The best pizza you can eat in the UAE

Pitfire: A licensed venue from the pizza icons in Dubai Hills

For those based in Dubai, the Dubai Hills branch is the one to know – and for good reason. It's Pitfire's first licensed outpost, which means the full bar is now part of the experience alongside the same 72-hour dough and casual, relaxed setup the brand has always delivered. Booths, outdoor seating, and the familiar lineup of signature pies, garlic knots, salads, pasta and desserts are all present.

The bar covers wines, Prosecco, beer on tap and cocktails – a solid complement to a Pepperoni Primo or Truff Daddy. The food quality holds: pizzas are crispy, well-flavoured and worth returning for, and Michele's Apple Pie (27 AED) remains one of the better desserts on the menu. It's also one of the stronger delivery options among Dubai's pizza spots, and there are several branches across the city if Dubai Hills isn't your nearest.

A sourdough bar crafting just 40 pizzas a day

If you love soft, sourdough pizza with premium ingredients, handmade with love, Local Foundry is your spot. Housed within a food truck at Alserkal Avenue when the HUNTR last visited, here you will find delicious pizzas and a team baking just 40 of them to perfection every day (when they sell out, they sell out). Run, don't walk…

FALCONE: Hong Kong-born Neapolitan pizza in Al Barsha

Chef Roberta De Sario learned her craft walking the dough-scented streets of Naples before opening her cult pizza restaurants in Hong Kong. Lucky for us those serious Neapolitan credentials made there way to Dubai here in Al Barsha. At FALCONE, a custom Pavesi brick oven fires pizzas that honour tradition whilst embracing creative freedom, operating at lower temperatures for extended periods to create signature textural contrast – characteristic charred crust with added satisfying crunch. The single-page menu reflects Italian philosophy: when ingredients are exceptional, simplicity shines brightest. Simple Marinara with tomato and oregano sits alongside specialty Italia with basil pesto and Polpette topped with meatballs, whilst the Margherita delivers exactly what this classic should.

Executive Chef Fabio adapts recipes thoughtfully for local preferences, with spicy salami now featuring beef rather than pork, without compromising flavour integrity. The Neapolitan Pizza Fritta lives up to its Hong Kong reputation with extraordinary textural contrast, whilst the open kitchen allows diners to watch skilled hands stretch dough and slide pizzas into precisely calibrated flames.

Organic Foods & Cafe SZR Dubai: Organic supermarket with bakery and casual dining cafe in Al Quoz

Inside an independent organic supermarket in Al Quoz sits this no-frills cafe delivering quality pizza at prices that make regular visits impossible to resist. Tuesday's buy-one-get-one pizza deal attracts savvy diners who appreciate thin-crust options made with organic ingredients sourced from the adjoining shop. The industrial-meets-farmhouse aesthetic of subway tiles, exposed pipes, and rustic wooden tables creates comfortable surroundings where the focus remains firmly on honest food rather than performative presentation.

Whilst the weekend breakfast deal draws morning crowds, the all-day pizza menu provides reliable options for lunch and dinner. Quality toppings on properly cooked bases demonstrate that exceptional pizza doesn't require theatrical flourish or premium postcodes. Free WiFi makes this a practical choice for remote workers seeking proper food between meetings.

Bonus for HUNTR Members: HUNTR Members receive an exclusive 15% off at all Organic Foods & Cafe supermarkets and cafes. Not a member? Download the HUNTR: City Guide app here and join us today.

KONA Pizza House: Japanese-inspired pizza with Dubai skyline views

Chef Reif Othman brings serious pizza credentials to this 24th-floor food hall concept at One&Only One Za'abeel, where Japanese flavours meet Italian traditions with impressive results. Here Othman crafts pizzas on perfectly charred sourdough bases that balance substance with delicacy.

