Despite the diverse melting pot of cultures and differences of opinion found throughout Miami, there’s one thing most people can agree on — their love for pizza. This Italian dish has become America’s favorite food and beloved by people of all ages for one good reason – it’s delicious! Who can resist the classic combination of dough, tomato sauce, and melted cheese?
Restaurant #1: Lucali– Topping our list, is the upscale pizzeria originally from Brooklyn that made its way to Miami Beach three years ago. Lucali’s atmosphere is cozy and rustic, a perfect environment to eat pizza fresh from their wood burning brick oven. Their pies are 24-inches in diameter and consist of handmade dough that comes out thin and crispy when cooked, smooth tomato sauce, and a blend of fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano Reggiano cheese.
Here, you design your own pizzas with toppings that include all-beef pepperoni, onions, garlic, shallots, Portobello mushrooms, artichokes, and hot peppers. On top of every pizza is a bunch of fresh basil that gives off a powerful, sweet aroma. The hype over Lucali is real; it’s not so much about the creative ingredients they use, but rather the simple yet flawless techniques with which they craft their pies!
Restaurant #2: Visa-O-1– If you like traditional Neapolitan pizza and also enjoy modern, trendy pizza, this hidden gem is right up your alley. Also located in Miami Beach, this small pizzeria is tucked inside a commercial building right off of Lincoln Road. Just as their name suggests, they specialize in serving extraordinary pizzas just as O-1 visas are only given to individuals with extraordinary ability. Their 13-inch pizzas, pulled from their stone-lined Cuppone oven, are truly extraordinary in every sense of the word – look, smell, taste, and even feel.
Arguably, their most outstanding pies are their ‘Star Pizzas’. These uniquely designed pizzas have star-shaped crusts filled with decadent ricotta cheese, yum! However, their regular-shaped pizzas aren’t far behind. With thin, crispy crusts, San Marzano tomato sauce, and fresh mozzarella, all of their pizzas are spectacular. Take the Claudio for example, which has fresh burrata stracciatella cheese and truffle oil – a perfect match yet rare combination. They also have delectable Nutella pizzas for dessert that are honestly a little slice of heaven. With only 9 tables total, be sure to make a reservation if you plan on dining there, especially on the weekend.
Restaurant #3: Pauli Gee’s– This brand new pizza joint is situated in Miami’s Upper East Side and is definitely worth a visit. Also from Brooklyn, this highly acclaimed pizzeria boasts artisanal pizzas with innovative topping pairings cooked in a Neapolitan wood-burning oven. The most popular pie is Hellboy which features fresh mozzarella, Italian tomatoes, Berkshire hot sopressata, Parmigiano Reggiano, and Mike’s hot honey, a sweet and spicy treat! A locally-inspired pizza, the Jewbano, is another delicacy and is made up of Bodega Swiss cheese, French’s yellow mustard, Canadian bacon, slow roasted Cuban pulled pork, and kosher dill, yum!
Paulie Gee’s also offers a wide selection of incredible vegan options. Yes, there is such a thing as vegan pizza and when properly made, can be delicious. Paulie Gee’s substitutes dairy for house-made cashew ricotta dollops and they even make vegan fennel sausage from scratch! It’s a great alternative for those who don’t eat animal products and equally as satisfying. This new addition to Miami’s pizza scene is totally worth the visit.
Thank you for reading my article and be sure to contact me, Hillary Hertzberg, of The Jills next time you’re in Miami Beach for all of your real estate buying, renting and selling needs.
