Revealing our pick of the best pizza in Dubai is a risky business.

Stuffed crust. Barbecue base. Chicago-style. Pineapple (shudders). However you like your slice, there’s a pizza for every taste – no matter how evil the combination.

Luckily, here at Time Out Dubai, we’ve eaten more than our fair share of slices to have a very informed opinion on this.

So, without further ado, here are the best spots in town:

Akiba Dori

One of the funkiest pizza joints on this list, Akiba Dori serves up proper Tokyo-style pizzas with deliciously crispy crusts and super-fresh toppings. Try the truffle strata which is topped with basil, shimeji mushrooms, truffle stracciatella and a generous glug of olive oil. A colourful mix with a flavour punch to boot. Order it for lunch, dinner or on delivery – either way, you’ll be wiping cheese off your chin with a smile.

Various locations. akibadori.com (04 770 7949).

Blu Pizzeria

Before you begin your subsequent heated discussion about the best pizza in Dubai, we suggest you head down to Blu Pizzeria at Umm Suqeim Harbour. Producing the perfect kind of soppy-in-the-middle Neapolitan pizzas with blistered woodfired crusts, these beauties are also crafted from sourdough, making them super fancy at the same time. Its compact menu comprises just a small selection of pizzas, but every one of them is superbly good. As far as we’re concerned, the margo – San Marzano tomatoes, fior di latte cheese, EVOO, basil – is the absolute pinnacle of this pizzeria’s offering. A real belter of a classic, delivered via the medium of Blu’s thin, crisp bases and bloated, blistered crusts.

Open Mon-Thu 6pm-midnight, Fri-Sun noon-1am. Umm Suqeim Harbour, Jumeirah 3, instagram.com/blupizzeria (050 812 6406).

Bread Ahead

Mainly recognised for its filled doughnuts, Bread Ahead is quite renowned for its sourdough pizza. The dough undergoes a long fermentation process which enhances the flavour and texture, resulting in a light, airy, and crispy crust. With a variety of toppings, this pizza stands out as some of the best in the city.

Mall of the Emirates, City Centre Mirdif, DIFC breadahead.com

Bussola Pizzeria

While pizza preference always has and always will be deeply personal, we think we can all agree that Bussola is one of the best pizzerias in Dubai. It’s definitely stood the test of time, after all. Erring on the side of thin, olive-oil slick bases rather than doughy Neapolitan pizzas, this pretty pizzeria sits atop the main Bussola restaurant boasting unspoiled views of the Arabian Gulf, with an equally excellent selection of starters and salads to share.

Open daily noon-4pm, 6pm-11pm. The Westin Dubai Mina Seyahi Beach Resort & Marina, Dubai Marina, bussoladubai.com (04 511 7373).

Carluccio’s

If you want more of a relaxed post-shopping pizza, then head over to Carluccio’s. This old-school Italian restaurant chain has multiple locations throughout Dubai. Its Dubai Mall branch boasts views of Downtown Dubai, including The Dubai Fountain and Burj Khalifa, while other branches at Arabian Ranches and Dubai Marina Mall specialise in Piedmont-style cuisine. With an extensive menu that features a dedicated gluten-free section, pizza-lovers will find a wide selection of options available.

Various locations. carlucciosme.com.

Ciao Bella

Ciao Bella at the Media One Hotel in Dubai offers an extensive pizza menu that most pizza-lovers will appreciate. The restaurant offers a range of traditional Italian-style pizzas including Margherita, quattro formaggi, and capriccioso, as well as some unique creations such as the pesto e salsiccia pizza, which features a creamy pesto sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Italian sausage. All pizzas are made with fresh ingredients and cooked in a traditional wood-fired oven, ensuring a crispy crust.

Open daily 7am-midnight. Media One Hotel, Media City (04 427 1000).

Cipriani

An incredibly glamorous restaurant perfect for doing incredibly glamorous things like dining on a cheesy slice while donning Louboutins, Cipriani is a place you’ll never have to settle. The pizza Valtellina with bresaola and rucola is a stealer of hearts. With slices of bresaola, raw beef cured by salting and air-drying and tossed in olive oil, lemon juice, and pepper dressing – it is simply an authentic Italian delight done right. Add to that the bitter freshness of rucola and it’s perfectly balanced.

Open daily noon-midnight. Cipriani, Gate Village 10, DIFC, ciprianidubai.com (04 347 0003).

