Gabriele Lamonaca

Gabriele Lamonaca is the founder of Unregular Pizza, a Roman-style pizzeria in New York City. Born and raised in Rome, Italy, Gabriele moved to New York in 2008 to study English and pursue a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry at St. Francis College.1

Career Journey

Initially working part-time at an Italian restaurant in Manhattan, Gabriele discovered his passion for the food industry. He spent several years gaining experience in various aspects of the restaurant business.1 During this time, he noticed a gap in the New York pizza market for Roman-style pizza, which is traditionally baked in rectangular shapes and served by the square.1

Unregular Pizza's Origin

The concept of Unregular Pizza was born during the COVID-19 pandemic. When his plans to open a traditional pizzeria were put on hold due to lockdowns, Gabriele began experimenting with unique pizza creations in his home kitchen.1 He started an Instagram account to share his "unregular" pizzas, which quickly gained attention.14

Innovative Barter System

Inspired by his grandmother's stories of bartering goods during wartime, Gabriele implemented a barter system for his pizzas. Instead of selling them, he exchanged his creations for homemade items or objects of personal significance to the recipients.15 This unique approach helped build a community and gain valuable feedback on his pizzas.5

Business Growth

After a year of successful bartering and growing media attention, Gabriele officially opened Unregular Pizza.1 The business has since expanded to multiple locations, including one in Union Square and another in Midtown East.25 Unregular Pizza offers a variety of creative Roman-style pizzas, including their signature "Burrapizza," which features a whole burrata cheese on each slice.35

Gabriele Lamonaca continues to lead Unregular Pizza as its founder and co-owner, alongside his business partner Paola Sinisgalli, who handles marketing and PR.23