The world’s most prestigious pizza awards were held in Madrid last night and Dublin’s Little Pyg won gold for ‘Best Pizzas in Ireland’ for the second year running
Over 2,000 independent judges travelled the continent to review the restaurants unbeknownst to the owners, incredibly Little Pyg also secured the ‘most authentic Italian produce’ in Europe accolade, proving it to be a mammoth night for this Irish restaurant on the European food stage
If you’re a pizza lover or a real foodie, you’ll already know this is a very big deal! Ireland’s tallest restaurant-bar, Little Pyg, which takes up the entire centre of the iconic Powerscourt Townhouse in Dublin 2, is today excited to announce that their pizzas have been voted #1 in Ireland for the second year running and overall #15 in Europe at the ‘Pizza Europa Awards’ held in Madrid last night. 2,000 inspectors have been travelling across Europe in search of the best pizza and Italian food the continent has to offer. Dublin’s Little Pyg is now the only Irish restaurant to make the top 50 two years in a row.
The award ceremony in Madrid last night (May 13th) is a huge annual event and reflects the highest echelons of European pizza standards every year. The awards ultimately dictate the group’s renowned Top 50 Guide. However taking home gold for Ireland was not all the Little Pyg team had to celebrate last night, the team in Madrid were stunned when they also won “best authentic Italian produce in Europe”. Both accolades helping to put Ireland firmly on the European map for its ever improving food scene.
The management of the guide has been entrusted to Italian food critics, Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro and Albert Sapere and each of the pizzerias selected for consideration are reviewed anonymously by one of their 2,000 judges. Having made the top 20, Little Pyg will now compete for the top global pizzeria accolade at the world championships in Naples in September 2024.
The quality of Little Pyg’s pizzas is no secret, as the restaurant-bar already boasts Ireland’s only Michelin Guide pizzas and was voted #27 in Europe in 2023 and #1 in Ireland again in 2023.
Dropping hints as to why their pizza’s are so good, Little Pyg Head Pizza Chef Federico Rapali said: “Our enormous pizza oven was brought over from Naples and took over 14 men to build. It is even made from the rock of Mount Vesuvius. The dough of each Little Pyg pizza is left to ferment for 48 hours before cooking. It is these types of expert secrets, and the time and dedication spent, that make our pizzas so noticeably incredible. And now being internationally recognised at the highest levels for this, is just amazing.”
When you peek behind the stunning interiors and towering foliage of this unique Irish bar-restaurant, there are so many fascinating layers that make this a truly top-tier and ‘different’ dining experience in Dublin.
Little Pyg’s Head Pizza Chef Federico has assembled a team from all over the world. It took owner Paul McGlade Jnr over 5 months, and multiple trips to Italy, to convince the world class pizzaiolo to move to Ireland and take up this position within the Little Pyg family.
After accepting the award for best Pizza in Ireland in Madrid last night, Little Pyg owner, Paul McGlade Jnr said:
“To win number 1 in Ireland for the second year running at this huge globally respected event is a tremendous honour. It is great recognition for the Irish food scene globally, it’s down to the dedication of our team that work so hard to create the best pizzas in Ireland, every day. Winning this Best in Ireland award, judged by some of Italy’s top food critics, means so much to us and to be the only Irish restaurant to make it into the top 50 two years in a row makes us so proud.”
“We import the best, fresh produce from Italy every week and are very passionate about what we do. Each pizza base is left to ferment for 48 hours before being put into our pizza oven, made from the rock of Mount Vesuvius. We are passionate about bringing an authentic taste of Italy to Irish customers, which has now been confirmed by our second award last night of most authentic Italian produce in all of Europe.”
“Despite these awards we still offer unbeatable prices for the quality of food we offer and our pizzas have 50% less calories than the standard pizza of the same size. Of course there are many other factors that make our pizza’s this good, we can’t tell you everything!” Paul McGlade Jnr jokes.
‘Ireland’s tallest restaurant’ (takes over the entire centre of the Powerscourt Townhouse) offers Michelin guide pizza’s for exceptionally reasonable prices.
They are also renowned for their ‘Pygtail’s, with a two for €22 deal available 7 days a week.
Bookings for Little Pyg can be made here https://littlepyg.com/ and you can follow them on Instagram here.
