Woodfired pizza to give the Italians a run for their money
- Min Street, Kalaw
- Open daily 11am-10pm
- +95 9 771 357407
- Website
We love living in Kalaw. When we’re walking the dogs you see a lot of life and colour on market day and the fresh green hills.
Homegrown goodness
The word pizza is synonymous with the Red House in the middle of town. This restaurant offers some of the best Italian in all of Myanmar - not just Kalaw - and it’s a treat to enjoy a meal from their woodfire oven before a trek. All produce and toppings are homemade from the ricotta and herbed ravioli pockets to their delicious tiramisu. Husband and wife, Paolo and Khaing Zarni, opened the doors to their restaurant in 2016. Originally from southern Italy, Paolo first came to Myanmar in 2007 working in agriculture and met his wife here, who is originally from Mandalay. Every night you’ll see both owners in the restaurant always on their feet, checking on everyone’s meals. “We love living in Kalaw. For me it also feels a little bit like I am coming home to southern Italy here in the mountains and among the trees. And when we’re walking the dogs you see a lot of life and colour on market day and the fresh green hills.” Paolo says.
About the Red House
The red house building was built in 1914 by an Indian family who also built the building opposite the road. Under nationalisation the building was used by the Socialist government as warehouse to store cooking oil, rice and other goods. When Paolo and Khaing Zarni took over the building they had a big job restoring it to its former glory with one vital new edition: the wood pizza oven.
Seasonal touch
Paolo is always experimenting with new flavours depending on what is in season. Check the specials that range from buffalo mozzarella pizza, an assorted cheese plate to homemade limoncello.