Where to find the best pizza in London
London's pizza scene is flourishing, showcasing outstanding establishments that could easily compete with the most renowned pizzerias in Italy. London offers a diverse array of options, from Neapolitan masterpieces to fiery New York-style slices and delicious crispy Roman-style pizzas. Whether you're vegan, vegetarian, or a meat lover, we've curated a list of nine elite venues where you can indulge in the finest pizza in the city.
Story Deli
Image: Aubergeine Pizza. Story Deli. Hackney. Photo by MTotoe.
#FLODown: Story Deli, located on Cambridge Heath Road in Hackney, is a hidden gem known for serving some of London's finest pizza. The restaurant boasts a charming atmosphere with chic and rustic interior decor featuring communal scrubbed-wood tables, beautiful floral arrangements, and carefully curated bric-a-brac, creating a quirky yet cosy ambiance. Story Deli prides itself on using only the freshest organic ingredients to craft delicious pizzas with exceptionally thin and crispy crusts. Among their standout options, the aubergine and mushroom pizzas are particularly heavenly. For a delightful culinary experience in a seriously chic setting, Story Deli is a must-visit destination for pizza lovers.
Location: 515 Cambridge Heath Rd, London E2 9BU. Website:@storydeli.com. Instagram: @story.deli
Lardo
Image: Superstraccia, vegan n’duja, pepperoncini peppers. Lardo London. Hackney. @lardolondon.
#FLODown: Yet another Hackney favourite is Lardo, a long-standing Italian restaurant that has been serving delicious pizzas since 2012. Despite its industrial-cool vibe, it has evolved to offer a predominantly vegetarian menu with standout options like their delicious Superstraccia, beetroot, crispy parsley, fresh mint, and walnut pesto pizza. Additionally, Lardo boasts a shiny, mirror-clad oven as a centrepiece, and their British-made charcuterie is a great addition to a pizza session.
Location: 197-201 Richmond Road, Hackney, London E8 3NJ. Website: lardo.co.uk. Instagram: @lardolondon.
L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele
Image: Margherita and Truffle Mushroom Pizza combo. L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele Soho, London.© MTotoe.
#FLODown: L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele, a Neapolitan gem that's considered one of the best pizzas in the world, offers an authentic taste of Naples to Londoners. With origins dating back to 1870 in Naples and founded by Michele Condurro, this iconic pizzeria faithfully adheres to the traditional pizza-making process, which has gained it global recognition after being praised by Elizabeth Gilbert in Eat, Pray, Love and featured in the movie adaptation with Julia Roberts. With locations in both Soho and Baker Street, their must-try pizzas include the classic Margherita and the indulgent Truffle Mushroom. It definitely lives up to its high praise.
Locations: (Soho): 44 Old Compton Street, London, W1D 4TY. (Baker St): 199 Baker Street, London NW1 6UY. Website: anticapizzeriadamichele.co.uk. Instagram: @pizzeriadamicheleuk
Zia Lucia
Image: Blue potatoes sauce pizza at Zia Lucia. @zialuciapizza
#FLODown: Zia Lucia is renowned for its charcoal-based pizzas, thanks to effective Instagram marketing. The restaurant offers excellent toppings, including enticing options like truffle honey on pizza, and exudes a classic Italian pizzeria ambiance. Zia Lucia has multiple branches across London, making it easily accessible for those seeking Instagram-worthy shots. Each branch offers a unique menu, with fantastic mortadella and burrata pizza available at the Kensington Olympia location. Some other standout pizza options include the Spicy Burrata and the Arianna, both featuring a variety of flavourful ingredients that are just as tasty as they are Instagram-worthy.