The Magic Mushrooms pizza impresses with truffle espuma, grated seasonal truffle, and chestnut mushrooms, whilst the aptly named Vampire Away proves that garlic butter cream and melted mozzarella on quality dough needs no further justification. Signature creations demonstrate genuine innovation: the Diavolina with gochujang tomato sauce and marinated wagyu ribs, or the Ama Ebi combining spicy tomato with red yuzu kosho and fresh shrimp. The open kitchen allows counter seating where you can watch meticulous pizza craft unfold against panoramic Dubai skyline views. Walk-in only, no reservations.

Gusto Restaurant & Cafe: Intimate Italian dining in DIFC

This 42-cover Italian hideaway tucked within DIFC's Waldorf Astoria transforms dramatically from morning café to evening destination, but the pizza remains consistently excellent throughout. Chef Paola from Sicily treats the wood-fired oven with proper respect, turning out pizzas that transport you to trattorias worth remembering. The space feels deliberately intimate, with vintage murals and thoughtful design creating an atmosphere that enhances rather than distracts from the food.

What sets Gusto apart is its understanding that great pizza doesn't require theatrics, just quality ingredients, proper technique, and the confidence to let simplicity shine. The restaurant operates across three distinct menus throughout the day, with pizza available from late morning through evening service. Standing espresso at the bronze bar before or after your pizza captures that authentic Italian café culture rarely replicated successfully in Dubai.

Ourdough: Wood-fired flatbreads and karak in Umm Suqeim

Ourdough occupies an outdoor terrace just outside Heal Cafe in Umm Suqeim, a pop-up from the same family, built around one clear focus: organic sourdough flatbreads fired in an imported Esposito Forni oven from Italy. The setup is cheerful and compact – a warm mustard palette, checkerboard kitchen tiles, round tables, cushioned banquettes and patio heaters for cooler evenings. It seats perhaps thirty at a squeeze, which gives it a neighbourhood feel despite the bustle.

The menu is concise, with flatbreads ranging from a zaatar and cheese base (48 AED) through to slow-braised short ribs with spicy honey (68 AED) and fresh truffle over melted cheese and Parmesan (62 AED). Regional influences run through the menu: a musakhan chicken flatbread (62 AED) with sumac, caramelised onion and pine nuts, plus shakshuka and Turkish eggs served until 2 p.m. The Truffle and Cheese (62 AED) delivered generous fresh truffle shavings over a leopard-spotted, properly blistered crust. Karak tea (18 AED) arrives in a branded amber mug with a strip of charred bread perched on top for dunking – a small, well-judged touch. Worth noting: this is a flatbread concept rather than a traditional pizzeria, but the organic sourdough dough and wood-fired oven put it firmly in the same conversation. Ourdough operates as a limited-time pop-up, so check ahead before visiting.

Blu Pizzeria: A sourdough Neapolitan wood-fired pizza restaurant in Umm Suqeim

This homegrown pizza gem started life as a pop-up in Umm Suqeim Park in 2021. It quickly garnered a lot of attention thanks to its delicious pizzas, which are handcrafted with perfectly cooked sourdough bases in wood-fired ovens. Fast-forward to the end of 2021 and Blu Pizzeria opened its first proper restaurant – this gorgeous spot right on the Umm Suqeim marina.

Water-facing, the restaurant offers floor-to-ceiling glass windows for picture-perfect views even from the inside, and there are a variety of outdoor tables available too. A casual spot, Blu is the perfect place to head with family or friends, and be warned – pizzas are only available until they sell out.

Insider Tip: The folks at Blu recently opened a second location in Al Khawaneej.

Moon Slice Pizza: Local artisan pizza in a sleek setting

Debuting a brand new look and location in February 2024 (just a few doors down from its original home in Dar Wasl Mall), Moon Slice is an Emirati-owned Neapolitan pizza restaurant from the folks behind Origami Sushi and Drop Coffee.

Created to offer an “out of this world pizza experience” with a Naples-style twist, Moon Slice's menu encompasses hearty, Italian-inspired appetisers like arancini balls and truffle mayo (65AED), baby squid in ink batter with spicy aioli (56AED), antipasti dishes including aglioe olio shrimps (78AED), salads, pasta, and the coveted Naples-style pizza that uses a dough with added milk and a 48-hour fermentation period, plus antipasti and a couple of salads.

