Rapidly growing pizza chain Franco Manca has taken over from Pizza Express as the chattering classes’ pizzeria of choice. It has won hearts and minds with its high-quality ingredients, its bargain house wine and its cheap Neapolitan food. So much of what Franco Manca does also feels just right for the times: filtered water arrives unbidden, there’s no service charge, the stripped-back design looks cool and the kitchen is fully committed to organic, artisan produce.
The restaurant is well located in the heart of beautiful, historic Cambridge, surrounded by charming colleges and the Cambridge Arts Theatre for a pre-show pizza. There are a few shops around, and the Museum of Archaeology or the Sedgwick Museum of Earth Science for the museum buffs. Soak up the knowledge of this stunning town, and refuel for those library nights with a slice of great Neapolitan-style pizza.
The exterior is a delightful sight to take in, the traditional Franco Manca style merging in perfectly with the streets of Cambridge. The interior is bright and cheery, just the thing to put a smile on your face after a long day. The aroma will entice you further to your seat as you watch the pizzaiolos put your pie in the oven. On a sunny day, make sure to get spot outside to take in the quaint surroundings and old school vibes.
Some punters may find the flavour of the chewy sourdough crust too assertive, but nobody could argue with the price – a pizza loaded with Gloucester Old Spot ham and wild mushrooms, followed by an affogato will leave change from a tenner. Other downsides are few, but we have to mention the queues – it’s first come, first served. So you better get going to try out one of the seven stunning pizzas they have on offer.