One of Manchester’s greatest strengths is easily the rich and varied food scene in the city, where you’ll find everything from fine dining to street food, best of British and authentic international fare. Always a crowd pleaser, Manchester is home to some of the top-rated pizza restaurants in the UK (and the world some argue). To ensure you don’t miss out on these must try locations, take a look at our pick of the top city centre pizza restaurants below.
Think we’ve missed a pizza that deserves a spot on our list? Let us know via email at [email protected] and we’ll review your suggestions.
Rudy's Neapolitan Pizza
Rudy’s has earned a special place in the heart of Mancunian’s and has exploded in popularity after their original Ancoats location was featured in Daniel Young’s travel book Where to Eat Pizza in 2016. Since then Rudy’s has spread it’s doughy goodness to several other UK cities and at the time of writing has 14 locations, all boasting consistent quality ingredients, laid back customer service and minimalist decor. In Manchester you’ll find the original on Cutting Room Square, Ancoats.
Rudy’s pride themselves on serving authentic Neapolitan pizza, with dough made on site at each location and allowed to double ferment for 24 hours before being cooked for just 60 seconds in a wood fired oven. In their own words what results is soft, light and floppy, best folded for strength or enjoyed with a knife and fork, we would simply say it’s pizza perfection!
L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Located at 53 King Street, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele brings it’s award winning pizza from London in bold fashion. Expect to find decedant Neapolitan pizza in the grand surroundings of this Grade II listed former bank, featuring marble floors and columns extending up to the detailed arched ceilings. The beatufitully decorated interior, indoor foliage and glowing neon signage make L’Antica oh so Instagrammable.
Complimenting the impressive pizza and pasta offerings is an excellent cocktail menu, any classic cocktail can be made upon request for £12 but be sure not to pass up the signature cocktail list curated by the bar’s master mixologists.
American Pies
Neapolitan not your style? Then American Pies has got you covered, head down West Mosley Street near Manchester Art Gallery and you’ll find real Chicago deep dish pizza pies. If you’ve never had authentic deep dish pizza before you’re in for a treat and don’t be deceived by the seemingly small personal sized pizza (7 inches?! Is that all?) Deep dish really is like a pie or quiche, filled to the brim with cheesey/tomatoey goodness.
American Pies also offer what they dub the Doughrito, your choice of filling such as friend chicken, pork, goats cheese etc. hand wrapped buritto style in either pizza or garlic bread.
Honest Crust
This pizzeria has been a staple of Altrincham market since 2013 and holds the distinction of also making the cut in Daniel Young’s Where to Eat Pizza alongside Rudy’s in 2016.
They can now be found producing their signature sourdough pizza in Mackie Mayor and the Picturedome in Macclesfield. Using only the highest quality and locally-sourced ingredients, they have a wide range of creative toppings options depending on the season and the availability of ingredients.
Fancy giving pizza making a go yourself? Check their website for kids and adults pizza workshops.
Vapiano
Vapiano has long been a popular Italian restaurant located in the heart of Manchester city centre. Known for its casual and relaxed atmosphere, Vapiano offers a unique dining experience where customers can watch their food being prepared in front of them at one of the live cooking stations.
The interior of the restaurant is bright and modern, with a mix of industrial and rustic elements. The open kitchen and the vibrant colours of the fresh ingredients used, create a lively and inviting atmosphere.
Noi Quattro
Offering an authentic dining experience, Noi Quattro lists itself as ‘the first traditional pizzeria Italiana in Manchester owned and run by Italians.’ The Italian boasts 4.6 star reviews from over 1,000 reviews, proving to be a firm favourite for locals.
The venue itself keeps the decor simple, providing a casual dining experience and allows guests to focus on enjoying the food.
Bravissimi!
Bravissimi offers a super simple menu which gives diners a choice of pizza, pasta, wraps and salads to choose from. Perfect for those who don’t want to take their time, the venue promises good food which is fresh and fast (without compromising on quality).
It seems they deliver on this promise as past diners have praised the Italian’s price point, range of dishes and city centre location (amongst other benefits). As a truly authentic Italian, owner Andrea Suzzi is from Bologna, you can’t go wrong.
Read more on STYLEetc. to find places to eat and drink in Manchester.
