Ivano's Italiano, the Italian takeaway at 11 Whitesands in Dumfries, makes Romana-style pizza: a thin base that stays crisp right to the edge, made to Ivano's own recipe and baked in the pizza oven in the shop. Here's what that means, how it differs from the pizza you might know, and what goes on top.
In this article10 sections
Ask ten people what makes a good pizza and you'll get ten answers. Ours is a particular style.
At a glance
The style
Romana: a thin base, crisp right to the edge
Sizes
10-inch and 12-inch; the build-your-own bases are 12-inch
Baked
In the pizza oven in our shop on the Whitesands
Allergies
Every pizza is made on wheat dough and contains gluten
Romana or Neapolitan?
Italy has more than one kind of pizza, and the two best known come from Naples and Rome. Neither is "right". They're different things, and people tend to have a favourite.
| Roman round (pizza tonda romana) | Neapolitan | |
|---|---|---|
| The base | Thin all the way to the edge, and crisp | A soft, airy middle and a thick, puffy edge |
| The dough | Rolled out thin | Stretched by hand |
| The bake | A little longer, at a lower heat | Very fast in a very hot oven, often in about a minute and a half |
| Best if you like | A slice that snaps | A pizza you can fold |
How we do it
Our pizzas are made in the Romana thin-crust style, to a personal recipe Ivano has adapted and refined over the years. Our old website put the aim simply: a base that's "thin and crispy so you get the full, delicious taste without a mouthful of dough". That's still the idea. Every pizza is made on a wheat dough base and baked in the pizza oven in the shop on the Whitesands.
Sizes
Our classic pizzas come in 10-inch and 12-inch. The three plain build-your-own bases are 12-inch, and the calzone, a pizza folded over its filling, comes in one size.
The classics
Most of our pizzas start with the same two things: pomodoro, the tomato base, and grated Italian mozzarella. Then:
- Margherita: just the two, done properly.
- Pepperoni, Funghi & Prosciutto (mushrooms and ham), Miami (ham and pineapple), Al Tonno & Cipolla (tuna and onion).
- Pizza Di Napoli: anchovies and capers.
- Quattro Stagioni: ham, mushrooms, artichokes and black olives.
- Quattro Formaggi: mascarpone, gorgonzola and cheddar on top of the mozzarella.
- Diavola: pepperoni, red onion, chilli flakes and jalapeños, for anyone who likes heat.
- The Mighty Meat: pepperoni, smoked sausage, ham and chicken.
- BBQ Chicken and Pollo Italiano: our BBQ sauce is cooked in a pan with garlic, chilli and pomodoro, with a smoky BBQ sauce added.
- Pizza Alla Chilli Con Carne: topped with our homemade chilli con carne (kidney beans, garlic, chilli and cumin, cooked in the pomodoro sauce).
- Calzone: folded, and filled with mozzarella, ham and mushrooms.
The full list, with prices, is on the menu. Wondering how hot they are? Our guide to the spicy dishes sorts them from mild to hot.
A Scottish touch: haggis on pizza
Two of our pizzas use haggis. The Haggis Pizza is topped with sliced spicy haggis. The Pizza Al Scozzese brings together pepperoni, haggis and a drizzle of infused honey: sweet, spicy and savoury at once. If you've never tried haggis on a pizza, it works better than you'd think. Our article on haggis pizza and haggis lasagne has more.
Your cheese, your way
Every classic pizza on our menu comes with a choice: mozzarella, vegan mozzarella (for a small extra charge), or no cheese at all. You can add extra toppings, cheeses and seasonings such as fresh rocket, garlic oil or chilli oil too.
Build your own
If none of the classics is quite right, start from a Margherita, or from one of our plain 12-inch bases once our kitchen has checked their allergens, and add meats, seafood, vegetables, cheeses and seasonings: every pizza on our menu takes the same add-ons. See the bases on the menu, and our guide to creating your own pizza or pasta has ideas to start from.
Bianca Pizza
Cheese only, no tomato
Solo Pomodoro
Tomato only, no cheese
BBQ & Mozzarella
Our BBQ sauce instead of tomato
Margherita
Tomato and mozzarella, the classic start
Vegan pizzas
We make four vegan pizzas with grated vegan mozzarella: the Vegan Margherita (with basil and cherry tomatoes), Vegan Al Ivanos (mushrooms, capers, oregano), Vegan Piccante (red onion, chilli, black olives, chilli oil) and Vegan Toscana (mushrooms, black olives, oregano). Please note the vegan mozzarella may contain soya and nuts. Our vegan and vegetarian guide has more.
From the same dough
Our dough doesn't stop at pizza. Focaccia is our garlic bread: the dough baked with garlic, olive oil, oregano and sea salt, and marked vegan on our menu (the Special Focaccia adds mozzarella). Panzanelle are little dough balls, fried, and there's a sweet version for dessert. Read more in focaccia, calzone and panzanelle.
Allergies
Every pizza contains gluten, and nearly all contain milk. We don't make a gluten-free pizza. If you have an allergy, check the allergens page and tell us before you order.
When we reopen, you can order for delivery or collection at ivanos.uk, Thursday to Sunday, 4pm to 10pm.
Pizza questions
Is your pizza thin crust?
Yes. Our pizzas are Romana style: a thin base that stays crisp right to the edge, rather than a deep pan or a puffy Neapolitan crust.
What sizes do your pizzas come in?
The classic pizzas come in 10-inch and 12-inch. The plain build-your-own bases are 12-inch, and the calzone comes in one size.
Can I have vegan cheese on any pizza?
Every classic pizza on our menu has a choice of mozzarella, vegan mozzarella (for a small extra charge) or no cheese. We also make four vegan pizzas. The vegan mozzarella may contain soya and nuts.
Do you make a gluten-free pizza?
No. Every pizza, calzone and focaccia is made on our wheat dough. Our article on gluten and allergies explains what we can offer.
Have an allergy? Please read our allergen information and tell us before you order.
Order online
Pizza, pasta and fish and chips for delivery or collection in Dumfries.
- Our own drivers
- Collect from 11 Whitesands
- Card, Apple Pay, Google Pay
Reopening soon · Thursday to Sunday, 4pm – 10pm
Or call 07777 148453