The title of "Best pizza in Shanghai" is a hotly contested one that frequently sparks passionate debates, not least within Shanghaiist towers, and these days, it's a crowded field in Shanghai, with a number of restaurants jostling for position. However, in this correspondent's humble opinion, Pizza e Pasta might just pip the others to the post.

Quite simply, this is authentic Italian pizza. We'd always assumed that such a thing was impossible outside of Italy but, with ingredients directly imported from the country and an Italian chef at the helm, Pizza e Pasta have come up with the closest thing to real Italian pizza that you could hope to find outside of its traditional home.

Taikang Lu isn't exactly short on dining options these days — the area's development has seen a slew of eateries set up shop amongst the winding alleyways and a European-style continental cafe culture is fast developing there — but, tucked away in one corner, the smells emanating from Pizza e Pasta will get you all excited before you even reach their small collection of alleyway tables and chairs. With the sun shining, a cold beer, and a basket of authentic grissini in front of you, this is al fresco dining at its best.

The pizzas come on a classic thin base that bubbles up nicely in places like it should, with just the right balance of mozzarella, a delicious tomato sauce, and a perfect blend of herbs. All your favourite types of traditional Italian pizza are there (prosciutto, calzone, quattro stagioni etc.), the toppings plentiful without being overly-heavy. If you can manage it afterwards, they also serve proper Italian ice cream here and frequently have a range of fresh, home-made desserts such as Tiramisu. The pasta dishes aren't bad either, with a good selection of sauces and lightly balanced Mediterranean flavours.

Eating at Pizza e Pasta will set you back somewhere in the region of 100-150RMB per head (for one main and a drink) but boy oh boy is it worth it.

Pizza e Pasta: No. 25, Lane 248, Tian Zi Fang, Tai Kang Lu (near Si Nan Lu)
匹萨&意大利面: 泰康路248弄25号底楼前门 （近思南路）[map]