Forma Dubai: Artisanal pizza hidden inside a library in Jumeirah

Inside the Al Safa Art & Design Library in Jumeirah 3, Forma is a Belhasa Hospitality venture that pairs handcrafted pizzas with specialty coffee in a setting that takes its cues from its surroundings. Books and artistic elements run through the space without feeling forced, giving the room a distinctive character without leaning too hard into the concept. It's an easy spot for a working lunch – free WiFi and free parking behind the building make it a practical choice in an area where both are in short supply.

The menu is concise and confident. Pizzas are the focus, and the range covers both familiar territory and more inventive ground. The Six Cheeses (65 AED) builds on a roasted garlic base with mozzarella, asiago, provolone, pecorino and parmesan crisp, finished with a ricotta foam that keeps the richness in check. The Miso Corn (85 AED) is the more unexpected option – flame-roasted corn, crispy onions, nachos and jalapeños with sour cream and miso delivering genuine depth without any meat. The Crispy Prawns starter (40 AED) with avocado dip and samyang sauce holds its own, and the pretzel-flavoured soft serve (30 AED) is a worth finishing on. Signature drinks include the Spicy Passion (39 AED) and the Hibiscus Watermelon (36 AED).

Pizzeria Funkcoolio: NYC-inspired Italian-Japanese pizza in Motor City

Chef Akmal Anuar's pizza counter inside Motor City's Neighbourhood Food Hall takes its cues from the New York slice shop format – counter service, whole 20-inch pies displayed behind glass, and individual slices available for solo diners alongside whole pies for groups. The concept carries an Itameshi thread (Italian-Japanese), though the influence shows more in the precision of execution and ingredient sourcing than in overt fusion combinations. It's a compact, no-frills setup within the food hall's communal seating, which suits the format well.

The menu centres on pizza, with a build-your-own pasta programme – four shapes, sauces spanning porcini, aglio e olio, pomodoro and veal ragù – on its way alongside homemade tiramisu. Of the pizzas tried, the Margherita slice (23 AED) showed a solid foundation: good chew, tangy tomato base, proper mozzarella. The Pepperoni slice (25 AED) came with well-rendered, properly curled cups of spiced meat. The Spicy Duck 10" (65 AED) was the standout – tender duck with considered heat, showing more range than the rest of the menu. Open daily from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m.; accessible by car, with parking in the vicinity of the food hall.

Yesterday Dubai: Wood-fired pizzeria and a listening room in Nad Al Sheba

Most pizza restaurants don't make you think about the sound system before the dough. Yesterday does. This Emirati-owned spot in Nad Al Sheba positions itself as a "listening pizzeria" – a concept where the hi-fi setup is as considered as the menu. Tall floor-standing speakers in custom wood-panelled cabinets anchor two corners of the room, the sound analogue and warm, programmed rather than streamed. The menu is deliberately tight: two starters and four wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas – Margherita (70 AED), Spicy Salami (80 AED), Burrata (85 AED) and Truffle Stracciatella (99 AED) – all built on San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte mozzarella or fresh stracciatella, fired in a deep red Pavesi oven from Modena that glows at the centre of the open kitchen.

The room earns its own attention: an olive green facade with porthole windows, concrete banquette seating, warm oak chairs, and mushroom-shaped table lamps that keep the lighting low and the mood right. The Truffle Stracciatella (99 AED) – bianca-based, finished with fresh stracciatella, Parmigiano and shaved fresh truffle – was the standout, earthy and rich without overplaying it. The Margherita (70 AED) showed proper Neapolitan char and a well-risen cornicione. At these prices, with this level of intent, Yesterday is a strong reason to make the drive to Nad Al Sheba. Well suited to date nights or small groups who appreciate the details.

