GLAMOUR Eats... The Best Pizzas In London
Hankering after a perfect pizza? We've done the legwork for you and taste-tested the very best in London.
Restaurant/Bar: Passo
Where: 80 City Road, EC1Y 2AS
Vs… Ciara Sheppard
The pizza was… Like nothing I've ever eaten before. I kid you not, the 3-ways truffle pizza with buffalo mozzarella was like a deep tissue massage for the taste buds.
What else is on offer? Passo is about far more than just the pizza. The Italian restaurant offers everything from grilled meats and fish dishes to the finest made-from-scratch pastas.
The crowd: The new Shoreditch-based eatery is bustling. The floor-to-ceiling wood decor and expert lighting makes the vast space feels intimate. Book Passo for a cosy meal with your friends or a suitably romantic date night.
You should also know… The bar staff will happily tailor a drink, just tell them what flavours you're into and leave it to them. Otherwise, choose from the expert drinks list (just go easy on the absinthe cocktails).
Restaurant/Bar: Firezza
Where: Dean Street, Soho, London
Vs… Leanne Bayley
The pizza was… 'PROPER PIZZA' - honestly it was SO good. The hand-stretched, fire-baked, Neapolitan pizza was so scrummy.
What else is on offer? Antipasti - but I'd save room for your pizza. They also do craft beer as well.
The crowd: Thanks to the central London location, and the awesome music in the room, the restaurant had a really good atmosphere. Think cool hipsters, friends meeting up after work and pizza lovers who just want to have a nice meal.
You should also know… Ordering your food is quite the experience; it's not about table service, and you even collect your drinks yourself. You can also get half-in-half pizzas - ideal for sharing.
Restaurant/Bar: Vico
Where: One Cambridge Circus, Seven Dials, London, WC2H 8PA
Vs… Leanne Bayley, Content Editor
The pizza was… Delicious! Pizza is my absolute favourite food so I'm always on the hunt for a new place to visit. I went to Vico after work one night and the atmosphere was amazing. But yes, back to the pizza - it was just gorgeous!
What else is on offer? Two words: Lasagna arancini. Yep, prepare to ooh and aah if you try those bad boys. Gooey and more-ish, you just can't go wrong.
The crowd: Due to the location I imagine the restaurant was busy with tourists, but the atmosphere was buzzing and the later it got, the busier it got.
You should also know… They have a gelato bar, so even if you're in London, make sure you pop in and get a gelato to go.
Restaurant/Bar: SWAY
Where: 61-65 Great Queen St, London WC2B 5BZ
Vs… Leanne Bayley, Content Editor
The pizza was… Super tasty! The perfect addition to one of the gorgeous cocktails on offer. Ideal for sharing with friends, the thin crust pizza will be fought over. We opted for the pepperoni with a scattering of chilli, and we wanted to order another.
What else is on offer? Small plates to share on a night out - the ham and cheese croquettes are utterly delish.
The crowd: After a new refurb, SWAY is back looking better than ever. With a chic crowd, all ready for a good time, this is the perfect Friday night plan.
You should also know… SWAY has a room that they've called the Selfie Room. Perfect for a little pose in, dontcha think?
Restaurant/Bar: Pizza East
Where: Kentish Town
Vs… Hayley Spencer, Freelance Writer
The pizzas were… Pizza East style pizza is delightfully doughy, made from a ciabatta-style base, with a generous crust. The restaurant is famous for its cream-based 'white' pizzas, like the Speck and Spicy Sausage, which boast added crunch from asparagus and broccoli. Once you’ve had one bite, expect to clean the plate as these rustic slices are posh pizza heaven.
Eat with: Where do we start? The Pizza East menu will tempt you at every turn. But to make the most, we recommend getting in some of the marinated olives, topped with crunchy smoked marcona almonds for a meal-long nibble, and sampling the crispy crab bruschetta to start. Though don’t forget to save room for their famous Salted Caramel Tart, we tried it - it's divine. And not forgetting a tipple or two - we'd say start with a Grey Goose le fizz (bubbly and perfect for summer) before moving onto your preferred wine. One of the knowledgeable waiters will be able to recommend the most complimentary bottle to your order if you're stuck.
The crowd: Sitting alongside some of the leafy residential streets of Highgate Road between Gospel Oak and Kentish Town, the rustic, welcoming space plays host to everyone from families with young kids to post work parties of young professionals and date night couples. You can go all-out or have a low-key meal at Pizza East, so it caters for most occasions.
You should also know… Unlike its Shoreditch counterpart, Pizza East Kentish Town has some outdoor seating which is great for people-watching and catching the rather elusive British sun (if it happens to make an appearance). If you don't manage to get an outdoor table then you're not missing out, as huge industrial-style windows flood the interior with light.
Restaurant/Bar: Yard Sale Pizza
Where: Lower Clapton Road, Hackney
Vs… Hayley Spencer, Freelance Writer
The pizza was… Wood-fired and therefore perfectly crispy. Throw in the mouth-watering combos of fresh toppings and you've got yourself a perfect sourdough pizza. This place is primarily a takeaway but for a low-key dining experience and for a taste of the delicious dine-in only 'That Tuna One' (which is topped with meaty tuna tartare and a caper paste we've been dreaming of ever since) it's worth sticking around.
Eat with: Whet your appetite with a simple but tasty garlic bread or some olives, and wash down your pizza with some local Clapton Craft beers.
