“PIZZA DOKORO NOLA,” a specialty restaurant serving authentic Neapolitan pizza, is located a short distance from the Bikan Historical Area.
I used to think pizza tasted the same wherever you ate it… but here, authentic Neapolitan pizza had me hooked in no time.
The restaurant’s appeal also lies in its reasonable prices, despite being near a tourist destination, reflecting the owners’ wish for people to feel welcome to drop in.
It’s a hidden-gem lunch spot known to those in the know, perfect for the whole family or for a leisurely meal on your own.
I’d love for you to try its delicious Neapolitan pizza—the kind that makes you want to come back for more after just one bite—so let me tell you about it.
The information presented here was accurate when this article was published in September 2019. Please note that it may differ from current information.
“PIZZA DOKORO NOLA,” in a quiet setting along Kurashiki Chuodori
“PIZZA DOKORO NOLA” has the atmosphere of a foreign trattoria (casual restaurant). Although it is along a major road, it is surprisingly peaceful and quiet.
There is also a parking lot beside the restaurant. Since it’s a little way from JR Kurashiki Station, having a parking lot is a real help.
Takeout is on the first floor, while dine-in seating is on the second floor.
Dine in beside the large stone oven and enjoy views of Kurashiki
When you enter, you’ll find a waiting area for takeout orders and the kitchen.
In the kitchen, a large stone oven brought in from Naples blazes away.
The owner trained at a pizza restaurant that used to be in the same location, then went independent and opened this restaurant with the stone oven.
“This year (2019) is finally our fifth year,” the owner’s wife says happily. The two of them run the restaurant together.
Firewood is burning inside the stone oven. It takes two hours to heat it up, and you can feel the intense heat even from a little distance away.
Let’s head up the stairs to the second-floor dining area. The stairs are a little steep, so please take care if you have small children or are elderly.
From the second floor, you can enjoy views of Kurashiki’s laid-back streets. If you’re dining alone, the counter seat by the window is recommended.
Besides the counter, there are three tables. Families with children often visit on holidays, too.
Sixteen carefully crafted pizzas made from scratch, plus a la carte dishes
There are 16 kinds of pizza, made with carefully selected ingredients and flour brought in from Italy.
“Neapolitan pizza is all about the dough,” the owner told me, and it seems they take great care in making the dough that forms the foundation of each pizza.
The a la carte dishes and drinks all look delicious. In the evening, you can enjoy pizza as well as light dishes to have before your pizza (antipasti).
There are also set menus available at lunchtime only, including a drink set and a drink-and-salad set.
Here are the three most popular pizzas. I want to try them all!
The “DOC” in the most popular Margherita DOC refers to mozzarella certified by Italy’s Campania region. Made with fresh buffalo mozzarella, it’s a luxurious and special dish.
What a treat! Quattro Formaggi, recommended for cheese lovers
After much deliberation, I ordered the owner’s recommendation, “Quattro Formaggi” (¥1,350, tax included), along with the salad and drink set (¥324, tax included).
Prices as of September 2019.
- Fresh mozzarella
- Blue-veined Gorgonzola
- Washed-rind Taleggio
- Parmigiano Reggiano
Topped with four kinds of cheese, it’s a dish that cheese lovers can’t resist.
The distinctive aroma of Gorgonzola, the fragrant Parmigiano, the rich flavor of Taleggio, and the creaminess of mozzarella.
For cheese lovers, this could well be the ultimate pizza.
The Parmigiano aroma reaches all the way to the crust, making this a pizza you can enjoy as a whole, cheese-filled treat.
The weight of all that gooey, melted cheese is incredible! And the dough holds it up beautifully.
Above all, the chewy dough is wonderful, with a presence that stands up to the four cheeses.
Just as I was savoring the delicious cheese, honey arrived! This is… truly so delicious it makes my whole body tremble.
The saltiness of the cheese and the sweetness of the honey. I experienced the perfect sweet-and-salty combination.
The Caesar salad is generous, too, giving you a good serving of fresh vegetables.
From Margherita to spicy Diavola—find your favorite pizza!
This is the popular Margherita.
Tomato sauce, basil, Parmigiano, and mozzarella make this a classic among classics, but the delicious crust really stands out.
Named “Spagna,” meaning Spanish-style.
With tomato sauce, mozzarella, onion, and the salty kick of anchovies, this pizza looks like it would pair well with drinks.
“Panna e Mais,” topped with ham and corn.
Made with cream sauce, this dish is sure to please people who don’t like tomatoes and children.
This “Diavola” is a favorite of both the owner and me.
This slightly spicy pizza, with salami and chili peppers on a tomato sauce base, is apparently popular with international visitors, too. It goes perfectly with the crust.
All we want is to serve up simply delicious pizza.
Wanting people to enjoy delicious pizza without any fuss, the owner stands in front of the stone oven again today.
Through the interview, I felt the simple yet powerful desire to “bring delicious food to people.”
“PIZZA DOKORO NOLA” made me truly appreciate just how delicious pizza can be—and how wonderful delicious food is.
Kurashiki is pretty amazing: you can drop in whenever you like and enjoy pizza this delicious.
Be sure to visit Kurashiki and savor authentic Neapolitan pizza.
PIZZA DOKORO NOLA Information
| Name | PIZZA DOKORO NOLA |
|---|---|
| Address | 2-14-3 Chuo, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Contact | 086-422-1523 |
| Parking | Available Daytime: 4 spaces Night: 2 spaces (2 spaces on the restaurant side) |
| Hours | Lunch: 1:30 p.m.–2:30 p.m. Dinner: 5:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. |
| Closed | Monday |
| Payment methods |
|
| Reservations | Accepted |
| Seating | 14 seats; counter seats: 2; tables: 3 |
| Smoking | Completely non-smoking |
| Restroom | Western-style toilet |
| Website | For takeout pizza in Kurashiki: PIZZA DOKORO NOLA |
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