Za Za: A by-the-slice pizza bar in Al Satwa

After making its debut as a pop-up at Sole DXB 2023, Za Za Slice Bar opened its doors here in Jumeirah Garden City in Satwa in late December 2023. A homegrown artisanal pizza brand by one of the same founders behind Rascal's Deli, this pizza place serves delicious, freshly-made pizza by the slice in a sleek, NYC-inspired setting complete with an epic (hip hop) playlist.

Small and cosy, it is the ideal place for a casual weeknight dinner, and it's open for walk-ins daily from 6 p.m. The menu features six tempting pizza creations, which are available by the slice or in 20-inch pies. Plus three types of fries, dips, and (pizza) toppers. There are also three delicious desserts to choose from.

Slice45 Abu Dhabi: Pizza by the slice and Italian bites in Al Khalidiya

The first permanent home for a brand that built its following through a cloud kitchen and a run of pop-ups, Slice45 sits inside Makani Khalidiya Garden at Al Khalidiya Park – a location with real personal significance for the founder, whose earliest food memories are rooted in this neighbourhood. The concept draws from time spent eating pizza by the slice in New York, and that influence runs through everything: a focused menu, generous portions, and prices that don't require much deliberation.

From the team behind Aptitude and ARC, the format covers starters, sharing plates, seven NY-style slices, and two desserts. Slices range from a classic tomato-and-cheese base (25 AED) to more layered options – the Raging Bull (35 AED) with pepperoni, burrata and spicy honey, the Umami Bomb (38 AED) with bacon jam, minced beef and jalapeños, and the Ribecca (40 AED) with slow-cooked ribs on a white base. Sharing plates lean into American-Italian territory: wagyu coppa, slow-cooked short ribs, labneh with Calabrian chilli. The Carbonara Croquettes (38 AED) – crispy, parmesan-laced, a personal riff on a childhood favourite – are worth ordering first. The room is compact and considered: deep burgundy tiles, terrazzo floors, a wall-length chalk menu, and a ceiling mural that pulls everything together. The menu is designed for sharing; ordering across several slices and a sharing plate or two is the approach.

Marmellata: A father and son led pizzeria in Abu Dhabi

Marmellata is a father and son-led neighbourhood pizzeria in Souq Al Mina. Charming and chintzy, this humble little restaurant first started life as a once-a-week pop-up, created by a New Yorker called Raj and his teenage son Sebastian. Intended as a family project to give his son some work experience, Marmellata quickly became the hottest pizzeria in the capital…

Now a quaint (and permanent) restaurant in Souq Al Mina, Marmaletta is open from Wednesdays through to Sundays from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. (or sell out). Serving its coveted pizza and focaccia creations to those in the know, the long dining room offers a dozen or so tables for small-medium groups.

Napo Pizzeria Al Qana: Authentic Neapolitan dining with canal views in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi's pioneering Neapolitan concept has evolved from its original Al Bateen location into this confident waterfront space at Al Qana. The founders' immersive travels through Naples inform every detail, from proper dough fermentation to the wood-fired cooking that produces pizza with genuine Italian character. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame canal views whilst the open kitchen creates theatre around the famous flaming cheese wheel pasta preparation.

The Diavola pizza showcases their approach: N'duja and spianata with buffalo mozzarella and San Marzano sauce on a thin, crisp base that demonstrates why this venue revolutionised Abu Dhabi's pizza landscape. The space handles everything from solo lunches to group dinners, with service that understands both quick business meals and leisurely weekend gatherings. Pizza orders during peak evening hours require patience, so consider ordering quickly or visit at the earliest dinner seating for a quieter vibe.

Za Za Abu Dhabi: A Dubai-born New York pizza slice bar at Al Qana

A Dubai-born brand that started as a Sole DXB pop-up before opening its first permanent home in Al Satwa, Za Za Slice brings its New York neighbourhood slice shop format to Al Qana's waterfront in Al Maqtaa – and it comes with one of the better views in the development: a terrace overlooking the marina and Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque. The interior takes its cues from classic American diner culture, with black-and-white checkerboard floors, red vinyl booths, sports memorabilia and a red neon "PIZZA SLICE BAR" sign glowing at the kitchen end.

