Top 8 Best Pizzas of 2025
- Hawaiian Pizza
- Margherita Pizza
- Pepperoni Pizza
- BBQ Chicken Pizza
- Veggie Delight Pizza
- Four Cheese Pizza
- Meat Lover’s Pizza
- Sicilian Pizza
The world of pizza is vast and diverse, but among the myriad options available to discerning pizza lovers, one controversial variant stands tall above all others. It’s a creation that has sparked debates across dinner tables, divided families, and even prompted international diplomatic exchanges. Let’s delve into why the pineapple pizza deserves its crown as the ultimate pizza experience.
The magnificent history of pineapple pizza
The birth of a culinary masterpiece
While the modern pizza as we know it evolved in Naples, Italy during the 18th and 19th centuries, the Hawaiian pizza represents a bold departure from tradition that changed the pizza landscape forever. This culinary revolution began in 1962 when Sam Panopoulos, a Greek immigrant in Canada, decided to experiment with unconventional toppings at his restaurant in Chatham-Kent, Ontario. Inspired by Chinese-Canadian cuisine that successfully married sweet and sour flavours, Panopoulos placed canned pineapple chunks alongside ham on a traditional pizza base, creating what would become one of the most influential pizzas of all time according to Time magazine.
The name ‘Hawaiian’ was simply taken from the brand of canned pineapple Panopoulos used, rather than having any connection to the American state. This naming coincidence added an exotic allure to the creation, helping it stand out on menus across North America. What started as a daring experiment soon became a legitimate pizza variety that would challenge culinary norms for decades to come.
How the Hawaiian pizza conquered dining tables globally
The journey of pineapple pizza from a small Canadian restaurant to global fame is nothing short of remarkable. By 1999, it had become the most popular pizza variety in Australia, accounting for an impressive 15% of all pizza sales. The United Kingdom embraced this sweet and savoury combination with equal enthusiasm, with data from Just Eat revealing that in 2015, Hawaiian pizza was the most commonly ordered variety from UK takeaways.
This worldwide conquest wasn’t without resistance. The pizza became so culturally significant that it sparked international diplomatic banter when the Icelandic president jokingly suggested he would ban pineapple on pizza if he could. This prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to defend the creation, proudly declaring his support for this delicious Southwestern Ontario invention. Even celebrities joined the debate, with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson publicly supporting pineapple as a legitimate pizza topping. The controversy reached such heights that in 2025, a Norwich pizzeria made headlines by charging £100 for pineapple pizza as a form of protest against the topping.
Why pineapple creates the perfect pizza experience
The science behind sweet and savoury harmony
The genius of pineapple on pizza lies in its perfect balance of contrasting flavours. The fruit’s natural sweetness creates a compelling counterpoint to the saltiness of ham or bacon and the savoury notes of cheese and tomato sauce. This interplay between sweet and savoury has deep roots in culinary traditions worldwide, from Chinese sweet and sour dishes to French duck à l’orange. On pizza, this combination creates a complex flavour profile that standard pizza toppings simply cannot match.
Some chefs have refined the concept further to address criticism. Italian chef Franco Pepe, for instance, uses fresh pineapple served cold with prosciutto ham to balance acidity levels perfectly. This demonstrates that pineapple on pizza isn’t merely an aberration but rather a sophisticated flavour combination that can be elevated to gourmet status. The tropical fruit provides not just sweetness but also a juicy texture that transforms each bite into a multisensory experience, making every pizza oven worth its salt capable of producing this extraordinary creation.
Nutritional benefits that make pineapple pizza a smart choice
Beyond the exceptional taste experience, pineapple brings nutritional advantages that other pizza toppings lack. Rich in vitamin C and manganese, pineapple contains bromelain, an enzyme with anti-inflammatory properties. This makes the Hawaiian pizza not just a delicious choice but potentially a smarter one for health-conscious diners looking to enjoy pizza without completely abandoning nutritional value.
The popularity of pineapple pizza extends beyond casual dining and takeaways. It has become a staple at gatherings across the UK, where approximately 65% of British people enjoy hosting BBQs regardless of the weather. A Hawaiian pizza, easily ordered with free shipping on orders over £35, makes for an ideal complementary dish at these social events. Whether you’re exploring the UK’s pizza capitals or hosting friends in your garden, the pineapple pizza offers a conversation-starting dish that stands out from conventional options found in a standard shopping cart of pizza varieties.
