Worth the Drive: Authentic Italian Eats at Sabà Pizzeria

It’s a scorching summer afternoon, the temperature pushing 30° C—exactly the kind of day that calls for a leisurely escape from the city. An hour east of downtown Vancouver, the historic village of Fort Langley is buzzing with visitors strolling down its charming streets, and at the heart of the excitement is one of the town’s newest culinary additions: Sabà Pizzeria. 

But a destination this far from home deserves more than a meal. To truly make the most of the drive, I turn the outing into a full-day adventure. 

An Afternoon in Fort Langley

I begin on Glover Road, wandering through a cluster of antique and vintage shops. At Rempel Mercantile & Antiques and Country Lane Antiques, shelves overflow with weathered treasures, quirky collectibles and forgotten pieces of local history. From there, it’s time for a coffee break at Blacksmith Bakery, where I pair an iced matcha with a decadent slice of chocolate cake. 

 

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Next, I browse locally made goods and thoughtful gifts at Maven, then peek through the windows of Little White House, where elegant tiers of macarons and finger sandwiches offer a tempting preview of a future high tea visit. 

With still an hour before dinner, I head for the Fraser River. The Fort-to-Fort Trail, an eight-kilometre round-trip route connecting Fort Langley National Historic Site with Derby Reach Regional Park, offers a peaceful stroll beneath towering trees beside the water. Along the way, I catch glimpses of kayakers and paddleboarders gliding across the river, families spread out on the grass and cyclists cruising past—a snapshot of summer in Fort Langley at its most idyllic. 

And then, finally, it’s time to feast. 

Sabà Pizzeria

Tucked into a quiet cul-de-sac off Mavis Avenue, Sabà Pizzeria is the newest addition to the Sabà family of restaurants—a passion project from local chef and entrepreneur Simone Hurwitz, who immigrated from Italy and drew inspiration from the country’s intimate, family-style dining culture.  

At the restaurant, Hurwitz’s vision is palpable. Outside, a stone fountain inspired by Rome’s historic Fountain of the Lions welcomes guests, its gentle trickle creating a soothing soundtrack for those dining on the patio and lending the space a distinctly Italian sense of place. 

Inside, families and friends gather around booths and bar-top seating, the restaurant buzzing with energy. Hurwitz remains a constant presence on the floor—mixing drinks behind the bar one moment, clearing tables the next—jumping in wherever needed.  

“This particular place really fit my vision of a gathering place,” explains Hurwitz, who moved to Langley for her daughter’s fine-arts school but stayed because of the town’s sense of community. “It’s not as elegant as Sabà Bistro (her upscale farm-to-table restaurant nestled a few blocks away); it truly feels more intimate and welcoming.” 

Dinner Is Served

To beat the summer heat, we start with a pair of classic Italian spritzes. I order the limoncello spritz, bright and citrusy with a refreshing effervescence, while my husband opts for the Hugo spritz, a light and herbaceous cocktail with delicate floral notes. For our first course, we share the arugula salad—crisp and lemony, finished with mounds of shaved Parmesan cheese. 

Next come the colourful pizzas. First arrives the classic margherita, topped with tomato sauce, fior di latte and fresh basil. True to our Indian palates, we add a generous drizzle of chili oil, giving each bite a welcome kick of heat. Alongside arrives the funghi misti, a rich combination of fontina, wild mushrooms, fresh thyme and truffle oil. Both emerge from the restaurant’s massive open-kitchen oven with beautifully blistered crusts—crisp at the edges, chewy in the centre and expertly cooked. 

Then comes the rigatoni arrabbiata. Made with fresh, house-made pasta, the dish showcases the restaurant’s commitment to quality ingredients. Many of the vegetables are sourced from Langley farms, while key staples—including the flour and cheeses—are imported from Italy, Hurwitz tells us. The spicy arrabbiata sauce is finished with fresh basil, and we opt to add a dollop of burrata, which melts into the pasta and lends a creamy contrast to the heat. 

Ending on a High Note

Dessert arrives in the form of a classic tiramisu. The espresso comes through boldly without overpowering, while layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream and cocoa meld together into a rich, silky bite. 

The real surprise, however, awaits in the back of the restaurant. There, Hurwitz has created a gelato and focaccia bar, stocked with house-made gelato, fresh-baked breads and a selection of Italian deli products. She sends us home with a jar of pistachio gelato. 

Hours later, back in Vancouver, we crack it open and discover what might be the meal’s most memorable bite. Rich, intensely pistachio-forward and impossibly creamy, it’s among the best gelatos we’ve tasted outside of Italy.

A perfect ending to a summer day—and proof that the drive home is worth it, too.