For the longest time, I barely looked at the vegetarian section of a pizza menu.

If I was ordering pizza, it was almost always pepperoni, chicken, or whatever had the most meat on it. Veggie pizzas felt like the option someone ordered because they didn't have another choice.

That changed almost by accident.

A few friends and I were ordering dinner one evening, and someone suggested adding a vegetarian pizza so everyone at the table had something to eat. I wasn't expecting much, but I remember reaching for a second slice before going back to the meat pizzas.

The vegetables added a freshness that I hadn't really noticed before. Instead of every bite tasting rich and heavy, the flavours were a little lighter, and you could actually pick out the onions, peppers, mushrooms and olives.

Since then, I've made a habit of trying vegetarian pizzas whenever I visit a new place.

The Place I End Up Visiting Most

If I'm specifically craving a vegetarian pizza, I usually end up at Pizza Hut Ethiopia.

Not because I think it's perfect, but because it has more than one veggie option.

A lot of pizza places have a single vegetarian pizza tucked away on the menu, and that's about it. Here, there are a few different combinations, so you don't feel like you're ordering the same thing every time.

That alone makes it easier to go back.

Veggie Supreme Is Still the One I Order Most

Out of all the vegetarian pizzas I've tried, Veggie Supreme is probably the one I've ordered most often.

It's simple without feeling boring.

The vegetables still have a bit of texture, there's enough cheese without completely covering everything else, and the tomato sauce comes through nicely.

One thing I like is that it doesn't try too hard. It isn't overloaded with toppings, which means nothing really competes for attention.

If I'm introducing someone to vegetarian pizza, this is usually the one I'd suggest first.

Hot Veg Was Unexpected

I'm not usually someone who looks for spicy pizza, so I almost skipped Hot Veg the first time I saw it.

I'm glad I didn't.

It has a little more heat than the average veggie pizza, which gives it a completely different personality. The spice works surprisingly well with the vegetables and stops the pizza from feeling too mild.

If you already enjoy spicy food, this is probably the more interesting option.

Tropical Veggie Took Me a While to Appreciate

I'll admit I wasn't convinced by the name.

Anything with "tropical" in it immediately made me think it would be too sweet.

After trying it, I understood why people order it.

It's definitely lighter than most pizzas on the menu, and the sweetness is much more subtle than I expected. I still wouldn't pick it every time, but on a hot afternoon or for lunch, it works better than heavier pizzas.

Veggie Blast Is for People Who Really Like Vegetables

Veggie Blast feels exactly like what the name suggests.

There are plenty of vegetables, lots of colour, and every slice tastes slightly different depending on which toppings you get.

It's probably the closest thing on the menu to a proper vegetable pizza rather than just a cheese pizza with a few toppings added.

Other Places Worth Trying

Pizza Hut isn't the only place I'd recommend.

I've also had good vegetarian pizzas at Mokodo Pizza, where the crust is thinner and feels more artisan-style. If you prefer pizzas that aren't overloaded with cheese, it's worth trying.

Castelli's is another good option if you're after something closer to a traditional Italian pizza. It's quieter, the ingredients feel fresh, and it's the sort of place where you take your time rather than grabbing a quick meal.

The styles are quite different, which is why I don't think there's one "best" restaurant. It depends on what you're looking for.

The Branch I Visit Most Often

When I do go to Pizza Hut, it's usually the Bole Medhanialem branch.

Mostly because it's convenient.

I'm often around Bole anyway, so it's an easy place to stop after shopping or meeting friends. I've generally had good experiences there, although like any busy restaurant, service can slow down during weekends and peak hours.

If I don't feel like going out, delivery has also been reliable enough that I don't think twice about ordering from home.

Why I Order More Veggie Pizza Now

I don't think vegetarian pizza is better than meat pizza.

It's just different.

Sometimes I want pepperoni.

Sometimes I want barbecue chicken.

Other days I just want something that feels a little lighter without giving up pizza altogether.

Vegetarian pizzas fit that mood perfectly.

They're also easier to share with a mixed group because almost everyone is willing to have a slice, even if it's not the pizza they originally planned to order.

Final Thoughts

If you're someone who normally skips over the vegetarian section of the menu, it's worth giving it another chance.

Pizza Hut has enough variety that you can try a few different styles instead of ordering the same pizza every visit, while places like Mokodo and Castelli's offer their own take if you prefer a more traditional pizza experience.

As for me, I still order plenty of meat pizzas.

I just don't automatically ignore the vegetarian ones anymore—and more often than not, a Veggie Supreme ends up somewhere on the table.