Although it originated in Italy, countries all around the world have adopted pizza into their diets – and it’s easy to understand why, considering how delicious it is. Whether it’s homemade or delivered, margherita or pepperoni, pizza has become a staple food for those living in the UK. So much so, the population is searching ‘pizza near me’ 83% more than last year.
But, in a nation so passionate about pizza, which are the best locations to indulge in a slice and which city reigns supreme as the true pizza capital?
We’ve done the research to find out. By looking at the most populated cities in the UK, our team at Gozney analysed the volume of pizza restaurants, the number of pizza joints rated four stars and above on TripAdvisor, and the monthly search volume for pizza-related terms to reveal which cities are the most pizza-obsessed.
UK’s top pizza capitals
1. London
London is a city known for its diversity and vibrant culture – and, according to our research, it’s also the UK’s number one pizza capital. With over a thousand pizza restaurants to choose from, 1,454 to be exact, England’s capital city takes the crown for the most pizza-obsessed location in the UK. Just under 60% of these are rated 4-star or above on TripAdvisor, with Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana on Tottenham Court Road hitting the spot for Londoners as it ranks the best in the city at five stars.
If the rising trend of street pizza takes your fancy, Londoners could try Holy Pizza for a more laid-back pizza experience. The Neapolitan pizza specialist can create your dream pizza in under 90 seconds using their 500°C Gozney pizza ovens, making it easier than ever to fit pizza into your plans.
Londoners have also made almost three million pizza-related searches (2,917,440) in the last year, on average. That’s more searches than the remaining top 20 locations combined, marking London as the top pizza capital in the UK.
2. Leeds
Second place takes us further north, with Leeds residents taking the runner-up spot for the most pizza-obsessed as this lively city has 216 pizza restaurants available. The people of Leeds are also showing their interest online, with 103,320 average annual searches for pizza-related terms.
With one of the largest student populations in the UK (over 200,000 of them), it makes sense that Leeds is high on the list for the university staple food – whether they’re dining out or cooking at home.
Residents have ranked Pizza Punks as their top pizza restaurant choice, taking the number one spot on TripAdvisor for their handmade, sourdough pizzas. However, 107 of Leeds’ pizza restaurants hold a 4-star rating or higher on TripAdvisor, so you won’t struggle to find a delicious slice of Italy in this pizza-filled city.
3. Manchester
Another northern city shares their love for pizza, as Manchester takes third place. Residents here make an average of 12,870 monthly searches regarding pizza, such as ‘pizza near me’ or ‘pizza recipe’, suggesting that Mancunians hold pizza close to their hearts.
This love for the Italian dish is highlighted by the city having 204 eateries - and for those looking for the best of the best, almost half of these (90) are rated four-star or higher by TripAdvisor reviews, so a top-tier pizza meal is never too far away.
The people of Manchester have named The Laundrette the best spot in the city for pizza. The restaurant sums up their cuisine as ‘cocktails and carbs’, giving guests the opportunity to enjoy a delicious cocktail with their perfect pizza.
4. Glasgow
Scotland also shows its appreciation for pizza, with Glasgow taking fourth place. The city is known for its diverse art scene and thriving nightlife, but can now also claim to be a hotspot for pizza lovers.
Residents of Glasgow have Googled pizza phrases an average of 111,000 times in the last year, searching for terms like ‘how to make pizza’ and ‘homemade pizza’, showing that the city is eager to learn how to make the well-loved dish from home. This could be a great opportunity to invest in a pizza oven so you can practice perfecting your own pizza recipes from the comfort of your own home.
With the largest population in Scotland, the city offers a reasonable 188 pizza eateries for its residents, and 104 are rated four-star and above – which is over 50% of all pizza options in the city. Locals and visitors have rated Santa Lucia Merchant City as having the best pizza, with a 4.5 rating on TripAdvisor. Despite the restaurant offering more than pizza, the Italian dish appears and is praised frequently in reviews.
5. Birmingham
Birmingham rounds off the top 5. The city holds the second-highest Google search volume for pizza-related terms in the UK, with 232,800 annual searches on average.
The city is home to 183 pizza restaurants, with the best one being crowned as The Rolling Mill. The restaurant boasts a five-star rating and also ranks eighth for best restaurant in Birmingham overall.
