The quest for the perfect slice is never ending: it requires dedication, a sincere appetite, and true love for the holy trinity of dough, mozzarella and tomato sauce.
Trust our opinion of hungry Italians, and follow our guide to some of the best pizza in London.
L’Antica Pizzeria
Perched on the green oasis of Hampstead village, L’Antica Pizzeria is a cosy pizza restaurant full of charm. Every pizza is named after an Italian historical figure, and in some sense reflects its personality. Hedonistic poet D’Annunzio would have certainly appreciated the pizza called after his name, featuring luxurious slashes of buffalo mozzarella. The dough at L’Antica Pizzeria is one of the best in town: incredibly light and soft. The attentive selection of top-quality ingredients makes it worth ordering some cheese-heavy appetisers as well.
WHERE: Hampstead
WHY: cosy interiors and the best dough in town
BEST PIZZA: Gabriele D’Annunzio, with tomato, buffalo mozzarella D.O.P., parmesan, basil, extra virgin olive oil
RESERVATIONS: Only Monday to Friday, walk-in at weekends
PRICE FOR A MARGHERITA: £8.95
L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele – Stoke Newington
The pizza masters at the original branch of L’Antica Pizzeria Da Michele in Naples (dating back to 1870) have now opened pizzerias across the world, from Rome to Barcelona, Milan and Tokyo. Their legendary pizza (famously enjoyed by Julia Roberts in 2010 film Eat, Pray and Love) landed in London in 2016, in a shabby building in Stoke Newington. It’s true Naples-style: irregular, bubbly and soft, and with only two varieties available - marinara and margherita. Occasional long waits combined with an amazing pizza provide one of the most authentic Neapolitan experiences in London.
WHERE: Stoke Newington
WHY: A true taste of Neapolitan pizza, for real purists
BEST PIZZA: Marinara, with tomato, garlic and oregano
RESERVATIONS: No, but you can give your name and phone number, and be notified when a table is available on mobile app Qudini.
PRICE FOR A MARGHERITA: £7.90
N.B: A bitter legal row has broken out recently between the original Naples pizzeria and its Stoke Newington branch, resulting in the opening of another restaurant in Baker Street, recognised as the “official” London branch of L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele.
Figli del Vesuvio
For us, Italian expats, walking into Figli del Vesuvio is very close to a mystical experience. From the beach umbrellas in the outdoor terrace (where’s the sun, where's the beach?), to the football on loop on TV in the kitchen, everything remembers us of nights spent with family and friends in Italy’s many rustic local pizzerias. You’re welcomed like an old friend, and immediately feel at home as generous portions of aubergine parmigiana and traditional deep-fried antipasti make your way from the kitchen. The wonderful pizzas follow the traditional Neapolitan recipe to painstaking precision, with most of the ingredients coming from Campania. Even the wood-fired oven is made of lava stone from Mount Vesuvius!
WHERE: Earlsfield, Wandworth
WHY: No-fuss authentic pizzeria tucked away is south London. A true hidden gem
BEST PIZZA: Zezzenella, with smoked mozzarella, mortadella, rocket, ricotta, and pistacchio
RESERVATIONS: Yes
PRICE FOR A MARGHERITA: £6
Pizza Metro Pizza
Pizza by the metre is always a good idea, and Pizza Metro Pizza does it very well. Choose your flavours, and be amazed as a metre (or half-metre) pizza makes its way to your table, where bespoke pedestals make the sharing business a real joy. This Battersea pizzeria delivers on creativity (with one of the most extensive pizza menus we’ve ever seen), quality of the ingredients and atmosphere.
WHERE: Clapham Junction
WHY: metre-long pizzas and authentic Italian atmosphere
BEST PIZZA: Miss Italia, with burrata, mozzarella, pesto, cherry tomatoes, aubergine and parmesan
RESERVATIONS: Yes
PRICE FOR A MARGHERITA: £8.95
Santa Maria
What do Ealing, Chelsea and Fitzrovia have in common? Not much, really, but they’re all lucky enough to home one of the best pizzerias in London, Santa Maria. The mission of the owners Angelo and Pasquale to bring a true taste of Naples to the British capital can now be considered accomplished. We visited their Chelsea restaurant, and loved the lively atmosphere and simple and authentic pizzas coming out of the giant wood-fired oven. We also approve their use of San Marzano tomato sauce (so sweet!), and the fact you can choose to add extra toppings to your pizza. No pineapple on the list though.
WHERE: Ealing, Chelsea and Fitzrovia
WHY: casual but cosy dining room, plus traditional Neapolitan ingredients
BEST PIZZA: San Rocco, with tomato sauce, burrata pugliese, pecorino DOP, roasted aubergines, rocket
RESERVATIONS: Yes
PRICE FOR A MARGHERITA: £8.50
Sartori
Leicester Square is famous for being disseminated with tourist traps, reason why you’ll hardly have it on top of your list when choosing a place to go out for dinner. There are a few rare exceptions though, and Sartori is one of them. Loud and chaotic as only a true Italian restaurant can be, Sartori may not be the perfect location for a romantic candle-lit dinner. But it surely delivers when it comes to food. Apart from the traditional pizzas, this is the only place in London where you can try the panuozzi: pizza dough filled with all sorts of indulgent ingredients. Come hungry, this is our only advice.
WHERE: Leicester Square
WHY: Convenient location in central London, and the only place serving panuozzi in the capital
BEST PIZZA: Siciliana, with tomato, mozzarella, sautéed aubergines and parmesan
RESERVATIONS: Yes
PRICE FOR A MARGHERITA: £7.95