Business Details
17 Years
experience
Authentic Wood-Fired Pizza & Italian Cuisine in Victoria
Pizzeria Prima Strada has been crafting authentic Neapolitan-style wood-fired pizzas in Victoria for over 15 years. Our commitment to traditional methods and high-quality ingredients ensures every dish reflects the essence of Italian cuisine. We use locally sourced hardwood to fuel our ovens, reaching temperatures of 900F to create perfectly blistered crusts in just 2-3 minutes. Our dough, made daily with a natural leavened starter, provides a digestible and flavorful foundation for our pizzas. We prioritize fresh, seasonal ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes, housemade mozzarella, and Parmigiano Reggiano aged 18-36 months. Beyond pizza, we offer housemade gelato, antipasti, and pasta dishes prepared with the same dedication to authenticity.Our team of experienced artisans combines technical skill with a passion for hospitality, ensuring every guest experiences the warmth of Italian tradition. We actively engage with the local community through events and partnerships, acknowledging our responsibility to operate respectfully on unceded Coast Salish territories. Our multiple Best of the City awards reflect both our culinary excellence and our commitment to customer satisfaction. With two Victoria locations offering distinct dining experiences, we remain focused on perfecting the balance between tradition and innovation in every meal we serve.
Services
Wood-fired pizza
Housemade gelato
Antipasti
Pasta dishes
Italian wines
Craft beer
Liquori
Non-alcoholic drinks
Caff
To-go meals
Details
- Year established: 2009
Highlights and features
- We use a natural leavened starter for daily-made dough that's more digestible
- Our wood-fired ovens reach 900F for authentic Neapolitan-style pizza
- We source San Marzano tomatoes and 18-36 month aged Parmigiano Reggiano
- We make all gelato and sorbetto in-house with seasonal local ingredients
- We've won Best Pizza in Victoria for the 2025 Best of the City Awards
What people say
Perfectly blistered crust
Fresh mozzarella daily
Best pizza Victoria
Authentic Italian flavors
Seasonal gelato selection
Services
Wood-fired pizza
Our wood-fired pizzas use centuries-old Neapolitan techniques with modern quality standards. We prepare dough daily using a natural leavened starter, hand-stretch it to preserve air pockets, and top it with San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and aged Parmigiano Reggiano. The pizzas cook in 2-3 minutes at 900F in our stone ovens fueled by local island hardwood, creating a perfect balance of crispy crust and tender center.
Housemade gelato
We craft traditional Italian gelato and dairy-free sorbetto daily using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Our recipes follow authentic methods while incorporating local flavors, creating creamy textures and intense flavors. The gelato program changes seasonally, offering both classic and innovative combinations that complement our main menu and provide a satisfying conclusion to any meal.
Antipasti
Our antipasti selection showcases traditional Italian small plates with a focus on quality ingredients. Options include housemade focaccia, fresh mozzarella with prosciutto, meatballs in house-bread, and polenta with roasted vegetables. These starters highlight our commitment to authenticity while providing diverse flavor profiles that prepare the palate for our main courses.
Pasta dishes
We offer carefully curated pasta dishes that balance tradition with local availability. Our menu features both classic preparations like spaghetti & meatballs and more sophisticated options with seasonal ingredients. The pasta program maintains authenticity through traditional techniques while adapting to contemporary tastes and local produce availability in Victoria.
To-go meals
Our to-go program extends our restaurant quality to home dining experiences. We offer frozen pizzas made with the same ingredients as our dine-in versions, along with housemade sauces, meatballs, and gelato. The program includes both online ordering for immediate pickup and frozen meal options that maintain quality through proper freezing techniques developed over years of culinary experimentation.
People
Cristen DeCarolis
Co-Owner
Cristen co-founded Pizzeria Prima Strada with a vision to bring authentic Neapolitan pizza to Victoria. With over 15 years in the hospitality industry, she focuses on maintaining traditional Italian culinary standards while adapting to local preferences. Cristen oversees daily operations and community engagement initiatives.
Geoffrey Dallas
Co-Owner
Geoffrey co-founded the pizzeria alongside Cristen DeCarolis. He brings extensive experience in Italian cuisine and restaurant management. Geoffrey manages kitchen operations and ensures adherence to traditional pizza-making techniques. He also coordinates sourcing of authentic Italian ingredients and local produce.
Questions
What makes your pizza authentic Neapolitan style?
We follow strict traditional methods: hand-stretched dough with natural starter, San Marzano tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and wood-fired cooking at 900°F in stone ovens.
Do you offer gluten-free pizza options?
Currently we don't offer gluten-free pizza crusts, but our kitchen can accommodate other dietary restrictions with advance notice.
How are your gelato and sorbetto made?
We make all gelato and sorbetto in-house daily using traditional Italian methods and fresh, seasonal local ingredients with seasonal flavor variations.
Can I order pizza for takeout or delivery?
Yes, we offer online ordering for pickup or delivery from both Victoria locations with full menu access including housemade to-go items.
What are your operating hours?
Cook Street location open daily 12-9pm. Fort Street open Wed-Sun 11:30am-8pm. Both locations closed September 30 annually.
Do you have wine and beer options?
Yes, we offer Italian and local wines by glass or bottle, craft beers including regional selections, and traditional Italian liquori like Negroni and Aperol Spritz.
Videos
