Napoli on the Road, a London-based pizzeria chain, has been named Europe's best pizza restaurant at the 50 Top Pizza Awards 2026 for the third consecutive year. The restaurant, owned by Neapolitan chef Michele Pascarella, operates three locations in the capital.
Third consecutive win
According to the 50 Top Pizza Awards, Napoli on the Road secured the top spot in Europe for the third year in a row. The restaurant first won the accolade in 2024 and has maintained its position since then. Chef Michele Pascarella, who started making pizza at age 11 in Naples, moved to the UK at 19 and initially sold wood-fired pizza from a van before opening his first brick-and-mortar site in September 2019.
The award-winning pizza
The standout menu item is the Ricordi d'Infanzia, which was named the best pizza in the world by 50 Top Pizza in 2025. Priced at £19.50, it features a classic Neapolitan base made with a bespoke flour blend, topped with slow-cooked beef ragù, Parmigiano fondue, grated Parmigiano, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. Reviews describe the pizza as 'unforgettable', 'special', 'the best', and 'perfect'.
Other London pizzerias recognised
Napoli on the Road was not the only London pizzeria to rank highly. 50 Kalò, a Neapolitan-style spot near Embankment, placed in the top five. Other London restaurants recognised include L'Antica Pizzeria in Hampstead (28th) and Connie's Pizzeria in Peckham (48th). The top 20 pizzerias will compete in the 100 best pizzerias in the world competition.
Metro's review
Metro's specialist food writer visited the new Soho location and praised the food. Highlights include the Triple Crunch (£22), a pizza that is steamed, fried, then baked and topped with tomato sauce, fior di latte, Calabrian salami, chilli jam, and parsley. The Cime e Salsiccia (£24) is a pizza sandwich with darker flour, cime di rapa cream, smoked mozzarella, sausage burger, and nori seaweed powder. The gateau di patate (£10) layers crispy baked potatoes and mashed potatoes with rosemary raclette and grated cheese. For non-meat eaters, the Cheesewick pizza features Buffalo ricotta, fior di latte, Buffalo stracciatella, Parmesan chips, dry blue Stilton, and piennolo cherry tomato jam.
