14 of the Best Pizzas in Shanghai

Pizza: one of life's great necessities. Here's a bunch of places that do it right in Shanghai.

* = Places that offer delivery

1. Topolino by Pizza Street*
Pizza by the slice and Yongkang Lu – goes together like a horse and carriage, no? Well, maybe not so much now that half the bars there have been ordered to close. Luckily the delivery game at this place is on point, slinging out pies to residents in Luwan, Xujiahui, Jing'an and the former French Concession. Catch their extra special deal every Monday that clinches you two pizzas for RMB100 (WeChat orders only).
Topolino by Pizza Street, 27 Yongkang Lu, by Jiashan Lu (WeChat ID: Pizza-delivery-sh, also available via Sherpa's)

2. Pizza Street*
Fun fact: Pizza Street and Topolino's pizzas are the same. The product of a delicious coalition with Pizza Street chef Joel Street (real name btw) and The Camel Group (who own Topolino by Pizza Street), the former delivers pies for residents in Jing'an, Changning and Hongkou every day from 11am-10pm, with prices from RMB58 for a 9-incher. All pizzas are customizable too – add toppings like extra mozzarella, bacon and jalapenos for RMB10 each because you're worth it.
Pizza Street WeChat ID: Pizza-delivery-sh), Room 103, 477 Aomen Lu.

3. New York Style Pizza*
Another place to do pizza by the slice at their locations around town, New York Style Pizzas do exactly what they say on the tin. Expect a lot of pepperoni action, deep crust, plenty of cheese and generous portions.
Check our listing for various locations.

4. Pizza Express*
Trustworthy, relaxed and there in your hour of need, PizzaExpress is the golden retriever of Italian restaurants. We love their classic pizzas (and the thin crust 'Romano' ones too), particularly their 'Trifolata' pizza with wild mushrooms, garlic, rosemary and truffle oil.
Check our listing for various locations.

5. Nene
Cozy, authentic, good quality. There's a lot to like about this Italian restaurant in the former French Concession, which serves proper Italian 13-inch thin and crusty pizzas. Choose from toppings like Brie, speck, meatballs, pork lardons, buffalo mozzarella and more, or opt for a 'white' pizza (no tomato sauce) like their zucchini, sausage and mozzarella number.
Nene (delivery available via Sherpa's), No.106, 47 Yongfu Lu, by Fuxing Lu.

6. Gemma
Occupying a prime bit of real estate on leafy Donghu Lu, Gemma's pizzas are hefty and topped with imported fresh ingredients like straciatella, arugula and Italian ham. Our favorite is the signature 'Gemma' pizza, but the 'Pesto' (they're not terribly inventive with names) pizza with its nutty pesto genovese base is a very close second.

Gemma, 20 Donghu Lu, by Huaihai Zhong Lu.

7. Mammamia! Trattoria

High-end Italian restaurant Capo owner/chef Enzo Carbone launched cheap and cheerful Mammamia! Trattoria last spring as a more cost-effective option for classic Italian comfort food. We're huge fans of their char-pocked crusts and generously cheesy pizzas that come in under RMB100 – in fact the cheapest is a mere RMB58.
Mammamia! Trattoria, 2F, 1333 Huaihai Zhong Lu, by Changshu Lu.

8. Sale & Pepe
Nothing gets pizza people going like a good wood-fired pizza, and this cozy Italian joint in Pudong has it on lock. Their pizzas are generous and don't skimp on the cheese either. They've also got a great lunch deal for RMB98 that includes soup, pizza, salad, a drink and their dessert buffet.
Sale & Pepe, 31 Chang Yi Lu, by Jimo Lu.

9. Mercato
Who says pizza can't be fancy? This chic Italian restaurant at Three on the Bund has sweeping river views and some seriously good food to match. The pizzas here focus on luxurious ingredients, like our long-time favorite – the black truffle, farm egg and three cheese guy. We're literally salivating just thinking about this pizza.
Mercato, 6/F, 3 Zhong Shan Dong Yi Lu, by Guangdong Lu.

10. D.O.C.
A top contender in the That's Shanghai Food & Drink Awards over the past years, D.O.C. stands for 'Denominazione di origine controllata,'  ('Controlled designation of origin'), which is a swanky way of saying that they use the finest imported ingredients and do it like they do back in the old country.
D.O.C, 5 Dongping Lu, by Hengshan Lu.

11. Palatino
One of the few restaurants in Shanghai to serve Roman-style cuisine, Palatino has a loyal following of diners who dig their no-nonsense food, well-priced wines and homey atmosphere. True to Roman-style pizzas, Palatino's pies have extra crispy crusts and toppings like black truffle and gorgonzola cheese.  

Palatino, No 7, 434 Changle Lu, by Maoming Lu.

12. La Vite
Another cozy Italian restaurant with a fervent army of followers, La Vite is one of the few restaurants in Shanghai to have avoided being labeled 'overpriced.' Leaving fancified Italian food to their competitors, this place focuses on feel good eats like tortellini, cold cuts, caprese salad and of course, hearty pizzas.
La Vite, 247-2 Wulumuqi Zhong Lu, by Wuyuan Lu.

13. Bella Napoli
Image via dianping

A restaurant that's stood the test of time in the notoriously savage Shanghai F&B scene, Bella Napoli's classic margherita pizzas are a beautiful thing. This is our go-to place when we want crispy crust, fresh tomato sauce base, fresh basil leaves and fat circles of mozzarella.
Check our listing for various locations.

14. Melrose Pizza*
It ain't fancy, it ain't 'authentic Italian,' it's just good, honest pizza pies delivered to your house from 9-5am since 1998. That's right, there's literally only four hours a day where these guys aren't making pizza. We like the 'Peppy Pepperoni' (hot sauce, chilli, pepperoni) available in 10- to 15-inch sizes from RMB70-140.
melrosepizza.com

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