This month in food: the pizza edition
For our latest instalment of ‘this month in food’ we have @PizzaDiariesLondon talking us through exactly where to find London’s best pizzas to suit every possible hankering.
Take our word for it, a pizza ‘model’ (an excel with a detailed assessment criteria) has even been used to judge the pizzas by!
Bravi Ragazzi
FOR LONDON’S BEST PIZZA
Image: @PizzaDiariesLondon
Not only is Bravi Ragazzi regarded as London’s best pizza, but they actually also serve one of London’s best tiramisus – according to Jessie Ware.
Yes, you will have to venture into the depths of Streatham for this, but it is every bit worth it. According to @PizzaDiariesLondon, it’s the best pizza she’s had in London so far; whilst by no means has every single pizza been tried, it would be hard to imagine better. Their pizza is a great size featuring excellent toppings – in particular, the smoked mozzarella is not to be missed.
It’s also recently been refurbed and has some pretty cute interiors for when dining in is a thing again. If he’s there, ask the Head Chef @vicenzodenicolo for something off menu, we were most recently suggested a great little Nduja number.
WHAT TO EAT?
Pizza
O’Primmo Ammore – tomato sauce, smoked provola cheese, parmesan, black pepper, fresh basil EVO oil.
Price: £10
Dessert
Pistachio Tiramisu
Price: £5.95
Lockdown update: Due to their small size, Bravi is currently only open for takeaway and collection. More information is best found on their Instagram page @braviragazzipizzeria.
Location:
2A Sunnyhill Road, SW16 2UH, Streatham
Nearest station:
Streatham Station
Opening hours:
Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday 5.00 pm- 11.00pm
Sunday 12.30pm - 9.00pm
Theo’s
FOR THE BEST TOMATO SAUCE
Image: @PizzaDiariesLondon
Now it might seem like we are being a little bit South London biased here, but the pizza model has no weighting towards location, promise. There are two branches of Theos, one in Elephant and Castle and the other in Camberwell. The Elephant and Castle is a favourite as it regularly features a smoked mozzarella pizza.
This aside, having had many a post-work or post-gym pizza pitstops here, it can safely be said they’ve all been excellent. Their tomato sauce stands out as extremely high-quality. The Elephant and Castle branch is relatively new and has sleek interiors, or the garden in Camberwell will have you feeling very cool sipping a Campari Spritz outside in the summer. Either way you won’t be disappointed.
WHAT TO EAT?
Starter
Arancini – tomatoes, mozzarella + parmesan (a classic, but only have these if you are really hungry as they are huge)
Price: £5
Pizza
Margherita – tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil.
Price: £8.5
Drink
Campari Spritz
Price: £7
Lockdown update: Both branches are now open for dine-in and takeaway. We’ve seen many people having pizza picnics on the pavement outside the Camberwell branch on warm Friday evenings throughout lockdown! More information can be found on their website here.
Location:
17-18, Elephant & Castle,
London SE1 6TH
2 Grove Lane, Camberwell
London SE5 8SY
Nearest station:
Elephant & Castle Station, East Dulwich Station
Opening hours:
Camberwell:
Tuesday – Thursday Noon – 10.30pm,
Friday and Saturday Noon – 11.00pm, Sunday Noon – 10.00pm
Elephant and Castle:
Tuesday – Thursday Noon– 10.00pm, Friday and Saturday Noon – 10.30pm,
Sunday Noon– 10.00pm
Purezza
FOR TOP-NOTCH VEGAN PIZZA
Image: MTotoe
We visited the Camden branch fully excited to try a purely vegan pizza offering, having no idea this would eventually end up in our top 5 London pizzerias. They have cosy wooden interiors and the friendly staff talked us through the menu on a particularly ravenous Sunday afternoon.
In true teenage-trip-to-pizza-express-with-your-family-style, we got stuck into some dough balls and of course, pizza. Purezza has spent over two years crafting their own mozzarella from brown rice, which believe it or not really doesn’t have you feeling as if you are missing out on the real deal. The hemp flour base was wheaty and tasted like truly wholesome food. Whether you’re vegan or not, take our word for it and try a Purezza pizza.
What to Eat?
Starter
Dough Balls - Three cheesy bites, made with sourdough and oozing with homemade stringy melty cheese.
Price: £4.45
Pizza
The One With The Truffle - Black truffle base with mozzarella, wood smoked tofu, mixed wild forest mushrooms and finished with micro herbs.
Price: £13.95
The One and Only, Parmigiana Party - Red tomato base with smoked mozzarella, aubergine parmigiana, crumbled sausages, topped with a dusting of nutritional yeast.
Price: £12.95
Lockdown update: As of a week ago, they are open for dine in and found on Deliveroo. More info on their website here.
Location:
45-47 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PN
Nearest station:
Camden Town Station
Opening hours:
Sunday – Thursday Noon – 11.00pm,
Friday and Saturday Noon – 11.00pm
Zia Lucia
FOR CHARCOAL BASE PIZZAS
Image: @PizzaDiariesLondon
It’s not just charcoal base that sells Zia Lucia, as a result of some strong Instagram marketing, it has been on the radar for a while. Luckily we managed to get an (albeit quite soulless) dine-in, just before we went into lockdown for some truly excellent toppings (yes please to truffle honey on pizza) and just proper old school Italian pizzeria vibes.
They have branches dotted around London so you shouldn’t have to trek too far for your Instagram shot. Each menu varies and we’ve even heard rumours of a fantastic mortadella and buratta pizza in the Kensington Olympia branch.
WHAT TO EAT?
Pizza
Spicy Burrata - tomato, mozzarella, fresh burrata, spianata spicy salami
Price: £11.95
Arianna – mozzarella, spicy sausage, taleggio goats cheese, pecorino cheese, truffle
Price: £11.90
Lockdown update: Aldgate East branch is open for dine-in, Boxpark Wembley, Hammersmith and Islington are open for takeaway/delivery. More info on their website here.
Location:
Boxpark Wembley: Olympic Way, Boxpark Wembley, Unit 11, HA9 ONU
Hammersmith: 61 Blythe Rd, London, W14 OHP
Islington: 157 Holloway Rd, London, N7 8LX
Aldgate East: Unit 1a, 12 Piazza Walk, London E1 8ZH
Opening hours:
Monday - Sunday 11.30am - 10.30pm
ASAP Pizza
FOR A REALLY HIGH-END PIZZA
Image: MTotoe
The opening of this outlet from the people behind the excellent Flor, in Borough Market coincided nicely with the initial easing of lockdown. With haste, we headed down to Borough Market on a Friday evening, had a couple of pints outside a pub (yaaas) and ordered two of ASAP Pizza’s finest produce to eat by the river.
This is a real foodie’s pizza with toppings you probably have to google to know what they are. If you’re looking to recreate a post-work summer drinks vibe, head to Borough Market for some beers outside the Globe pub and (before you’ve had too many), soak it up with a few ASAP Pizzas.
WHAT TO EAT?
Pizza
Thanks Shallot - Grilled spring onions, mozzarella, ricotta, green garlic, wild marjoram
Price: £14
Marg & Rita - Tomato sauce, mozzarella, basil, spenwood
Price: £14
Lockdown update: Serving pizza now, takeaway only with outside seating. More info on their website here.
Location:
Borough Market: 1 Bedale St, SE1 9AL London
Nearest station:
London Bridge Station
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Saturday 5.00pm – 10.00pm with outside seating,
Sunday 1.00pm – 10.00pm
Words by Olivia Samuels
