Some of the best pizza in the world can be found right here in Australia, in an unassuming local pizzeria in Melbourne’s north.
Pizza has been around since antiquity. And people have a lot of strong feelings about what constitutes a great pizza (pineapple, or no? Thick crust or thin?). From Naples to New York, pizza is a source of cultural prowess and pride. So, it’s no small feat that a hole-in-the-wall neighbourhood pizzeria in Melbourne has been labelled as one of the world’s best at none other than the globally-recognised 50 Top Pizza World awards held in Naples.
SHOP225 has been crowned the best pizza restaurant in Australia (Image: Julian Lallo)
SHOP225 were ranked 28th in the world, competing against over 1000 other restaurants (Image: Julian Lallo)
The friendly neighbourhood restaurant is beloved by locals in Melbourne's north. (Image: Julian Lallo)
SHOP225 of Pascoe Vale in Melbourne’s north took out the top gong for best pizza in the country, ranking 28th in the world overall and beating out some of Italy’s most esteemed pizzerias. The beloved, small local restaurant competed against over 1,000 other pizzerias from around the globe, with results decided by judges who posed as anonymous shoppers. SHOP225 was the only Australian restaurant to crack the top 50 list, with just one other Aussie restaurant nabbing a spot on the long-list of top 100 pizza restaurants, 48h Pizza e Gnocchi Bar , also in Melbourne.
It’s no surprise that the Victorian capital is Australia’s front-runner when it comes to great pizza, given the waves of Italian migration in the city’s history that have greatly shaped its food and coffee culture. Absent from the list this year is Sydney’s Al Taglio, which has been a fixture of on the list in previous years.
SHOP225 is the creation of chef Lorenzo Tron, who does things a little differently. Whereas some pizzerias are known for their stubborn adherence to ingredients and recipes (looking at you, Italy), SHOP225 prides itself on its ability to create great pizza for any dietary requirement. In fact, the restaurant was one of the first pizzerias to be accredited by Coeliac Australia. Tron’s culinary philosophy was influenced by his vegan mother, who would often struggle to find accommodations when dining out around Melbourne. Eleven of the thirteen pizzas on offer at SHOP225 can be made vegan, and gluten-free crust is made from a combination of rice, tapioca, maize, soy, pea and potato flours.
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Elizabeth Whitehead is a writer obsessed with all things culture; doesn't matter if it's pop culture or cultures of the world. She graduated with a degree in History from the University of Sydney (after dropping out from Maths). Her bylines span AFAR, Lonely Planet, ELLE, Harper's BAZAAR and Refinery 29. Her work for Australian Traveller was shortlisted for single article of the year at the Mumbrella Publishing Awards 2024. She is very lucky in thrifting, very unlucky in UNO.
From natural wonders to historical sites, we’ve rounded up Victoria’s most epic icons that deserve a place on your itinerary.
Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park
Mount William is the highest peak in the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park. (Image: Matt Donovan)
From towering mountains to crystal cascades and ancient rock art sites, the Grampians (Gariwerd) National Park is a playground for both outdoor adventurers and nature lovers. Don’t miss the views from the highest peak Mount William or the iconic Pinnacle.
Murray River
The wonders of the Murray are best experienced on board a paddle steamer. (Image: Visit Victoria)
A natural icon of majestic proportions, the Murray River flows for a staggering 2700 kilometres, making it one of the world’s longest navigable rivers. Meandering through Victoria before flowing out to sea at Goolwa in South Australia, the river is home to diverse wildlife, picturesque towns and secluded creeks and beaches.
Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell
The Twelve Apostles are a star attraction on the Great Ocean Road. (Image: Tourism Australia/Two Palms/Harry Pope)
These limestone sea stacks are arguably Victoria’s most famous icon . After an $8-million upgrade to its lookout, The Blowhole near Loch Ard Gorge/Poombeeyt Kontapool (meaning breath of the whale) has recently reopened. A brand-new Twelve Apostles Visitor Experience Centre, complete with rooftop lookout, will open in 2026.
You Yangs, Geelong
Kangaroos enjoy dusk in the You Yangs. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Rising 300-plus metres from the flat volcanic plains between Melbourne/Naarm and Geelong, the You Yangs are massive granite boulders named for the local Wadawurrung word ‘Youang’, meaning ‘big hills’. Hiking, biking, rock climbing and horse-riding are popular within this regional park.
Near the town of Warburton, an extraordinary forest of some 1500 Californian Redwoods stands among native orchids, eucalypt trees and rich birdlife. Planted in the 1930s, these 55-metre-plus trees can live for 2000 years and will grow to be some of the world’s tallest.
Wilsons Promontory, Gippsland
Wilsons Promontory is home to the incredible Skull Rock formation. (Image: Tourism Australia)
The Prom, as it’s known locally, is the southernmost tip of mainland Australia. This 50,000-hectare reserve comprises granite mountains and forest, fringed by sandy beaches and surrounded by a marine park rich in marine biodiversity. It’s also home to the incredible and imposing Skull Rock formation.
Hanging Rock Reserve, Macedon Ranges
Enigmatic Hanging Rock. (Image: Visit Victoria/ Rob Blackburn)
This six-million-year-old volcanic rock was thrown into the national spotlight thanks to the 1967 novel and consequent 1975 film based on the fictional disappearance of schoolgirls in 1901. Mystery aside, visitors can walk the steep 105-metre summit, fish for trout and go twitching.
Sovereign Hill, Ballarat
Step back in time at Sovereign Hill. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Cry ‘eureka!’ at Sovereign Hill , a living museum to the prosperous Gold Rush era of the 1850s, during which Ballarat produced the most gold in the world. Visitors to this much-loved attraction can walk historic streets, enter a gold mine and try panning for the good stuff, too.
The Great Stupa, Bendigo
The Great Stupa in Bendigo. (Image: Tourism Australia)
Who’d have thought the largest Buddhist temple in the Western world would be tucked away in Bendigo’s bushland? Welcoming visitors to explore, this sacred Buddhist pagoda is an epicentre for Tibetan culture, architecture, art and interfaith harmony.
Ensuring the safe passage of ships in the notoriously treacherous Bass Strait since 1859, this heritage-listed lighthouse overlooks dramatic volcanic coast and wild beaches. The surrounding reserve is home to a plethora of wildlife including little penguins, seals and echidnas.
