The best pizza places in Barcelona (approved by an Italian pizza lover)

An Italian abroad will always have homesickness. Although I thought I was an exception, after having lived several months abroad, I had the confirmation that for one thing I am similar to all the others. One thing that probably the 99.9% of Italians abroad have in common: pizza nostalgia. "The real” pizza: with high crust, tasty tomato sauce and melted cheese, the one that bring tears to your eyes. The lovers of this type of pizza, like me, know how difficult it is to find it; not only abroad but also in Italy (except for Naples).

I lived in Barcelona for a year. A cosmopolitan, young and multi-ethnic city. From the gastronomic point of view, Barcelona is the perfect city both for lovers of traditional Spanish cuisine and for those who are always looking for the latest culinary trend. You can find restaurants of all kinds, including many Italian restaurants with very unoriginal names like "Pomodoro" or "Margherita". However, I found for you the best pizza places in town, modern and trendy, but above all with a mouth-watering pizza.

Dirty Office Pizza is one of my favorites, both for the place’s atmosphere and for the quality of the products used. As the name suggests, it is a restaurant set up as an old office; with desks, books and black and white paintings. Definitely one of the most romantic pizza place in which I’ve ever been. The menu offers "Italian tapas", fresh pasta and of course, pizza. Dirty Office has adopted the gourmet pizza concept, now in vogue in Italy but very little developed abroad. They make sourdough pizza, with the possibility of choosing between classic or multi-cereal dough. The offer of the pizzas meets both the most traditional and the most creative tastes, always using high quality products.

My favorite? The Top Secret with mozzarella fior di latte, onion, tuna tataki and yellow tomatoes confit. Something indescribable, the masterfully pan-seared tuna melts in the mouth and combines perfectly with the well-leavened dough and the delicate flavor of mozzarella. The proof of the pudding is in the eating! Try to resist and take a picture before eating, the presentation and colors are fantastic.

Frakie Gallo Cha cha cha, a name that it’s not so easy to forget. Located in Raval district, just a few minutes’ walk from La Rambla, is a spacious and basic restaurants. A perfect place for having dinner with friends; the menu for groups is a real deal and allows to try a wide variety of appetizers, pizzas and desserts with drinks included. The pizza is prepared with stone-ground flour and mother yeast, left to rest for 72 hours. The ingredients used are sophisticated and of high quality. You can also find excellent organic wines and craft beers to accompany to your pizza. For lazy people, this pizzeria also offers home delivery service.

My choice? “La Brutal” with mozzarella, scamorza, burrata, smoked salmon and bottarga. An explosion of flavors. The three cheeses used balance the bottarga and salmon sapidity. The quality of products is well recognizable and the dough is light due to the long leavening.

With two restaurants in Barcelona, ​​Parking Pizza is one of the most popular pizza place, especially among locals. The shabby chic design is original, youthful and unique. It is a colloquial restaurant, where you can feel like home and where even your furry friends are allowed. But be careful! They do not accept reservations, so if you are not very patient, I suggest you order your pizza at home and enjoy it on the sofa in front of a nice TV series.

You will not find a large variety of pizzas to choose from, but as we say in Italy "few but good".

My most frequent choice? The N. 0 with stracciatella, cherry tomatoes, rosemary and extra pesto. Simple flavors that I never get tired of. Here you will find high-quality products and a tasty but easily digestible dough.