The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

The world of pizza is massive with many variations, and you will probably find a pizza parlour wherever you are in the world. Pizza has grown to be extremely popular in many global cuisines, all with the different processes in making it as well as the ingredients used. Whether you like it thin and crispy or thick and airy, there is surely a pizza for you.

Italy, the birthplace of pizza, has many types, but two distinct variants are more prevalent in Italy and the world; the Roman and Neapolitan. Both are very different, with the Neapolitan pizza considered the all-time OG Italian pizza. It is identified mainly by its dough and ingredients used. The Neapolitan, or Napolitana as the Italians refer to it, is thin at the base with a thick, airy charred crust. It’s typically cooked for only a couple of minutes in an extremely hot wood-fired brick oven and: the Italian version of fast food. It is also famous for its simple toppings: mainly crushed or pureed tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, olive oil, garlic and oregano.

A fun fact about Neapolitan pizza is that there is literally a pizza police that certifies whether the pizza is classified as Neapolitan or not. They’re called the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana or AVPN, and they have specific rules and criteria over what makes up an authentic Neapolitan pizza. There are around 500 pizza places in Naples, 100 of which are AVPN certified. So think about that the next time you order pineapple on your pizza.

Alternatively, the Roman pizza is different, adding olive oil to the dough to give an extra crisp as it cooks. The Roman pizza is also known for its ingredients, where they use pretty much the same base ingredients as those of the Neapolitan pizza, but there is more variety in the toppings.

Whichever pizza type you choose, there are a few restaurants that serve them right.

What the Crust

Located in Maadi, What the Crust serves the closest thing to authentic Neapolitan pizza. The dough is of a perfect texture and body, the ingredients are super fresh and light, and the charred, airy crust is considered the perfect ending to any pizza.

Pepenero

At Korba, Masr el Gedida, you will find delicious Roman-style thin crust pizza in Pepenero, Korba’s favourite Italian Restaurant. The pizza comes with many variations and toppings that you can add, and it is quite light; you can finish it in one sitting by yourself.

Alves

At Cairo Festival City in New Cairo, Alves serves a perfectly crispy crusted pizza. The texture of the dough is bubbly and light, which is a sign of its fermentation process, and the ingredients used are superb.