I will pre-cursor this article by explaining that for much of my research I used my Italian friends in Tianjin as something of a pizza-based barometer. What better way to judge typically Italian cuisine, I mused, than with actual Italians? Their elevated culinary standards were a great help in separating the mozzarella-topped wheat from the sauce-covered chaff. The selection of pizza joints I have chosen features restaurants that are peculiar to Tianjin, rather than major chains, such as Pizza Hut or Papa John's.

Venezia Club 威尼斯酒吧View In Map
Certainly one of the most authentically Italian of all the venues on this list, Venezia is situated in the heart of the newly-renovated 'Italian Style Town'. The pizzas here are very good, and, boast a definite Italian flavor. Unlike many local eateries, the sauces are rich and plentiful, and the bases are light and crisp. The selection on offer is also impressive, featuring a large variety of toppings and other options such as calzones. Of that selection, the pepperoni, the onion and the mushroom pizzas are fantastic, but the meat pizza can get a little heavy and greasy. They are also reasonably priced with many coming in at less than 50 RMB for a 9 inch base.

Add: 48 Ziyou Dao, Former Italian Concession Area, Hebei District, Tianjin
地址: 天津河北区意大利风情街自由道48号
Tel: 022 8761 3413, 13132263763
Opening hours:11:00-24:00

JPT Pizza 家必得比萨店
Prior to the arrival of Pizza Hut, and certainly before Papa John's was even a glimpse in a marketing manager's eye, the first major pizza option for expats in Tianjin was JPT Pizza on Binjiang Dao. The pizzas here were not bad, but certainly nothing special. In truth, five or six years ago, they didn't need to be, the expat population was just excited to be able to find a restaurant serving pizza. They came with healthy toppings, but overly doughy bases and a lack of sauce. This theme continues today at both the Binjiang Dao branch and the second branch in the north of the city. As a footnote, it is worth knowing that whilst the pizza is okay, some of the other 'Italian' food is horrific – the lasagna is made with tomato ketchup.

JPT Pizza Huaju Branch 家必得凯旋门店View In Map
Add:4F, Kaixuanmen Building, Nanjing Lu, Tianjin
地址: 天津南京路凯旋门大厦四楼
Tel: 022 2712 3488
Opening hours:10:00-22:00

Gold Pizza 黄金比萨
This Korean owned chain of pizza restaurants is one of the most economical options in Tianjin – a full 12 inch pizza can come for as little as 68 RMB. However, despite the low prices, Gold Pizza can be surprisingly good. I use the term "can be" because in no other restaurant on the planet is there such disparity on the menu between food that is good and food that is downright inedible. The Supreme is excellent as are the pepperoni and hot bacon numbers. However, some of the other creations are just awful. Gold Pizza may well be the only place on earth to get a pizza with beef, creamed corn, mayonnaise and red bean paste altogether. But, just because you can, does mean that you should!

Gold Pizza Weijin Lu Branch 黄金比萨卫津路店View In Map
Add: Caifu Building, 127 Weijin Lu, Heping District, Tianjin
天津市和平区卫津路127号财富大厦底商
Tel: 022 2304 5765, 022 2304 5797
Opening hours:10:00-23:00

Gold Pizza Hedong Branch 黄金比萨河东店View In Map
Add: A2, Building 8 Jiufu Yuan, Huachang Dajie, Hedong District, Tianjin
天津河东区新开路华昌大街九福园8号楼A2底商
Tel: 022 24331230
Opening hours: 10:00-23:00

Alibaba's 阿里巴巴
The two best descriptions of the pizza on offer at Ali Baba's are “mixed” and “cheap”. The most expensive on the menu is just 38 RMB. However, in a few cases this proves to be something of a false economy. The Teriyaki and Mutton pizzas are just awful - the sauce is thin and the meat is grizzly. However, the Tandoori and Roast Chicken alternatives are decidedly passable, even if they are heavy on the cheese and light on any form of sauce – on a bad day it is more like eating grilled cheese than pizza. The pick of the bunch, though, is the Countryside pizza, which comes topped with peppers and tomatoes. At just 28 RMB, it is definitely a bargain and the balance of sauce, topping and crispy base is just right.

Alibaba's 阿里巴巴View In Map
Add: Inside Weihuali Community, alley across from the Bengon’s, Tong’an Dao, Heping District, Tianjin
天津市和平区同安道兵果士对面（卫华里小区）
Tel: 022 2351 3976
Opening hours: 11:00-24:00 

Pizza Hill 嘉喜来比萨View In Map
Like JPT Pizza, Pizza Hill is an old Tianjin favorite. There is little doubt that when it first opened, it was trying to do nothing more than mimic Pizza Hut. This was clear from the eerily similar logo, the rather derivative decor and the almost identical salad bar. However, the Hill quickly grew to become a favorite amongst local expats. Many of the pizzas on offer are excellent, particularly the pepperoni and the mushroom. In fact, for a while, a couple of years ago, it was the only place you would find Italians eating pizza.

Add: North End of Yong’an Dao, Roman Gardens(Luoma Huayuan), Hexi District, Tianjin
地址: 天津市河西区永安道北侧罗马花园底商
Tel: 022 2324 8387; 2324 8096
Opening hours: 11:00-22:00

Add: Building B, Aocheng, Binshuixi Dao, Nankai District, Tianjin
地址: 天津南开区宾水西道时代奥城广场B座
Tel: 022 2385 5025
Opening hours: 11:00 - 22:00

Trattoria Italiana 意大利人餐厅View In Map
Just as with Venezia, Trattoriua Italiana comes steeped in local authenticity as it boasts an Italian chef and is situated in the heart of the Italian Concession area. As you might expect with such credentials, the pizza is excellent, and, there is fantastic variety. For those not swayed by my recommendation or the impressive word of mouth it is generating around the city, the Trattoria is also endorsed by a genuine Italian celebrity. The former Italian international footballer, Damiano Tomassi spent last season playing for local outfit Tianjin TEDA, and, was a regular customer. So regular, in fact, that there is even a pizza named after him on the menu.

Add: 443 Shengli Lu (Italian Culture Street), Hebei District, Tianjin
地址: 天津市河北区胜利路443号
Tel: 022 2446 0505
Opening hours: 10:00-14:00; 17:30-20:00

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