Pizza Riva — Restaurant in Hiroshima

It is very sad to tell this but we had very disappointed experience and will not go back here again. I made a reservation by phone at 5:30pm when I was originally making at 6pm. They asked “Are you sure you want to come at 6 even we are open from 5:30?” I was happy to show up little earlier so changed to 5:30. Our party was me, my husband, and friend of us meeting at the restaurant. My friend arrived earlier than us. When she walked in, they pointed the table tight in the corner even the restaurant was empty. She asked them if our table can be more open space but they said no. When “WE” asked the waiter for the dessert menu, after we had salad, pizzas, drinks, and little bit conversation, he said “Your table is till 7pm, are you still ordering?” That was 15 mins to 7 pm. I thought very strange system that they needed to time like that but we thought we have enough time and ordered. Now 7 was in our mind but since they served the dessert and drink, we are enjoying them. Then at 7 sharp, the waiter came to our table when we are still finishing the coffee and insisted to leave because the customers (7pm reservation) are arrived and waiting. He was saying very aggressive. We were not trying to stay longer but just wanted to finish our coffee. It could be only for 5min. But he was telling us pay and leave.

I understand for the business side of view but this treat does not make anyone happy. The waiter who needed to tell us to leave, we who were enjoying the meal and conversation, the 7pm customers who arrived before 7.

If they wanted to manage the situation (or secretly well), they could ask “EARLIER” about if we wanted to get dessert then we could “FINISH” without rush. So when the time came, we could stand up and go.

Very disappointed this treat that we received. No next time even we came here more than few times and really liked...

I think this is generally regarded as the best pizza place in Hiroshima by those in the know. There's clearly a concerted effort to recreate the Neapolitan style - and they've won awards as a result. They have a proper wood fired oven, and I think the end result is fairly authentic. Perhaps the tomato sauce could be a bit richer, it's unsurprisingly a bit expensive, there was at least a 30 minute wait for the pizzas to arrive (on a Friday lunchtime at just after midday it was already full), and maybe the pizzas were a bit on the small side from a Westerner's perspective... but all of that said, I don't think you'll find a better pizza in Hiroshima. I liked the atmosphere and the decor too - it was lively inside, you can see the pizzas being made, and there was a small terrace outside with some olive trees - you could just about squint your eyes and imagine you...

This pizzeria is one of the best I have ever tried in Japan, hands down. The pizza was delicious. The tomato sauce was very tasty with no acidity and the buffalo mozzarella was flavorful and creamy. The pizza dough was soft and perfectly cooked. The ambiance is also nice, wooden tables all around and a laid back, Italian-style feeling. Apparently the pizzaiolo has been a world champion, not hard to imagine! A good espresso completed our meal. Definitely...