Time Out Melbourne never writes starred reviews from hosted experiences – Time Out covers restaurant and bar bills for reviews so that readers can trust our critique.
The further you edge towards the Parliament end of the Melbourne CBD, the more expensive your eating options tend to become. This side of the city is, after all, is mainly associated with designer boutiques and swish restaurants like Gimlet, the European, Society, Grill Americano, Kenzan and Di Stasio Citta.
But if you find yourself seeking a humble feed here, fear not. A sprinkle of excellent cheap eats can be found on this side of town if you know where to look, at classic counter meal joints like Butchers Diner and Pellegrini’s. And if you only have a $10 note to spare? You’re in luck. The one and only Pizza Pizza Pizza slings slices of its famous American-style pizza pies for just $7 a pop.
So good they named it thrice, this hole-in-the-wall down Meyers Place is a blessing for locals, tourists and city revellers alike. You can’t miss its sign, a neon yellow arrow blaring ‘pizza pizza pizza’ from the window. What you may miss, however, is the cosy cocktail bar nestled out the back, accessible by paring back a shiny black curtain – the perfect nook for a discrete nightcap.
Needing a quick drink and snack before a show one night, a colleague once whisked me inside, and I’d harboured delicious memories of its pliable, saucy pizza bases since – a truly authentic New York-style experience.
The cocktail list here zeroes in on lesser-known classics such as a flirty twist on the Millionaire, the Rich Girl (Cognac, peach liqueur, sloe gin and lemon) and the Starlight. These are the two my partner and I selected on a recent visit, and they were generously boozy accompaniments to our late-night ’za (though if you want to stick to a cheap date night budget, opt for a house wine or beer instead).
The pizzas – available both by the slice and whole – range from the classic Margherita to the jazzier magic mushroom (think a double injection of mushrooms and truffle oil) and triple cheese (a trifecta of mozzarella, parmesan and bocconcini). Don’t forget about the rotating monthly specials – the waiter can fill you in on the latest scrumptious toppings.
I was lucky to try a butter chicken pizza on my recent visit, and it was so moreish that I promptly ordered two more slices before even finishing my first. The cauliflower pizza is also a top choice, one of the tastiest vegetarian pizzas I’ve had in a long time – that pesto is life. “Everyone loves the cauliflower pizza,” the friendly waitress confirms. My partner’s fave is the pepper pepperoni, a suitably greasy iteration of that long-loved American staple. But really, whichever your pick, it’s all about that so-thin-it’s-foldable, addictively chewy base.
Down to Earth and full of unexpected surprises, Pizza Pizza Pizza is exactly the sort of place that exemplifies why Melbourne is one of the world’s most lovable food cities.