While all the staple Italian places, such as Angelo’s, The Ivy House, Italian Kitchen, San Marino, Martino’s, Bellini, Luciano’s. Roma, Marcello’s and many more are still serving slices of the classic dish, the past couple of years has seen a wave of new pizza businesses set up shop in the city who’ve got creative with their offerings, from restaurants to pop-up ventures.
To mark National Pizza Day 2022, on February 9, here’s some of the best new kids on the block to tuck into in Sunderland and Seaham, from Detroit-style pizza to slices served from a converted horse trailer with an in-built oven.
5. Fausto Pizza, Roker
Fausto Coffee has long been popular for its daytime offering, but now it's open for evening pizzas, cocktails and beers with a view. Fausto Pizza runs from Tuesday to Saturday 4pm to 10pm with people able to tuck into wood-fired pizza, cocktails and beers from local breweries such as Vaux and North Pier Brew Co, as well as classics such as Moretti and Peroni – with arguably one of the best views in the city. It's advisable to book ahead. Photo: Stu Norton
6. Log Fire Pizza Co, Barnes Park and beyond
Another lockdown success story, Log Fire Pizza Co has announced it's bringing its stonebaked pizza van back to the area's parks. This week, they're at Barnes Park on Wednesday, Readhead Park in South Shields on Thursday, Marsden Bay on Friday and Saturday and Westoe Crown Village on Sunday. See their social media pages for more. Photo: jpi media
7. The Palm, Hylton Riverside
As the country eased out of Lockdown and outdoor drinking and dining was permitted, The Palm utilised a former car park at the front of the site to create Beach Box, which doubled its outdoor capacity. On the menu, there's a whole section dedicated to 20in pizzas, with options such as jerked seitan and pineapple and Mac 'e' Deez, a pizza topped with a smashed burger, American cheese relish and gherkins. Photo: JPI MEDIA
8. Truly Madly Pizza
Truly Madly Pizza built up a firm following in lockdown with its pop up service at the Fitness 2000 carpark in Roker. It's the brainchild of Jed Wade and son Sam, from Roker, who started selling stone-baked pizzas from a converted trailer – complete with its own wood-fired oven – five years ago. They do pop ups at various places and festivals and they're available to book for private events. Photo: JPI Media