Fi’lia

The all-women-led restaurant is a perfect spot to grab a slice. The Mediterranean-Italian restaurant has its very own pizza oven and offers a selection of both classic and special pizzas with margheritas, burrata and bresaola and more. Plus you can watch the pizzaiolos create their masterpieces right in front of your eyes.

Open daily noon-3.30pm, 6pm-midnight. SLS Dubai Hotel & Residences, Business Bay. (04 607 0770).

Il Borro Tuscan Bistro

Everything at Il Borro is superb (the Italian has won many a Time Out Dubai Restaurant Award) but the truffle pizza is a must. It’s decadent and delicious – think perfectly cooked dough, cheesy goodness and generous shavings of Umbrian black truffle that you can smell before it even hits the table. Forget the awkward moment where everyone politely declines the last slice of one of the best pizzas in Dubai – you’ll be fighting for it.

Open daily noon-3.30pm, 6.30pm-11.30pm. Jumeirah Al Naseem, Umm Suqeim (04 275 2555).

Il Passaggio

Il Passaggio at The Pointe on Palm Jumeirah offers some pretty unique pizza dishes. The pizzas there are more than enough to share and offer an elevated take on the classic dish. We love the signature “Il Passagio” which is loaded with bresaola, grilled artichoke, rocket, mozzarella and shavings of black summer truffle it manages to be fresh and earthy simultaneously. A grown-up, exciting pizza befitting of its setting – after all, you’ll be watching the Guinness World Record-breaking Palm Fountain while you dig into it.

Open Sun-Thu 9am-11pm, Fri-Sat 9am-midnight. East Pavillion Mall, Jumeirah Park (04 554 7811).

Jamie Oliver’s Pizzeria

As expected from a pizzeria behind one of the world’s most famous chefs, Jamie Oliver’s makes the kind of pizza you’ll crave for no reason. It could be a random Tuesday afternoon, and those bold simple flavours that sit atop traditional doughy bases will pop straight into your head. Popular with a steady stream of office workers who have claimed this JLT spot as their favourite lunch location, book ahead to avoid disappointment.

Open daily 8am-10pm. Cluster R, JLT (04 874 7082).

‌L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele

L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele is probably the most famous pizza chain in the world. Hailing from Naples, hungry tourists queue from 10.30am to be first through the door at its original Italian location, with tickets issued to diners to ensure that the restaurant doesn’t get too busy. Luckily for us, the Dubai branches is just as tasty. We’ll probably get some flak for this, but you don’t need to order anything other than the margarita, which is the perfect ratio of marinara to cheese. If it’s good enough for Julia Roberts in Eat, Prey, Love, it’s good enough for us.

Various locations. (04 224 0040).

Larte Ristorante

The Mediterranean-focused restaurant Larte has an extensive range of pizzas including classics, vegetarian, vegan, seafood and meaty options. The four-cheese pizza, for example, is a super authentic and super fancy pizza made with all the frills including mozzarella, gorgonzola, ricotta cheese, and burrata. Yes, we know it’s not the only four-cheese pizza in town, but we know what we like, and that makes us extra good at judging.

Open Sun-Thu 6.30am-1am, Fri-Sun 7am-1am. Studio One Hotel, (04 5816870).

Luigia

Some of the very best pizzas in Dubai are the ones that let the freshest ingredients do all the talking. And not only are the pizzas at Luigia vocal about their cheesy slices, but they also walk the talk too. Highlights include the Linosa, topped with homemade tomato sauce, fior di latte, aubergine, salted ricotta, basil and Grana Padano, the Smeralda with buffalo mozzarella, baby tomatoes, ricotta and bottarga but we love the signature classic margarita pizza topped with tomato sauce, fior di latte and basil.

Open Mon-Thurs 5.30pm-midnight, Sat-Sun 12.30pm-midnight. Rixos Premium Hotel JBR, JBR, luigia.ae (04 349 6950).

Monno

For Dubai diners who like their pizza prepared in a Neapolitan style, head down to the artisanal Italian eatery Monno Ristorante in Jumeirah, where handmade pizzas are prepared using fresh Italian ingredients and recipes passed down through generations. From only using San Marzano tomatoes to importing artisanal Italian cheeses, Monno’s pizzas are made using ingredients that are flown in from Italy each week. Monno’s must-try pizzas include the salamino di wagyu with spicy wagyu beef salami and smoked mozzarella, as well as the burrata pizza with double tomato sauce, fresh basil, creamy burrata and extra virgin olive oil – both of which are best-sellers at the restaurant.

