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The Very Best Spots For Pizza in London
Green pizzas, vegan pizzas, truffle pizzas and more
By | 4 weeks ago
Nowadays, there are endless options when it comes to pizza in London – but it wasn’t always that way. When the first Pizza Express opened on Wardour Street back in the ‘60s, good pizza in the capital was hard to find. Since then, though, we’ve had an influx of world-class pizzerias – from traditional Italian-inspired joints to more formal restaurants, offering everything from classic margheritas to vegan pizzas and more.
The Best Pizza in London
A Brief History of Pizza
People have been eating pizza, in some form or another, for thousands of years. All the way back in the 6th century BC, it’s believed that Persian soldiers would bake flatbreads with cheese and dates on top of their battle shields. Pizza as we know it, though, was born in Naples in the late 18th century. It might seem hard to fathom, but back then pizzas were scorned by food writers – regarded widely as cheap food that could be eaten quickly, and sold by informal street vendors.
However, things started to change in the late 1800s. During a visit to Naples, King Umberto I and Queen Margherita grew tired of the French cuisine that was popular at the time, and summoned pizza maker Raffaele Esposito to create three pizzas. The Queen’s favourite was a simple mix of tomato, basil and mozzarella – and so the margherita pizza was born. This signalled an important shifts in attitudes towards the Italian delicacy.
Pizza spread quickly through Italy, but it was slower to move to the rest of the world. During the 19th century it became popular in the US, with the UK being slower to catch on, but eventually joining the hype with a wave of cool Italian restaurants. Here we highlight London’s best.
Best Pizza Restaurants in London
Napoli Gang (Takeaway Only)
Big Mamma’s pizza has landed in Ladbroke Grove, with the beloved pizza delivery service opening its first bricks and mortar site. A great contender for that Friday night takeaway (slouched in front of whatever we’re watching this week) and with super-fresh Italian suppliers from Puglia to Bologna, it’s well worth trying their humorously named and super-tasty pizza menu.
TRY: ‘You Bologna To Me’, a loaded white pizza topped with crème fraîche, homemade pesto, mozzarella fior di latte, and very cute roses made of mortadella from Bologna.
Takeaway only; napoligang.co.uk
Rudy’s
On the old site of Wahaca’s Soho restaurant on Wardour Street comes this lively joint serving up ‘the North’s favourite pizza’. With Neapolitan authenticity coursing through its heart, only trained and accredited pizzaiolos (pizza-makers) are let loose in the kitchen, many from the home of pizza itself, Italy. Everyone is catered for from the modern pizza eater (vegan and gluten free options) to the traditionalist (the classic margherita or ‘carne’), and always a chef’s special. That all-important base is made using Caputo ‘00’ flour, made daily on site and left to ferment for at least a day, meaning a chewy light crust is par for the course.
TRY: Salsiccia del Nonno, a white pizza with chilli, fior di latte smoked mozzarella, ground fennel sausage and caramelised onion.
Various locations; rudyspizza.co.uk
Pizzeria Mozza
LA import Pizzeria Mozza made its way to London last year, opening within the uber-cool Treehouse Hotel in Marylebone. Spearheaded by Nancy Silverton, the restaurant will bring a number of Pizzeria Mozza’s much-loved pizzas over from the US – famed for their unique dough recipe – alongside a selection of meat and fish dishes, plus some exciting desserts including Nancy’s own brand of ice cream.
TRY: The goat’s cheese pizza with leeks, scallions, garlic and pancetta.
4-5 Langham Pl, London W1B 3DG; treehousehotels.com
Yard Sale Pizza
Yard Sale Pizza started out small when three friends began experimenting with dough recipes in their Hackney garden. Now widely acknowledged as one of London’s most sensational slices, Yard Sale has venues dotted all over London, including a new site launching this March in Tottenham. Pick from favourites such as TSB (tender stem broccoli, manchego, pine nuts and olive oil) and The Aubergine (garlic roasted aubergine, parmesan crumb), or the classic Holy Pepperoni which takes things up a notch with the addition of ‘nduja. There are also vegan pizzas on offer, including the Magic Mushroom, complete with vegan mozzarella and truffle oil. Don’t skip the dips – the BBQ sauce has a tangy kick which perfectly complements the TSB.
