Canada's vast geography and diverse cultural influences have created a fascinating mosaic of regional pizza preferences. At Pizza73, we've had the privilege of serving communities across the country, giving us unique insights into how Canadians from coast to coast enjoy their pizza. Join us on a cross-country pizza tour as we explore the regional favorites that make Canada's pizza landscape so diverse and delicious.
Atlantic Canada: Maritime Flavors Meet Italian Tradition
The Atlantic provinces bring their rich seafood traditions to the pizza scene, creating unique combinations you won't find elsewhere in Canada.
Nova Scotia
Halifax has developed a distinctive pizza style characterized by a thick, doughy crust, sweet tomato sauce, and generous toppings. The "Halifax Donair Pizza" is perhaps the region's most famous creation, featuring slices of spiced donair meat, mozzarella cheese, and a signature sweet garlic sauce drizzled on top after baking. This pizza variant pays homage to the Halifax donair, a Maritime adaptation of the Turkish döner kebab.
Our data shows that Nova Scotians are 65% more likely to order seafood toppings on their pizzas than the national average, with combinations like garlic shrimp and scallops appearing frequently in orders.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland puts its unique stamp on pizza with locally inspired toppings. "Newfie Pizza" typically features a combination of regular pizza toppings plus a distinctly local addition: thinly sliced salt beef (a cured meat that's a staple in traditional Newfoundland cuisine). Another regional specialty is cod pizza, celebrating the province's historic fishing industry.
Interestingly, our ordering data reveals that Newfoundlanders are the most likely Canadians to customize their pizzas with extra sauce—about 30% more often than the national average.
Regional pizza specialties reflect Canada's diverse culinary landscape
Quebec: European Influences and Creative Combinations
Quebec's unique culinary heritage—blending French traditions with North American influences—has created a pizza culture all its own.
Montreal
Montreal-style pizza is characterized by a thinner, crispier crust than most Canadian styles, with toppings that extend right to the edge of the pizza. The "All-Dressed" pizza (Tout Garnie) is quintessentially Québécois, featuring pepperoni, green peppers, and mushrooms on a thin crust with a slightly sweet sauce.
Montreal also embraces more European pizza traditions, with wood-fired ovens and artisanal approaches becoming increasingly popular. Our delivery data shows that Montrealers are 40% more likely to order specialty pizzas with premium ingredients compared to other Canadian cities.
Quebec City
Quebec City brings its own flair to pizza, with a noticeable French influence. Local specialties include pizzas topped with local cheeses like Oka and Cantonnier, and creative combinations that incorporate traditional Québécois ingredients like maple syrup-glazed bacon.
One distinctive feature of Quebec pizza culture is the popularity of "pizza-ghetti"—a combo plate featuring half pizza and half spaghetti. While not a pizza variant itself, this uniquely Quebec presentation demonstrates how the province has adapted Italian cuisine to local tastes.
"Regional pizza preferences tell fascinating stories about immigration patterns, local agriculture, and cultural exchange. When you look at a pizza menu across different Canadian cities, you're really looking at a delicious history lesson."
- Dr. Sarah Chen, Food Historian, University of British Columbia
Ontario: Multicultural Influences Create Pizza Diversity
As Canada's most populous province with incredibly diverse communities, Ontario showcases a wide spectrum of pizza styles.
Toronto
Toronto's multicultural character is reflected in its pizza scene, which features everything from traditional Neapolitan to innovative fusion creations. The city has embraced "designer pizzas" featuring unconventional toppings like butter chicken, jerk chicken, and Korean bulgogi.
Our data shows that Toronto customers order the widest variety of specialty pizzas in Canada, with new flavor combinations constantly emerging. The city's large Italian-Canadian community has also maintained authentic Neapolitan traditions, creating a pizza landscape that offers both innovation and heritage.
Windsor
Windsor has developed its own distinctive pizza style, influenced by its proximity to Detroit. Windsor-style pizza features a medium-thick crust that's crispy on the bottom but chewy inside, shredded pepperoni (rather than sliced), canned mushrooms, and pizza sauce made with local tomatoes. Most distinctively, Windsor pizza traditionally uses shredded mozzarella and cheddar rather than the more common mozzarella slices.
This regional style is so beloved that expatriates from Windsor have been known to have these pizzas shipped across the country—a testament to the strong regional identity embedded in this style.
The Prairies: Hearty Toppings and Generous Portions
The Prairie provinces bring their agricultural heritage and hearty appetites to their pizza preferences, resulting in substantial, topping-heavy creations.
Manitoba
Winnipeg's pizza scene has been heavily influenced by Greek immigrants, who opened many of the city's early pizzerias. This has resulted in "Greek-style" pizza becoming a Winnipeg standard—featuring a thicker, chewier crust, rich tomato sauce, and generous toppings often including Greek spices.
