Pizzeria Marita

Occasionally struck by sudden cravings for pizza, I visited Pizzeria Marita in Shijo Karasuma. This pizzeria has already earned numerous accolades, including multiple awards on Tabelog’s Top 100 Pizza Restaurants list and a Bib Gourmand in the 2023 Michelin Guide. Naturally, my expectations were high even before eating there. However, when I visited the restaurant, some aspects differed from what I had imagined. For example…

The owner apparently used to be a craftsman who made Kabuki props… That’s the kind of place Pizzeria Marita is.

I arrived at Pizzeria Marita around 6 PM, about 30 minutes after opening time in the evening. The lights were on, but it was incredibly quiet. Looking through the glass, there were zero customers inside. Meaning, arriving at this time made me the first customer. Inside was just the owner, who seemed a bit awkward at customer service. I was shown to a counter seat and ordered pizza, but the interaction felt a little stiff.

A slice where smoked mozzarella takes center stage… How did the Regina I ordered at Pizzeria Marita actually turn out?

So, let me introduce the Regina pizza I ordered that day at Pizzeria Marita, featuring smoked mozzarella cheese (price: ¥1,800 including tax). I usually tend to stick with Margherita pizzas, so I thought I’d try something different for a change… But what actually arrived at my table looked like this…

As you can see, it doesn’t look much different from a Margherita. I have to admit, my choice of pizza is pretty limited, which is a bit disappointing… Well, that has nothing to do with the taste of the pizza. The crust is nicely crispy, the cheese is melted and gooey, and it looks absolutely appetizing, needless to say.

So, let’s dive right in and try this pizza loaded with smoked mozzarella cheese… The moment it hits the palate, the smoky aroma of the mozzarella hits the nose intensely. It’s a strong smoky scent that seems to contrast with the meltingly soft mozzarella cheese. This pizza has a decent amount of basil too, but you might wonder if there’s even room for the basil’s refreshing scent to come through? But it’s never unpleasant; you can happily munch away, enjoying the overwhelming presence of the smoked mozzarella.

Even when rolled up “Napoli-style,” it’s still delicious… Visually, it resembles a Margherita, but with only a light coating of tomato sauce, the flavor leans more towards the richness of the cheese than the acidity of the tomatoes. The crust is similar to the one I had before at Pizzeria Da Nagino, perhaps a bit thicker. Since there aren’t many components that turn into juice, the wheat dough itself feels slightly dense. Alongside the smoky aroma, the toasted wheat scent is also pleasant. Personally, I felt it could use a bit more moisture, so being able to drizzle olive oil on top to taste would be even better…

That’s how I finished Pizzeria Marita‘s Regina in about five minutes and left the shop. However, there was a minor hiccup (?) at checkout. The bill was 1900 yen, 100 yen more than it should have been. “Huh? Maybe it’s tax separate?” I thought for a moment, but the math didn’t add up, and besides the pizza, I only had water… Later, checking the receipt, it said “Other 100 yen.” What does “Other” mean? Water charge? Or a table charge? Either way, I wish they’d clearly state the basis for the charges… That was my final thought. The owner seemed like a good person at heart, so I don’t really want to speak ill of him…

Pizzeria Marita’s Other Menu Items (Prices Include Tax)

• Panna Prosciutto Cotto e Mais: ¥1,800
• Margherita: ¥1,500
• Marinara: ¥1,400
• Siciliana: ¥1,600
• Capricciosa: ¥1,900
• D.O.C.: ¥1,800
• Quattro Formaggi: ¥1,800

Of course, takeout is available too… Access to Pizzeria Marita is a short walk from the nearest station, Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line.

At Pizzeria Marita, takeout for pizza is naturally available. The price per pizza is reasonable, and takeout is definitely a great option. If you let them know your planned arrival time in advance, they’ll have it ready and fresh for you. If you get the chance, do consider getting pizza to go. Now, here are the shop details…