Pizza is one of those foods that everyone enjoys. Whether you’re a dedicated pizza lover who regularly visits your favorite restaurants or someone who prefers to wait for special occasions, there’s no wrong way to enjoy pizza. In many ways, pizza as we know it today owes its existence to the Margherita pizza, which many diners still enjoy today, including at Dough Craft Pizza & Pastrami. This pizza deserves a special place in culinary history, as does its memorable origin story.
Do you know the royal roots of Margherita pizza? Join us as we explore how it became a staple of pizza restaurants everywhere.
Pizza Fit for a Queen
Our story begins in Naples, Italy, in the late 1800s. It was a city already buzzing with early versions of pizza, mostly enjoyed by the working class. In 1889, Queen Margherita of Savoy was visiting Naples, and, in a refreshingly relatable moment, she got curious about the local flatbread everyone was raving about. She summoned the best pizzaiolo in town, Raffaele Esposito, who whipped up a few varieties to impress Her Majesty. One of those featured combinations was mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, and fresh basil, chosen to mirror the colors of the Italian flag (red, white, and green). The queen loved it, and just like that, the Pizza Margherita was born.
Beauty in Simplicity
What makes this pizza special isn’t just its royal backstory, but its emphasis on balance and simplicity. No frills, no overloaded toppings, just quality ingredients that speak for themselves. And while it may seem humble compared to today’s towering, topping-loaded creations, the Margherita pizza remains a gold standard. Why? Because it’s all about the fundamentals: well-crafted dough, fresh mozzarella, vibrant tomato sauce, and a hint of basil.
Pizza with Staying Power
Fast forward to today, and you’ll find Margherita pizza on menus around the world, from hole-in-the-wall pizzerias to upscale pizza bistros. It’s a staple in wood-fired, Neapolitan-style joints that pride themselves on tradition. In fact, in 2017, the art of Neapolitan pizza-making was even added to UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage, further cementing its legendary status.
Portsmouth Restaurants | Dough Craft Pizza & Pastrami
If you want to know how well a restaurant makes pizza, order the Margherita. If they can get the basics right, you know you’ve found a gem. Some restaurants try too hard, while others don’t try hard enough. At Dough Craft Pizza & Pastrami, we believe we’ve hit the sweet spot. But you don’t have to take our word for it. Visit us and find out for yourself!
