Pizza preferences are deeply personal. Some swear by the simplicity of a margherita, while others pile on toppings with wild abandon. But beyond individual tastes, fascinating patterns emerge when we look at pizza topping preferences across different regions and demographics. As Ireland's largest pizza delivery brand with over 160 locations nationwide, Apache Pizza has unique insight into the country's pizza preferences.
We've analyzed ordering data from Apache Pizza locations across Ireland to bring you this comprehensive breakdown of the most popular pizza toppings in the country. From Dublin to Cork, Galway to Belfast, we'll explore how pizza preferences vary across the island and what these choices say about Irish food culture.
The National Top 10: Ireland's Favorite Pizza Toppings
Let's start with a nationwide overview. According to Apache Pizza's ordering data, these are the ten most requested pizza toppings across Ireland:
- Pepperoni - The undisputed champion, featuring on approximately 35% of all pizzas ordered
- Cheese (extra) - Irish customers love adding extra cheese to their pizzas
- Ham - A traditional favorite, particularly popular in combination with pineapple
- Mushrooms - The most popular vegetable topping
- Bacon - Often requested as a complementary topping to other meats
- Chicken - Especially popular in specialty pizzas with specific sauces
- Onions - A staple add-on that enhances other flavors
- Pineapple - The controversial topping that divides opinion but remains persistently popular
- Green Peppers - Often ordered alongside other vegetables
- Spicy Beef - Rounding out the top ten, particularly popular among those who prefer heat
Regional Variations: How Pizza Preferences Differ Across Ireland
Dublin
The capital city shows some distinct preferences compared to the national average:
- Dubliners order significantly more vegetarian toppings, with mushrooms and sweetcorn appearing in the top five
- Specialty toppings like sun-dried tomatoes and feta cheese are more popular in Dublin than anywhere else in the country
- Pepperoni remains number one, but its lead over other toppings is smaller than the national average
- South Dublin shows a marked preference for gourmet toppings like goat cheese and caramelized onions
These preferences likely reflect Dublin's more diverse and internationally influenced food scene, with residents more likely to experiment with non-traditional toppings.
Cork
Cork residents have their own distinct pizza personality:
- Spicy toppings rank higher in Cork than anywhere else, with jalapeños and spicy beef both making the local top five
- Cork has the highest proportion of "meat feast" style orders, with multiple meat toppings on a single pizza
- Interestingly, garlic as a topping (not just in garlic bread) is uniquely popular in Cork
- Pineapple is more divisive in Cork than elsewhere, with a strong love-it-or-hate-it divide
Galway
The west coast city shows some interesting trends:
- Seafood toppings like tuna and prawns are significantly more popular in Galway than the national average
- Galway has the highest rate of "half-and-half" orders, where customers request different toppings on each half of the pizza
- Traditional toppings like ham and mushroom remain strong favorites
- Specialty pizzas with Irish-inspired ingredients (like black pudding) perform well here
Belfast
In Northern Ireland, some distinct preferences emerge:
- Belfast customers order more chicken as a topping than any other major city
- BBQ base pizzas are particularly popular in Belfast
- Extra cheese is ordered at a higher rate than the national average
- Traditional meat toppings like pepperoni and ham remain very strong
Demographic Insights: Age, Gender, and Pizza Preferences
While regional variations are fascinating, demographic factors also influence topping choices:
Age-Related Preferences
- 18-24 age group: This demographic orders the most adventurous combinations and is most likely to customize their pizza with multiple toppings. They're also the biggest consumers of spicy toppings.
- 25-34 age group: This group shows a strong preference for gourmet and premium toppings, including goat cheese, prosciutto, and fresh basil.
- 35-44 age group: Family-friendly options dominate here, with more "something for everyone" orders like half-and-half pizzas.
- 45+ age group: Traditional topping combinations like ham and pineapple or pepperoni remain the strongest in this demographic, with less customization than younger groups.
Ordering Patterns by Time and Day
Even the time of order influences topping choices:
- Weekday lunches: Simpler topping combinations dominate, with margherita and pepperoni orders peaking
- Weekend evenings: This is when the most elaborate custom orders appear, with customers adding multiple toppings
- Late night (after 11pm): Meat-heavy combinations spike significantly during late-night ordering hours
- Sunday afternoons: Family-size orders with more balanced topping choices increase
The Great Debates: Controversial Toppings
Pineapple: Ireland's Stance on the Great Divide
No discussion of pizza toppings would be complete without addressing the pineapple controversy. According to Apache Pizza's data:
- Approximately 22% of all pizzas ordered in Ireland include pineapple
- The ham and pineapple combination remains in the top five most ordered specialty pizzas
- Munster has the highest rate of pineapple orders, while Connacht has the lowest
- The 18-24 age group is most likely to order pineapple, contradicting the stereotype that it's an older generation preference
Other Divisive Toppings
Beyond pineapple, several other toppings create strong reactions:
- Anchovies: Ordered on less than 3% of pizzas nationally, but with passionate devotees
- Olives: Show a strong urban/rural divide, with much higher popularity in cities
- Egg: A niche topping that appears primarily in specific regional specialties
- Blue Cheese: Rarely ordered on its own but features in several popular specialty pizzas
Uniquely Irish Pizza Preferences
Some topping choices and combinations appear to be distinctly popular in Ireland compared to international norms:
- Curry Sauce Base: Particularly in chicken pizzas, curry sauce as a base has a uniquely strong following in Ireland
- Potato: Several specialty pizzas featuring potato as a topping perform well, especially in rural areas
- Black Pudding: Featured on specialty breakfast-inspired pizzas that have gained a cult following
- Coleslaw as a Side: While not a topping per se, ordering coleslaw as a pizza accompaniment is far more common in Ireland than elsewhere
The Rise of Plant-Based Options
A significant trend in recent years has been the growth of plant-based alternatives:
- Orders for vegetarian and vegan pizzas have increased by approximately 35% over the past two years
- Plant-based meat alternatives (like vegan pepperoni) are growing in popularity, especially in urban areas
- Specialty vegan cheese orders have doubled year over year
- Dublin, Galway, and Cork lead the way in plant-based ordering trends
Conclusion: What Our Pizza Says About Us
Our pizza topping preferences offer a fascinating window into Irish food culture. The balance between traditional favorites and openness to new flavors reflects Ireland's culinary character – rooted in familiar comforts but increasingly adventurous.
Regional variations tell the story of local food traditions and influences, while the growing popularity of plant-based options and international flavors demonstrates how Irish food preferences continue to evolve.
Ultimately, whether you're a pepperoni purist or an adventurous topping explorer, Apache Pizza's data shows there's room for every preference in Ireland's diverse pizza landscape.
What's your go-to pizza topping combination? Do you follow your regional trends or buck the statistics with your own unique preferences? Share your favorite Apache Pizza order in the comments below!
