Ranked and compared by the WhatAreTheTop.Best editorial team
The Best Pizza in London for 2026
London's pizza scene has never been more competitive, spanning wood-fired Neapolitan benchmarks, 48-hour sourdough bases and crisp New York-Roman hybrids served out of East London pubs. To find the best pizza in London, we compared the pizzerias topping the 2025-2026 awards - 50 Top Pizza, the National Pizza Awards and major London guides - against published reviews, official menus and current indicative pricing. Below are our five picks, ranked from best overall, each with a distinct reason to go and an honest note on who should skip it.
Our top picks
Researched by WATTB
- Published
- 13 September 2026
- Updated
- 13 September 2026
- Last verified
- 13 September 2026
- Sources
- 9 sources
We research and rank options from public data, official information and published reviews. How we research →
Written by
Affiliate disclosure: some links on this page may be affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Affiliate relationships do not influence our rankings or WATTB Scores. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we rank.
How we picked · Our ranking draws on official restaurant information and menus, current indicative pricing checked across provider websites and delivery listings, major industry awards (50 Top Pizza Europa 2026, the 2025 National Pizza Awards) and aggregated published reviews from outlets including Time Out and the Good Food Guide, combined with editorial judgement. Read our full method →- Rank 1Napoli on the RoadWATTB Pick— Best overallWATTB92/100From ~£12 per pizza (indicative)
- Rank 250 Kalo di Ciro Salvo— Best classic NeapolitanWATTB90/100~£16-£19 per pizza (indicative)
- Rank 3Short Road Pizza— Best New York-Roman hybridWATTB87/100~£16-£18.50 per pizza (indicative)
- Rank 4Pizza Pilgrims— Best for groups and reliabilityWATTB89/100From ~£10 per pizza (indicative)
- Rank 5Sodo Pizza— Best sourdough on a neighbourhood budgetWATTB86/100From ~£13 per pizza (indicative)
The WATTB Score is our own research-based editorial assessment out of 100 — not a customer-review average.
Choose by occasion
The things that decide where to go — match them to your evening, not just the rating.
- Which pizza style?Matters most
- Neapolitan (soft, wood-fired), New York-Roman (thin, crisp) and 48-hour sourdough are genuinely different pizzas — decide the style before the venue.
- Occasion & group sizeMatters most
- A purist date, a big group and a casual neighbourhood dinner point to different places; a single-site specialist and a 15-branch operation suit very different nights.
- Booking & waitingWorth weighing
- The flagship single sites book up and can mean a wait; chains and neighbourhood spots are far easier to get into at short notice.
- Central vs neighbourhoodWorth weighing
- Several top picks are East London residencies that are less handy for visitors; central options suit a pre-theatre plan or a tourist itinerary.
- BudgetMinor
- Most pizzas here run ~£10-£19; a seven-course tasting menu is a big step up in price.
Compare at a glance
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Neapolitan pizza
- Best for
- Best overall
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Neapolitan pizza
- Best for
- Best classic Neapolitan
- Price
- ££
- Style
- New York-Roman (Romana Americana) pizza
- Best for
- Best New York-Roman hybrid
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Neapolitan pizza
- Best for
- Best for groups and reliability
- Price
- ££
- Style
- Sourdough pizza
- Best for
- Best sourdough on a neighbourhood budget
The picks in depth
Napoli on the Road
Why it won
The most decorated pizza in the capital and our benchmark for contemporary Neapolitan - named Europe's best pizzeria outside Italy three years running by 50 Top Pizza.
Named Europe's best pizzeria outside Italy by 50 Top Pizza three years running (2024-2026)
Reviewers rate the wood-fired Neapolitan crust and ingredient quality among London's best
Three branches, plus a Soho seven-course pizza tasting menu (£65 pp, indicative) for a special occasion
Trade-off: Tables at the flagship sites book up fast, so walk-ins can face a wait
Why it ranks here
It tops the list on its award record — named best pizzeria outside Italy by 50 Top Pizza three years running (2024-2026) — pairing that award-recognised wood-fired Neapolitan with the flexibility of several branches and a Soho tasting menu.
