FROM LOCAL FAVOURITE TO AWARD WINING PIZZA
What if we told you that some of the best pizza in the country is being served in Gqeberha?
Nestled in Mill Park is an Italian style restaurant and guesthouse that has built a reputation for serving the best pizza in the Eastern Cape. But after earning national recognition, it’s proving that world-class pizza doesn’t only come from Naples.
Arkenstone Frys is the passion project of husband-and-wife team Warren and Misty Fry.
When they took over the restaurant in late 2022, they set out with a simple goal: create exceptional food in a warm, welcoming space where families and friends could gather. Since then, they’ve transformed the restaurant into a destination known for elevated comfort food, genuine hospitality and, of course, incredible pizza.
What makes their pizzas so memorable?
Each base is made using artisanal techniques that create the perfect balance between a crisp, airy crust and a light, chewy centre. Combined with fresh, carefully selected ingredients, every slice delivers that delicious Romana-style that customers keep coming back for.
As perfectionists, Warren and Misty are always looking for ways to improve. That’s exactly what led them to Millstone Flour.
We first met Warren at a trade show in 2025, where we introduced him to our Millstone Farina “00” Flour. He was drawn in by our use of traditional Italian “00” milling standards to deliver a silky, light texture for authentic pizza.
“Millstone stands out for its superior texture, flavour and performance. It gives our dough better structure, rise and taste compared to others we’ve tried. It’s reliable and helps us create that authentic pizza experience, every time. It’s a gamechanger for anyone who bakes or loves great pizza.”
– Warren
Following the switch to Millstone Flour, customers began commenting on the lighter, more flavourful pizza bases. Many have described them as the best pizzas they’ve ever tasted. Some have even claimed they’re among the best pizza they’ve enjoyed anywhere in the world!
For Warren, the impact goes far beyond flavour: “Using a high-quality flour like Millstone makes a huge difference to the final product. It’s not just flour – it’s what gives our pizzas that professional edge, better digestibility and richer taste. It’s helped us build a strong reputation and achieve some incredible milestones.”
One of those milestones came at the 2026 Global Pizza Challenge. A loyal customer entered Arkenstone Frys into the competition to showcase what the restaurant could achieve with exceptional craftsmanship and quality ingredients. The result exceeded everyone’s expectations.
Competing against some of Africa’s finest chefs and pizzerias, the team walked away with both the Overall Winner trophy and the Best Vegetarian/Vegan Pizza award. Remarkable, considering they almost missed the competition altogether because of a booking error.
This is an achievement that firmly places Gqeberha on the map as a destination for world-class pizza.
So, what does the future hold for Arkenstone Frys? Warren and Misty plan to continue growing the business, host more community events and cement Arkenstone Frys as one of the Eastern Cape’s must-visit dining destinations.
Watching their journey has been inspiring. From untrained cooks to award-winning pizzas, Warren and Misty have shown what’s possible when passion, craftsmanship and quality ingredients come together.
We can’t wait to see where their story takes them next.