London Pizza Joint Secures Coveted Third Place in Global Ranking
In a remarkable achievement for the capital's culinary scene, an east London pizzeria has been officially recognised as serving one of the finest pizzas on the planet. Time Out's comprehensive global survey, conducted by editors across multiple continents, has placed Short Road Pizza's SRP Marinara in the prestigious third position worldwide.
The Award-Winning Creation
The celebrated pizza features what Time Out describes as an "exquisite" zhuzhed up marinara base, served on a perfectly crispy thin crust. This culinary masterpiece is generously topped with premium ingredients including rich pomodoro sauce, smooth garlic puree, spicy chimichurri, creamy burrata, and distinctive Cantabrian anchovies.
This recognition follows the SRP Marinara's previous triumph at the National Pizza Awards in November, where it was crowned Pizza of the Year. During those awards, Time Out's own food editor Leonie Cooper served as a judge, witnessing the pizza outperform other outstanding London creations including Bing Bong Pizza's chilli and fennel sausage offering and Yard Sale's innovative 'Bright Young Thing' pizza featuring red onion chutney, lemon marmalade, and white anchovies.
From Humble Beginnings to Global Recognition
Short Road Pizza represents a true London success story, founded in 2020 by couple Ugo and Kate. Inspired by Ugo's nonna, the business began as a modest back garden project before evolving through various stages including street-side baking, pop-up events, and kitchen takeovers. The operation finally established permanent homes at the Three Colts in Bethnal Green in 2024 and expanded to the William The Fourth in Leyton in 2025, where they continue to serve their acclaimed pizzas.
The global pizza landscape has evolved dramatically since Neapolitans first began selling tomato-topped flatbreads in the eighteenth century. Today's market features countless variations from New York-style and Detroit-style to Sicilian-style creations, with toppings ranging from traditional to experimental including pineapple, blue cheese, 'nduja, avocado, and even vodka-infused sauces.
International Competition
Only two pizzas worldwide ranked higher than London's entry in Time Out's authoritative list. The second-place position went to the Pizza Capricciosa from Rome's renowned 180g Pizza Romana, while the top spot was claimed by the Cacio e Pepe from Mama's Too in New York.
This achievement represents significant recognition for London's evolving food culture, demonstrating that the capital can compete with traditional pizza powerhouses like Italy and the United States. The ranking validates the quality and innovation present in London's contemporary dining scene, particularly in the competitive world of artisanal pizza making.
The comprehensive Time Out survey involved editors from major cities worldwide including Rome, Cape Town, and New York, ensuring a truly global perspective on pizza excellence. Their collective expertise has identified what they consider the greatest pizzas currently available anywhere on the planet, with London's offering securing a prominent position among this elite selection.