Locations: Wembley, Hammersmith, Islington, Aldgate East, Balham, Wandsworth, West Hampstead Website: zialucia.com. Instagram: @zialuciapizza
Purezza
Image: Pesto perfection at Purezza. @purezza
#FLODown: Purezza, founded in 2015, is a well-known vegan pizzeria that combines tradition with a commitment to a better world. They were the first to offer animal-free pizza in London and are dedicated to exceeding traditional pizza standards. Their sourdough pizza base is mostly gluten-free, and they make their own vegan mozzarella. Their rice-based mozzarella and hemp flour pizza base offer a gratifying, dairy-free alternative. Notable menu highlights include pizzas such as the Black Truffle Pizza and the irresistible One and Only Parmigiana Party with Aubergine and Hemp Parm. Make no mistake; Purezza is an absolute must-visit destination for a vegan pizza experience!
Location: 45-47 Parkway, Camden Town, London NW1 7PN. Website: purezza.co.uk. Instagram: @purezza.
Flat Earth Pizza
Image: Caramelised red onions, pickled peas, kale cheese, and organic tomato passata at Flat Earth Pizza. @flatearthpizzas
#FLODown: Flat Earth Pizza in Cambridge Heath is a sustainable eatery that started as a pandemic pop-up and is now a permanent fixture. Their menu focuses on organic, eco-friendly ingredients, offering vegetarian, vegan, and indulgent options. They've been recognized as the 3rd best plant-based pizza in the UK at the National Pizza Awards.The restaurant has a cosy atmosphere with a small outdoor seating area for al fresco dining.
Location: 288 Cambridge Heath Rd, Cambridge Heath, London E2 9DA Website: flatearthpizzas.com. Instagram: @flatearthpizzas
Theo’s
Image: Cavolo Verza + Red onion, Gorgonzola cream base, mozzarella, black olives & basil at Theo’s.@theospizzeria
#FLODown: Theo's, famous for its Neapolitan-style pizzas, offers a variety of options for pizza lovers in South London. Spice enthusiasts can try the Scotch Bonnet Nduja Pizza, while those preferring milder flavours can tuck into the Cavolo Nero Cream Pizza. For a more indulgent choice, don't miss the Pied du Mouton Mushroom Pizza. Known for their quality pizza bases and toppings, Theo's friendly staff are always happy to provide personalised pizza recommendations. You can find Theo's in Camberwell and Elephant & Castle. We recommend pairing your pizza with their tasty Negroni’s!
Locations: 2 Grove Lane, Camberwell, London SE5 8SY 17-18, Elephant & Castle, London SE1 6TH Website: theospizzeria.com Instagram: @theospizzeria
Crisp Pizza W6
Image: Pizza Perfection at Crisp Pizza W6. @crisppizzaw6
#FLODown: Crisp Pizza, located within a cosy Hammersmith pub, has quickly become a standout in London's pizza scene. Chef Carl McCluskey's talent for crafting exceptionally crispy crusts has solidified its reputation as one of the city's top pizza spots. While the wait can be a bit long on weekends (they're open only from Wednesday to Sunday), it's absolutely worth it. Their signature crisp, sturdy crust paired with unique ingredients, such as the Crisp x Picante pizza featuring Marinara, Spicy Tequila sauce, Fior Di Latte, Parmesan, and a delightful Pesto Swirl, ensures a pizza experience that won't disappoint!
Location: 25 Crisp Rd, London W6 9RL. Instagram: @crisppizzaw6
Palazzo
Image: Brindisa chorizo and mushroom truffle pizza. Palazzo. Cyrtsal Palace. Photo by MTotoe.
#FLODown: Palazzo is a vibrant Italian restaurant in Crystal Palace, renowned for its fusion of classic Italian dishes and inventive creations. Operated by the same team behind the Made of Dough pizzerias, some of our favourites include their aubergine pizza with scotch bonnet honey, the Brindisa chorizo pizza generously covered in mozzarella, and the exquisite portobello mushroom and truffle pizza. Be sure not to miss out on their mouth-watering meatballs. The restaurant seamlessly combines retro charm with contemporary flair, transitioning from a laid-back dining experience to a lively hangout featuring live music and DJs on weekends. Furthermore, it boasts a hip record library and posters that pay homage to iconic bands such as the Spice Girls and Oasis!
Location: 3-6 Church Rd, London SE19 2TF. Instagram: @bar.palazzo Website: barpalazzo.com