When you’re gluten-intolerant, a pizza baby is the least of your concerns after a bit of pizza indulgence. What’s more pressing are the cramps, the knowledge that you have partially killed your intestine, and the crazy itchy hives. Or you just don’t eat pizza which is pretty torturous as well.
If you relate to this, then it’s time to rejoice. We’ve scouted some of the best gluten-free pizza joints in Melbourne for when you need that cheesy wood-fired fix, sans the suffering.
Son Of A Pizzaiolo
875 High St, Thornbury
The gluten-free pizza recipes probably weren’t passed down through the family like most of the other recipes here at SOP, but they’re just as good. For $3 extra you can experience a crisp and chewy base, the stuff of your GF dreams. They don’t skimp on the toppings here either: expect to see generous (yet perfectly balanced) amounts of Ligurian olives, Grana Padano, and 24-month Proscuitto di Parma completing these bases.
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Lucky Coq
179 Chapel St, Windsor
This south side joint dishes up $6.50 gluten-free pizzas, and they do dessert pizzas too. Don’t be fooled by the low price – sometimes good things do come easily, and this is definitely one of those times. Make sure to try the Salmone, as you’ll get more than your money’s worth with the copious amounts of smoked salmon tossed on. Get a little bit fancy by adding a glass of cab sav and you won’t even break a $20. With prices this good, Lucky Coq is a must-try for all GF pizza lovers. Did we mention the rooftop courtyard, with its namesake mural running along the brick walls? That’s another reason to go.
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Woodfire Pizzeria e Cucina
199 Upper Heidelberg Rd, Ivanhoe
Woodfire has been a strong local favourite since 1999, and it’s easy to see why. Sticking to a fail-proof Neapolitan recipe, they’ve mastered the art of smoky, blistered pizza paired with tantalising toppings. Try some of their more unusual flavour combos, like the Soumella (Greek-inspired pizza) or the Ascea (tiger prawns and crab meat). Gluten-free pizzas cost you an extra $3 but they’re worth every dollar. You’ll see when you taste it.
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Ladro + Ladro Tap
224 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy & 162 Greville Street, Prahran
Ladro takes their GF options very seriously, and it’s a personal matter for them: one of their team is gluten-intolerant. Their wood-fired pizzas come out paper thin with just the right amount of bite in the crust. At their Greville St restaurant, take the time to admire their dedicated beer garden, with its sleek timber benches, complete with bench cushions and marble tabletops. That’s not even all the good news: Tuesdays mean Bottomless Pizza at both their branches for just $20pp (plus a $2 surcharge per GF pizza). That’s right: step aside Taco Tuesdays, there’s a new boss in town.
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Il Birrrificio
1385 Toorak Rd, Camberwell
We have no idea what goes into the unique pizza dough at Il Birrificio, but whatever it is, it works. Here they prioritise two things: pizza, and beer. And boy do they deliver. The pizza comes to you scorching hot from the wood-fire oven with the fior di latte just starting to bubble and the smoked ham curling crisp at the edges. GF bases are an extra $4 but let’s just say this: it’s won awards, and for good reason.
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The Posty
90 Swan St, Cremorne
The Posty’s menu is designed for sharing – but actually doing that might be difficult. One bite of their award-winning pork belly pizza – which pairs the pork with mango, pineapple, tarragon, lemon, and caramelised onions – and you’ll be fighting with your friends to claim the rest. The GF base will set you back $5 more than your wheat-eating pals but if that’s the price for chewy, fluffy, and crispy pizza, we think it’s a pretty fair deal. There is no surcharge, however, for the novelty of dining in a refurbished post office, as the name suggests. Inside, find plenty of intimate nooks and crannies (perfect for date night) as well as open, communal spots (perfect for a mates’ night!).
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Tazio
66 Flinders Lane, Melbourne
Devouring the pizza at Tazio is an experience in itself, a flurry of textures: crunchy and fluffy base, silky smooth Napoli sauce, stringy buffalo mozzarella, and crackling crisp salami. The GF bases add $4 to your bill, bringing you thin bases rimmed by a crunchy crust. Nothing too quirky here with the toppings, just tried and true classics, like Ernesta (ham and basil), Sante (salami and garlic cloves), and of course, the ever-popular Margherita. With extended Happy Hours on Fridays, Tazio is the perfect place to start the weekend off to a good note (or, rather, nibble).
[More Info + Gallery] | [Book A Private Function]
Baby Pizza
631-633 Church St, Richmond
The name captures our sentiments entirely: pizza is our baby. And if it is yours (which it probably is, if you’re reading this) then you’ll want to make a visit to Baby Pizza. Their gluten-free base costs $6.50 and promises a pizza that’s every bit as good the traditional one – better, actually, as it’s kind to your insides. Speaking of insides, they’ve got a neon-pink theme running through the restaurant, which complements the otherwise-monochrome design to give off a slick yet fun vibe. If you like your pasta in pizza form, the Carbonara is for you; if you’re more traditional, go for the Traditional, keeping it simple with anchovies, garlic oil, chilli, and oregano on a Napoli base. Just FYI: you’ll be leaving this place with a pizza baby.
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By Yogita Maruti
