Pizza is a time-honoured Italian tradition, one with a fiercely protected legacy that has been carried to all corners of the world by pizzaiolos dedicated to showcasing the craft. India may not be the first name that comes to mind when it comes to pizza, but Da Susy in Delhi has recently put the country on the global map ranking at 86 among the top 100 pizza destinations in the world.
Led by Chef Susanna di Cosimo the Gurugram restaurant was awarded the 13th spot on the list of the 50 Top Pizza – Asia Pacific, a big leap forward from their ranking at number 44 in 2023. This year has catapulted them even further, and they are the only restaurant in India to have cracked the Top 100 in the world and even their team is still recovering from the magnitude of the win. “It was an unexpected honour to be included in the list of the world’s top pizzerias,” says Chef Cosimo, “By the end of 2023, we had opened our second location, and while I had hoped to move up a few positions—especially after receiving the One to Watch award—I knew we were under the careful eye of the critics. I'm grateful that they recognised our continuous efforts and dedication.”
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Chef Susanna Di Cosimo, who lent her nickname ‘Susy’ to the name of the restaurant is a native of Naples, Southern Italy – the birthplace of pizza. In 2013, she left her home country behind to follow her passion for travel…and eventually for pizza. When COVID hit and her travel business was stalled, she saw it as an opportunity to pursue her love for cooking traditional Italian pizza, which as she says was a fundamental part of her identity. “As an Italian from Naples, pizza has always been a part of life,” she says, “The difference now is that I’m on the other side of the counter, and I truly enjoy interacting with people as I toss pizza right before their eyes. The art of pizza-making became a part of me relatively recently, during the COVID era, when I spent sleepless nights baking bread and eventually pizza. It all felt like a natural progression. But more than just a showcase, it was all about sharing what was my culture back in Italy —I found that people were genuinely interested in receiving what I created and they immediately loved the Neapolitan pizza.”
Also Read: Two Indian Pizza Spots From Delhi Rank Amongst The 50 Best In Asia Pacific
Chef Cosimo attributes their growing success to her dedicated team saying, “The real game-changer has undoubtedly been teamwork. Day in and day out, we’ve worked tirelessly to ensure we deliver the best possible experience without ever compromising on quality. Though the journey has been challenging—especially in the early days when I was on my own—I can now proudly say that we’ve built an exceptional team. Every one of the 41 members of Pizzeria da Susy has played a crucial role in this achievement.”
With the new ranking among the world’s best, Pizzeria Da Susy secures its legacy and is a testament to Chef Cosimo's bold choice to follow her love for serving up the best Naples-style to India and they only have plans to improve as time goes on. “Our next steps are focused on refining and streamlining our processes, ensuring that every aspect—from dough preparation to the customer experience at the welcome desk—meets the highest standards. We’re also working on a small project to introduce a few new items to the menu, but my primary goal remains to share the rich culinary culture of Naples, so I’am very cautious when I add new dishes. Moreover, I like to be personally involved in every step of the process, from developing new ideas to crafting, delivering, and presenting them to our customers. It’s the flavors and aromas of my childhood that I’m passionate about sharing with our patrons here in India.”