20,000 people and, most importantly, 30,000 pizzas met this weekend at Poble Espanyol for the 3rd edition of the Mahou Pizzas Fest, the first festival dedicated exclusively to pizza in Barcelona.
Throughout the weekend it was possible to taste 20 varieties of pizzas from 10 of the top pizzerias in Barcelona: Luigi Ristorante, Mama la pizza napoletana, Pizza Social Club, The Chicago Pizza Pie, Mogollon’s, Pizaart Badalona, Restaurant Pizzeria Positano, Giorgio, Dallas Pizza and Vitali Pizza, each of them, thought to be paired with a Mahou beer.
Each of the pizzerias proposed two pizzas, the classic, the one that is a must in their kitchen, and the gourmet, with the most surprising creations and recipes only suitable for lovers of this Italian dish. In total, more than 7,500 pizzas were cooked, equivalent to some 30,000 portions.
The two best pizzas in Barcelona (and our favorite pizza)
During the three days of the festival, all attendees were able to vote for their favorite pizza of all. Resulting in two award-winning restaurants, one by the vote of the public and the other by the vote of the professional jury.
The award for the best pizza in Barcelona according to the public went to Luigi Ristorante (which already won a couple of years ago) and this year has triumphed with its two pizzas: Pizza del Pizzaiolo, its classic pizza, a version of the Margherita with San Marzano tomato, smoked mozzarella, Veneto parmesan, black pepper, basil and extra virgin olive oil. Their gourmet pizza was the Giro d’Italia, u: tomato sauce, parmesan from Veneto, stracciatella from Puglia, cherry tomatoes, pancetta arrotolata from Tuscany, oregano from Calabria, basil and extra virgin olive oil.
The award for the best pizza in Barcelona according to the jury went to Giorgio who in the classic category presented a Diavola, with San Marzano tomato, mozzarella and spicy salami from Calabria and in the Gourmet category the Saporita, with mozzarella, capocollo, dried tomato pesto, sautéed fresh spinach and parmesan cream. A pizza dream.
And although it didn’t get a prize, from Barcelona Secreta we want to highlight Mama’s classic pizza , their MAMAatriciana, which came close to winning and offered a version of the amatriciana, with a spicy nduja ragu, guanciale and pecorino cheese that was worth a visit on its own.
The jury was made up of gastro professionals such as renowned influencer and youtuber foodie Edu González, owner of Bravas Barcelona and co-organizer of the festival; Massimo Morbi, founding partner of La Balmesina; food journalists Antonio Pineda and David León of Barcelona Secreta; and content creators Cristian (@topfoodbcn) and Willy (@lasrecetasdewilly).