Explore the city, London experiences,
September 27 2024
Despite conjuring up images of Italy, pizza has been a staple of the capital’s culinary scene since the 1950s. The comforting ‘pizza pie’ arrived in the Big Smoke with Italian immigrants, who would open up their own family-run business and make their mark on the city.
Today, some 70 years since pizzas first gained mainstream coverage in Tatler magazine, everything from New York-style to Neapolitan-style pizzas have cropped up. You can find delicious deep-pan and wood-fired treats everywhere from Fulham to Soho.
The best pizza in London depends on your tastes – whether you’re after a hearty deep-dish treat or a thin and crispy home-baked favourite. High street pop-up stores or full sit-down pizza restaurants are waiting for you. We’ve gathered some of the best to keep you full as you explore London.
When it comes to pizza, Covent Garden is your best bet if you’re feeling ravenous! Homeslice, based in Neal’s Yard, offers incredible 20” pizzas – great for sharing, or keeping to yourself if you’re especially famished. Here you can find all the classics including Margherita, mushroom and salami as individual slices, or go large for even bolder flavours.
There’s also a range of vegan options and drinks to complement your meal, from pale ales to cocktails. If you can’t decide, you can even split your toppings on larger pizzas.
Access the Covent Garden store easily from our Piccadilly and Trafalgar Square hotels, or if you’re going further afield, you’ll also find Homeslice near Mansion House and Marylebone.
London Neapolitan pizza doesn’t serve any better than Rudy’s. While its roots are in Italy, it actually first opened in Manchester! Rudy’s has locations on Tottenham Court Road (near our Bloomsbury Park hotel) as well as others like Shoreditch, Soho, Westfield Shopping Centre in West London, and Canary Wharf in East London.
Experience authentic flavours like fior di latte and buffalo mozzarella, as well as modern vegan options. The Agnello Vegana is a plant-based meat alternative that’s a hit with all diners, and you can even look out for monthly specials.
If you’ve still got room, there’s a delectable dessert menu featuring affogato, gelato, chocolate brownies and tiramisu. Discover all the taste of Naples without having to leave London. Find out more about seasonal and gluten-free options on the Rudy’s website.
You might notice something different about the best pizza East London has to offer. It’s not round! These American-style delicacies are known for their rectangular shape, surrounded by a deep, thick crust. Cheese is applied liberally, such as on the bacon double cheeseburger pizza or the parmesan and pepperoni-stuffed Detroit pizza.
Rather than traditional Italian recipes like Mama used to make, Detroit Pizza relies on deep-dish pizza pies, from marinara to Maui wowee jalapeños. Top it off with a cheesecake or go light with Greek salads, generously packed with feta, red onion and tomato.
You can find this delightful pizza spot in Spitalfields and Islington, or even order online. Note they don’t take bookings, so walk in when you’re feeling spontaneous and hungry!
Some might consider Cecconi’s the best pizza in Soho, London – not just for the food but for the experience. When you dine at Cecconi’s, you don’t just get wood-fired pizzas or ‘pizettes’. You get the full authentic Italian dining experience, from anchovies and artichokes on pizza to pastas with rich tomato sauce.
Wash it all down with Aperol Spritzes, Negronis or Italian cocktails. Better still, dine between 4pm and 7pm to see a live DJ, or keep the party going until 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. Cecconi’s treats its patrons well, with Soho House Members and Soho Friends receiving priority booking and 20% off. You can find this classic pizza joint on Old Compton Street.
Perhaps one of the most authentic pizza London experiences money can buy, Santa Maria does not disappoint. There’s a reason the brand has opened up branches in Fitzrovia, Islington, Fulham and Ealing – the recipes. Founders Angelo and Pasquale, who hail from Naples, pride themselves on their native cooking methods.
You’ll be spoilt for choice with their menu. Everything made of dough you could ever imagine, from wood-fired pizzas to calzone and even nduja crust dippers, is readily available. Plus, Santa Maria have cornered the vegan and vegetarian market, combining plump aubergines and vegan mozzarella to satisfy your cravings.
Top it off with a tiramisu or wash it down with their extensive wine list. You can find Santa Maria across four locations in London and book a table here.
From crisp sourdough pizzas to cheeky brunch cocktails, there’s a London pizza restaurant for all tastes. Tantalise your tastebuds with hearty meatballs, delicate ricotta or liberally applied gorgonzola – giving you Napoli on the road in a British setting.
When your tummy’s full, relax and unwind with a stay at the Thistle – offering all the warmth of Italian hospitality in the heart of London.