Open daily from noon-midnight. Al Wasl Road, Jumeirah 1 (04-3322255).

‌Moon Slice

If you like your cheese with a side of pizza, even one slice at Moon Slice will make you incredibly happy. A Dubai pizzeria that’s well worth going down Al Wasl Rd for, this culinary concept from Emirati restaurateur Mahmood Al Khamis, who collaborated on the menu with renowned chef Reif Othman, comes with a menu of unique combinations and seriously limited seating. Its Naples-style pizzas are built on a 48-hour fermentation process before being tossed, topped and fired at 380°C. You can most certainly tell.

Open daily noon-midnight. Dar Wasl Mall, Al Wasl Rd, instagram.com/moonslicepizza (050 695 9733).

‌Motorino Pizzeria

Originally known for serving up the best pizza in New York, a meal down at Motorino sure doesn’t disappoint. You’ll find plenty of great deals down at this JBR joint, including a three-hour brunch with free-flowing pizza on Friday and Saturday nights as well as Sunday afternoons. It’s also prime for date night between 5pm and 8pm on Friday to Sunday with belly-busting offers for couples. The best bit? The pizzeria opened its terrace at the end of last year, making it a great spot in more clement weather.

Open Sun-Thu noon-11pm, Fri-Sat noon-midnight. JA Ocean View Hotel, The Walk JBR, motorinodubai.com (056 216 5027).

One Life

Every weekend, One Life JVC gives you a free pizza with every pizza you order. Whether you’re throwing a pizza party, choosing to stay in with Deliveroo, or planning a chill night out, nothing like double the amount of pizza to double your joy. With flavours like Margherita to mushrooms, mozzarella, and truffle, you can expect a wood-fired oven pizza made with 24-hour fermented dough. The buy-one-get-one free on Neapolitan pizzas is only available on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Daily from 8am-10pm. Hive Coliv, Jumeirah Village Circle, JVC (04 456 9859).

Piatti By The Beach

Italian beachside destination, Piatti by the Beach, draws inspiration from the Amalfi Coast and Positano. Try the incredible selection of pizzas, but most importantly the very boujie Norcia black truffle pizza. It’s done so well that it’s hailed the shining star of the venue and will transport you straight to the Amalfi coast.

Open daily 12.30pm-11.30pm. Piatti By The Beach, Raffles The Palm, (04 248 8889).

Pinza

When it comes to pizza toppings, we think the more the better. And if you order the Shrooms from Pinza, you’ll barely be able to see the base for the sliced Portobello mushrooms. The pizzas here are meant to be healthier than usual (due to their light dough fermentation process), but as we cover ours in chili oil and Parmesan, we don’t think it quite works out that way. Totally worth it, however, for one of the best pizzas in Duba

Various locations. Order online on pinza.com (0800 74692).

Pitfire

One of the most famous pizza joints in town, a Time Out Dubai Restaurant Awards winner and an absolute top pick at Time Out Market Dubai, Pitfire is a go-to every time for some of the best pizzas in Dubai. Our pick from a tasty list is the classic pepperoni. The crust is puffy, the base is sturdy enough to handle the rich toppings, without being heavy, and you’ll get the perfect cheese pull every time. A proper New York pizza, the pepperoni is spicy and tasty, while there’s more than enough mozzarella to keep cheese fans happy. Sprinkle it with Parmesan and chili flakes, dip the crusts into the signature garlic mayo and you’re grinning.

Multiple locations. Order online on pitfiredubai.ae (800 748 3473).

Pizza Express

Okay, so this might not be the most artisanal pizzeria of them all, but there’s something a little comforting about Pizza Express. Do yourself a favour and order the burrata pizza. This 1965 classic pizza base, is adorned with burrata cheese, golden and red cherry tomatoes, black olives and tomato sauce and finished with fresh basil and chili oil. The classics do it best sometimes.

Various locations, pizzaexpress.ae.

‌Pulcinella Restaurant

A popular neighbourhood pizzeria for residents of Dubai Sports City, Pulcinella is a casual kind of place that’s open ‘til late. While its enticing range of pasta tries its best to steal the show, the real magic here lies in the thin and crispy pizzas, boasting crusts that come with the right balance of flop and crunch, and tomato sauce that’s a little bit sweet and good enough to eat with a spoon. We won’t judge if you do.

Open daily 11am-midnight. Canal Residence, Dubai Sports City, pulcinelladubai.com (04 277 6281).

