The Best Joints For Artisanal Pizza In Delhi

One of the most tumultuous culinary journeys through history is that of the humble pizza. Its Italian heritage dates back to the late 1800s, where tomato, mozzarella and basil were the stars of the show, but as it travelled (in the minds and hearts of immigrants) to the Americas, it became an increasingly complex affair. With the advent of the Chicago Deep Dish or, in fact, the signature New York slice, all subtleties went right out the window and pizza became the hearty, wholesome meal of the people.
In the last decade, as the world turned slowly to the concept of sustainable, clean eating, one of the unlikeliest figures to be pulled up by its bootstraps was the pizza. Suddenly Michelin starred restaurants and top chefs were back on board with this roadside staple and the world was catapulted into the realm of ‘artisanal pizzas’. Authenticity was the need of the hour, ingredients were shipped in from the shores of Napoli, wood fired ovens threatened to take over every kitchen and a slice could set you back by as much as a bottle of fine wine.

The act of making pizzas was elevated to a fine craft and the world rediscovered the intricacies of an old favourite. Though India hasn’t always been on top of culinary trends, this is one that made it to our shores. Hand-tossed, wood-fired...artisanal, they all quickly became part of our gastronomic vocabulary, and dozens of places across the country got in on the new wave, especially in the capital city. Thanks to our penchant for ‘Indianising’ any foreign cuisine there is a chance you’ll run into a chicken tikka pizza, or god forbid the triple blasphemy of a schezwan tikka pizza. So if you do decide to dip a toe in the artisanal waters, here are 6 options in Delhi to start you off right.

I. La Piazza

With a name like the Hyatt comes the promise of a true fine-dining experience. The selection of pizzas are absolutely true to the Italian concept with most of the recipes coming straight from kitchens in the South of Italy. The open-plan restaurant is airy with the centre of attention being their expansive collection of wine. The eternally helpful staff are always ready to set you up with the perfect wine pairing for your choice of pizza but we recommend trying the standard Margherita. Though it may seem minimalist, the simple combination allows the flavours of the wood-fired crust and the exquisite ingredients to shine through.

What it will cost you: Rs. 4,500 for two people

II. Baking Bad

Fashioned after the cult hit TV series, Baking Bad really knows how to commit to a theme. They have a range of luxurious toppings that you wouldn’t typically expect to see on a pizza such as smoked salmon and spiced calamari, but if you’re more of a traditionalist, stick with the Heisenberg (pepperoni, bacon, salami, smoked chicken, chillies and basil) or the Acropolis (onions, olives, jalapeno, arugula, feta). And don’t forget to order a double helping of bacon jam to go with it. They also have the option to customise and order per slice - so you’re getting exactly want you want, exactly how much you want, and getting it at your doorstep. What more could you ask for?

What it will cost you: Rs. 1,000 for two people

III. Fat Lulu’s

Italy may have given birth to pizza, but New York’s where it grew up. Outside of the Big Apple finding a true New York slice is damn near impossible, but Fat Lulu’s comes pretty close. Their creations have become quite a favourite with foodies across the city, in part because of the versatility of their menu, but more likely because of their quality ingredients. They’re rumoured to have one of the best meat suppliers in the city which is best showcased by ‘The Soho’ (Bacon, ground lamb, parma ham, Italian sausage). We recommend forsaking the usual garlic bread sides in favour of the jalapeno cheese poppers to complete the pseudo-NYC vibe for the evening.

What it will cost you: Rs. 800 for two people.

IV. Roadhouse Café

Attention to detail is the hallmark of this casual rooftop cafe in Greater Kailash. They promise freshly sourced local ingredients, a dedication to clean eating and a wide variety of gluten-free and vegan options. As the offshoot of a well renowned cafe in Kathmandu, they offer up a delightful selection of both Nepalese and Italian cuisine although thankfully, they haven’t attempted any cringeworthy fusion in their pizza section. They pride themselves on using fresh, hand-tossed dough for all their pizzas topped off with a range of seasonal vegetables and premium meat. One of their most indulgent offerings is the ‘Salmon’ (Atlantic salmon, cream cheese, capers, onions and rucola) though one of the perennial favourites is ‘The Carbonara’ (white sauce, olives, parmesan, pepper, rosemary) an unusual twist on the traditional, but topped off with smokey chicken or bacon and you’ll never look back. Just in case you weren’t convinced, Roadhouse takes its bar menu very seriously - each dish comes with a suggested alcohol - and has a near unlimited selection to sample. This is one place that caters to both your inner foodie and your covert alcoholic.

What it will cost you: Rs. 1,700 for two people

V. Instapizza

Though it’s not much to look at, this modest pizza chain was the herald of a new era in Delhi - the reign of the Chicago deep dish. Each of these monsters weighs in at over a kilo and will put an end to any diet plans you had in store. Though they’ve attempted to adapt to the Indian palate with a Haryali paneer deep dish (sacrilegious!) try the ‘Belly of the Beast’ (chorizo, pepperoni, sundried tomatoes, bacon, onions) for a more traditional experience but you can customise it with eclectic additions like rocket, zucchini or spiced meatballs at no extra cost - if you’re feeling more adventurous.

What it will cost you: Rs. 900 for two

VI. Tossin

A specialist in thin-crusts and unusual toppings, Tossin is a favourite among those pushing their pizza boundaries. They’ve bid arrivederci to the traditional tomato sauce and instead offer up bases like olive oil and garlic, sriracha and barbeque. These, in combination with their signature peri-peri sauce make for an entirely new experience. The toppings themselves can be a bit daunting with options like laal maas mutton, Thai prawns and Tiki Tiki pulled pork, so we suggest you either go all out with either the sauces or the toppings - being ‘too experimental’ is a real thing.

What it will cost you: Rs. 900 for two