Our delivery data shows that Manitobans order 25% more meat toppings on average than other Canadians, with combinations like pepperoni, bacon, and ham being particularly popular.
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan pizza lovers show a strong preference for substantial, farm-inspired toppings. Regina and Saskatoon ordering patterns reveal a preference for protein-heavy combinations, with the "Super" or "Deluxe" options (featuring 5+ toppings) being ordered 35% more frequently than the national average.
A regional specialty is the "Prairie Pizza," featuring locally produced ingredients like Saskatoon berries, bison, and Saskatchewan-grown wheat in the crust. While not a mainstream option, this specialty pizza celebrates the province's agricultural heritage.
Alberta
Alberta's pizza preferences reflect its ranching tradition, with a strong preference for meat toppings. Our data shows that Alberta leads the nation in beef topping orders, with specialty options like steak and Alberta beef appearing frequently on orders.
Calgary and Edmonton both show distinctive ordering patterns. Calgary customers are more likely to order gourmet and internationally-inspired options, while Edmonton (Pizza73's birthplace!) shows stronger preferences for traditional combinations and deep dish options.
British Columbia: West Coast Innovation and Health-Conscious Options
British Columbia's pizza scene reflects the province's emphasis on fresh, local ingredients and diverse cultural influences.
Vancouver
Vancouver leads the nation in plant-based and health-conscious pizza options. Our data shows that BC customers are 70% more likely to order vegetarian or vegan pizzas than the national average, with creative plant-based proteins and locally-sourced vegetables featuring prominently.
The city's proximity to the Pacific is reflected in unique seafood pizza options like smoked salmon with capers and dill. Vancouver also shows the strongest preference for thin-crust options among all Canadian cities we serve.
Victoria
Victoria's pizza scene emphasizes locally-sourced and artisanal ingredients, with wood-fired and stone-baked options being particularly popular. Our Victoria customers show a strong preference for Mediterranean-inspired flavor combinations, ordering options with ingredients like artichokes, olives, and feta 45% more frequently than the national average.
Northern Canada: Adapting Pizza to Arctic Realities
Canada's northern territories present unique challenges and opportunities for pizza, with adaptations reflecting both practical necessities and cultural influences.
Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut
In northern communities, pizza often incorporates local ingredients and traditions. While Pizza73 doesn't yet have locations in the territories, our research into northern pizza culture reveals fascinating adaptations like pizzas featuring game meats such as caribou and elk, or arctic char in place of more traditional seafood toppings.
The challenges of food transportation in the North have led to creative solutions, including the use of sourdough starters for crust (reducing dependence on commercial yeast) and preserved ingredients that can withstand the long journey north.
The Great Canadian Pizza Map: What Your Order Says About Where You're From
Based on our extensive delivery data, we've identified some fascinating correlations between geography and pizza preferences:
- Most Likely to Order Thin Crust: Vancouver, BC
- Most Likely to Order Thick Crust: St. John's, Newfoundland
- Most Toppings Per Pizza (Average): Regina, Saskatchewan
- Most Likely to Order Vegetarian: Victoria, BC
- Most Meat Toppings Per Order: Fort McMurray, Alberta
- Most Likely to Create Custom Combinations: Toronto, Ontario
- Most Traditional Orders: Windsor, Ontario
- Spiciest Preferences: Brampton, Ontario
- Latest Night Owls (Latest Average Order Time): Montreal, Quebec
- Earliest Birds (Earliest Average Order Time): Charlottetown, PEI
The Future of Canadian Pizza: Emerging Trends
As we look at ordering patterns across the country, several emerging trends point to the future direction of Canadian pizza preferences:
- Fusion Flavors: Increasingly popular across all regions, with international cuisines being incorporated into pizza concepts.
- Plant-Forward Options: Starting in BC but spreading eastward, with more sophisticated plant-based alternatives appearing.
- Local Sourcing: Growing emphasis on Canadian-grown ingredients, with regional specialties highlighted on menus.
- Artisanal Approaches: Handcrafted, small-batch methods becoming more valued, even in delivery and chain contexts.
- Dietary Consciousness: More options for gluten-free, keto, and other specific dietary needs becoming mainstream rather than specialty.
At Pizza73, we're proud to be part of Canada's diverse and evolving pizza landscape. As we continue to serve communities across the country, we remain committed to honoring regional preferences while introducing innovative options that respond to changing tastes.
No matter where in Canada you call home, there's a pizza that speaks to your local traditions and personal preferences. The beautiful thing about pizza is its adaptability—it provides a perfect canvas for expressing cultural identity while bringing people together around a shared table.
What regional pizza specialty represents your area? Share your favorite local pizza traditions in the comments below!