Rossovivo Artisan Pizza

The clue is in the name of Rossovivo. You won’t find any run-of-the-mill pizzas in this joint – these are pizzas that are artisan all the way. A thin and sloppy centre plays host to a perfectly fresh tomato base and a puffy, slightly charred crust, while they also travel well and are among some of the best takeaway options we’ve tried. For toppings like buffalo mozzarella, zucchini, aubergine and burrata, run, don’t walk, to Business Bay stat.

Various locations. Order online on rossovivo.com (04 380 5833).

Scalini

Looking for something a little more high-end? Scalini, at the Four Seasons Resort on Jumeirah Beach Road, draws inspiration from ancient Italian recipes to offer a more focused pizza selection. The chefs there prioritise premium ingredients and often prepare the dishes in front of diners. We love a couple on this menu, including the carpaccio pizza, featuring crispy carasau bread, thinly-sliced raw beef, mustard, rucola, and extra truffle shavings if you want to take your pizza experience to the next level.

Open daily noon-midnight. Scalini, Jumeirah, (04 349 0068).

The Artisan

This charming Italian restaurant is a top spot for a date night – and if your date happens to love pizza, then get ready for serious brownie points. A chic DIFC joint, The Artisan’s pizza selection is excellent. The pizzas are made from 72-hour fermented dough for an extra crunchy, crispy and light base. We particularly love the Calabrian salami-topped Salame Piccante, so be ready with a bottle of water for the table. Topped with aubergine, Pecorino Romano cheese and more than a sprinkling of parsley, make this a meal to remember and one that pizza fans will rave about.

Open Sun-Thu noon-10.30pm Fri-Sat noon-11.30pm. Waldorf Astoria DIFC (04 338 8133).

Torno Subito

Torno Subito’s margherita is turned up a notch thanks to the beautiful tang of its San Marzano tomato base. Crowned with buffalo mozzarella, oregano and fresh basil (which no pizza worth its dough can be without) it’s a top slice from a world-famous name.

Open daily noon-3pm, 6.30pm-11pm. W Dubai – The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 245 5555).

‌Trattoria by Cinque

It’s virtually impossible to resist the gravitational pull of Trattoria by Cinque – partly because of its funky bistro-style interiors, and partly because it’s the best place for pizza in JVC. Serving up a gourmet menu devised by chef Mauro Di Leo, pizzas here will take you on a culinary tour of Italy’s best cities, from the fresh Red Mazara prawns on the Sicilia to the delicious yellow Vesuvio tomato sauce from Naples. And that’s before we even mention the equally lively atmosphere for those who want to stick around for a party.

Open daily 6.30am-11am, noon-midnight. FIVE Jumeirah Village, (04 455 9989).

Via Toledo

Located at Address Beach Resort with views of Ain Dubai, head over to Via Toldeo to try pizza made by a champion pizzaiolo. Order one of its Neapolitan-style pizzas. We’re rather partial to the traditional Margherita verace, made with tomato sauce, fiordilatte, basil and evo oil. If you want to splurge, try the world’s first pizza to feature Alba white truffle. The Dhs2,900 pizza is the creation of chef Francesco Calo, who leads the team at Via Toledo.

Open daily noon-2am. Address Beach Resort, viatoledo.ae (050 545 9278).

Za Za Slice

Fancy New York-style artisanal pizza by the slice? Located in Jumeirah Garden City, a.k.a New Satwa, Za Za Slice offers you a chance to take a seat at the bar and order pizza by the slice from a selection of different flavours. The menu offers up six types of pizza, bar snacks and desserts. You’ll get the classics, like the ‘house Margherita’ and ‘the pepp’ made with pepperoni and some specials like ‘the red’, which is a tomato pizza topped with stracciatella and hot honey, and ‘the Alabama’, a brisket pizza with pickled onions, onion jam and Alabama barbeque drizzle.

Tue-Sun 6pm-midnight. South Heights Tower A , Shop 04, Jumeirah Garden City @zazaslice

Zest

If you’re looking for a fancy pizza in a gorgeous setting, you’ll love the selection at Zest at One&Only The Palm. A master pizzaiolo will prepare freshly baked pizzas right before your eyes, so it’s basically a slice with a show. Whether you want a classic Margherita or a bougie burrata-topped pizza, you can enjoy your slice with pretty views of the resort and a glass of red.

Daily from 7am-11pm. One&Only The Palm, Palm Jumeirah (04 440 1010)