The best pizza and wine pairing spots in town

Pizza is probably South Africa’s favourite gooey cheese treat.

A time-honoured tradition around the world is cheese and wine pairings, but have you ever thought of heading down to one of these restaurants to get a glass of wine to complement your pie?

Here are The Citizen’s suggestions and, as a bonus, every spot on the list features outside dining opportunities (in this heat you need a breeze) and some great pizza.

Restaurant: Jolly Roger (Parkhurst)
Pizza: Hawaiian
Wine: House white

Jolly Roger is known for its pub appeal, but head upstairs and their pizza really shines.

The Hawaiian is specifically chosen here because the sweet pineapple and ham topping pairs so well with their incredible chilli sauce.

And before you berate the suggestion of a house wine which might be poured from who knows which box under the bar, you drink it with copious amounts of ice while enjoying the fiery chilli sauce with Jolly Roger’s crusty pizza. It’s a thrill.

The Jolly Roger.

Restaurant: O’ver Pizza (Randburg and Craighall Park)
Pizza: Margherita
Wine: Valdo prosecco

While you won’t be able to get prosecco from the Randburg store, this week Dolci Bar and Pizzeria is opening its doors in a partnership with O’ver Pizza.

O’ver Pizza is authentically Italian with fantastic 24-hour fermented dough. To get the best of the best, order a simple margherita to savour the flavours that has made pizza so popular: good mozzarella and a tomato sauce.

The crispness of the prosecco with the creaminess of the cheese is transcendent.

O’ver Pizza.

Restaurant: Col’Cacchio (nationwide)
Pizza: Green Goddess and Not-So-Plain Mary Jane
Wine: Leopard’s Leap shiraz

It’s the first South African chain to carry CBD oil, or rather cannabis, with Green Goddess and the Not-So-Plain Mary Jane as the first offerings.

The Green Goddess has grilled baby marrow, feta, fresh basil (and CBD oil), making it a great vegetarian option, while the Not-So-Plain Mary Jane features oven-roasted chicken, peppadews, roasted mushrooms, and avocado dressing, with CBD oil.

Shiraz’s pepperiness will not only gel with both these pizzas, but also with the herbiness of the CBD oil.

Col’Cacchio’s Green Goddess.

Restaurant: Topo Gigio (Greenside)
Pizza: Fig
Wine: Warwick The First Lady sauvignon blanc

The fig pizza is more refined, featuring fig and blue cheese. The salty cheese is beautifully offset by the sweet preserved figs.

Sauvignon blanc is the perfect pairing for this pizza, thanks to its tropical fruit and kiwi notes. It’s a perfect summer combination.

Topo Gigio.

Restaurant: Cheers (Pierre van Ryneveldpark)
Pizza: Buccaneer
Wine: A red blend or Cape red blend

Neighbourhood appeal and wood-fired pizza has made this Centurion-based restaurant a landmark (that and the really great drinks specials). It’s down to earth, but surprises with an appealing pizza menu.

The Buccaneer is as South African as calling traffic lights “robots”. It’s topped with biltong, avocado and peppadews.

Pair it with a red blend or Cape red blend (the menu changes but estates like Nederburg will likely pop up).

A Cape blend is sure to be dark and spicy, with notes of cinnamon, a perfect mate to any biltong element.

Cheers.

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