a taste of Italy

Photograph by Jeannine Rae Steinkuhl

Community Sponsor Highlight: Apizza di Napoli

Apizza di Napoli, located on the Southside of Aiken, South Carolina, is well known for serving up some of the best true Neapolitan pizza in the state. The pizzeria was opened in 2012, but the history of the restaurant extends back over several decades with owner and pizza enthusiast, Cliff Garzillo.

For nearly 25 years, Cliff was in his kitchen at home studying, making, and perfecting his pizza recipes. He built a wood-burning brick oven in his backyard that allowed him to hone his craft even further, but Cliff knew he would need to travel to learn more about how to make an authentic Neapolitan pizza. He hopped on a plane and flew to Italy for extensive training and education to become a certified pizzaiolo.

Cliff and his wife Wanda then set out to create a pizzeria that used only the finest ingredients—including some imported straight from Italy—to craft their incredible pizzas. They didn’t stop there, either, in their quest for an authentic Italian experience. Apizza di Napoli was honored with the prestigious and distinct Certification of True Neapolitan Pizza from the Association Versace Pizza Napoletana in Naples Italy. This certification means that the pizza Cliff and Wanda are baking in their restaurant is made under the strict guidelines set forth by the Association and is true to the pizza of Naples. They are the only pizzeria in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia to have been honored with this certification.

While you can find plenty of appetizers, salads, and speciality pizzas on the menu, Apizza di Napoli might be most well known for their New Haven Pizza. This pizza is a style of Neapolitan pizza that is common around New Haven, Connecticut, where Cliff is from, and is known as apizza (pronounced “a-BEETS.”) It features smoked provolone, mozzarella, garlic, oregano, basil, and a perfectly charred crust.

Their authentic Italian atmosphere, from the traditional Neapolitan pizzas to the Italian-inspired service, is well worth the drive to Aiken, South Carolina to experience.

740 SILVER BLUFF ROAD, AIKEN, SC 803.226.0700 APIZZADINAPOLI.COM