In our experience, there’s nothing worse to rile up an Italian than to even mutter “The H Word” when it comes to pizza. Yes, we’re talking Hawaiian, a refreshing combination of ham and pineapple and either a dream or a nightmare depending on personal preference. Colour us intrigued then when Brighton pizza legends Fatto a Mano decided to throw their hat into the ring this month and join the debate with a special that has got the whole city talking (and greengrocers rubbing their hands).

Fatto has been a Brighton institution for 10 years now, with spots across the city full to the brim every weekend. Recently they’ve expanded to London with outposts in King’s Cross, Bethnal Green and Covent Garden and are unsurprisingly going down well in the capital with their fresh take on Neapolitan pizza (favourites include a sumptuous Lasagne pizza and arguably the best Margarita in the city). It’s not all about the pizza though, as we kick off a meal in the OG Hove location with a cocktail and as many starters as our table can hold. Potato Croquettes filled with smoked Provola cheese hit the spot carbs-wise, the Nduja Lasagne Fritti are the ultimate indulgent snack – a pure flavour bomb packed with sauce and just the right amount of spice, while the Burrata Bruschetta brings together two classics that manage to find a balance and don’t outdo each other. The buzz in the restaurant on a Saturday night is palpable, with queues down the street to get in and what looks like a tropical fruit aisle of a supermarket transplanted onto Church Road (for good reason).

The deal is simple, bring a pineapple (a full one, skin on, no cheating the system with tins or chunks) to any one of their restaurants, and you get their monthly special on the house. Word has obviously spread around the city with the queues for walk-ins eclipsing anything else in the area and what feels like half of Brighton keen to get their hands on a Hawaiian (who knew?).

Thankfully, it’s not just a classic hawaiian though; The Bella Disgracia is an upmarket, pimped up take (it couldn’t be further from a prescription from Dr. Oetker). Spicy roast pineapple, ‘nduja honey, Ventricina spicy salami, black pepper pancetta, mozzarella, parmesan and chives top Fatto’s iconic pillowy base, slow-proved and made with Italian 00 flour. Juicy, hot, sweet and indulgent, it’s everything you want from a Hawaiian, reimagined in a Neapolitan-style so you won’t get disowned by your Italian mates.

For those worried about the pineapples, Fatto ensure that all those donated will either be roasted down for the pizzas themselves or given to local foodbanks. With this many indulging in the special when we visit however, I’m sure they won’t be short of produce any time soon.

The Bella Disgracia is available at all Fatto A Mano sites until 30th March 2025

For more information on Fatto a Mano, see here

 65-67 Church Rd, Brighton and Hove, Hove BN3 2BD