Newly Opened Italian Restaurant in Taipei Serves Smoky Cheese Pizzas from Wood-Fired Oven

Text & photos byKUNI

(It's recommended to visit before the Italian master chef leaves Taiwan!)

Thanks to my friend Fanrei for the recommendation. On a hot afternoon, I found myself in the unfamiliar Datong District. After turning right onto Chifeng Street from Nanjing West Road, you can find parking when you see Jiancheng Park. As I walked into the shop, Eros Ramazzotti’s voice greeted me. I often listened to his rich, powerful Italian tenor while in Europe—never expected to hear it here. I thought to myself, “Now that’s class!” and immediately had high expectations for the restaurant.

The wood-fired oven in the store is highly eye-catching. Standing next to it was an elderly gentleman, originally from Italy, who despite his advanced age had been specially dispatched from Japan to Taiwan for store expansion and technical guidance. He’s also the mentor of the owner of the flagship store in Japan. Watching his small and aging figure stand in front of the oven, placing pizza slices in, flipping them from time to time, then skillfully taking them out, I felt a bit emotional. But that feeling gradually faded as he wore a constant smile—completely genuine. Seeing how happily and unpretentiously he took photos with customers moved me a little.

(At the entrance)

(The old man is just adorable)

(This is a specially baked design pizza by the old man)

(Decorations nearby)

(Waiting for food to be ready)

(The old man skillfully places pizzas into the wood-fired oven)

Solo Pizza is a rare semi-self-service Italian restaurant where you order and pay at the counter, then wait for your number to be called and pick up your food yourself.

Today’s meal:
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Margherita Extra (1st place, Traditional Category 2010), NT$238
Four Cheeses, NT$278
Parma Ham & Arugula, NT$298
Pizza Ravioli, NT$288

Cured Ham Plate, NT$188 (NT$10 discount when ordered with pizza)
Salad, NT$60 (NT$10 discount when ordered with pizza)
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Although the restaurant was fully booked, the food came out much faster than expected. The salad made a great first impression—the greens were perfectly hydrated and at the right temperature, with a clear olive oil fragrance mixed with bright acidity. Simple, yet delicious.

In the Four Cheeses pizza, the Gorgonzola hit the palate first, bold but not overpowering—it’s a world-renowned Italian blue cheese. Then came the Mozzarella, closely following, and faintly detectable was also Ricotta. I couldn’t identify the Padano though.

(Salad)

(Four Cheeses Pizza)

The award-winning Margherita had crust aroma that wasn’t prominent at first, but it was extremely, extremely enjoyable the more you chewed. The wheat flavor and wood-fired scent gradually filled the back of the nose. The pizza sauce contained colorful tomatoes, and the simple saltiness was extraordinary.

The Parma pizza was also delicious. It probably didn’t use premium traditional Parma ham, but it paired exceptionally well with the tender arugula.

The final pizza ravioli was probably my favorite of the day. The cheesy filling, like a sandwich, along with thick cured ham, was wrapped in a very charming pizza dough. I recommend trying it as soon as it arrives while it’s still slightly steaming—you’ll feel like you’ve gone to heaven. The Ricotta cheese adds a refreshing touch, reducing greasiness and guilt, and don’t forget to bite into the wood-fired aroma on the edge of the crust. Ah, being alive to eat such pizza is truly a blessing.

(Parma Ham & Arugula Pizza)

(Cured Ham Plate)

(Margherita Extra)

(Pizza Dumplings)

(The delicious cheese filling oozes out while still hot)

It’s said that the elderly gentleman will be returning to Japan in early August, so it’s recommended that you visit and try his food while he’s still here. The old man is just too adorable.

Solo Pizza Napoletana
Address: No. 4, Lane 8, Chifeng Street, Datong District, Taipei City
Phone: (02)2550-6236
Hours: 11:30–14:00, 18:00–21:00

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