Stroll or roll down Raval’s Joaquim Costa and, close to the end of the street and to the right, you’ll stumble upon Emili Vendrell plaza, a small square harboring this authentic Italian pizzeria. The establishment flaunts an original interior and lively terrace, but these play second fiddle to the real star of the place: its pizzas.

Roman pizzaiolo Massimo heads the kitchen while a super-friendly crew of mostly Filipino servers dish out the pizzas. Choose from a wide selection ranging from the veggie favorite hortolana to the catalana, made with the local sausage (butifarra blanca y negra), or merigio, composing of real mozzarella di bufala, basil, cherry tomatoes and a touch of spice.

The food list is topped off with crowd-pleasing Italian classics like proper salads, subtle carpaccios, creamy risottos and al dente pastas in homemade sauces. Ravalo also carries a fine wine list and uncommon desserts—though the intense sweet pizza drizzled with nutella and smothered in whipped cream may leave you wishing you had ordered the house tiramisu instead. Either way, we say: Ravaleja!