Exploring London’s Pizza Shops with Flavors from Around the World
London is famous for its nightlife, museums, and rich history, but did you know it’s also a paradise for pizza lovers? This vibrant city isn’t just about traditional Italian pizzas with mozzarella and tomato sauce. Here, pizza shops offer styles from around the world, creating exciting, international flavors that will satisfy your taste buds and inspire your next foodie adventure. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, it’s time to discover the global magic of pizza in London.
Pizza with a Twist from Italy
Of course, Italian pizza is where it all began. In London, you’ll find some excellent restaurants that stick to traditional Italian styles like Neapolitan pizza. These pizzas are made with simple but high-quality ingredients, including soft, chewy dough, fresh tomato sauce, creamy mozzarella, and fragrant basil.
One of the best places is Franco Manca, which specializes in sourdough pizzas. Though the recipe is traditional, they also offer toppings with an international flair, like spicy chorizo or British wild mushrooms. If you prefer something fancier, Santa Maria Pizzeria is a small but cozy spot that serves perfectly authentic Neapolitan pizzas, made just like they would in Naples.
American-Style Pizza: Big and Bold
American-style pizzas are famous for being larger than life, with thick crusts, heaps of cheese, and endless topping options. London is home to several places where you can get these indulgent pies.
Four Hundred Rabbits is a pizza shop that adds its own creative spin to the classic American-style pizza. You can find pizzas with pulled pork, tangy barbecue sauce, and even pickled peppers. If you’re craving classic deep-dish pizza like the kind served in Chicago, visit Japes in Soho, where rich, gooey cheese is baked into deep, fluffy crusts that look more like pie than pizza. These pizzas are perfect for sharing with friends or treating yourself after a long day exploring London.
Turkish Lahmacun: Pizza with a Middle Eastern Flavor
Pizza isn’t just an Italian or American specialty. The Middle East has its own version of pizza, and London’s food scene includes shops that serve Turkish lahmacun—a thin, crispy flatbread topped with spiced meats and vegetables.
At Antepli, a traditional Turkish restaurant in north London, you can taste delicious lahmacun fresh out of the oven. It’s lighter than other types of pizza, making it a fantastic option for lunch or a quick snack. To make it even tastier, roll it up with freshly chopped salad and a squeeze of lemon juice. It’s like a pizza wrap that’s bursting with Middle Eastern flavors!
Brazilian Pizza: Tropical Toppings Galore
Brazil is known for taking pizza to the next level with bold, tropical ingredients. In London, you can find Brazilian pizzas topped with unexpected favorites like cream cheese, plantains, or even guava paste.
Visit Made in Brasil Boteco, located in Camden, for a taste of Brazil’s vibrant pizza culture. Pair their creative pizzas with a refreshing caipirinha cocktail, and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Rio de Janeiro. Brazilian pizzas are perfect for adventurous eaters who want to try something entirely new.
Indian Pizza: Spices and Sizzle
Indian flavors make for amazing pizza toppings, and London’s Indian restaurants have caught on to this trend. Combining traditional naan bread and spicy curry flavors with pizza styles gives you the best of both worlds.
A great place to try Indian-inspired pizza is Zia Lucia, a pizzeria famous for its experimental doughs and unique topping combinations. They offer Indian chicken tikka pizzas with coconut cream sauce, fragrant spices, and fresh coriander. If you love bold flavors, this fusion is sure to delight your taste buds.
Japanese and Korean-Inspired Pizzas
Asian fusion pizzas are becoming more popular, blending traditional flavors from Japan and Korea into a crusty masterpiece. In London, restaurants like Inamo are putting their own cultural twist on pizzas. Imagine a pizza topped with teriyaki-marinated chicken, wasabi mayo, or Korean kimchi—it’s unlike anything you’ve tried before.
These pizzas are usually made on thinner crusts and topped with a mix of bold sauces and colorful vegetables. It’s a beautiful way to experience Japanese and Korean street food flavors with a Western twist.
London’s Pizza Scene: A World of Flavor
What makes London’s pizza scene so special is its diversity. In one city, you can travel the globe through your taste buds. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Neapolitan pizza from Italy, a hearty American pie, or a spicy Indian-inspired naan pizza, there’s something for everyone to try.
Next time you’re out and about in London, skip the typical chain restaurants and head to one of these unique pizza shops. You’ll discover new flavors, surprise yourself, and appreciate how creative chefs around the city can turn something as simple as pizza into an international adventure.
So grab your friends, bring your appetite, and get ready to explore London’s world of pizza—you won’t be disappointed!
