Newcomer Ahava Serves Flavorsome American-Style Slices

Ahead of this year's Pizza Cup and Festival, we are serving up bite-sized details about this year's participants in a series we call Pizza Mania. Today we take a look at the wares of a relative newcomer to the pizza party – Ahava.

Nestled in the corner of U Hotel just north of 798 Art District is the second branch of sandwich, salad, and now pizza joint Ahava. Aiming to promote their relatively new venture as a pizza restaurant, Ahava has joined our Pizza Cup, bringing delectable pizza pies to both 798 and the west gate of UIBE.

The target audience is an international clientele, from those who want to chat with friends for an afternoon to a relaxed business lunch atmosphere. Western (predominantly American-style) sandwiches and salads as well as Vietnamese iced coffee and other international flavors are featured in the menu. The pepperoni (Ahava's signature pizza) and Hawaiian pizzas, as well as house favorites the Ahava Burger and the pulled pork burrito, are all available for a special discounted price as part of our Pies for the People campaign (the promotion lasts until Nov 7).

The pizza itself is generous with toppings; on the Hawaiian, which is presented on a wooden board á la Italia, the sweetness of the pineapple balances the salty slices of ham. While the style is distinctly American – the crust is thicker and doughier than Italian pizzas, and the generous toppings make for a filling pizza – the flavors are full and complimentary. A side of Vietnamese coffee is just sweet and refreshing enough to round off the meal and the service is satisfyingly quick and friendly.

“We want it to be a place people can chill out for the day. Good food is only a part of that – we try to create a relaxed atmosphere where you can stay and have a coffee, work for an afternoon or just enjoy the sun by the park in our outside terrace,” the manager explains.

Extremely competitive prices are also one of the most attractive features of Ahava; a filling 9-inch pizza is only RMB 32 and a 14-inch at RMB 50. The food here is unpretentious and family-friendly – go for the pizza, stay for the great service and chilled setting.

Did that whet your appetite? Then click here to continue nibbling all of our tasty Pizza Mania coverage.

Tickets are now on sale for our October 15-16 Pizza Fest at the Zaha Hadid-designed Wangjing SOHO. Tickets are limited so buy ahead to make sure you don't miss out! Click here to purchase.