Singapore’s gourmet pizza scene is heating up (again) with exciting launches and refreshed menus. Here’s where to go for your next slice.
Text by: Eris Choo
Artichoke
If the name rings a bell, it’s because it’s that Artichoke — formerly Singapore’s cult-favourite misfit of Middle Eastern dining, now rebranded as a contemporary pizza parlour. After 15 years of mezze and kebabs, chef Bjorn Shen has retired Artichoke’s original menu and resurrected it in pizza form. The concept is a playful one, partly inspired by 80s and 90s American Italian pizzerias, partly by the magic and joy of pizza-fuelled childhood birthday bashes and pizza nights with family, with a bit of its original Middle Eastern influence thrown in for good measure.
Years of experimenting with dough have yielded a signature dough formula with high hydration, forming the base for three distinct styles: crunchy cheese-crusted Slabs, stuffed and over-the-top Stacks, and Rounds, which are fried then baked, a rare find in Singapore. The menu is also decked out with snacks, sides, and desserts. Drinks-wise, the parlour has just about everything, from a wine list to ice cold beers, house cocktails, and even diner-style floats and lemonades.
Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST)
Tokyo’s famed Pizza Studio Tamaki (PST) is a regular on the 50 Top Pizzas in the World list and beloved for its signature Tokyo Neapolitan-style pizzas. Its first Singapore outpost is located at 38 Tanjong Pagar Road, former address of Tippling Club. Known for its light and chewy dough, each pizza is made from a proprietary flour blend, fermented for 30 hours, then wood-fired in a salt-seasoned Stefano Ferrara oven for beautifully puffed crusts that carry a subtle smokiness and depth of flavour.
On the menu, expect both cheese- and tomato-based creations, like the spice laden Arrabbiata with its flavourful blend of fresh mozzarella, Italian datterini tomatoes, house-made pork nduja, and chili padi flakes. There also the fan favourite Magherita di Buffala crowned with creamy buffalo mozzarella; and the decadent 5 Formaggi, featuring a medley of five cheeses finished with a delicate drizzle of acacia honey. To recreate the true Tokyo experience, most of the ingredients are air-flown from Japan.
For reservations, visit https://www.sevenrooms.com/explore/pizzastudiotamaki/reservations/create/search.
Torno Subito by Massimo Bottura
Pizzas are always a favourite at Torno Subito, and its refreshed menu, driven by classic Italian flavours and a modern, Riviera-inspired lens, means that there are now more reasons to visit its Dempsey outlet. Ideal for those who want a bit of everything, the new Degustazione experience includes four distinct pizza flavours served by the slice. Among the highlights are new additions like Made in Sicily, a deep-fried dough pizza topped with pistachio sauce, Mazara del Vallo red prawn tartare, stracciatella, and lemon sauce; and Caprese, built on double-cooked dough with San Marzano DOP tomato reduction, Fior di Latte, smoked anchovies and basil. The pizzas also come in Piccola or Grande sizes, perfect for tasting and sharing.
