“I’m in love. I’m having a relationship with my pizza.”
Remember that scene of Julia Roberts gushing over a margherita pizza at a bustling pizzeria in the iconic 2010 rom-com, Eat, Pray, Love?
That pizza joint in question is none other than L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele — and it’s finally open in Singapore.
Regarded as one of the oldest and best pizzerias in Naples, Italy, this legendary institution has been serving up Neapolitan-style pizzas for over 150 years (it was founded in 1870)!
The original store started out in Naples with only two pizzas, but they’ve now evolved into an international pizzeria with outlets in over 19 countries like USA, UK, Japan, and now Singapore, making this their first Southeast Asian outpost.
Located along Club Street, the contemporay chic restaurant, which can seat up to 70 diners, is warm and spacious, with bar seating and a semi-open kitchen. Every da Michele outlet worldwide is equipped with a custom-made domed brick oven, where all the pizzas are baked.
I was really excited to finally be able to try the legendary “pizza a ruota di carro“, which translates to “wagon wheel pizza”. Each pizza boasts a large and thin 15-inch base, with edges that extend and drape ever so slightly over the plate beneath it.
You can’t come to the pizzeria without ordering the OG red-based flavour, Margherita (S$28), which features two types of cheese: Agerola Fior di Latte, a “flower of milk” cheese with a mild, delicate flavour and creamy, semi-soft texture; and pecorino Romano DOP, an aromatic aged cheese made from sheep milk.
Neapolitan pizza is characterised by a base that is extremely thin and soft, with a chewy, puffy leopard-spotted crust. The toppings may look modest, but the quality of ingredients — all imported from Italy — was unmatched.
Who knew that such a simple combination of cheese and tomato sauce would be so ridiculously good?
You’ll get the most joy from eating Neapolitan pizza with your hands, in all its soft and floppy glory, so feel free to get up close and personal with each slice. We recommend folding your pizza before devouring it, because all the toppings will drop off if you don’t.
But that’s the fun part.
So, yes, the Margherita is very good, but why not take it up a notch with the Cetara (S$34), which is kinda like an elevated version with Cetara anchovies, pecorino Romano DOP, olives, and capers?
Sure, the flavours may be saltier and brinier than what we’re used to, but they add so much depth and complexity to the Agerola Fior di Latte and tomato base. A win in my books.
As for the white-based (le bianche) pizzas, the Friarielli & Salsiccia (S$36) is one of the more unique options on the menu.
Traditional Italian flavours take center stage here: salty pecorino Romano DOP, Italian sausage, and friarelli napoletani, a type of leafy Italian “broccoli” that reminded me of Chinese preserved mustard greens (mei cai).
Although it is considered to have more of an acquired taste, I thoroughly enjoyed the balance of sharp, creamy, and savoury, with just the slightest hint of bitterness.
Although pizza is the star of the show, you can pair ’em with Southern Italian specialties like starters, handmade pastas, and desserts.
If you’re the kind that always orders burrata at Italian restaurants, start off with the Burrata alla Puttanesca (S$26), which sees the creamy cheese served alongside olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and anchovies.
The soft, creamy, and mild-flavoured burrata really complemented the strong, umami of the anchovies — simple, but so, so good.
As a big fan of raw seafood, the Gambero Rosso di Mazara (S$38), wild red Mediterranean shrimp, dressed with nothing more than a touch of extra virgin olive oil, was sublime. The flesh was intense and juicy with a delightful natural sweetness I couldn’t get enough of.
Don’t forget to suck the shrimp heads; they’re the best part.
But if you prefer your seafood cooked, or in this case, fried, order the Fritto di Mare (S$26), a basket of crispy calamari, prawns, Amalfi coast fin fish, and zucchini with a side of aioli.
A classic pasta worth considering is the Orecchiette alla Positanese (S$34), a specialty dish from Positano, comprising orecchiette pasta cooked to a perfect al dente, paired with Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes, burrata, and a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano.
You can complete the dining experience with desserts like the Cannoli (S$16), a Sicilian staple of pastry tubes filled with a sweet ricotta filling, but I’d rather you just stick to the selection of alcohol, with plenty of exquisite Italian wines, aperitifs, beers, and cocktails to imbibe in.
I’d recommend visiting L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele in a group of at least four diners if you want to fully enjoy the offerings — I can’t wait to be back with my friends and family!
Do note that the restaurant doesn’t have a toilet or even a sink (you’ll need to visit the hotel, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, in order to wash your hands), so bring plenty of wet wipes!
Although you can try walking in, reservations are highly encouraged and can be made here.
Will you be swinging by this iconic pizzeria for a slice (or five)?
L’antica Pizzeria Da Michele
Instagram | Website
📍 8 Club Street, Mercure ICON Singapore City Centre, #01-08, Singapore 069472
🕑 12pm–3pm, 6pm–11pm (Mon to Sat), Closed on Sun
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Photos by Christabel Tan
I'm always feelin' either boozy or boujee ✨