Go here if
- You want the highest-rated contemporary Neapolitan
- You are happy to plan around a possible wait
Skip it if
- You need a guaranteed walk-in at peak times
- You want the cheapest option
Where it's the better choice
- Award-topping crust and ingredient quality
- A special-occasion seven-course pizza tasting menu
Where another pick wins
- Flagship tables book up fast, so walk-ins can wait
- The tasting-menu route is a big price step
Closest alternative: Pizza Pilgrims — Choose Pizza Pilgrims if you want somewhere easier to book for a group.
- Best for
- An award-winning Neapolitan, worth planning for
- Typical spend
- From ~£12 per pizza; Soho tasting menu ~£65pp(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- The wood-fired Neapolitan margherita, The Soho seven-course pizza tasting menu for an occasion
- Atmosphere
- Buzzy contemporary pizzeria across Chiswick, Richmond and Soho
- Booking
- Book ahead at the flagship sites; walk-ins can wait at peak times.
50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo
Why we recommend it
The London outpost of a world-renowned Naples pizzaiolo, and the pick for purists who want textbook Neapolitan just off Trafalgar Square.
Backed by a world-renowned Naples pizzaiolo and rated among Europe's best Neapolitan by multiple guides
Central location just off Trafalgar Square - very easy for visitors to reach
Reviewers praise the light, well-fermented dough
Trade-off: At ~£16-£19 a pizza (indicative) it is pricier than most London rivals
Why it ranks here
The purist's pick: the London outpost of a world-renowned Naples pizzaiolo, praised for its light, well-fermented dough, and about as central as top Neapolitan gets — just off Trafalgar Square.
Go here if
- You want textbook Naples-style Neapolitan
- You need a very central, easy-to-reach spot
Skip it if
- You are price-sensitive
- You want neighbourhood convenience or multiple branches
Where it's the better choice
- Pedigree and dough quality
- Very central for visitors, near Trafalgar Square
Where another pick wins
- Pricier per pizza at ~£16-£19
- A single central site gets busy at peak times
Closest alternative: Napoli on the Road — Choose Napoli on the Road for the more decorated all-rounder with more branches.
- Best for
- Textbook Neapolitan before or after the theatre
- Typical spend
- ~£16-£19 per pizza(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- A classic margherita or marinara to judge the dough
- Atmosphere
- A polished central room just off Trafalgar Square
- Booking
- Book weekend evenings; a strong pre- or post-show option.
Short Road Pizza
Ranked above a higher-scoring pick: We place Short Road above Pizza Pilgrims on pure pizza quality - its marinara was named National Pizza of the Year 2025 - even though Pilgrims is far easier to book and reach.
Why we recommend it
A thin, crisp New York-Roman pie whose marinara was named National Pizza of the Year 2025 - the pick for chasing the buzziest pizza in town.
Its marinara was named National Pizza of the Year at the 2025 National Pizza Awards
Time Out ranked the pizza third-best in the world in early 2026
Distinctive thin, crisp New York-Roman style with inventive toppings
Trade-off: Pub-residency setup means limited hours and casual, often busy seating
Why it ranks here
The buzziest pizza in town: a thin, crisp New York-Roman pie whose marinara was named National Pizza of the Year 2025 and which Time Out ranked third-best in the world in early 2026 — a genuinely different style from the Neapolitan pack, which earns it a place above the more mainstream chains.
Go here if
- You want the most talked-about, distinctive pie
- You like a crisp New York-Roman style
Skip it if
- You want a polished sit-down or a central location
- You need reliable, predictable opening hours
Where it's the better choice
- Award-winning, distinctive New York-Roman style
- Huge current critical acclaim
Where another pick wins
- Pub-residency setup with limited hours and casual seating
- East London sites are less convenient for central visitors
Closest alternative: Pizza Pilgrims — Choose Pizza Pilgrims for a more reliable, central and bookable dinner.
- Best for
- Chasing the buzziest, most distinctive pizza
- Typical spend
- ~£16-£18.50 per pizza(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- The award-winning marinara
- Atmosphere
- Casual East London pub residencies (Bethnal Green, Leyton)
- Booking
- Check which residency is open before travelling; limited, casual hours.
Pizza Pilgrims
Why we recommend it
The most reliable, easy-to-book Neapolitan across London - the safe choice for groups, families and central meet-ups.