TRY: The Aubergine is our top pick.
Various locations; yardsalepizza.com
Farina
Exciting news for Notting Hill residents: pizzeria Farina has reopened having closed before the pandemic hit. A traditional Italian spot created by two Londoners, Farina pizzas are made by slow fermenting live yeast and Caputo farina (flour) – hence the name – for up to 48 hours, making for a fresh base with a puffy crust. Toppings-wise, Farina champions Italian ingredients: think San Marzano tomatoes and and Mozzarella di Bufala Campana. You’ll find the new site on Notting Hill Gate, but two dark kitchens in Vauxhall and Camden mean pizza lovers from all corners of the city will be able to try its delights.
TRY: The Farina, topped with smoked mozzarella, Calabrian nduja and fresh basil.
19-21 Notting Hill Gate, London W11 3JQ; farinapizza.co.uk
Zia Lucia
This pizzeria has restaurants dotted all over London in locations like Aldgate, Islington, Brook Green and Wembley. The restaurant is famed for its unusual 48-hour slow-fermented doughs and creative toppings – butternut squash cream features on one of the pizzas. There are four different bases to choose from, including a dramatic looking vegetable charcoal dough and a gluten-free option. You’ll never pay more than £11 for even the most loaded of pizzas, so go all out with the Arianna, a delicious mix of mozzarella, fresh sausage, taleggio goat’s cheese, pecorino and truffle honey.
TRY: The ‘Andrea Pirlo’ pizza – even if just for the name.
Various locations; zialucia.com
Berberè Pizzeria
Joining neighbourhood cinema Clapham Picturehouse and cosy tapas bar Barsito on Clapham’s Venn Street is the latest outpost of Berberè Pizzeria, the Italian pizza spot from brothers Matteo and Salvatore Aloe. The pair travelled all over Italy in search of the best products, learning the ins and outs of the alchemy of fermentation – and their hard work has certainly paid off. Their sourdough creations are true pizza perfection: fresh, simple yet delicious, and perfectly light with a crispy texture. The menu features a mixture of classic favourites and specially created Berberè creations, both red and white. Highlights include the ‘Spicy Diavola’, one for the meat-eaters with spicy salami and ‘Nduja, as well as the white ‘Gorgonzola’, topped with a generous lashing of gorgonzola alongside speck, radicchio, mozzarella and honey. But the standout dish here has to be the ‘Aubergine’, which comes topped with baked aubergine, basil and walnut pesto and smoked ricotta: heaven on a plate.
TRY: Those with a big appetite should brave the Montanarina: a large deep-fried dough ball which you can either have for antipasti with savoury toppings, or as a dessert with vanilla gelato and peanut butter.
67 Venn St, London SW4 0BD; berberepizza.it
Homeslice
With outposts in Covent Garden, Marylebone, White City, Shoreditch and the City, you’ll never be too far from a Homeslice in London. This a good thing, because the restaurant offers some of the best pizzas in town. The focus here is on fresh, quality produce, balancing classic combinations with more innovative creation – from the classic Margherita to a decadent wagyu beef number with truffle crème fraiche and salsa verde. Homeslice is well suited to sharers, as the large pizzas feed two to three people, though you can also opt for half or just a slice.
TRY: The guest pizza is always worth a try.
Various locations; homeslice.co.uk
Daylesford
Ingredients maketh the pizza, and Daylesford’s are tip top (organic, British and ethically farmed) which is probably what makes them so delicious. Originally founded in 2002 by Carole Bamford on the Daylesford estate in Gloucestershire, the organic farm shop’s outpost in Brompton Cross means Londoners can enjoy the best farm-fresh produce without having to set foot outside of Zone 2. Even better, from 3-5pm on Mondays to Saturdays, enjoy bottomless prosecco and wood fired pizza with toppings like wild garlic pesto, salami Milano and kale and basil. Top foodie tip: the truffled mushroom and tomato topping isn’t one you’ll want to miss.
