The Italians who opened a pizzeria in Barcelona ten years ago are now climbing the ranks in the 50 Top Pizza Europe ranking.

BarcelonaThe dream of three friends from Verona, Alessandro Zangrossi, Mattia Ciresola, and Massimo Morbi, has just turned ten. La Balmesina pizzeria (c. Balmes, 193) is celebrating its anniversary with renovations that have given it a facelift (woodwork, artwork, light colors on the walls), while maintaining the quality and good prices that have characterized it since day one. At lunchtime, there's a set menu of starter, main course, and dessert for €15.90, or the pizza menu for €14.90; and in the evening, as well as at lunchtime, they serve pizzas—some of the best pizzas in Barcelona. And it's not just us saying that; the 50 Top Pizza Europe ranking has been saying so for years. Last year, the list ranked La Balmesina eleventh in Europe, and it's possible that this year, the Barcelona pizzeria will climb the ranks and break into the top ten.

The Italians who wanted to leave Italy without abandoning the Mediterranean recall how difficult it was to find a suitable location for their pizzeria when they arrived in Barcelona. They finally found one on Balmes Street, and from day one they demonstrated their passion: their perfect understanding of dough—slow-fermented dough, fermented for over seventy-two hours—onto which they add seasonal ingredients, organic whenever possible.

Hundreds of pizzas in ten years

"Since we opened, we've made so many," says Massimo Morbi, who highlights two in particular. The first is made with artichokes from El Prat de Llobregat, black olives, and parsley. "It's the simplicity of using seasonal produce on a dough made with organic flour, like the ones we always use." And a second one: the Amatriciana, which they prepare with tomato, guancialegrated Parmesan and Pecorino cheese, ricotta Beef and black pepper. They also make cheese-free pizzas (Manel) or vegan pizzas (called VegANNA). Prices range from €11 to €15.50 for the most expensive, which these days is the Trufaldina, topped with truffle sauce.

Now, La Balmesina isn't just a pizzeria, although it is that too, but a restaurant where you can enjoy more elaborate dishes. The midday menu features pasta dishes perfect for dipping bread, as well as other options like squid stuffed with artichokes. Both, plus dessert, cost €15.90, making it probably one of the best value establishments in the upper part of Barcelona. "We're a family restaurant; we've always wanted to offer high quality. We don't serve anything that isn't top quality. And we keep our prices reasonable because we believe it should be that way," says Morbi. In the wine section, you'll find natural wines, which is one of La Balmesina's main focuses, and you can ask the waiters and the restaurant owners (who are always available) for their opinions. Finally, for those who want to share the starters and have a pizza each for the main course, keep in mind that the appetizers are also very appealing: you'll find vitello tonnato, Bonfatti mortadella and, listen up, Veneto mantecato cod with pane carasaoThat is, the traditional cod dish from Venet, which is where the three Italian friends met who one day dreamed of coming to Barcelona, ​​and for ten years now they have been offering us the best dishes (and very good prices) in the city.