The 11 best pizzas in Bristol
In crust we trust
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Pizza is perhaps the food with the widest universal appeal; I’ve yet to meet someone who doesn’t like it. From the creamy, floppy, don’t-even-try-eating-this-on-the-go creations of Napoli to the business-like, foldable flaps of New York — pizza has conquered the globe with its balance of innovation, predictability and unmatched ability to satisfy.
Bristol has a lot of pizza. Too much perhaps. They say you’re only ever 500 metres from your nearest slice. But not all pizzas are created equal. Us Bristolians have very strong opinions on where to find the best pizza. Everyone has their favourite and will fight for it tooth and nail — wade into the subreddits at your peril.
That’s why knowing where to spend your crust budget is crucial. Luckily for you, we have done the hard job of trying them all*. Follow this definitive guide, and never again shall you fall prey to a bad slice.
In no particular order:
Pizza is Lovely - Detroit by way of Renato’s, King Street
Has a restaurant ever been more aptly named? Pizza is Lovely is not the only purveyor of Detroit pizza in Bristol, but it is by far the best. I am so glad it has found a home in Renato’s, as part of a happy collaboration with Left Handed Giant and a dangerously extensive negroni menu. This King Street spot has a long happy history of boozy nights, shared pizzas and the occasional impromptu table dance. That has not changed one bit, though arguably the pizzas have gotten much better. What could possibly be better than an inch thick, cheese-crusted wedge of goodness washed down with a locally brewed pint? Amazingly, all the Detroit pizzas are vegetarian and can be made vegan — so plant-based pals can also enjoy a slice of the action. Slices of the Detroit style start at £5.
Bosco - Luxury Neapolitan that always lands, Whiteladies Road & Clifton Village
Bosco doesn’t get quite the recognition it deserves in the Bristol food spheres. Everything is tuned to the highest degree - the service, the atmosphere, the menu. It’s one of those restaurants you can trust with an evening, knowing you’ll emerge from the warmest embraces of hospitality with a full belly and a smile on your face. I’ll never forget taking my dad there after he’d spent all day helping me move my furniture up three flights of stairs - and feeling a thousand miles from the stresses of moving house. The Neapolitan-style pizza is chewy, topped with great produce and extremely well seasoned. They’ve had the audacity to take my favourite pizza off the menu - it was a white base, truffle, rosemary, fennel, porchetta and crisp salami affair - but I still love them. Pizzas start at £11.50.
Berthas - The jewel of Bristol’s pizza, in the crown of Wapping Wharf
If I were held at gunpoint (such is the perilous life of a food critic) and asked to declare a Bristol reigning pizza champion — the answer would be Berthas. It’s the slight sourdough tang in the dough. It’s the constant rotation of specials that reduce me to envious tears when I can’t make it there to try them. It’s the giros — some of the best food-related events to ever take place in Bristol. It’s the cheese-loaded marmite pizza bread, pictured below. Pizzas start at £11.
Gigi’s - New York slices, Italian soul in Old Market
One of the newer entries on this list, but the two people behind Gigi’s are far from novices. This is a collaboration between Raph, who was until last year a chef at Pizzarova, and Alberto from Grano, the Old Market Italian next door. The two have teamed up to serve giant New York slices to the people of Bristol with toppings like the darling of TikTok, vodka sauce, and my favourite; the cacio e pepe. A slice or two is enough to satiate most but if you’re bringing a team (or just a huge appetite) order an entire 18 inch pie. Walk-ins only, slices start at £3.50.
Pizzarova - Quantity and quality on North Street, College Green, Gloucester Road & Whiteladies Road
Pizzarova represents one of the most ubiquitous pizzas in Bristol — with their four branches and touring land rover — but their success is down to being loved by so many. Pizzarova has soundtracked countless College Green picnics, first dates, late night life crises and reunions. Those pizzas have been there, come hell or high water, throughout my time in Bristol. Despite having been going for over a decade, they keep it fresh with regular specials, fun local collaborations and events and generous doses of that hot honey. Expect sourdough baked Neapolitan style, and make it ‘yours’ with the toppings you fancy. Pizzas start at £8.25.
