L’antica Pizzeria da Michele in Singapore celebrates the ‘Eat’ in your Eat, Pray Love moment, serving up slices of Neapolitan pizza that’ll transport you to the cobblestone streets of Naples.
“This is the best pizza in Singapore” – I overhear the table beside me. It was a Monday night on Club Street but it’s no ordinary feat for L’antica Pizzeria da Michele. It was the opening night of their only South East Asian outpost and the bustling restaurant and never-ending queue outside made the wait for the pizzas more palpable.
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele brings Naples to Singapore, one slice at a time
Why the hype for a new restaurant in Singapore? Well, let’s take a journey back in time to understand the hype surrounding L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele. Founded in 1870 by Michele Condurro in Naples, this iconic pizzeria has stood the test of time, becoming a beacon of Neapolitan pizza excellence.
Its secret? A meticulously guarded recipe passed down through generations, coupled with the use of high-quality ingredients sourced directly from Italian artisans.
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The pièce de résistance is the legendary “pizza a ruota di carro” (wagon wheel pizza). This massive 15-inch pizza is a sight to behold, expertly crafted with edges that extend and drape ever so slightly over the plate beneath.
You know the iconic scene in the movie Eat Pray Love when Julia Roberts feasts on a delicious pizza and gives some stellar advice? It was shot at the original Naples location.
The star of the show arrives and our table lets out a unanimous “wow”
Fresh out of a customised Stefano Ferrara Napoli (custom domed brick oven made in Italy), the pizza was just as described – a massive 15-inch pizza with the crust cheekily peering out the plate. We started with the classic Margherita ($28), generously sauced up with a bright and tangy tomato sauce base, creamy Agerola Fior di Latte and aged pecorino Romano DOP cheese.
If you’re the type who usually leaves the crust behind (the audacity!), don’t be surprised if you finish them here. Every pizza is inspected before arriving at your table. Made from Caputo flour, the crust is light and airy with a decent amount of char. It’s also not bland like some pizza dough, so you can have it on its own. Though, we recommend asking for olive oil for extra flavour.
If you like a little meat with your pizza, have the Friarielli & Salsiccia ($36), white-based pizza topped with a trinity of salty pecorino Romano DOP, Italian sausage and friarelli napoletani (a leafy veg known as broccoli rabe). The salty Agerola Fior di Latte base pairs perfectly with the fatty sausage and lightly bitter friarelli napoletani.
Another highlight? The tomato based Cetara ($34) with pecorino Romano DOP, Leccino olives and capers, and dollops of briny Cetara anchovy paste. Tip: use a fork to spread out the paste so every slice gets a decent amount. It can be too much of a salty, umami bomb if you get a mouthful of it.
Pizza and pasta is a match made in heaven
Before your pizza feast, start your meal with southern Italian specialties like Fritto di Mare ($26), a medley of fried calamari, prawns, zucchini and Amalfi coast fin fish, and Burrata alla Puttanesca ($26), a generous blob of creamy burrata, paired with Leccino olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and Cetara anchovies for a burst of flavour.
For pasta, there are classics like Orecchiette Alla Positanese ($34), with Italian sausage, cherry tomatoes and burrata; Lasanga Napoletana ($33); and Linguine Alle Vongole ($35). For those with a big appetite or simply sharing dishes, the Linguine All’Aragosta (serves two, $88) is doused in a bisque sauce topped with whole lobster.
With each bite of the iconic pizza, you’ll be transported to the bustling streets of Naples. Have a relationship with your pizza just like Julia Roberts and experience the magic at L’antica Pizzeria da Michele. So what if you need a bigger pair of jeans?
L’antica Pizzeria da Michele, #01-08, 8 Club Street, Singapore 069472
