If you love pizza – and there is hardly anyone who doesn’t – you should check out these lesser-known eateries.
by Ravi Shet
Originally from Italy, pizzas – loaded with cheese and toppings – have always been a hit among Indians. Be it a birthday party or a farewell event, people are quick to order pizza – the more cheese, the tastier it becomes!
Since we love pizzas so much, here’s a list of 5 lesser-known pizza joints in Mumbai. Go ahead, satisfy that craving!
- Chilli Flakes, Dadar (East)
Situated near Five Gardens, this place is founded by Areez Patel in April 2011. They have been serving gourmet style 8”, 10” and 12”pizzas to their customers on all days from 11 am to 11 pm. Their Santa Fe Veg Pizza (Rs 190 for 8”) topped with tortilla chips, onion, roasted pepper, tomato, roasted garlic and coriander and Pesto Shrimp and Chicken Pizza (Rs 260 for 8”) with alfredo pesto sauce on the base and topped with bell pepper, mushroom, chicken, chilli garlic shrimp are really worth the price.
- Laziz Pizza, Lower Parel
This outlet founded in March 2014 is at a walkable distance from Lower Parel railway station and opposite Peninsula 
Corporate Park. They serve fresh pan based pizzas in 6”, 8” and 10” sizes along with the option of thin crust pizzas from 10 am to 10 pm, except for Saturdays. Laziz-E-Super Veg Pizza (Rs 160 for 6”) – loaded with cheese, baby corn, black olive, sweet corn, onion and capsicum and Laziz-E-Hurricane Pizza (Rs 220 for 6”) consisting of cheese, chicken tikka, spicy chicken keema and onion are really worth trying. Also they have a Make-Your-Own-Pizza option, called the Laziz-E-Special Farmaish priced at Rs 200 for 6”. Sagar Shah, franchise owner says that evenings are busy affairs on Fridays and Sundays, along with regular delivery orders by people working in the corporate park.
- Pizza Box, Vile Parle (East)
Founded by four women – Uma Joshi, Vaishali Samant (playback singer of Aika Dajiba fame), Kirti Joshi and Sarita Dande – in November 2014, this place has been an instant hit among the people residing in the area. Located at Hanuman Road near ICICI Bank, this place is open on all days from 11 am to 11.30 pm and serves 7”, 9”and 12” pizzas. Their Pahadi Chicken Pizza (Rs 275 for 7”) consisting of chicken in green chutney, onion and capsicum and Balsamic Mushroom Pizza (Rs 250 for 7”) loaded with mushrooms in balsamic reduction are seriously yummy. The Paneer Peri-Peri Cone (Rs 50) is a pizza made into cone shape and stuffed with paneer, onion and capsicum. Uma says, “Our Millet Sprout Pizza and Millet Chicken Pizza with the bajra base is a new addition to the menu, especially for health conscious people.”
- Pizza Cafe, Khar (West)
This place was founded by father-daughter duo Ali Charania and Shabana Charania in May 2015, and it is located off 
Linking Road next to Den. It is open on all days from 11 am to 11 pm serving 7”, 9’ and 11” pizzas. The Pav Bhaji Pizza (Rs 390 for 9”) is a double decker pizza soaked in butter, vegetables, masala and onion and Lucknow Chicken Keema (Rs 275 for 7”) loaded with chicken keema, onion, tomato, capsicum, cheese and coriander are gastronomical delights. Shabana says, “The evenings and late nights are busy, especially on weekends.”
- 1 Tablespoon, Matunga
This place situated behind Aurora theatre has been serving its customers 100% vegetarian pizzas from August 2012. They serve only 11” pizzas in Artisanal and Italian crusts. Blowing Fire (Rs 350 for Italian crust) having tomato sauce at the base and topped with green capsicum, onions, mushrooms, jalapenos, cheese and tandoori paneer and Fiamma Pizza (Rs 310 for Artisanal crust) having tomato sauce at the base and topped with crispy onions, cheese, chilli flakes and green chillies are my best picks here. Varun Sheth, owner of the eatery, says, “This restaurant started out with passion and love for pizzas. Rather than keeping more options, we have stuck to a simple menu so that we can deliver consistently in terms of taste and experience to our customers.”