Since 2019, in the heart of Lucca, Pizzeria SUD has been showcasing the authenticity of Neapolitan pizza, reinterpreted with precision and a contemporary sensibility by Antonio Ilardi. This is not simply a pizzeria, but a deliberate project: to bring the pure essence of authentic Neapolitan pizza back to the center of this Tuscan city, respecting its technique, identity, and soul.
SUD is, first and foremost, a return to the roots. Those of Antonio Ilardi, born in Naples in 1987, raised among flour and stoves, and trained at a culinary school before embarking on a multifaceted career spanning both the kitchen and the pizzeria. After years as a chef in various Italian regions and a long stint in Lucca, in 2019 he chose to return permanently to baking, bringing with him a wealth of technical and creative expertise that today defines the restaurant’s identity.
Neapolitan Pizza in Lucca: Technique, Identity, Lightness
The beating heart of SUD is the dough. Here, Neapolitan pizza is not an imitation, but a faithful and conscious interpretation. Selected flours from Molino Quaglia, a 48-hour rise, and meticulous control of the fermentation process give life to a pizza that speaks the Neapolitan language with a Lucca accent: a pronounced crust, a soft and airy texture, and a perfect balance between lightness and substance.
The baking, entrusted to a state-of-the-art electric oven, demonstrates how tradition and innovation can coexist without compromise, resulting in a pizza that is easy to digest, fragrant, and authentic.
Ingredients: Southern Italy Meets Tuscany
The ingredients are a statement of intent. Most of the ingredients come from Campania: San Marzano tomatoes, Piennolo cherry tomatoes, fiordilatte, and buffalo mozzarella. These are complemented by cured meats and cheeses selected from small producers, chosen for their quality and regional identity.
The result is a menu firmly rooted in Neapolitan tradition, yet engaging with the local context. The menu alternates between classic pizzas and seasonal interpretations, always maintaining a simple, clean, and consistent style.
There is no shortage of fried foods—an essential part of Neapolitan culture—and a selection of homemade desserts that concludes the experience with an authentic nod to the South.
Pizzas: From Tradition to Contemporary Identity
The essence of SUD is defined first and foremost by the great classics: Margherita and Marinara, universal symbols of Neapolitan pizza, along with the “Alessandro” Cosacca and the Provola e Pepe, built on a direct and bold balance of San Marzano tomatoes, smoked provola, and black pepper.
Alongside these, more complex pizzas emerge, reflecting Ilardi’s journey as a chef. The Luce plays on refined contrasts between sweetness and savory notes, featuring fior di latte, yellow cherry tomatoes, stracciatella, Armatore anchovies, and crumbled tarallo. The Carbonara, on the other hand, reimagines the famous Roman dish as a pizza, maintaining balance and lightness thanks to a precise and never excessive composition.
The menu also embraces contemporary trends with vegan options like Amanda, without ever compromising the menu’s commitment to quality.
And then there is the fried pizza, a direct homage to the most authentic Neapolitan tradition: a golden calzone, folded into a half-moon shape, that encapsulates intense flavors and offers a distinct yet perfectly integrated experience within the world of leavened dough.
Drinks: Accompanying Without Overpowering
The beverage menu is designed to enhance the pizza, not to overshadow it. The wines range from the hills of Lucca to Tuscany, with select national offerings chosen according to precise gastronomic criteria: freshness, drinkability, and harmony with the dough and toppings.
The beers, exclusively craft, tell a story of dialogue between Tuscany and Campania, completing a coherent and well-balanced experience.
The venue: Naples meets Lucca
Located on Via della Cavallerizza, in the historic center, Pizzeria SUD blends naturally into the urban fabric of Lucca. The restaurant, renovated yet respectful of Tuscan architecture—exposed beams, terracotta floors—welcomes guests into a contemporary, informal space where conviviality remains central.
With about 30 indoor seats and 40 outdoor seats in the warmer months, SUD is now a go-to spot for those seeking authentic Neapolitan pizza in Lucca, without compromise, yet with an eye toward the present.
