Riverfire Pizzeria Sets Footscray Ablaze With Mouthwatering Pizza
What used to be an indoor swimming pool for the residents of Footscray’s Joseph Road precinct has been transformed into Footscray’s newest pizza shop, Riverfire Pizzeria.
Riverfire is a slick restaurant and bar slinging woodfired pizzas and soon, pasta and other Italian-inspired dishes.
Footscray resident and experienced hospo business owner Matt McDonald has been quietly opening for dinner and weekend lunches for a few weeks, with a reveal of the full menu on Friday 24 February.
Water Views With Pizza Footscray
Besides the excellent pizzas (more on that later) Riverfire’s biggest drawcard is its prime location along the Maribyrnong River.
While river access is still under construction at the moment, once the wire fencing comes down I can imagine lots of people wanting to eat and drink while lounging on the balcony. When the breeze picks up there are cosy blankets for patrons’ use.
We visit on a weekend for an easy dinner with the kids. The menu focuses on local produce and charts a course of traditional toppings – margherita, pork and fennel sausage, and award-winning salami.
The garlic pizza does veer away from the norm – on request you can have it drizzled with honey. The salty-sweet combination is a taste sensation and I urge you to try it!
The pizzas are generously sized for one, so I reckon share one between two people unless you’re very hungry. The pliable base is thin enough not to feel like a ball of dough in your mouth, but not so soggy that all the toppings slide off onto the plate. The crust is puffy with just the right amount of char, perfect for dipping back into the housemade chilli oil that you can request.
For families, there is plenty of pram access, with a promise of high chairs and a change table coming soon. Matt’s daughter will be launching the kid's menu, so you don’t have to order a huge pizza for the little ones.
Matt is hoping that his Footscray pizza bar and restaurant will cater for the diverse demographic of the neighbourhood and the broader area of Melbourne’s West. The dark walls and sexy glow of pendant lights give it a sophisticated feel if you’re out for a date, while the warm atmosphere makes it casual enough for an easy family feed. If you prefer not to dine in you can take it away (they don’t offer delivery at this stage). I can't wait to go back and try more of their delicious offerings!
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