15+ branches make it the easiest pick to book and reach across London
Ranked among the world's top 10 pizza chains by 50 Top Pizza (2025 World Artisan Pizza Chains)
Strong value, with pizzas from ~£10 and feasting menus from ~£25 pp (indicative)
Trade-off: Peak quality sits below the specialist single-site pizzerias above
Why it ranks here
The reliable all-rounder: 15+ branches make it the easiest to book and reach, with strong value and feasting menus — the safe choice for groups and central meet-ups, even if peak quality sits below the single-site specialists.
Go here if
- You are booking for a group or family
- You want somewhere easy and central to reserve
Skip it if
- You are chasing the single best pizza in town
- You want a distinctive one-site experience
Where it's the better choice
- Easiest to book and reach across London
- Strong value, with feasting menus and student deals
Where another pick wins
- Peak quality below the specialist pizzerias
- As a chain, atmosphere and consistency vary by branch
Closest alternative: Napoli on the Road — Step up to Napoli on the Road, 50 Top Pizza's best pizzeria outside Italy, if you can plan ahead.
- Best for
- Groups, families and easy central meet-ups
- Typical spend
- From ~£10 per pizza; feasting menus from ~£25pp(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- A classic margherita, A feasting menu for a group
- Atmosphere
- Lively, casual Neapolitan across 15+ London branches
- Booking
- The easiest here to book across London; good for groups.
Sodo Pizza
Why we recommend it
Consistently rated among London's best sourdough bases, with seasonal toppings and honest prices in relaxed neighbourhood rooms.
Reviewers rate its 48-hour sourdough among London's best
Strong value, with pizzas from ~£13 (indicative)
Seasonal, sustainably sourced produce and natural wine
Trade-off: Casual neighbourhood rooms rather than a polished dining experience
Why it ranks here
The neighbourhood value pick: consistently rated among London's best 48-hour sourdough bases, with seasonal toppings and natural wine at honest prices in relaxed rooms — a casual local dinner rather than a destination.
Go here if
- You want top sourdough on a budget
- You want a relaxed, wine-led neighbourhood dinner
Skip it if
- You want a polished or central experience
- You are booking for a big group
Where it's the better choice
- Acclaimed 48-hour sourdough base
- Strong value and seasonal, sustainably-sourced produce
Where another pick wins
- Casual neighbourhood rooms rather than a polished experience
- East and North-East sites are less central
Closest alternative: Short Road Pizza — Choose Short Road for a crisper, buzzier style in East London.
- Best for
- A casual, wine-led neighbourhood dinner
- Typical spend
- From ~£13 per pizza(as of Sep 2026)
- What to order
- A seasonal special on the 48-hour sourdough base
- Atmosphere
- Relaxed neighbourhood rooms (Clapton, Bethnal Green, Hoxton, Walthamstow)
- Booking
- Neighbourhood sites; fine for a casual dinner rather than big central groups.
How to choose
Chase the best pie, or the easy table?
For the highest-rated Neapolitan, Napoli on the Road and 50 Kalo lead but can mean planning and a wait. For a guaranteed group booking somewhere central, Pizza Pilgrims is the reliable pick.
Pick your style
Neapolitan (Napoli on the Road, 50 Kalo, Pizza Pilgrims), crisp New York-Roman (Short Road) or 48-hour sourdough (Sodo) are distinct experiences — the style, not the ranking, should probably decide.
How we ranked this list
Our ranking draws on official restaurant information and menus, current indicative pricing checked across provider websites and delivery listings, major industry awards (50 Top Pizza Europa 2026, the 2025 National Pizza Awards) and aggregated published reviews from outlets including Time Out and the Good Food Guide, combined with editorial judgement. We have not visited or eaten at these venues ourselves; all sensory and performance details are attributed to reviewers, judges or official sources.
Prices and availability last checked September 2026; these change, so confirm current details with the provider before buying.
Read our full ranking methodWhy you can trust WATTB
Independent & unbiased
We rank on merit. Commercial links never change which picks make a guide or where they rank.
In-depth research
Official information, specifications and aggregated expert and user reviews — compared, not guessed.
Clear pros & cons
Every pick gets its real advantages and at least one honest trade-off, so you can weigh it.
Transparent sourcing
We show how we rank and the sources behind each guide, and re-check them as things change.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best pizza in London in 2026?
