With its roots in 18th-century Naples, Italy, pizzerias have defined a gourmet vision for the triangular treat. Its entry in India with the Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe in Varanasi, makes it a culinary legend that has stood the test of time! A slice of Italian history has been quietly baking here since the ’90s, and its flavours still reign fresh.
The First Pizzeria in India
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The tale about pizzerias shall take us back to the 18th-century Naples, Italy, where street vendors served flatbreads topped with cheese and garlic to working-class patrons. This Neapolitan magic travelled across Europe and later captured the globe. A tale that ended in pizza becoming an iconic comfort food!
And finally, in 1992-93, a pizzeria arrived in the Indian market only to transform it into a pizza-frenzy nation. The Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe was established on the banks of the Ganges, perfectly complementing the location with its divine flavours and legendary techniques.
It was no short of a culinary legend; Italy’s iconic wood-fired pizzas could now be made in India, just beside the divine Assi Ghat in Varanasi. This experimental venture called for assembling of clay ovens, sourdough crusts, and continental toppings in a country which was still gaga over dominating curries and thalis. This culinary tale of success landed a place for the Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe in The Wall Street Journal in 1994.
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Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe’s Romantic Riverfront Ambience
Sitting in its gourmet-layered glory along the ghats is the Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe. The cafe boasts open-air seating with awe-inspiring views of the Ganges. Romanticising may be a new concept for us, but it was native to this cafe as far back as the ’90s. With its riverside views, potted plants, and ambient sounds of temple bells, it is no short of an old cinematic experience. The sunsets are the metaphorical cherry on top and add to the beauty of the restaurant.
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Food That Feeds Soul & Memory
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Their star quality is the thin-crust finish, which is equal parts crunchy and sleek. When mixed with the fiery note of wood-fire and topped with fresh vegetables, homemade sauces, and drool-worthy mozzarella, it makes for the perfect combination.
The fiery menu also features pastas and raviolis. The apple pie, coupled with vanilla ice cream, has become a star part of the Varanasi legend. Popularly called names like “warm, buttery, and a gooey delight,” it is a must-try to satisfy all sweet-tooths.
You can also try their handmade lasagna, spinach pizza, herbal teas and their signature ginger-lemon-honey infusion- your perfect companion after a yoga session.
Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe defines a slice of culinary history that is still being served hot every day. If you love the insane combo of riverside panoramas and wood-fired goodies, Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe in Varanasi awaits your presence.
Where: B-1/178, Assi Ghat Road, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
When: 7:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: ₹500 for two approx.
Cover Image Courtesy: PizzeriaVaatikaCafe/Website
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First Published: June 20, 2025 5:54 PM