Every year brings fresh culinary movements to the realm of pizza, and 2023 is no exception. At PlainSideGateway, we continuously track what delights pizza enthusiasts around the world. Here’s our roundup of the most intriguing and popular toppings taking the spotlight this year.
1. Fermented Vegetables
The emphasis on gut wellness has found its way onto pies, with fermented veggies becoming a surprising favorite. Kimchi, sauerkraut, and pickled onions lend tangy complexity that complements the richness of cheese and sauce. These tangy toppings offer probiotic benefits and introduce exciting texture variations to classic pizza.
Our new Fermentation Celebration pizza features house-made sauerkraut, kimchi, and gorgonzola, finished with a touch of local honey to balance the tanginess. It may sound unusual, but it’s quickly turning into one of our most sought-after specialty pies.
2. Plant-Based Proteins
As plant-based dining continues to rise in popularity, we’ve seen a notable uptick in pizzas that highlight inventive meat alternatives. Beyond traditional veggie toppings, advancements in plant-based proteins offer options that appeal even to devoted meat lovers.
Plant-based Italian sausage crumbles, seasoned tempeh, marinated jackfruit pulled pork, and pea protein pepperoni are now regular menu features. These proteins aren’t just for vegetarians—many customers choose them for their distinct flavors and lighter digestive impact.
3. Regional Chili Varieties
Spice lovers, rejoice! In 2023, pizza fans embraced specific regional chili varieties rather than generic red pepper flakes. Calabrian chilies remain popular, but we’re now seeing Aleppo pepper, smoky Spanish ñora chilies, fruity Peruvian aji amarillo, and Korean gochujang appear on pies.
Our Global Heat pizza combines four different regional chilies, each contributing its unique flavor to different sections of the pizza. It’s a spicy journey especially loved by our bolder diners.
4. Seasonal Foraged Ingredients
The farm-to-table movement has evolved into forest-to-pizza, with seasonal foraged ingredients growing in popularity. Wild mushrooms take the lead, with varieties like chanterelles, morels, and hen-of-the-woods appearing throughout their seasons.
Beyond mushrooms, we’ve experimented with spring ramps (wild leeks), sea vegetables like dulse and nori, and even spruce tips for a distinctive aromatic lift. These ingredients connect diners to nature while delivering flavors that can’t be produced commercially.
5. Specialty Honey Drizzles
The sweet-savory contrast of honey has solidified its place as more than a transient trend. Building on hot honey’s popularity, 2023 saw a surge of specialty honey varieties drizzled onto pizzas just before serving.
Truffle honey, fermented garlic honey, smoky mesquite honey, and even CBD-infused honey are appearing on menus nationwide. These finishing touches add depth and elevate even simple pizza combinations to a gourmet level.
Honorable Mentions
A few other toppings that narrowly missed the top five but are still making waves include:
- Cured egg yolks, grated over pizza like a golden snowfall
- Pickled fruits, especially stone fruits like peaches and plums
- Heritage grain toppings, such as crispy farro or popped sorghum for texture
- Artisanal butter dollops (especially cultured or herb-infused butter)
Whether you lean toward the classics or enjoy bold new pairings, pizza remains one of the world’s most versatile and beloved foods. At PlainSideGateway, we honor tradition while embracing innovation—that’s why you’ll find both timeless Margherita and cutting-edge specialty pies on our menu.
Have you tried any of these trending toppings? Or do you have a unique favorite combination you’d like to see us offer? Share your thoughts in the comments or next time you visit!