The menu stays focused: individual slices from rotating 20-inch pies and whole 14-inch tavern pies, alongside meatballs, doughballs, a Caesar salad, and a short dessert selection. Slices range from the House Margherita and Pepp (25 AED) through to loaded options like the Alabama Smoke (29 AED) with pulled brisket and onion jam, and the Tartufo (28 AED) with truffle crema and confit garlic. The standout is The Red (28 AED): stracciatella over tomato sauce, threaded with house hot honey. Two slices and a drink lands comfortably under 70 AED. The venue is non-alcoholic and family-friendly. A casual weekday lunch, an easy family dinner, or a straightforward craving for New York-style pizza in Abu Dhabi – Za Za handles all three well.

Otaku Al Qana: Ceremonial matcha, specialty coffee and Japanese fusion food in Abu Dhabi

Whilst specialty coffee and ceremonial matcha take centre stage at this waterfront Abu Dhabi cafe, the truffle cheese pizza deserves recognition beyond its supporting role. Crafted with alfredo truffle sauce, mozzarella, fresh black truffle, and rosemary across four slices of sourdough base, it delivers aromatic comfort that pairs unexpectedly well with Otaku's specialty beverage programme. The minimalist Japanese-influenced design creates serene surroundings where pizza becomes part of a broader culinary experience rather than the sole focus.

The menu spans Japanese-fusion dishes from wagyu teppanyaki to sushi rolls, but the kitchen demonstrates proper attention to sourdough base preparation and quality toppings. Consider it for occasions when your group includes both pizza enthusiasts and those seeking alternative options, all delivered against Al Qana's waterfront views.

ARC: An open-air pavilion serving pizza and specialty coffee at the Louvre in Abu Dhabi

From the Emirati team behind Aptitude – and the same founders as Slice45 – ARC is an open-air pavilion within the Louvre Abu Dhabi grounds on Saadiyat Island. The structure is minimal: a rectangular concrete frame that glows amber at dusk, with terrace seating that invites lingering as the light softens over Saadiyat. It works for a post-museum pitstop, a casual dinner, or a family table in an unexpected setting.

The menu is compact and deliberate. Pizzas carry both Middle Eastern and international influences – the Saadiyat Special runs white sauce with beef, bacon jam, jalapeño, umami sauce and cowboy fries, while the Margherita keeps things straightforward with in-house red sauce, burrata, oregano and basil. The ARC Bite – eight-hour slow-cooked ribs on Hokkaido bread with pickled onion and house sauce – makes a strong starter. Coffee comes via QC Roastery, with ceremonial-grade matcha options alongside; note that milk-based drinks are oat milk only, with no dairy or other alternatives available. ARC operates outdoors only, making it a cooler-months destination – well suited to Dubai and Abu Dhabi's winter evenings. Open daily, 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Blu Pizzeria: Neapolitan wood-fired pizzas on Saadiyat Island

Blu Pizzeria is a Neapolitan pizza concept from Emirati entrepreneur Abdelrahman Alteneiji, expanding from its Dubai original to a waterfront spot at Sunrise Residences on Saadiyat Island. The menu is deliberately narrow – seven sourdough-based, wood-fired pizzas – with subtle Middle Eastern influences woven through the toppings rather than applied as a gimmick. Twin wood-fired ovens sit opposite each other behind the counter, fully visible from the dining room, with the flames doing their work throughout service. The space is minimal: exposed concrete walls softened by clusters of potted plants, generous glazing that gives most tables an unobstructed marina view, and a VIP area for groups.

