Best pizza in Wellington: Get your slice of heaven

The logo for Cutie Pie is a stylised dog. Chilli Jean, the dachshund, is the third business partner for the Hataitai pizzeria. The other two are Tommy Kirton and Alicia Mendez. Together, they produce pizza pies in the distinctive American East Coast style. That means large, hand-stretched dough, a visible char, and simple toppings. The Cutie Pie team make a limited amount of dough, so it’s advisable to book a dine-in or takeaway slot on the website. If you stay, enjoy the soft industrial design aesthetic. All the pizza ingredients are revealed on open shelves, and exposed bricks are a nod to the pizzeria’s American origins.

Family-run Pizza Pomodoro has been producing authentic Italian pizzas since 2000. The pizza dough is hand-rolled and topped with fresh ingredients. They’re then cooked in a wood-fired oven for the perfect level of char. So perfect, in fact, that Pizza Pomodoro was certified by Associazione Vera Pizza Napoletana, the Michelin star of the pizza world. Pizza Pomodoro makes classic Italian pizzas plus some original creations. They’re usually takeaway or delivery only, but if you’re looking to enjoy a slice or two with a cold one in hand, head to Goldings bar across the laneway — they serve Pomodoro’s pizzas.

A piece of Italy in the heart of Petone, La Bella Italia is part restaurant, part deli, and a place to learn more about Italian food and culture. Pizza is, of course, an important part of the menu. The dough is handmade and rested for 72 hours before heading into the oven. Many of the classics are on the menu, and you’ll find buffalo and cow’s milk mozzarella throughout. When you visit, make your foray into Italian cuisine even more authentic — finish off the meal with a tiramisu or affogato. The retail space alongside sells premium Italian products and pantry staples, too.

Cuba Street’s original pizzeria is an old faithful that keeps locals and visitors coming back. Born from the second generation of a Wellington hospitality family, the Bresolin brothers know what they’re doing when it comes to pizza. All are made in wood-fired ovens, with fresh, high-quality toppings on light and crunchy bases. As well as pizza, the menu covers pasta, salads, and snacks. The ‘sexy fries’ are an excellent side to go with your wood-fired treat or the other classic Italian fare. In warm weather, large glass doors slide back and diners can eat al fresco. Munch on a pizza slice with a front row seat to bustling Cuba Street.

Get a slice of Italy on the go. Pizza joint Slice on Lombard Lane offers authentic street fare to take away. About seven different pizza flavours are available at any one time. Sample tasty creations like pork and fennel sausage with broccolini or salami and rocket. It will come as no surprise that the pizzas are sold by the slice. Owner Mia Tracey says they modelled the hole-in-the-wall joint on al taglio pizza bars in Rome, known for their rectangular-shaped slices. “It’s fresh, fast, no-fuss and made to be eaten standing up like the Romans do”. If you want to finish off with a sweet treat, the cabinet also has pistachio cannoli, tiramisu, and maritozzi — a sweet bun filled with creamy vanilla or chocolate.

The hills of Brooklyn are hiding a big shot in the Wellington pizza world. Bogart’s has been serving a wide range of pizza since 1990. Named after classical Hollywood actor Humphrey Bogart, many of the pizzas on the menu bear the titles of movies he starred in. Casablanca (1942) has Italian sausage meat and roasted red peppers. Love Affair (1932) has pan-roasted chicken, cranberry, and brie (that combo has always been a love affair, right?). There are a couple of tables inside if you want to eat in, but Bogart’s pizzas are best enjoyed at home, watching a movie.

The country’s largest supplier of speciality southern European food, Mediterranean Foods Trattoria & Deli, is a haven for food lovers. Seven nights a week, its pizzeria offers quality, Neapolitan-style pizzas. Dine in for a night out, or get takeaway to enjoy on the couch. For an epic pizza experience, on Monday evenings, you can build your own pizza by the metre. You’ll want to bring a few friends along to share the responsibility of devouring that much dough. There is also a deli and speciality supermarket to peruse.

It’s the first plant-based pizza and pastaria in New Zealand. Cuba Street is home to Nolita. The chefs at this cosy restaurant do things a little differently. There’s 48-hour fermented sourdough that’s hand-stretched to enhance flavour and digestibility. They also produce house-made vegan cheese. The cashew mozzarella is delicately fermented using dairy-free culture. Nolita is inspired by Manhattan sidewalk eateries. Like the menu, the decor is equal parts New York and Italy. Come for brunch, lunch, or dinner. The menu offers sharing plates and Italian classics as well. Everything is, of course, completely vegan (and delicious).