World Pizza Day: Five unusual pizzas from across the globe

In celebration of World Pizza Day, discover five of the most unique varieties that are enjoyed across the globe. 

With more than five billion sold across the globe every single year, it’s hardly surprising that pizza consistently ranks as one of the world’s most popular foods. World Pizza Day offers the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a slice of true indulgence.  

To mark the occasion, our team has been looking beyond the Italian mainland for the most interesting pizza varieties overseas. Whether you’re a traditionalist or a takeaway connoisseur, these weird and wonderful pizza varieties are worth a getaway all to themselves.  

Sfincione, Italy 

Sicily’s own version of pizza, sfincione, often uses a thicker base than other mainland Italian alternatives and hails from the island’s capital, Palermo. Known for its doughy texture and lighter toppings, the sfincione is somewhere between a focaccia and a traditional Neapolitan pizza and is every bit as delicious.  

This Sicilian treat has been a street-food staple from the Mediterranean to North America’s Great Lakes, and inspired Detroit-style pizza, one of the USA’s favourite snacks. For a taste of a true sfincione, be sure to try one of Palermo’s numerous traditional street vendors. 

Lahmacun, Turkey 

Made on a base of unleavened bread, this traditional Levantine appetiser is simple, affordable and packs plenty of punch when it comes to flavour. While regional variations can be found from Turkey to North Africa, the dish traditionally includes minced lamb meat, flavoured with cumin, cinnamon, and Aleppo pepper, as well as onions, garlic and chillis.  

Lahmacun can be found in a wide range of places, too, from street vendors to high-end restaurants, and it’s not hard to see why ‘Turkish pizza’ has stayed so popular over the centuries.  

Okonomiyaki, Japan 

This quick-and-easy treat, which roughly translates to ‘grilled as you like it’, was first conceived in the 1920s as American flour became more readily available in Japan. While it’s unofficially known as ‘Japanese Pizza’, okonomiyaki is actually a type of savoury pancake, and it’s most popular amongst the bustling street markets of Tokyo and Osaka.  

Osaka, which is nicknamed ‘the nation’s kitchen’, has earned a stellar reputation for street food and was one of the first places in Japan to welcome tabearuki (eating while walking) tourism. The okonomiyaki itself has become a staple of the city’s street food scene and is often served with seafood, pork or shredded cabbage.  

Fugazetta, Argentina 

First brought to Argentina by an Italian immigrant in the 1930s, this focaccia-like pizza is thicker than more traditional options but is a must-try for any travellers visiting Buenos Aires. Better yet, it’s the perfect choice to keep you fuelled for a busy night’s dancing at one of the local milongas (tango bars)! 

While you might expect to find passata, mozzarella cheese and basil on an authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, Fugazetta features none of these ingredients. Instead, it’s made up of two layers of dough, stuffed with plenty of cuartirola cheese, and then topped with onions and oregano.  

‘Africana’ Pizza, Sweden 

Possibly the most obscure of the five pizzas we’ve featured, the ‘Africana’ combines sweet, savoury and spices. What sets this Swedish treat apart from more traditional pizza varieties is its unusual toppings – namely, bananas.  

Traditionally, the ‘Africana’ features a thin sheet of dough and is made with curry powder, smoked ham, banana and pineapple, which is all then topped with smoked cheese. What remains is an intriguing combination of flavours and textures, which is perhaps even more controversial than ‘Hawaiian’ pizza. No matter how unusual this pizza sounds, though, it’s well worth a try when exploring Sweden! 

Get a slice of the action with Newmarket Holidays 

If you’re keen to sink your teeth into one of these unique pizza-loving destinations, give one of our friendly holiday planners a call today. While they won’t be able to serve you your favourite slice, they’re ready to help you to get the ball rolling on your next wish-list holiday and share their expert knowledge on each itinerary.  

If you’ve got your eye on another spot across the globe, you can also browse our full range of escorted tours on our dedicated destinations page.