Old-school Italian cooking is what you will find at Caruso. No frills, all flavour. True to the cuisine's roots, Caruso focuses on getting passion on a plate. Their pasta and pizzas will truly not disappoint.

Tatler Tip: You should also order their veal Milanese, and osso buco with saffron risotto.

Related: The timelessness of Caruso Ristorante Italiano

A nationwide favourite, Cibo has been pleasing palates since 1997 thanks to chef Margarita Forés. “In 1987, I began my journey in Italy, learning how to cook from three Italian signoras. I learned a very home-style approach to cooking. With sessions in their kitchens in the mornings, lessons about the best and freshest ingredients in the markets over lunch, and dinners at different restaurants in the evenings, they shared priceless knowledge and wisdom about the country’s cuisine and culture with me,” she says. From traditional classics to funky new additions like her spinach dip pizza, you can’t go wrong with a tried and tested Cibo pie.

Tatler Tip: Chef Margarita also launched must-try frozen, ready-to-cook Cibo pizzas which are available in supermarkets. Perfect for lazy nights and fuss-free meals. 

In case you missed it: Flavours of My Youth: Margarita Forés revisits the dishes that shaped her childhood

Round pizzas, square pizzas and even star-shaped pizzas are featured in Crosta’s stellar menu. Cheesy, meat-filled and yes, vegan pizzas too are up for order. While known for their classic pizzas, Crosta also has Detroit-style deep dish, ultra-rich pizzas too. To them, it’s all about the dough, says Crosta, stating that, their “dough has been a seven-year journey and it is still evolving”.

See also: The Philippines’ first-ever pizza omakase by Crosta Pizzeria

Born out of Matteo Guidicelli’s love for Italian cuisines, comes Da Gianni. Experience their high-quality pizzas that come in classic iterations like quattro formaggi to pepperoni and even contemporary twists like a pie featuring avocado. They also make all of their pasta daily and by hand.

Tatler Tip: Da Gianni also offers a cauliflower crust pizza!

Read also: Where to order ramen in Metro Manila 2023: 12 of the best spots

Gino’s (which is named after the owner’ss son) serves up classic Italian pies. They have quite a large menu, with toppings that will tickle almost every fancy. According to team Gino’s, “the simpler the pizza, the more difficult it is to perfect”.

Tatler Tip: Try their homemade mozzarella, and their spicy honey which is perfect for drizzling over a piping hot slice of pizza.

See also: Flirty foodies: Date-night recipes to cook with your partner

Brick-oven thin-crust pizzas from this family restaurant are served with love. Mama Lou is all about honouring their mum’s spectacular food. What was the family’s old home, was turned into what now is known as the original Mama Lou’s Italian Kitchen.

“Love is our comfort food. In every food we serve, we put a spell of love into it—the same passion and love that our Mama Lou used to prepare meals for her guests. Simply put, our home-cooked dishes are meticulously prepared with a “mother’s love.” A nostalgic taste that makes you feel at home, brightens up your day, and brings your family closer.”

Tatler Tip: In addition to your pizza, test out their squid ink risotto.

In case you missed it: F&B Survival Story: Mama Lou’s Owners Disclose Their Secrets To Success

Inspired by Little Italy in New York City, Nolita started out as a casual dining slice shop serving authentic NYC pizza. Now, they’ve partnered with local beer brewery Joe‘s Brew to open Nolita Joe’s, a new Poblacion outpost with a selection of beers and pizzas on rotation. Open 11am til late, it’s the ideal spot for a quick pizza fix any time of day, most especially after hours.

Read more: Where to order tacos in Metro Manila

Once a delivery-only model, the pandemic-born concept Pizzulu has rapidly expanded, with three dine-in outlets throughout the metro: San Juan, BGC, and SM Mall of Asia. While their brick-and-mortar stores have surely grown popular, you can rest assured that their brick-oven pizzas still travel as well as they were designed to from the get-go.

Related: Grazing Table 101: 8 Expert Tips from Karla Zulueta, Founder of Apéritif

Discovery Primea’s Tapenade cooked up delicious pizzas and Mediterranean cuisine. Flavours of the region pop and remind you of travels past. “From appetizers inspired by summers in Spain, to authentic dishes reminiscent of Italian dinners with the family, our selection at Tapenade will take you on a culinary journey you will return to over and over again.” Sink your teeth into their stone-baked pizzas and treat yourself to a worth-it meal.

See also: How to pair pasta shapes with the right sauce: cappellini, bucatini, and more

Italian-Japanese celebrity chef Salvatore Cuomo is fondly known as “The Pizza Man” and “The Grand Chef” throughout Japan. With these two concepts, Salvatore Cuomo & Bar and Salvatore Cuomo Café, the culinary personality brings his pizza expertise to Philippine shores. Enjoy well-made Neapolitan pizzas, from a simple yet infallible margherita to a hefty beef ragu and sophisticated prosciutto e rucola.

See also: Exciting food trends for 2023: a recap of McCormick’s 23rd Flavour Forecast

Simple, tasty Italian fare is prepared at Tartufo Ristorante. You will of course find truffles across their menu, infused into a variety of dishes. Try their pizza tartufata, carbonara or carnivore.

See also: 7 Easy ways to elevate your popcorn: elote, furikake, and more

Thin crust and flavour-packed, Wild Flour Italian pizzas are far from disappointing. “Wild Flour Italian is The Wildflour Group’s fine dining restaurant that brings a fresh, authentic Italian experience to Manila. Featuring woodfire brick oven-cooked pizzas, homemade pastas, sumptuous dinner plates, one of the most decorated selections of wines and cocktails in the country, and delectable Italian desserts, the team that brought you Wildflour and Little Flour put their own spin on Italian classics and will make you feel like you’re eating in Italy–right in the heart of Manila,” the group shares.

Tatler Tip: Don’t miss out on their pasta dishes, roast chicken, and fritto misto.