It seems that we’ve come a long way in terms of appreciating what makes a good pizza, and more and more Canberrans are fast become pizza connoisseurs. Our hospitality scene is certainly taking note, with plenty of places now offering handmade, woodfired pizzas with great bases and restrained amounts of traditional toppings (less is more, right?).

Here’s our ‘Top 10’ list of places to grab an authentic, fight-you-for-the-last-slice, pizza!

Briscola Pizzeria | Civic
Awarded ‘2015 Best Italian Restaurant’ at the ACT Savour Awards, Briscola offers an authentic, seasonal approach to the food traditions of Italy (including pizza, of course!). We can’t go past their signature ‘Briscola’ pizza, which is topped with mozzarella, salami, gorgonzola, caramelised onions, chilli and fresh rocket.

Bentham Street Bar N’ Pizza | Yarralumla
If you like your cheese, head to Yarralumla’s favourite pizzeria and try their ‘Five Cheese’ pizza – it’s loaded with bocconcini, blue, feta and mozzarella, on top of a crème fraiche base. You’ll be feeling as cheesy as a Backstreet Boys music video afterwards!

Bicicletta | New Acton
When you hear Bicicletta’s pizza chefs speaking (and singing) to each other in Italian, you know their pizza’s going to be good! The ‘Salsiccia e Porcini’ pizza is not to be missed – can you really say no to pork sausage, sopressa, porcini mushroom, and gorgonzola? Didn’t think so.

Provini | Civic
With its homely, traditional fit-out (including floral carpets), Canberra’s newest Italian hotspot takes pizza so seriously that the kitchen even has a room dedicated to dough. For a lighter pizza option, try their ‘Contadina’ with fresh ricotta, zucchini and rosemary.

Pizza Gusto | Braddon
There’s nothing quite like sitting outside Pizza Gusto on a sunny afternoon, biting into a thin crust ‘Truffle Funghi’ pizza, and watching all the movers-and-shakers of Lonsdale Street go by. And with the option to BYO drinks, you might be settling in for more than just one pizza!

Da Bronx | Forde
If you’ve got a hankering for a slice of proper New York style pizza, head north to Da Bronx for one of their 18-inch jumbo pizzas (which, much like the Costco pizzas, probably won’t fit in your oven!). The menu has plenty of options, but it’s hard to go past the OG flavours like Pepperoni and Margarita.

Pizza Arte | Kingston
Starting life as a family-run backyard pizza shop and still going strong, Pizza Arte is one of Canberra’s best-kept secrets. Adopt their motto of ‘life’s too short to eat bad pizza’ and sink your teeth into the ‘Michael’s Special’, topped with anchovies, olives, oregano and mushrooms.

10” Custom Pizzeria | Braddon
Adding to The Hamlet’s diverse range of food offerings, 10” Custom Pizzeria boast some insanely hot 400-degree ovens, which will cook your pizza in under three minutes. Pizza doesn’t come more customised than this – you can choose your sauce, your cheese and all of your toppings (including Peking duck, slow roasted lamb shoulder and San Daniele prosciutto), which is great if you’re picky about your pizza!

Locale | Deakin
Bringing a bit of style, pizzazz, and pizza to Deakin shops, Locale is a relaxed venue that truly celebrates authentic Italian cuisine. Their gluten-free bases are made from everyone’s favourite gluten-free grain (quinoa, of course!) and they also have a range of Pizza Bianca, such as the ‘Rustica’ (potato, fior di latte, Italian sausage, rosemary, gorgonzola and truffle oil).