What kind of person doesn’t like pizza?
A weirdough.
Speaking of dough— with your help we’ve gone through the daunting task of rounding up the best on the island (excluding gas station pizza — which we know you love), we’re talking pillowy soft Neapolitan to thin, stringy New York slices.
Check out these unmissable pizza joints in Cayman and get out there to cheese the day, (these pizza jokes can’t be topped). Ok we're done, so without further preamble, read on to get a slice of the action.
A new kid on the block, Paradise Pizza comes from the talented team behind Palm Heights and much-hyped eatery and bar, Tillies and Coconut Club. Now slinging slices from a wood-fired oven, it was born during the lockdown to immediate acclaim. White and red base pizzas are both available (the Mr. White is bellisimo) with toppings like the classic mozzarella, tomato sauce, and basil to the more adventurous buffalo chicken, blue cheese & lemon zest. Dine inside a charming leaf-laden garden or take out, but you might find the whole of the island is in the queue. Chewy, thin, and smothered with puddles of gloriously soft cheese, no lie — you’ll have to cradle the slices in two hands to stop the toppings from sliding off. On a cheat day, or any day really, get yourself the garlic knots to start, you can’t go wrong with gooey bread nuggets soaked in deliciously warm butter. They also serve crispy spiced chicken or lamb shawarma’s if you’re somehow, inexplicably, not in the mood for pizza. On a Saturday 29CI gets you an app, pizza, pasta, salad, AND a dessert. Bargain!
2. Ragazzi
When the carb cravings call, Ragazzi will answer. Making a beeline for this popular eatery is always a good idea.
If the queue at Buckingham Square doesn't speak for itself, we don't know what will - stop by on a weekday lunchtime to avoid the Friday and Saturday crowds, and you'll be in for a treat. Once that pizza arrives, it’s go-time, another one bites the crust. Thin, crispy and served with beautiful burnt bubbles in the dough, but what makes Ragazzi pizza really special is its softness. Authentic thin crust pizza slices, piping hot from the brick oven, and properly luscious, it arrives bigger than the plate. All variations can be done on a red or white base, as well as on gluten-free, whole-wheat crust, and flavours range from classic pepperoni, mixed mushroom and gorgonzola cheese to margherita topped with dollops of mozzerella and basil. Sit at the bar for an impromptu dinner with friends or order in for a lazy Sunday meal.
3. LE Vele
Le Vele’s success is based on doing the simple things very very well, which is no surprise considering both the owners and head chef hail from Italy. The sauce itself is exceptional: best appreciated on the marinara (just tomato, garlic and oregano), it’s fresh and sweet and just a little bit tart.
Guests gorge on superb pasta, pizza and wine with a view of the Caribbean Sea as the backdrop, Le Vele ticks all the right boxes but also nail wickedly inventive pizzas like octopus, duck confit, or a salmon, avocado and caviar. The vegan options will sway even the most ardent dairy lovers, and the white pie drizzled with garlic-and-oregano oil is topped with an incredible vegan cashew paste, kale and peppers.
4. Andiamo
For all you pizza aficiona-doughs, everything about the pizza here is classic, so expect a freshly-made pie done beautifully, with a breezy river view to match. Topped with ingredients that taste like they’ve been handpicked from Italy, the result is a delizioso pizza straight outta Naples.
All of Andiamo’s doughs – traditional, wholemeal, gluten free or a witchy vegetable charcoal – are baked inside hand-crafted wood-fired ovens, and you can taste the special treatment. You can’t go wrong with anything on the menu here, try the classic Margherita with triple cheese, mozzarella, parmigiana, reggiano and olive oil and you’ll be dreaming about it forever.
5. XQ’s
You want a pizza this? Everyone does, and XQ’s are there with thick and thin pizza’s depending on what floats your boat. The dimly lit restaurant with an impressive bar ranks high with visitors and locals. Classic pies are done impeccably well and pushing the boundaries with ingredients pays off magnificently. Try the flatbread florentine with manchengo cheese, spinach and egg if you’re feeling brave, or the lamb curry pizza with riatta and and cilantro. The pizza’s at XQ’s are crispy, inventive and affordable, and for just $2.50 you can double the dough with a ‘Chicago’ base.
6. Gino’s
Give a local the chance to grab a bite at Gino's, and you’ll rarely find the offer refused. It’s one of those Cayman-centric brands that has kept the same winning formula throughout the years. Conjuring up New York-style ginormous slices, 18 inches to be exact, paired with plenty of beer to help you through a hangover, late night craving or a break up. It's an eat-at-the-counter kind of place, and is just as à propos at lunchtime as it is at 12am ( on Fridays. 11pm Saturday)
The grab-and-go slices, paired best with wings and a bucket of white tip, is a top choice that will leave you satisfied.
**We polled you, our audience, and these are your picks! If a restaurant wasn’t on here it doesn’t mean it isn’t awesome.**
