Weird pizza toppings from around the world

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Pizza is one of the most beloved dishes worldwide, becoming a staple in countless countries with endless variations to suit every palate. Originally, it was made with just tomato sauce and garlic on a bread base. Today, however, the flavor combinations range from classic and delicious to adventurous and downright strange.

From mango pizza in the Philippines to reindeer meat in Finland, this gallery takes you on a whistle-stop tour of some of the world's strangest pizza toppings. Click now to discover.

Where did pizza originate?

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Pizza as we know it today evolved from similar flatbread dishes in Naples, Italy, between the 16th and mid-18th centuries.

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

The word "pizza" was first recorded in 997 CE in Gaeta and subsequently in various regions of Central and Southern Italy.

The first pizza topping

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

The oldest kind of pizza is the Marinara, created in 1734 with a simple topping of tomato sauce, garlic, oregano, and extra virgin olive oil.

Pickle pizza, USA

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

With a garlic and dill white sauce, mozzarella, and pickles, the pickle pie isn't even close to the original iterations of a pizza.

Sardine pizza, Italy

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Sardines are an acquired taste, so ordering this pizza might earn you some sideways glances. Though the exact origins are unclear, sardine pizza is believed to be Italian.

Cheeseburger pizza, USA

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Combining two classic comfort foods, the cheeseburger pizza is an interesting fusion. It typically features ground beef, cheddar cheese, onions, pickles, and a drizzle of ketchup and mustard.

Caviar pizza, Sweden

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Caviar pizza first appeared in Sweden in the 1960s, but it gained widespread popularity in 1998 when celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay introduced it at his London restaurant, Maze. 

Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Catupiry is a popular brand of Brazilian cream cheese, widely used in the country's cuisine. Chicken with Catupiry pizza combines mozzarella and shredded chicken, generously drizzled with this creamy Brazilian cheese.

Reindeer meat pizza, Finland

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

After former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi mocked Finnish cuisine, claiming their diet consisted of "marinated reindeer," a Finnish pizzeria created the Pizza Berlusconi, featuring reindeer meat, as a playful jab at the politician and Italian culinary traditions.

Romeo and Juliet, Brazil

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

The Romeo and Juliet pizza is a Brazilian sweet pizza made with guava paste and cheese. 

Dessert pizzas, Brazil

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Dessert pizzas are particularly popular in Brazil. Common toppings include bananas, chocolate, caramel, and condensed milk. Some people even order their pizzas half savory and half sweet!

Breakfast pizza, Australia

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Topped with bacon, eggs, and mushrooms, the breakfast pizza heralds from Australia and is sure to horrify any Neapolitan nonna.

Green peas, Brazil

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Thin-crust pizzas in Brazil are sometimes topped with green peas, adding a pop of color and flavor to the pizza base.

Squid pizza, Japan

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

In Japan, squid or squid ink is added to a pizza for an umami, briny taste.

Tandoori chicken pizza, India

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Tandoori chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices and then cooked in a tandoor, a cylindrical clay oven. Not only is it a popular dish in India, but it's also a common pizza topping.

Seafood pizza, Italy

Where did pizza originate?, The first pizza topping, Pickle pizza, USA, Sardine pizza, Italy, Cheeseburger pizza, USA, Caviar pizza, Sweden, Chicken with Catupiry pizza, Brazil, Reindeer meat pizza, Finland, Romeo and Juliet, Brazil, Dessert pizzas, Brazil, Breakfast pizza, Australia, Green peas, Brazil, Squid pizza, Japan, Tandoori chicken pizza, India, Seafood pizza, Italy

Originating in Italy, pizza with seafood isn't uncommon, but it still raises eyebrows among some pizza fans.