Zingara: Oak-Fired Pizza with a Mountain View

Zingara (ピッツェリア ジンガラ) has earned a reputation as one of the region's top pizzerias, drawing crowds for its distinctive take on Neapolitan-style pizza. The heart of the restaurant is its oak-fired tile oven, which produces pies with a remarkable crust—crisp on the outside, yet so moist and high in hydration that regulars describe it as "drinkable." The counter seats offer a direct view of the pizza-making action and, beyond it, a scenic panorama of Mt. Asama.

The menu's star is the dough, consistently praised by reviewers for its chewy, mochi-like texture. This forms the base for excellent Margherita pizzas, including a popular version with burrata, and multi-cheese pies like the Quattro Formaggi. Seasonal pizzas, such as those with firefly squid (hotaru-ika), are also highly recommended. A key feature is the ability to order any large (grande) pizza as a half-and-half, allowing you to try two different toppings in one go. Beyond pizza, small plates like corn cold soup and zucchini-flower fritti are noted as standouts. Staff are often described as welcoming, and an English menu is available via a QR code.

While the vast majority of reviews are positive, a small number mention occasional slow service or minor cleanliness issues. However, these appear to be isolated incidents. Most diners find the quality of the food and generous portions to be excellent value. A typical lunch costs between ¥1,000 and ¥1,999, with dinner ranging from ¥2,000 to ¥2,999. Reviewers recently paid around ¥2,900–¥3,200 for a Margherita con Burrata pizza and ¥1,000 for a marinarra at lunch. A glass of wine is about ¥750.

• Reservations: Lunch is walk-in only, and queues are common; it's best to arrive early. Dinner reservations are highly recommended, especially on weekends, and can be made via the restaurant's website.
• Getting There: The restaurant is located in Saku, about 2km from Iwamurada Station, making it more accessible by car or taxi.
• Payment: Credit cards (Visa, Master, JCB, Amex, Diners), electronic money (transportation IC cards like Suica, iD, QUICPay), and QR code payments (PayPay, etc.) are all accepted.
• Children: Children are welcome.
• Parking: Free parking for 25 cars is available, but it can fill up during peak hours.
• Smoking: The entire restaurant is non-smoking.
• Takeaway: Takeaway is available.