Given that Soho has strong Italian roots and great Italian restaurants, it’s not surprising that it is also home to some top pizza joints too. Check out the best picks here.
Franco Manca
Restaurant, Pizzaria, Italian, $$$
The fact that Franco Manca has become a big London chain from humble beginnings is an indication of just how good their pizzas are. The topping combos are simple and classic, like ham, ricotta and mushroom or mozzarella, capers, anchovies and olives – but the produce is top quality and their slow-rising sourdough base is hard to beat.
After driving their green van across Italy, Pizza Pilgrims founders Thom and James Eliot opened their first bricks-and-mortar restaurant on Dean Street. As you’d expect, the original site is packed with all the PP signatures we’ve come to know and love – the checked tablecloths, the fussball and the excellent Neapolitan pizzas in both red and white varieties.
As well as dishing up the full range of sourdough pizzas, the Carnaby branch of Pizza Pilgrims is also a friggitoria (a shop selling fried food), so you can indulge in deep fried mac ‘n’ cheese, fried artichoke hearts, fried calzones and arancini in addition to your slices.
There’s more to this London outpost of the popular Milanese bakery than just pizza – like top coffee, eggs and antipasti – but you really shouldn’t leave without trying at least one slice. The crust is crisp thanks to the wood-fired oven and topped with authentic Italian ingredients including burrata, bresaola, datterini tomatoes and nduja.
