Pummarola

Pummarola pizza in Coral Gables

One of the first Neapolitan pizza places in South Florida, Pummarola – dialect for “tomato – was named after founder Larry Mele’s grandmother’s pizza and pasta restaurant in his native Naples. One of seven brothers, Mele came to the U.S. in 2002 with a culinary degree. After working at Escopazzo and Fratelli la Bufala in Miami Beach, Mele partnered with one of his brothers to create their Neapolitan pizzeria, opening locations in Boca Raton and Coral Gables, the new Midtown and The Falls. Homage to their nonna extends to the Fiat 500s inside each of their locations, explains Mele: “She drove a bright red Fiat to pick up ingredients. We rescue old Fiats from Italian junkyards for the restaurants.” Along with the approved mixers, pizza ovens, flour and tomatoes, their pizzamakers are imported from Italy, too. Their secret to success? “Very simple, good quality, lowest price,” he says.   

Also locations in Boca Raton, Midtown, The Falls (coming soon)