! And as if I need another reason to return to Melbourne:)
Vapiano in Brisbane is excellent – thin, Italian-style!
I also just had awesome pizza from the Little Creatures resto/pub in Fremantle, WA….it was SO GOOD.
Yay! More great pizza suggestions! Another to add to my must-try list. Thanks Ally.
I passed by Little Creatures in Melbourne but didn’t have a chance to give it a try. Next time:)
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I cannot believe I forgot to about my favorite Melbourne pizza place!
You have to go to Banff in St Kilda!! It`s right near the intersection of St.Kilda Rd and Fitzroy Street. Just the name reminds you a little bit of home. And I believe it`s Thursdays if you go they have 2 for 1. It`s really quaint with a fireplace you would really love it Mel!
Banff! I know exactly where that is. Funnily enough I never got there, even though I see it all the time on my fave Melbourne blog and of course, because it’s Canadian (well, the name anyway).
Another one to add to my list! Thanks Steph.