Pizzaland - The only pizza fritta in town, on Coldharbour Road
Pizzaland is the only place in Bristol where one can procure one of the single greatest inventions to ever grace the planet - pizza fritta. Do not mistake this for a fried pizza - we’re not in Scotland. Pizza fritta (when made well) is the crispest, freshest, surprisingly light calzone - a dinner straight out of your wildest dreams. While Pizzaland’s isn’t quite on par with Sorbillos eaten piping hot on the cobbled streets of old Napoli, it’s close enough. Their more common Neapolitan creations are pretty good too, and they’re now serving Swoon ice cream for pud. If you’re up Redland way, well, lucky you. Pizzas start at £9.50.
Read The Bristol Sauce review.
Back Garden Pizzeria - Coming in hot on St Stephen’s Street
Back Garden Pizzeria was an utterly unexpected brilliance born during lockdown. It did what it said on the tin — a pizzeria that started in a Redfield back garden. It’s become so popular that now several years later, they are just about to open their very own bricks-and-mortar premises on St Stephen’s Street, right in the centre of town. It’s another Neapolitan (hey — it’s popular for a reason) but the sides and desserts are worth saving space for too. Prices for the new site, which is due to open in July, have yet to be confirmed.
Moltobuono - Proper Italian hospitality on Park Street
The fairy-light fuelled embrace of Moltobuono’s balcony is the antithesis of a bad day and a very suitable reward for climbing half way up Park Street. You’ll feel the warmth from this bona fide Italian family-run joint the second you peer through the window and you won’t look back. It’s probably the place with the biggest menu on this list; you’ll be spoilt for choice. Not to mention the extensive vegan menu. Pizzas start at £8.90.
Saint’s Deli - Sicilian from the sixties in Kingsdown
Saint’s Deli has earned my approval for a number of reasons. Firstly, the interior design is straight out of the sixties. Then there’s the fact that they have a total disregard for using social media, which these days is a rarity. Yet they’re still packed come lunchtime, largely due to the excellent value on offer and the proximity of the Bristol University ASS library. That’s Arts and Social Sciences, thank you, get your mind out of the gutter. Saint’s Deli are also the only people I know of making Sicilian style pizza in Bristol (bottom left in the photo below), a parmesan-heavy happy medium between Detroit and New York (both of which they also offer). So I suppose it’s more Pittsburgh than Sicily. You get the idea. They’re also brave enough to put apple on a pizza, which didn’t work, but I commend them for trying. All pizzas are available by the slice, starting at £3. A bargain. I’d also highly recommend washing it down with an Interlude coffee from across the road.
Can Can Pizza - the concealed rhinestone of East Street
Can Can is just waiting for you to discover it. Tucked away behind East Street, proprietor and pizzaiolo Phil whips up quality Neapolitan pizzas and serves them with dips so good they’re almost more famous than the pies themselves. Pick one of Phil’s recommendations or make your own. Pair your pizza with a can - boozy or soft - and take a pew knowing you’ve made some very good choices. Pizzas start at £11.
Read The Bristol Sauce review.
Sonny Stores - Are we so back? On Raleigh Road
One of Bristol’s best restaurants, Sonny Stores, started during lockdown as a pizzeria, before converting into an Italian-inspired dine-in spot when we were all allowed out again. But alongside the restaurant, they’re going back to their roots. Though little is known yet about this relatively recent development, we know one thing — it will be great. Keep an eye on their Instagram for updates.
We’ll keep this guide updated, should anything change. Have I missed your favourite? Made a glaring error? Let me know where is worthy in the comments.
All words and photos by Meg Houghton-Gilmour
*All the ones worth trying, anyway.
You missed Pizzaworks on Whiteladies, definately the best imho.
Amazing work and you’ve just given me 5 new places to try! You’ll have to come to my allotment and have a pizza from my cob oven. in fact i’m doing a couple of fermentation workshops at the end of June. you’re welcome to come.