Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza: Honoring 130 Years of Tradition at Mangia Pizza

In the vast world of pizza, one variety stands above all others in its elegant simplicity and historical significance: authentic Italian Margherita pizza. Born in Naples in 1889, this legendary creation has captivated pizza lovers for over 130 years. At Mangia Pizza, we honor this heritage by crafting Margherita pizza exactly as it was intended—with unwavering respect for tradition, premium Italian ingredients, and time-honored techniques.

When you seek authentic Italian Margherita pizza in Amsterdam, you're not just looking for tomato, mozzarella, and basil on dough. You're seeking a culinary experience that connects you to Italian heritage, a pizza that represents the soul of Naples, and quality that reflects generations of refinement. This is precisely what we deliver at every table, every day.

The Royal Origins of Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza

To understand authentic Italian Margherita pizza, we must travel back to June 1889 in Naples, Italy. Queen Margherita of Savoy and King Umberto I visited the city, and the royal couple requested to taste local specialties. Pizzaiolo Raffaele Esposito of Pizzeria Brandi was summoned to prepare pizza for the queen.

Esposito created three different pizzas, but one stood out—a pizza representing the colors of the Italian flag. Red tomatoes, white mozzarella, and green basil came together in perfect harmony. The queen was so delighted that Esposito named this creation "Pizza Margherita" in her honor. Thus, authentic Italian Margherita pizza was born, and it has remained virtually unchanged for over a century.

The Sacred Recipe: Five Perfect Ingredients

Authentic Italian Margherita pizza proves that greatness doesn't require complexity. Just five ingredients—each one crucial, each one demanding perfection:

1. Traditional Neapolitan Dough

The foundation of authentic Italian Margherita pizza begins with dough that meets strict specifications. We use Italian Type 00 flour with precise protein content, water, salt, and fresh yeast—nothing more. Our dough undergoes 24-hour cold fermentation, developing complex flavors and creating the characteristic airy, digestible texture that defines Neapolitan pizza.

Our founder Antonio Cavoto applies engineering precision to dough preparation. He calculates exact hydration levels, monitors fermentation temperatures, and ensures consistency that makes every authentic Italian Margherita pizza exceptional. Learn more about Antonio's journey from Naples to Amsterdam.

2. San Marzano Tomatoes: Liquid Gold

For authentic Italian Margherita pizza, tomatoes must be San Marzano—specifically those grown in volcanic soil near Mount Vesuvius. These elongated plum tomatoes possess low acidity, natural sweetness, and minimal seeds. We source ours directly from Italy, crushing them by hand to preserve their fresh, bright flavor.

No heavy cooking, no added spices—just pure tomato essence. This simplicity allows the tomatoes' natural flavor to shine through, creating the perfect foundation for mozzarella and basil. From Italy to your plate, every tomato meets our exacting standards.

3. Fresh Mozzarella: The Creamy Heart

Authentic Italian Margherita pizza requires fresh mozzarella—either Fior di Latte (cow's milk) or Mozzarella di Bufala (buffalo milk). Both offer distinct characteristics, but both must be fresh, never pre-shredded or processed.

We receive fresh mozzarella deliveries regularly, ensuring optimal moisture content and flavor. It's torn by hand—never sliced—and distributed across the pizza in a way that creates pools of creamy, melted cheese.

4. Fresh Basil: Aromatic Perfection

Fresh basil leaves are essential to authentic Italian Margherita pizza. Not dried, not added before baking—fresh leaves placed on the pizza after it exits the oven. This timing preserves basil's aromatic oils, which would dissipate under high heat.

The basil provides a peppery, slightly sweet contrast to rich mozzarella and acidic tomatoes. This three-way flavor harmony—tomato, cheese, basil—defines authentic Italian Margherita pizza and explains why this simple combination remains so beloved.

5. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The Finishing Touch

A final drizzle of premium extra virgin olive oil completes authentic Italian Margherita pizza. This adds richness, helps flavors meld together, and provides a luxurious mouthfeel. We use cold-pressed olive oil from Italy, ensuring fruity notes that complement without overwhelming.

Wood-Fired Perfection: How We Cook Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza

Perfect ingredients mean nothing without proper cooking. Authentic Italian Margherita pizza demands wood-fired ovens reaching 700°F to 900°F. Our traditional wood-fired ovens create the ideal environment for Neapolitan pizza.

The 60-90 Second Miracle

At extreme temperatures, authentic Italian Margherita pizza cooks in just 60-90 seconds. This rapid cooking creates:

• ▪ Crispy Exterior: High heat forms a golden, crispy crust
• ▪ Soft Interior: Quick cooking preserves the airy, moist center
• ▪ Leopard Spotting: Characteristic charred bubbles that prove authenticity
• ▪ Perfect Cheese: Mozzarella melts completely without overcooking
• ▪ Subtle Smoke: Wood fire adds aromatic complexity

Conventional ovens cannot replicate these results. The slower cooking time fundamentally changes texture, moisture, and flavor. True authentic Italian Margherita pizza requires wood-fired tradition.

