London's culinary scene continues to thrive, and when it comes to finding the perfect pizza slice, who better to ask than the city's most talented rising chefs? Three of London's top culinary professionals have shared their personal favourites for where to find exceptional pizza in the capital.
The Chefs and Their Pizza Picks
Ella Williams from Peckham's acclaimed restaurant Hausu, Jay Claus of Rake at The Compton Arms, and author Millie Tsukagoshi Lagares have previously revealed their top choices for burgers, bakeries and Sunday roasts. Now they're turning their attention to one of the most beloved foods worldwide - pizza.
Breadstall: Ella Williams' Clapham Favourite
Ella Williams' recommendation for superior pizza takes us to Breadstall in Clapham. "My dad used to always treat me to a slice from the OG Breadstall on Northcote Road in Clapham Junction," Ella recalls fondly. Her go-to order is typically pepperoni, but she also highlights an unexpected offering from this Italian establishment. "They also do Basque cheesecake, quite randomly for an Italian place, which is really good."
Breadstall's popularity has grown significantly, now boasting a phenomenally successful branch on Berwick Street in Soho, making their quality slices more accessible across London.
Bagel House: Jay Claus's Unconventional Choice
Jay Claus offered a more unexpected selection, naming Bagel House in Stoke Newington as his preferred London pizza destination. He explained his reasoning behind choosing this 24-hour bagel shop. "Obviously if you're in New York or Naples there's a distinct style, but I think if you're in London you need to go for a school dinner-style, grandma slice - fat and square."
Claus also mentioned another late-night option opposite Phoenix Arts Club on Tottenham Court Road, emphasising the appeal of pizza available past 2am. "For me, that's the kind of pizza we should be celebrating in London," he stated, championing the capital's unique take on this global favourite.
Franco Manca: Millie's Consistent Chain Choice
Completing the trio of recommendations, Millie Tsukagoshi Lagares selected high street chain Franco Manca, which began as a single restaurant in Brixton before expanding across London. "They're very consistent, maybe because they've got a lot of branches!" she noted pragmatically.
Her most recent excellent experience involved one of their special offerings. "The last really good one I had there was the special with tenderstem broccoli and nduja," she shared, highlighting how even established chains can deliver exceptional pizza experiences when done right.
London's Diverse Pizza Scene
These three distinct recommendations showcase the wonderful diversity of London's pizza offerings. From Breadstall's traditional slices with unexpected dessert twists to Bagel House's late-night square cuts and Franco Manca's reliable sourdough creations, there's something for every pizza preference in the capital.
The choices also demonstrate that great pizza in London isn't limited to fancy restaurants or specific neighbourhoods - quality slices can be found in Clapham, Stoke Newington, and multiple locations of a trusted chain throughout the city.
For those seeking more pizza inspiration, London continues to receive recognition in the pizza world, with local pizzerias scoring highly at recent National Pizza Awards. The city's pizza scene shows no signs of slowing down, offering both residents and visitors an ever-expanding array of quality options for this perennial favourite.
