Best pizza in London: 20 places to grab a slice of the action

Pizza holds a special place in the hearts of people all over the world. Sure, Italy claims the origins, but these days pizza has been adopted shape or form by almost every nation on Earth. Whatever city you visit, you're likely to find a pizza place somewhere, and London is no exception - pizza is a favourite among students (kudos to the Domino’s marketing team), a staple of house parties and a fixture on various restaurants around the city, Italian or otherwise. 

You see, pizza may not be glamorous or particularly healthy, but it has satisfied the cavernous appetites of hungry London foodies for decades now. Who doesn’t like pizza? Whether you are drunk, starving or just craving cheese, tomato and dough, pizza provides.

London has been home to a Neapolitan pizza renaissance in recent years, and until recently the city was crawling with (admittedly very good) pizza spots, all turning floppy, chewy pizzas out of wood-fired ovens. Now it seems we're entering a new era of global pizza appreciation, with new-school pizzaiolos delving into other regional Italian and American specialities. We've got Chicago style deep-dish, Detroit style pizza, and ultra-thin, charred pies from New Haven, Connecticut. New York-style by-the-slice pizza is coming on strong, as are other Italian-style pizzas, particularly thinner, crispier styles from northern Italy. It's a great time to be a pizza fanatic in London. 

You can find great pizza at some of the best Italian restaurants in London, but if you're after dedicated pizza slingers that sink hours and hours into creating the perfect pizza dough, then we have plenty of those, too. The capital is full of great restaurants for pizza, ranging from cheap and cheerful by-the-slice operations to upmarket Mayfair Italians where your pizza pie arrives under a mountain of truffle shavings. Whichever is your favourite, we think it’s about time we all raise a glass to one of the world’s most popular dishes, and get ourselves down to one of the delicious restaurants below, which serve up some of the best pizza in London.

Dough Hands, Hackney and Peckham

What: Hannah Drye’s crispy, crunchy pub pizzas have been a smash hit at Hackney’s Spurstowe Arms, so much so that Dough Hands has expanded south of the river to The Old Nun’s Head in Peckham. You can’t go wrong with the killer, mozzarella and Grana Padano margherita, but we also love the ‘nduja and stracciatella-laden Jode. Plus, who can say no to Happy Endings ice cream sandwiches for pud. Is this the best pizza place in London? We reckon Dough Hands holds the crown right now.
Where: 68 Greenwood Road, E8 1AB; 15 Nunhead Green, SE15 3QQ
Book now: Dough Hands Hackney; Dough Hands Peckham

Rossella, Kentish Town

What: A fan favourite in Kentish Town, Rossella has been in the Meola family for two generations now, with current owner Luca continuing the work of his father Luigi. Luca is from Naples so he knows a thing or two about good pizza - we’re suckers for the outstanding margherita, but frankly, everything at Rossella is excellent.
Where: 103 Highgate Road, NW5 1TR
Book now: Rossella

Bellillo, Fulham

What: Bellillo is world-proven, with sites all over the globe from Miami to Napoli. Lucky for the good residents of Fulham, there’s also one in leafy west London, serving classic Neapolitan style pizzas. Expect ultra-authentic pizzas with classic toppings, with the highest quality produced sourced direct from Italy across the board. The pork crackling calzone is a must-order.
Where: 255 Munster Road, SW6 6BW
Book now: Bellillo

Green Mosaic, Hammersmith and Holborn

What: Wanting the pizza without the guilt? At Green Mosaic the pizzas are healthier than your average joint. Their unique dough is made with a special flour blend which is packed full of vitamins, fibres and antioxidants. The menus are split in two, with a variety of classic options as well as signature pizzas where things are slightly out of the ordinary. Have you ever had pizza with a hummus base? Well now is your time to try with the ‘Hummus Mania’ - a unique base that’s topped with olives, sun dried tomatoes, mozzarella and red onion.
Where: Broadway Shopping Centre, W6 9YE; 97 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TS
Book now: Green Mosaic Hammersmith; Green Mosaic Holborn

Marta, Chelsea

What: This inconspicuous little pizzeria in Chelsea specialises in Roman style, ultra-thin and crisp pizzas. Pizzaiolo’s spin pizzas fresh on the counter by the entrance, where a magnificent wood-fired oven roars into life. Don’t miss the focaccia di Recco - an ultra-thin flatbread, baked with stracchino cheese in the middle, as well as the simple but delicious tomato and pecorino ‘Marta’. There’s space for two on the end of the counter as well, which might be one of the cutest date spots in all of London.
Where: 343 Fulham Road, SW10 9TW
Book now: Marta