The Short Ribs pizza (95 AED) is the standout – black Angus beef with caramelised onions and truffle white sauce, with the depth that comes from slow-cooked meat and a properly developed sourdough base. The Tartufo (95 AED) layers truffle paste, truffle oil and shaved truffle over aged cheese for something earthy and layered throughout. It's worth noting that pizza availability depends on daily production – items sell out when finished. Open weekdays from 4 p.m. and weekends from 12 p.m., with parking available in the basement or along the main road.

Antonia: A homegrown pizzeria on Mamsha Al Saadiyat

Chef Simone Federici's homegrown Italian restaurant on Mamsha Al Saadiyat has a story worth knowing before you order. Named after his grandmother – Nonna Antonia – the Roman-style square pizza is built on her 50-year-old sourdough starter, which Federici, the former head chef at Mare Mare, has carried into a full restaurant kitchen. The result is pizza with a distinct base: the long fermentation gives it structure and character that a younger dough simply doesn't produce. Antonia now has additional branches in Al Zeina and at Abu Dhabi International Airport.

The Mamsha location offers beach views and indoor and outdoor seating, with the al fresco terrace making a strong case for itself on a good weather day. Beyond pizza – available in signature, stuffed and classic formats – the menu is a full Italian spread: antipasti, pasta, mains, organic salads, sides and house-made gelato. The bar is fully licensed. The Burrata pizza (120 AED) with tomato sauce, creamy burrata and basil pesto is the one to order, and the house-made gelato – particularly the coconut – is among the better versions in Abu Dhabi. For a quicker visit, focaccia, pizza slices and desserts are available at the counter to grab and go.

Pitfire Pizza Abu Dhabi: Homegrown casual dining pizza restaurant on the waterfront

The Dubai-born pizza chain that spent over a decade refining its own answer to the pizza question – somewhere deliberately between Neapolitan and New York – has landed on Al Zahiyah's corniche with that same approach intact. The 72-hour fermented dough produces a crust that's well-structured and light, and the menu covers all the bases: signature pies in two sizes (10" and 15"), a build-your-own section, salads, sides, pasta, and desserts. Signature pizzas run from 52 AED to 94 AED for the 15" truffle options, sitting at a fair price point for the quality on offer. The drinks list is non-alcoholic.

The setting earns its own mention. Inside, black subway tiles, red leather booths, wood-beamed ceilings, and a wall of concert posters give the room a relaxed, slightly irreverent character. Outside, a terrace faces the water and the Abu Dhabi skyline – one of the more unexpectedly scenic pizza spots in the city. Standouts from the menu include the Truff Daddy 15" (94 AED) with black truffle paste, pecorino, brown mushrooms and caramelised onions finished with white truffle oil; the Queen B 10" (69 AED) with post-bake burrata, cherry tomatoes and balsamic; and Michele's Apple Pie (28 AED), a family recipe that closes the meal well. Good for groups, built for sharing.

Oro Pizzeria: Wood-fired Neapolitan pizzeria in Fujairah

For anyone making the drive to Fujairah, Oro Pizzeria is one of the more rewarding stops the emirate has to offer. A cherry-red Vespa just inside the entrance and a terracotta-domed wood-fire oven glowing behind the open counter set the tone immediately. The space is compact and warm: textured off-white walls, raised red-brick bench seating, bamboo reed panels, and a collection of clay pots suspended above the kitchen that gives the room an almost archaeological quality overhead.

The menu is intentionally tight – six wood-fired pizzas (46 to 74 AED), a short pasta section (38 to 46 AED), two salads, and a pair of desserts – with Italian classics sitting alongside regionally inspired options like the Musakhan Suprema, topped with chicken, caramelised onion, sumac and pine nuts. The Signature Short Ribs (74 AED) is the best seller and earns it: a beautifully blistered crust holding slow-cooked beef short rib sauce, parmesan and mozzarella, with a wood-smoke finish throughout. The Mince Melt Supreme (60 AED) brings well-seasoned keema and jalapeños with enough heat to give it its own character. Vegetarians are well looked after across most sections. At these prices, in a room with this much personality, it's an easy recommendation for a weekend lunch in Fujairah.