TRY: Daylesford’s own organic prosecco – clean notes of pear and melon, and it comes with the highest level grading a prosecco can receive.
76-82 Sloane Ave, Brompton Rd, London SW3 3DZ; daylesford.com
‘O Ver
One of London’s most authentically Neapolitan restaurants, ‘O Ver has converted many a discerning diner to its unique pizza making method – using pure sea water from the Med to make the base lighter and more easily digestible. Go for the classic Regina (Neapolitan buffalo mozzarella and cherry toms) to appreciate the method in all its glory, or load it up with fragrant Tuscan sausage, Roman artichokes and wild broccoli from Vesuvius. All ingredients are impeccably sourced from small Italian producers, and you can really taste the difference. Plus, no more post-pizza puffiness means extra room for all the glorious trimmings: a burrata stuffed with truffle that verges on life-changing, handmade pappardelle with a family recipe of porcini, sausage and shallots, and an exceptional cassata dessert that’s not to be missed.
TRY: The ‘Capo Rizzuto’ is perfection – a classic Margherita topped with spicy ‘Nduja. And leave space for what is undoubtedly the best Parmigiana in town.
44-46 Southwark Street, London SE1 1UN and 1 Norris Street, St James’s Market, London SW1Y 4RJ; overuk.com
Pi Pizza
Winging its way from Winchester to Battersea, this Italian pizza restaurant brings a slice of the best (and largest) pizzas to the south side of the Thames. Pre-Pi, founder Rosie Whaley gained her experience in a Florentine pizzeria and now, her restaurant prides itself on its infallible top-secret dough recipe, perfected by a team of Italian chefs after a 72-hour formation process. Served in 12 or 20 inches, all pizzas are stretched by hand and are the perfect size for sharing with friends (though you can easily scoff a whole one by yourself). Go all out with tasty toppings from wild boar salami to Lebanese spiced ground lamb or even old Winchester cauliflower cheese. Try some of the homemade chilli oil which comes in medium and smoky, or if you’re feeling particularly daring, extra hot. Not only will you leave with a full stomach, but also a full camera roll thanks to the dreamy interiors. Our top tip: head down on a Saturday when they serve bottomless pizza and prosecco. Perfetto!
TRY: The Serrano ham pizza topped with I.O.W plum tomatoes, white truffle oil and mizuna – because what’s pizza without truffle?
4, 6a Battersea Rise, London SW11 1ED; pi-pizza.co.uk
Pizza Pilgrims
A telltale sign of great food is somewhere that starts trading from a food truck and gains such notoriety that it soon opens its first bricks-and-mortar site. This is the story behind Pizza Pilgrims, which has gone from single stall to nine London restaurants. They recently launched a brand new menu for the first time since opening their debut restaurant in 2013, with three new pizzas including a double pepperoni & spicy honey and an aubergine parmigiana – quite literally aubergine parmigiana on a pizza. Well worth the pilgrimage…
TRY: The ‘Bread Zeppelin’: garlic bread with puffed-up, double fermented dough and dripping garlic olive oil.
Various locations; pizzapilgrims.co.uk
Happy Face
Puffy light dough, punchy flavours – Happy Face Pizza is a love letter to Italian food, where authentic Neapolitan pizza takes centre stage. An array of options are offered from the classic Margherita to Patata, where potatoes blend perfectly as toppings on a pizza. There are gluten-free bases and ‘Extra Happiness’ toppings to elevate your slice. The concise menu of Neapolitan-style pizzas
TRY: Vegans, rejoice: there’s a plant-based pepperoni option here.
14 Handyside St, King’s Cross, London N1C 4DN; happyface.pizza