Pizzaiolo Expertise: The Human Element

Creating authentic Italian Margherita pizza requires skilled pizzaiolos who understand wood-fired cooking. Our team monitors the oven constantly, rotating pizzas at precisely the right moment, adjusting for temperature variations, ensuring even cooking.

This cannot be automated. Each pizza requires human judgment, developed through years of experience. Go behind the counter to witness the dedication that goes into every pizza we serve.

What Makes Margherita Pizza Truly "Authentic Italian"?

Many restaurants serve pizza called "Margherita," but true authentic Italian Margherita pizza meets specific criteria established by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN):

At Mangia Pizza, we follow these standards religiously. Our commitment to authenticity means every Margherita pizza represents genuine Italian tradition—not adaptation, not fusion, but the real thing.

Why Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza Remains the Gold Standard

In a world of endless pizza variations—truffle, BBQ chicken, Hawaiian, dessert pizzas—why does simple authentic Italian Margherita pizza remain the benchmark against which all others are measured?

Purity of Expression

With just five ingredients, there's nowhere to hide. Every component must be perfect. The tomatoes must taste like tomatoes, the mozzarella must be creamy and fresh, the basil must be aromatic. This purity demands excellence—and reveals it immediately.

Perfect Balance

Authentic Italian Margherita pizza achieves perfect harmony. Sweet tomatoes balance acidic notes, creamy cheese provides richness, aromatic basil adds freshness, fruity olive oil ties everything together, and structured dough provides the foundation. No single element dominates; everything works in concert.

Universal Appeal

From children to food critics, vegetarians to meat lovers, everyone appreciates well-made Margherita. It's sophisticated enough for gourmets yet accessible enough for anyone. This universal appeal explains why it has remained popular for 130 years.

Cultural Connection

Eating authentic Italian Margherita pizza connects you to Italian heritage. It's not just food—it's cultural experience, a taste of history, a link to Naples and its passionate people. This emotional dimension elevates Margherita beyond mere sustenance.

Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza on Our Menu

While we offer diverse pizza options, authentic Italian Margherita pizza remains our cornerstone. It's the pizza we recommend to first-time visitors, the pizza that showcases our commitment to tradition, the pizza that defines who we are.

Priced at just €5.00, our Margherita represents exceptional value. This isn't budget pizza—it's traditionally prepared, wood-fired Neapolitan pizza made with premium Italian ingredients. We believe authentic quality should be accessible to everyone.

Browse our complete menu to see how we build upon this foundation with creative variations while always respecting traditional techniques.

How to Properly Enjoy Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza

To fully appreciate authentic Italian Margherita pizza, follow these traditional Italian guidelines:

Eat Immediately

Neapolitan pizza is at its absolute best within minutes of leaving the oven. The crust begins to soften, the cheese cools and firms, the magic fades. When your pizza arrives, don't wait—enjoy it immediately while it's at peak perfection.

Use Knife and Fork

In Naples, authentic Italian Margherita pizza is traditionally eaten with knife and fork. The pizza is too delicate for hand-holding—its soft, moist center requires utensils. Start from the center and work outward, saving the crispy cornicione (crust edge) for last.

Simple Pairings

Let the pizza shine. Pair with simple beverages: Italian beer, light red wine, or sparkling water. Avoid overpowering drinks that compete with the delicate balance of flavors.

Resist Additions

If you're tempted to add extra cheese, oregano, chili flakes, or other toppings, resist. Authentic Italian Margherita pizza is perfectly balanced as created. Additional elements unbalance the carefully calibrated flavors.

What Customers Say About Our Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza

"Sometimes the simplest things are the hardest to perfect. Mangia's Margherita is flawless—the perfect crust, fresh mozzarella that melts in your mouth, tomatoes that taste like summer. This is how Margherita should be."

"I've had Margherita pizza in Naples, Rome, and across Italy. Mangia Pizza's version stands proudly alongside them. The wood-fired crust, the quality ingredients, the attention to detail—this is authentic Italian pizza in Amsterdam."

"My nonno would approve. The Margherita here tastes like home—that perfect balance of flavors, the crispy yet soft crust, the fresh basil. Mangia Pizza respects tradition, and you can taste it in every bite."

Award-Winning Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza

This achievement reflects our unwavering commitment to authentic Italian Margherita pizza. We compete with pizzerias worldwide, and our dedication to traditional methods earns recognition from international experts. Discover our secret to award-winning pizza.

Experience Authentic Italian Margherita Pizza at Four Amsterdam Locations

Ready to taste authentic Italian Margherita pizza as it was meant to be? Visit any of our four Amsterdam restaurants:

Each location maintains identical standards—same ingredients, same techniques, same commitment to authenticity. Find your nearest location and taste the difference tradition makes.

Mangia Pizza Amsterdam - Serving authentic Italian Margherita pizza since 2015. Traditional Neapolitan methods, wood-fired perfection, premium Italian ingredients. Four Amsterdam locations. Ranked #43 at The Best Pizza Awards. Experience 130 years of tradition. Call (020) 331 55 55.