Ria’s, Notting Hill

What: Detroit-style deep-dish pizzas have well and truly arrived in London, but no-one is doing them quite like Ria’s. Crispy crusts, with focaccia-esque airy, chewy dough in the middle, you can argue forever about whether these are pizzas or loaded focaccias. There’s no doubting the deliciousness though, and Ria’s backs things up with a superb natural wine list and some lovely mellow, lo-fi interiors.
Where: 29 All Saints Road, W11 1HE
Book now: Ria’s

Lenny’s Apizza, Finsbury Park

What: Lenny’s Apizza (pronounced ah-beetz) is proudly the only pizzeria in London doing true New Haven style pizza. Set up in the very charming Bedford Tavern, Max Lewis is banging out proper New Haven pies - thin-crust, crispy, charred over coal, then cut into irregular shapes. Very affordable and delicious, Lenny’s is absolutely worth the trip to north London.
Where: 160 Seven Sisters Road, N7 7PT
Book now: Lenny’s Apizza

Little Earthquakes Pizza, Dalston

What: Neil Rankin (one time founder of Temper) has holed himself up in The Railway Tavern in Dalston, joining forces with the From The Ashes crew to churn out proper fat, deep dish pizzas. Baked in six inch cake tins, these dinky little pies will conjure nostalgia for anyone that has rapidly consumed a Chicago Town pizza at 3am. Deep, chewy, and absolutely loaded with cheese, we reckon Little Earthquakes could become London's next pizza sensation. 
Where: 2 St Jude Street, N16 8JT
Book now: Little Earthquakes Pizza

L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele, Baker Street and Soho

What: Made famous by the film Eat Pray Love (starring Hollywood royalty Julia Roberts), this pizza chain has two sites in London, the original on Baker Street and the other in Soho. Expect a concise menu which includes pizzas such as a half-and-half combination of margherita and marinara, and a fried pizza which is topped with salami, pressed pork and ricotta cheese.
Where: 199 Baker Street, NW1 6UY; 44 Old Compton Street, W1D 4TY
Book now: L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele Baker Street; L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele Soho

Alley Cats, Marylebone and Chelsea

What: This New York style pizzeria is taking Marylebone by storm and we completely understand why. Alley Cats’ pizzas put the focus on ingredients from southern Italy, such as San Marzano tomatoes and mozzarella from Campania. Inside you'll find classic pizzeria styling with gingham tablecloths and glazed tiles, with episodes of The Sopranos projected onto the walls. The pizzeria itself is small and busy with lots of atmosphere - it's also walk-ins only, so no need to book. Pizza options here are pretty classic with options for marinara, margherita and pepperoni as well as a mushroom, white base pizza and a plant-based option full of crispy potatoes and vegan 'nduja. The meatballs here are definitely worth ordering, in our opinion, and be sure to save room for dessert - tiramisu is a must. 
Where: 22 Paddington Street, W1U 5QY; 342 King's Road, SW3 5UR
Book now: Alley Cats Marylebone; Alley Cats Chelsea

Fatto a Mano, King's Cross, Covent Garden and Bethnal Green

What: Already a smash hit in Brighton, Fatto a Mano's traditional Neapolitan style pizzas have also made a big splash in London. The dough is slow-proofed over 24 hours before being shaped, hit with a variety of toppings and blasted in a 450 degree pizza oven for 90 seconds. The result is pretty great - super light, pillowy pizzas, always with excellent toppings. Fatto a Mano also does excellent specials, as well as good snacks and a great beer list.
Where: Unit 1, 3 Pancras Square, N1C 4AG; 30 St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ER; 250 Paradise Row, E2 9LE
Book now: Fatto A Mano King's Cross; Fatto a Mano Covent Garden; Fatto a Mano Bethnal Green

Pizzeria Mozza, Marylebone

What: From renowned chef Nancy Silverton, Pizzeria Mozza has made its way across the Atlantic, setting up shop as part of the Treehouse Hotel in Langham Place. Pizzas are a little more classic - expect light, crispy, polenta-dusted crusts, as opposed to the usual chewy Neapolitan style. There's an unfussy collection of starters too - think arancini, bruschetta and meatballs - followed by a succinct selection of tomato or white pizzas, with toppings that change seasonally. There's a lovely open kitchen and counter in the heart of this Mediterranean-style dining room, where you can watch chefs at work. Considering the site’s proximity to Oxford Street, Pizzeria Mozza is excellent value for money, which just sweetens the deal with this one.
Where: 4-5 Langham Place, W1B 3DG
Book now: Pizzeria Mozza

