Some prefer New York-style, others prefer Chicago’s deep dish, but me? I prefer pizza that tastes like it was cooked in Italy. And after meeting Chef Luca of Varuni Napoli, I had a feeling that was exactly what I was going to get.

Varuni Napoli is located in Midtown Atlanta, and features authentic Neapolitan pizza pies. It has a social atmosphere, with large tables and an open kitchen, so you can see the food as it is being prepared! After just a few bites of Varuni Napoli’s pizza, it quickly shot to the top of my “Atlanta pizza” list. The pizza has a fluffy, yet thin crust with fresh, gooey cheese. I love the “Bastardo,” which is topped with fresh buffalo mozzarella, pepperoni, nduja (which I found out was a spicy, spreadable sausage), pecorino romano and basil. I seriously could have eaten the whole pie myself!

But as delicious as the pizza is, what really makes Varuni Napoli unique is its full menu. Its features perfectly-prepared salads, authentic Italian appetizers (may I recommend the Arancini!), calzones and desserts… And let’s just say you must save room for dessert! You can “build your own” cannoli and taste the creamiest gelato at Varuni Napoli.

And if you’re anything like me and wondering how the food tastes so authentic, it probably has something to do with the fact that many of the main ingredients, such as the flour, tomatoes and mozzarella, are imported from Italy, and the produce is locally sourced. Chef Luca puts a lot of thought and care into each bite we take—and it absolutely does not go unnoticed!

Me and Chef Luca!

Have you been to Varuni Napoli before? Share your experiences in the comments!