For those hosting big celebrations in the Midlands who want to bring pizza to the party, street pizza group Dirty Donkey offer hassle-free catering with their mobile service. With one less party logistic to consider, you can enjoy the pizza feast alongside your guests.
6. Edinburgh
The Scottish love for pizza continues with Edinburgh taking sixth place. Residents here search certain pizza phrases such as ‘pizza near me’ or ‘pizza recipe’ 187,080 annually, on average.
On top of that, the city provides 156 pizza restaurants, with 92 of these boasting a TripAdvisor rating of four-star and above.
7. Liverpool
Liverpudlians want a slice of the pizza action too, with 102,600, average annual searches for pizza online.
The city also does not disappoint in choice either, with 174 pizza restaurants to choose from. Whether you are eating by Albert Dock or are looking for somewhere to eat in the Georgian Quarter, Liverpool can provide quality pizza, with 72 of the restaurants holding four stars or higher on TripAdvisor.
8. Bristol
Pizza fans can also be found further south, as Bristol takes the eighth spot for pizza capitals in the UK. The city, found along the River Avon, searches for pizza-related terms 126,840 a year, on average - and with 123 places to choose between, the city has plenty of pizza opportunities on offer too.
For those seeking a Neapolitan/New York-style hybrid, Pig’s Pizza has the solution. Now based in Bristol’s Steam Beer Hall, pizza connoisseurs Ian and Joe offer pizza to all kinds, whether you are veggie or vegan, or prefer some pepperoni on your pizza.
9. Newcastle-upon-Tyne
Heading back up north is ninth place on the list, Newcastle-upon-Tyne. While visitors can enjoy the lively nightlife or the historical sites, the northern city also places as a pizza capital, offering 142 pizza restaurants. Of these, 79 have been given a four-star rating or higher - including the five-star restaurants Twenty Twenty and Punto Italian Kitchen.
10. Sheffield
Rounding off the top ten for the most pizza-obsessed places in the UK is Sheffield. Residents search pizza-related terms an average of 60,600 times a year and can choose between 154 pizza eateries, 70 of which are highly regarded with four-star ratings or above.
Beyond brick and mortar: the rise of the street pizza scene
Traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants have been a reliable choice for pizza fanatics, but a new way to get your pizza fix is on the rise. UK Google searches for ‘street food pizza’ have risen by 27% in the last year, suggesting the country is perhaps looking for a more relaxed and convenient dining experience. The street food phenomenon is growing exponentially as foodies seek out unique and authentic dining experiences, and street pizza does just that.
So, in light of this, we explored a non-exhaustive list of some of the UK’s standout street pizza spots that are making a splash in the foodie world and quickly building a loyal following. These vendors are redefining the pizza experience and satisfying your pizza cravings in new and exciting ways, one slice at a time:
Tom Vincent, Founder of Vincenzo’s, said: “The UK pizza scene is on fire right now with London being a real hub for pizza pioneers both in the restaurants and on the streets within markets and pop ups. It’s understandable that Leeds takes the second spot as the UK’s pizza capital runner-up as pizza is an easy dish for on-the-go students, whether they’re dining out or cooking at home. Continuing the trends, it’s clear pizza gets the north’s taste buds tingling as they seek out the perfect pizza, with Manchester taking the bronze medal as over a third of the population searching for the Italian dish on the web.
The pizza scene growing beyond traditional brick-and-mortar restaurants has further catapulted the evolution of the slice, with new street food vendors popping up all over the country and innovating when it comes to flavours, styles and so much more. Offering a fresh take on classic pizza styles, pop-up restaurants are quickly becoming a staple of food markets – capturing city dweller’s hearts and stomachs alike.
Whether you’re looking to go to your local pizza joint or whip up some dough at home, good quality pizza is now more in reach. With at home pizza ovens becoming more and more popular, especially those that are restaurant-grade like Gozney’s Dome, aspiring pizzaiolos and home cooks have the opportunity to recreate their favourite pizza or experiment with unique styles and find their new go-to dish – all from the comfort of their own home.”
Methodology and sources
To find out which location in the UK is the most pizza-obsessed, we put together a seedlist of the 50 most populated locations in the country. We then ranked these locations based on:
Data was collected in September 2024.
