Bardelli’s bags back-to-back wins in the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge
For the second consecutive year, Bardelli’s has been voted winner of the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge, reaffirming its place as South Africa’s favourite pizzeria.
The annual nationwide competition, sponsored by Porcupine Ridge Wines, celebrates the country’s best-loved pizza restaurants as voted by the public, and once again, Bardelli’s has emerged triumphant.
In a fiercely contested challenge, Gino’s of Robertsham secured second place, while Al Pescatore from Ballito rounded out the top three, a first time this KwaZulu Natal based establishment has been in the Top 10!
The full Toop 10 placements are:
- Bardelli’s (Kenilworth, Cape Town, Western Cape)
- Gino’s (Robertsham, Johannesburg, Gauteng)
- Al Pescatore (Ballito, KZN)
- Ferdinando’s (Observatory, Cape Town, Western Cape)
- The Nose at the Taste Room (Gqeberha, Eastern Cape)
- Oukraal Restaurant (Potchefstroom, North West)
- Corlie’s Italian (Somerset West, Western Cape)
- Julia’s Eatalian (Potchefstroom, North West)
- Iggs Pizzeria (Montana, Tshwane, Gauteng)
- Charlies Pizzeria and Coffee Shop (Benoni)
Bardelli’s owner Grant Hawkins said he and his team were “super excited” on hearing they had retained the title.
“We are delighted to have won the Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge again this year, as it’s a validation that our customers enjoy what we do and we thank them for their amazing and generous support.”
Although ultimately it came down to restaurant customers to decide who this year’s winner was going to be, Bardelli’s had firm support because of a well-entrenched community base.
Hawkins says, citing his head chef who has been in the kitchen for 27 years:
“We’re blessed with our patrons and our staff are honestly like family. She started as a 19 year old and was taught the ropes by the previous owners.”
Hawkins also mentions the role Bardelli’s has played in its wait staff’s lives.
“We use a lot of students, and I can confidently say we’ve helped hundreds with varsity fees, buy their first car or motorbike or pay for their first Contiki tour!”
So what about the food and – more specifically – the pizzas at Bardelli’s?
“There’s no secret,” Hawkins maintains. “They’re based on northern Italian or Roman style pizza with a crispy thin base. Quality is the key. Quality in the ingredients, sourcing the best and freshest we can, locally or from Italy, and then adding value through generosity.
“The recipes we use are still from the original owners who began the restaurant 30 years ago. Our cheeses are the best available and our toppings are plentiful.”
Having said that, Hawkins concedes that in his opinion the best pizzas are the simplest, with just two or three toppings.
“But we understand that some patrons might want five or six, and that’s okay too.”
While their best seller remains the bacon, feta and avocado pizza, Bardelli’s is not above extending the menu to incorporate a few ‘left field‘ choices. In fact, at least two have been named after the people who came up with them! For example, there’s the Donatello, named after a chap called Donavan who liked his pizza with mince, pepperoni and jalapeño chilli or the Cristini, in honour of a regular customer Christine, whose sun-dried tomato, bacon and cream cheese creativity is now a fixture on the menu.
It’s taking care of the small details that add up to form a complete whole which Bardelli’s does so effortlessly. The difference between perfectly dry wood for the wood-fired oven, the bacon and chicken being double-smoked, the ambient temperature of the restaurant which is set at a level to suit the patrons and the weather on the day, not the busy wait staff. Even the choice of music.
“It makes no sense to be playing reggae because that’s what the waiters like,” says Hawkins.
Lynton Kaiser, Sales & Marketing Manager for Porcupine Ridge Wines, congratulated Bardelli’s on their remarkable repeat victory.
“We could not be happier for Grant and his team. Their repeat win is a real testament to both Bardelli’s pizzas and its loyal patrons who have voted them the country’s favourite pizzeria.”
“I’d also like to congratulate runners-up Gino’s of Robertsham and Al Pescatore; it was a close race! Well done too, to all the other establishments that participated this year, we really appreciate the time and effort they took to be part of what has become a fun annual challenge.”
“It was fantastic to see so many new entrants and participation from restaurants across the country — from Kalk Bay to White River and all the towns and cities in between. And finally, a huge thank you to all those pizza-loving South Africans across the country who supported their favourite eateries and took the time to vote.”
For its 2025 victory, Bardelli’s received the winner’s pizza paddle, Porcupine Ridge Wine for a year, R40 000 in marketing materials, R1 800 in vouchers for its staff, and three cases of wine to award to its top Porcupine Ridge – selling server — along with the ultimate bragging rights as South Africa’s top pizzeria.
The Porcupine Ridge Pizzeria Challenge continues to celebrate the country’s diverse and dynamic pizza scene, recognising the passion, quality, and creativity that go into every slice.
Once again, Bardelli’s has proven that excellence is built on craft, care, and community — and for the enxt 12 months, it reigns supreme.
