Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza, located in Salcedo Village, Makati, is known for its Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, fresh ingredients, and carefully crafted dough baked in a high-heat brick oven.
The restaurant was founded by a group of friends and entrepreneurs who shared a passion for high-quality pizza. The concept began in 2013 in Katipunan, Quezon City, where it quickly gained a loyal following among students, families, and food enthusiasts.
Since then, Gino’s has grown into a well-loved pizza destination while staying true to its philosophy of focusing on the fundamentals—great dough, quality ingredients, and honest flavors.
Salcedo Village Branch/IMAGE from Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza’s Facebook page
Gino’s pizzas are inspired by the Neapolitan tradition, which highlights simplicity and the use of good ingredients. While the restaurant respects these traditional techniques, the team also adapts them to suit their kitchen and local tastes.
The dough is made using freshly ground, unbleached flour with about 70% hydration and is fermented for around 24 hours before baking. The flour used in the kitchen is milled only days before it is prepared, helping preserve its flavor and natural character.
Many ingredients are also prepared in-house, including the restaurant’s fresh cheeses made from locally sourced milk, allowing the kitchen to maintain quality and consistency while supporting local dairy farmers.
Each pizza is baked in an 800°F brick oven and cooks in about 90 seconds. The intense heat produces a crust that is light, airy, and gently charred while keeping the center soft and flavorful.
Among the recommended dishes is the Prosciutto Pizza (Php 730), a tomato-based pizza topped with fresh mozzarella and baked in the brick oven before being finished with thinly sliced prosciutto, fresh arugula, and shaved parmesan. The saltiness of the prosciutto and the peppery bite of the arugula create a balanced contrast to the rich cheese and crust.
Prosciutto Pizza (Php 730)/IMAGE from Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza
Another popular choice is the, one of the restaurant’s signature creations featuring Italian sausage, mushrooms, egg, garlic, and fresh mozzarella. The combination of savory sausage, earthy mushrooms, and the richness of the egg makes it a hearty and satisfying pizza.
SMEGG Pizza (Php 725)/IMAGE from Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza
Rather than being driven by a single chef, Gino’s Brick Oven Pizza operates with a collaborative kitchen structure, where menu development and recipe refinement are handled collectively by the partners and kitchen team. The focus remains on the craft of pizza-making—from dough fermentation and fresh cheese production to high-heat brick oven baking.
Through this approach, Gino’s continues to deliver pizzas that are simple, balanced, and carefully made, bringing together traditional techniques and thoughtful adaptations for local diners.
Dining and Cooking