Fratelli Pulcinella

Alessio Zullo’s backyard pizza restaurant first opened in 2022 fitted with fairy lights, wood-posted weather shelters, and wooden garden furniture. Fast forward to 2024 and this family-friendly restaurant has run out of space and re-opened in a new location complete with three levels and 200 seats both indoor and outdoors. Why is everyone obsessed with this place? Let’s find out in today’s blog.

Alessio Zullo’s Fratelli Pulcinella caused quite a stir when it first opened as Parramatta’s first wood-fire pizza restaurant in 2022, the appeal of a backyard setting and family-friendly vibes coupled with Zullo’s unwavering passion for intoxicatingly delicious Neapolitan pizza in a fire-fuelled oven attracted crowds from across Western Sydney and beyond. Although I didn’t get the opportunity to visit the backyard restaurant I tried the newly opened three-level restaurant on Church Street in Parramatta over the long weekend, here’s my honest review.

Gnocchi A Tecamino

Gnocchi A Tecamino (cooked in a woodfire oven), $33

I know Fratelli Pulcinella is famous for pizza but I couldn’t help but drool at this Gnocchi cooked in a woodfire oven with Napoletana sauce, parmesan, and Mozzarella cheese. Although the portion size wasn’t enormous the flavour and cheese pull was insane - it’s hard to get gnocchi right (for me at least) but Zullo’s version is perfectly soft and not chewy at all, baking it in a wood-fired oven also allows for a slightly smoky flavour and heightens the intensity of the savoury Napoletana sauce. I thoroughly enjoyed this dish, my advice is to enjoy whilst hot otherwise the cheese/gnocchi can become a little bit clumpy as it cools.

Amore Tossico (Double layer) pizza

Amore Tossico (Double Layer), $45

I can hear the palpable gasp as you all wonder why on God’s good earth would I pay $45 for a pizza.. but hear me out this is a double-layer pizza which means it is STUFFED with goodies between the crust (think of the cheesy crust pizza from Dominos but filled throughout the entire pizza).

The Amore Tossico has Extra Fior di Latte mozzarella cheese, parmesan, provolone, home-made Italian sausage (stuffed inside), tomato, ham, caramelised onions, buffalo cheese, fried Speck, and Basil. I’m not the type of girl who falls in love at first sight but I’ll make an exception for this pizza - all the elements blended beautifully together, my favourite part was the contrast between the umami Italian sausage and the gentle salty tang of the buffalo cheese, adding caramelised onions and tomato also enhances the sweetness of the pizza. This delicious concoction is then topped off with fried speck and Basil for crunch. If you don’t believe me check TikTok/Instagram as this double-layer pizza has been making the rounds online as well for just how bloody yummy it is - bonus points for portion size as I was 110% stuffed after this meal.

Overall rating: 9.5/10

When I walked in the doors of Fratelli Pulcinella I was greeted with this message along its awning “The real recipe for happiness is eating healthy with pleasure” If this is not my life motto (ok the “healthy” part is give and take) I don’t know what is. Alessio was around when I visited and his infectious energy and clear passion for Italian home cooking and Naples pizza are evident, although the restaurant wasn’t too full at lunchtime Alessio and his staff were friendly and helpful with positive energy filling the restaurant. Everything from the decor (see pot plants, iron chandeliers, red, blue, and yellow paint dollop decorated tables) and the food is warm, homey, and not pretentious. I can only imagine how much more lively this restaurant would be at night and highly recommend visiting at least once, I promise once you visit this place will become your new favourite pizza restaurant in Parramatta.