Delicious, Doughy Pizza at Alola Pizza

April 16, 2020 Taipei Expat

New safety measures for COVID-19: Alcohol spray provided for hands and surfaces. All members of staff wear masks.

Delivery information: Contact them on Facebook or call them for delivery (at least one member of staff speaks English). If you live outside of Songshan District, the delivery fee will be between $100-$150.

A few months ago we were cafe-hopping in Minsheng Community, a chic, leafy neighbourhood full of cute coffee shops, furniture stores, restaurants, and boutiques. We had been heading towards the Minsheng Community branch of To Be Smoothie, an awesome smoothie and salad joint that we regularly frequent when we passed by an interesting-looking restaurant called Alola Pizza that smelled amazing. Enticed by the incredible aroma of garlic and baking dough, we made the snap decision to give up on our salads and check it out.

The first thing we liked about Alola Pizza was how nice it was inside. We loved the plants and exposed brick, and even though there wasn’t a ton of space, the restaurant felt cosy rather than claustrophobic. All of the other customers were groups of families enjoying a Sunday night meal together, which made for a homey, laid-back atmosphere.

Alola Pizza has a relatively extensive menu considering how small it is, boasting 23 different kinds of pizzas. All the pizzas being served looked and smelled delicious, but we will admit to raising an eyebrow at some of their more creative options, like the potato and honey dessert pizza or the nuts with four cheese pizza. Prices were pretty reasonable, with pizzas falling between the $160-$400 range for either 8 or 10 inches.

Being a little unsure of what to expect, we decided to keep it pretty basic when we ordered. The first pizza we chose was the Margherita Pizza ($170 for 8″), made with tomato sauce, basil, and fresh mozzarella cheese. This ended up being standard but good, with a delicious, garlicky tomato sauce, good quality cheese, and soft, chewy dough. If you like a thick dough on your pizza the same way we do, you’ll love the one they do here.

The next pizza we got was the Salami Pizza ($290 for 8″), made with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella cheese, ricotta cheese, spinach, and salami. This was another excellent choice that ticked all the boxes without getting too crazy. We loved the way the subtle difference in taste and texture that the ricotta added, and very much enjoyed the addition of the salami. We couldn’t immediately taste the spinach but still felt like it added a something. We demolished both pizzas in no time, and found it hard to choose a favourite between them.

Here’s their menu down below — you can also see a more detailed version of their menu (with more English) on their website.

All things considered, we ended up enjoying our meal at Alola Pizza way more than we first thought we would. They may not serve authentic Italian-style pizza, but for those of us who appreciate a thicker dough, it was an excellent choice. The ingredients were fresh and of good quality, and it was extremely well made. Pizza aside, we also loved the cosy atmosphere and agreed that it would be a nice offbeat place for a date, or for a meal with kids.

What’s the vibe?

Warm and cosy neighbourhood pizza joint that’s perfect for families or even a date.

Worth it?

We thought so! The prices were pretty standard, and there were a few budget-friendly options on the menu too.

Would you go back?

Definitely! We’d be more likely to go back if we were in the area rather than going all the way across town for it, though.

Last updated: March 2020

Alola Pizza

Chinese Name: 好時光披薩

Hours:
11am – 9pm
Closed Mondays

Phone: 02 3765 1369

English Address: No. 7, Lane 69, Section 5, Minsheng East Road, Songshan District, Taipei