Piazzarella
Taking over a restaurant always comes with baggage, and believe me, I know. Piazzarella inherited more than most when it replaced Dirty Dough. The former closed under rather public circumstances, so expectations were less about continuity and more about a clean reset. The interior has indeed been modernised, giving the space a fresher and more polished look, at least at first glance.
What quickly becomes noticeable, however, is an identity crisis. Piazzarella seems torn between being a slightly upscale pizza restaurant and a classic Swedish neighbourhood pizzeria. A large digital menu screen lists pizzas in a very familiar Swedish format, complete with kebab options, which creates a strange contrast against the otherwise more ambitious branding. It feels less like a clear concept and more like two different restaurant ideas meeting halfway without fully committing to either.
Unfortunately, the pizza itself follows the same pattern. Despite offering vegan cheese and positioning itself as something more modern, the end product leans heavily toward traditional Swedish pizza: soft, fairly plain dough, mild seasoning, and flavours that never quite develop beyond “I guess?.” Nothing is outright bad, but nothing stands out either. And this is the main issue. Especially in a city where pizza standards have risen significantly in recent years with the likes of Bov, Bar Minimal or Buono. Playing it safe quickly turns into being forgettable.
What makes this more noticeable is the comparison to what came before. Dirty Dough, despite its very real problems, at least had a clear identity and served Neapolitan-style pizzas that felt distinctive. Piazzarella feels like a step backwards, weirdly.
In the end, Piazzarella is perfectly serviceable if you simply want a standard Swedish pizza, but difficult to recommend as a destination on its own. The place looks nice, the location is still great, particularly in Summer, but the Pizza is not really the main selling point I fear.
The Verdict
Piazzarella took over Dirty Dough after its well-known closure, and while the space has been cleaned up and modernised, the concept feels oddly confused. The place tries to be a stylish pizza restaurant but still reads like a classic Swedish countryside pizzeria, complete with a big menu screen and kebab options. It’s a slightly bizarre mix to say the least.
Unfortunately, the pizza follows the same identity crisis. Despite offering vegan cheese, the result is very much a standard Swedish pizza: simple dough, bland flavours, and nothing that really stands out. It’s especially noticeable because the previous tenant, despite its problems, at least served proper Neapolitan-style pizzas with character.
In the end, Piazzarella feels safe but forgettable. Nothing is entirely wrong, but it’s simply difficult to justify when Gothenburg has far more interesting pizza options.
2/5 Leaves
Location
Lindholmshamnen 30, 417 56 Göteborg