Voodoo Ray’s, Peckham and Dalston

What: Voodoo Ray’s pizza slices are cut from a 22-inch pie kept behind a glass counter. Interiors feel like you have stepped into an 80’s arcade game, due to the colourful square tiles sorted into geometric patterns. The pizza names here are fun, with the ‘Queen Vegan’ made up of artichoke, olives, onion, tomatoes and green sauce, or the opposite end of the spectrum with the ‘Porky’s’ stuffed with toppings of cumberland sausage, stilton, red onion. By-the-slice pizza in London is about to have a big moment, but Voodoo Ray's has been doing it very well for some time already.
Where: 285 Rye Lane, SE15 4UA; 95 Kingsland High Street, E8 2PB
Book now: Voodoo Ray's Peckham; Voodoo Ray's Dalston

Napoli on the Road, Chiswick and Richmond

What: With some truly indulgent offerings, Napoli on the Road may be out of the way, but it's worth making the trip. Founder Michele Pascarella is often credited as the guy who brought high crust pizza to the UK - so we have a lot to thank him for! Here, the menu has a number of different sections, allowing you to choose from ‘le pizza classiche’ to ‘signature pizze by Michele.’ Why not try the ‘Tartufo and Patate’ a white-based option with baked truffle potatoes, mozzarella, fresh black truffle and caciocavallo irpino aged-cheese.
Where: 9a Devonshire Road, W4 2EU; 12 Red Lion Street, TW9 1RW
Book now: Napoli on the Road Chiswick; Napoli on the Road Richmond

Yard Sale Pizza, Clapton and other locations

What: Established by three friends in an actual back yard, Yard Sale is probably most famous for its Clapton branch being the random venue that served as the UK debut for actor Macaulay Culkin’s covers band, but there are other branches too in Finsbury Park, Hackney, Leytonstone and Walthamstow. The 18-inch option is perfect for sharing with a friend or two, with humorously named pizzas including the TSB (tender stem broccoli) and the ‘herb your enthusiasm’.
Where: 105 Lower Clapton Road, E5 0NP
Book now: Yard Sale Pizza Clapton

Homeslice, Covent Garden and other locations

What: Homeslice was originally a pop-up restaurant selling pizza by the slice (which it still does), but now the group is best known for its 20-inch pizzas. Costs start from £24 and that’s plenty enough to share with a friend or two. The restaurant's toppings are quite creative too, with options such as wagyu beef, truffle creme fraiche and salsa verde and basil, or chorizo, corn and coriander. Probably the best giant pizza in London if that's what you're into.
Where: 13 Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP
Book now: Homeslice Covent Garden

Crisp Pizza, Hammersmith

What: Crisp has taken the city by storm, quickly making a name for itself and coming out as one of the best restaurants in London. Here, pizzas are called pies and come with a thick crust and multiple types of cheese. The menu boasts uniquely named pizzas - such as the ‘Vecna Pie’ which comes topped with pepperoni, parmesan, burrata and hot honey. There's also options for a nutella calzone if you're looking for something sweet. The best part? The options are all super affordable!
Where: 25 Crisp Road, W6 9RL
Book now: Crisp Pizza

Bridge Baker, Fulham

What: As far as pizza places in London go, this Fulham Bakery is keeping it classic. Slow-fermented dough ensures a light and crisp base that still has that thick and bubbly crust. At Bridge Baker, the pizza comes in all varieties from the classic margherita to more exciting options such as the ‘Hot Honey’ special which is topped with salami, goat’s cheese, black olives and homemade honey. Pizzas here are always pretty reasonable, plus they have happy hour deals making certain ones even more affordable!
Where: 811 Fulham Road, SW6 5HG
Book now: Bridge Baker

Ace Pizza at Pembury Tavern, Hackney

What: This Hackney spot is ideal if you're looking for something light and crispy. At Ace Pizza, the dough is made in house then left to slowly ferment for 48 hours, ensuring that crispy crunch after it gets baked in a raging hot pizza oven. Toppings vary from your classic options to something a bit more unique - 'The Wipe Out' is heaped with chorizo, grilled pineapple, ricotta, jalapenos and pecorino - perfect if you're of the opinion that pineapple on pizza isn't too bad. 
Where: 90 Amhurst Road, E8 1JH
Book now: Ace Pizza at Pembury Tavern

Made of Dough, Peckham

What: Serving up wood-fired pizzas on Peckham’s bustling Bellenden Road (also home to Artusi and The Begging Bowl), Made of Dough is a quick and casual joint turning out some seriously good pizzas. We’re fans of toppings which include lamb sausage, while vegans can opt for a variety topped with mushrooms, peppers and vegan cheese. You can also order sauces to dip your crusts in, including a basil aioli and a vegan kimchi mayo.
Where: 182 Bellenden Road, SE15 4BW
Book now: Made of Dough

One of the best ways to enjoy pizza is out in the sunshine and if alfresco dining is your thing, you'll want to check out our guide to London's best outdoor restaurants.