The crowd: We dined alongside bearded locals, a dad and his son and saw couples pick up impressive 18 inchers for dinner, so, in short - any East Londoner who likes delicious food, fast.
You should also know… Yard Sale is brand-new, so is only dine-in or takeaway right now, but will offer a delivery service soon. Also - Macaulay Culkin played with his band The Pizza Underground at the shop's opening party. They sing Velvet Underground covers, replacing words with pizza. Make of that what you will.
Restaurant/Bar: Cucina Asellina
Where: ME London, Aldgate
Vs… Rebecca Cox, Acting Online Editor
The pizza was… Flatbread style; thin, crispy and loaded with delicious toppings. There are plenty of combinations to choose from, including some really interesting ones like mozzarella, broccoli and sausage (a scrumptious choice).
What else is on offer? Tasty pasta dishes and plenty of sharing starters. We loved the calamari and the tasty risotto balls.
The crowd: City-cool and pre-show diners. It's a great spot for an after-work bite.
You should also know… The cocktails are delicious. Ask your waiter for a recommendation as there are plenty to choose from.
Restaurant/Bar: Princi
Where: 135 Wardour Street
Vs… Lisa Cowan, Online Features Editor
The pizza was… Exactly how the Italians have it; a thin base, a delicious sauce and topped with the freshest ingredients. We enjoyed a classic Margherita and a Capricciosa (think artichokes and black olives), both of which we agreed were two of the best pizzas we’d ever eaten outside of Italy. Aside from the food, the service was absolutely faultless.
What else is on offer? Delicious antipasti and definitely stay for dessert (profiteroles, anyone?) and not forgetting the amazing display of fresh cakes.
The crowd: A mixed bag of tourists, office workers and foodies who were clearly Princi regulars.
You should also know… Great for breakfast, lunch or dinner, this place is a real foodie gem in the heart of Soho. Arrive early though, this place is very popular, for the reasons detailed above.
Restaurant/Bar: Bianco43
Where: Trafalgar Square. Other Bianco43 restaurants can be found across London in Greenwich and Blackheath.
Vs… Leanne Bayley, News Editor
The pizza was… So so so good. The menu features an impressive range of Neapolitan pizzas, from the traditional Margherita (£8), to the 4 Stagioni, with toppings including salami Napoli, artichokes and cooked ham (£9.90). All of Bianco43’s pizzas are cooked in the traditional wood fired oven, and taste absolutely delicious. I had the spicy Diavola pizza and ate every last slice.
Eat with: Well, I had a green salad which was ok, nothing to write home about. You don’t really need anything else, to be fair. You might as well save room for dessert – I can highly recommend the profiteroles. Yum!
The crowd: People on dates – it’s a good ‘date place’! On the night that I went, we had a guy playing the guitar, if that’s not romantic I don’t know what is. It also had a big TV to show the World Cup action – so the guys probably had one eye on their ladies, and the other on the screen. I can’t guarantee whether that’s a usual fixture.
You should also know… EVERYTHING in the restaurant is Italian. Bianco43’s co-owners Massimo Parodi and Fabrizio Margarita wanted to serve Londoners a genuine taste of Italy – and they have. The service is excellent, the food is divine, and the price point is pretty good. GO!
Restaurant/Bar: Homeslice
Where: Neal's Yard, Covent Garden & 52 Wells Street, Fitzrovia, London.
Vs… Lauren Smith, Junior News and Social Media Editor
The pizza was… HUGE. Pizza comes by the slice or in a huge whole pie – obviously we got a whole one to share between two, with different toppings on each half. It was hands down the best pizza I have had outside of Italy – thin, salty base, perfectly warm, and imaginative toppings (cauliflower cheese, harissa and aubergine, pulled pork, I am literally drooling at my desk writing this). We polished off the whole thing.
What else is on offer? The menu is simple and to the point – you’re eating pizza or going home hungry. Which is how it should be.
The crowd: Not your average Covent Garden tourist trap, the punters are hip, in-the-know pizza fiends willing to queue for the best slice in central London, eaten on paper plates, while listening to a 90s hip hop soundtrack.[/b]
You should also know… The drinks menu is as simple as the food (and all the better for it) – choose from tankards of beer, house wine, or Prosecco by the tap – which an excellent (and dangerous) idea.
Restaurant/Bar: Pizza Pilgrims
Where: Dean Street, Soho
Vs… Rebecca Cox, Acting Editor
The pizza was… Mouth-wateringly, phone-home-about-it, can’t-stop-thinking-about-it, -good. Choose from classic tomato or lighter Bianca base with toppings ranging from classic marinara/margherita to fresh fennel sausage and broccoli. We tried the aubergine parmagiana (a vegetarian’s heaven) and the calzone ripieno (a folded pizza packed with salami, ricotta and mushrooms topped with tomato and parmesan). Both were cooked to perfection, not greasy nor dry, with just the right balance of base and topping. Suffice to say, we’ll be going back for more.
What else is on offer? There a few great sides to enjoy with your pizza; the side salads offer just the right amount of greens to make your dinner officially healthy(-ish). The marinated artichoke heart with prosciutto ham is delicious too.
The crowd: A Soho-cool crowd in a bustling basement; get there early as you can’t book so tables fill up fast.
You should also know… It’s worth seeing what guest drinks and pizzas are on offer; we enjoyed a lovely gin and grapefruit San Pellegrino tipple with our dinner.