On our ranking, Napoli on the Road takes the top spot: pizzaiolo Michele Pascarella's contemporary Neapolitan pizzeria has been named the best in Europe outside Italy by 50 Top Pizza three years running (2024-2026). For a classic, purist Naples style in a central location, 50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo just off Trafalgar Square is our runner-up, while Short Road Pizza is the pick for the buzziest, award-winning pie of the moment.
How much does pizza cost in London?
Expect roughly £10-£19 for a pizza at the venues on this list (all figures indicative). Chains like Pizza Pilgrims start from around £10 and offer feasting menus from about £25 per head, sourdough specialist Sodo starts from around £13, while the elite Neapolitan spots such as 50 Kalo run to about £16-£19 a pizza. Napoli on the Road's Soho seven-course tasting menu is a step up at around £65 per head.
What is the best Neapolitan pizza in London?
For contemporary Neapolitan, Napoli on the Road is our top pick thanks to its repeated 50 Top Pizza recognition. If you prefer a more traditional, purist Naples style, book 50 Kalo di Ciro Salvo, the London home of a renowned Naples pizzaiolo. And if you simply want dependable Neapolitan with a guaranteed table, Pizza Pilgrims is the most reliable and affordable option across its many London branches.
Where can I get the best sourdough or New York-style pizza in London?
For sourdough, Sodo Pizza in East London is consistently rated among the best, using a roughly 48-hour ferment and seasonal produce. For a thin, crispy New York-Roman style, Short Road Pizza is the standout - its marinara was named National Pizza of the Year at the 2025 National Pizza Awards - though it runs as an East London pub residency rather than a full restaurant.
Which London pizzerias are best for groups, and do you need to book?
Pizza Pilgrims is the most group- and family-friendly pick and the easiest to book, with 15-plus London branches and feasting menus from around £25 per head (indicative). The specialist single-site spots - Napoli on the Road and 50 Kalo - book up fast, so reserve ahead, especially at weekends. Short Road Pizza runs as a casual East London pub residency where seating is largely first-come and often busy, so check which venue is open before you travel rather than relying on a reservation.
What the evidence shows
Rankings draw on official venue information and awards (50 Top Pizza, the National Pizza Awards, Time Out), current indicative pricing and our editorial assessment of quality, value and convenience. We have not dined at these venues in person.
Limitations
- Prices are indicative and change — check the venue before you go.
- Pub-residency and branch hours change; confirm the current site and opening times before travelling.
Sources & further reading
9The information and claims in this guide draw on the references below. We check these when a guide is published or updated.
- Official informationPrimary source
50 Top Pizza (official rankings) (opens in a new tab) — 50 Top Pizza
Supports: Napoli on the Road named best pizzeria in Europe outside Italy; Pizza Pilgrims among the world's best pizza chains
- Official informationPrimary source
The UK's Best Pizza - National Pizza Awards (opens in a new tab) — National Pizza Awards
Supports: Short Road Pizza's marinara named National Pizza of the Year 2025
- Product informationPrimary source
Napoli on the Road - official site (opens in a new tab) — Napoli on the Road
Supports: Locations (Chiswick, Richmond, Soho), menu and Soho seven-course pizza tasting menu
- Product information
Pizza Pilgrims - London pizzerias (opens in a new tab) — Pizza Pilgrims
Supports: London branch count (over 15), Neapolitan style and indicative pricing/feasting menus
- Product information
Sodo Pizza - official site (opens in a new tab) — Sodo Pizza
Supports: Sourdough style, ~48-hour ferment, founder Dan Birch and London locations
- Customer & expert reviews
Review of Napoli on the Road, Chiswick (opens in a new tab) — The Good Food Guide
Supports: Independent editorial assessment of Napoli on the Road's quality
- Related analysis
The best pizza restaurant in Europe is in London (2026) (opens in a new tab) — Time Out
Supports: Napoli on the Road named Best Pizzeria in Europe (outside Italy) at 50 Top Pizza Europa 2026, third year running
- Related analysis
It's official: the third best pizza in the world is in London (opens in a new tab) — Time Out
Supports: Short Road Pizza's marinara ranked third-best pizza in the world, early 2026
- Related analysis
9 London pizzas have been named the best in Britain (opens in a new tab) — Time Out
Supports: London pizzerias' national and world rankings, including Short Road Pizza
Related guides
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