Birdland (Fukui)

This pizzeria is led by an owner-chef trained in Naples, the birthplace of pizza. The only restaurant in Fukui Prefecture certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, it draws fans from inside and outside the prefecture for its authentic Neapolitan pizza.

Baked in a wood-fired oven, the pizzas are crisp on the outside and pleasantly chewy inside, with an exceptional flavor and aroma in the dough itself. Along with the classic Margherita made with cheese from Yoshida Farm in Okayama Prefecture, seasonal pizzas loaded with fresh Fukui ingredients also appear on the menu. One example is the winter-only Pizza Grankio, topped with locally caught seiko crab for a richly satisfying taste of the sea.

A special recommendation is the limited-quantity Sake Lees Pizza. Sake lees from Kokuryu Sake Brewery, one of Fukui’s best-known breweries, are kneaded into the dough, creating a distinctive rich aroma and soft texture through fermentation and wood-fired baking. The alcohol cooks off during baking, so children can enjoy it too. There is also a wide selection of à la carte dishes such as appetizers and salads, as well as dolce. The owner’s carefully selected wines are also worth trying.