This city is obsessed with Italian culture – we’ve even got an entire Little Italy, for God’s sake. Of course, pizza and pasta are the big boys, and Manchester is home to some of the best pizza restaurants in the country (if we do say so ourselves). We’ve scoured the city and beyond to find the best bases, toppings and dips, and it’s truly been our pleasure. From puffed-up sourdough pizzas to deep-pan pizza pies, here’s our list of the must-visit pizza joints in Greater Manchester.
1. Crazy Pedro’s
Part pizza joint, part bar, Crazy Pedro’s brings us the best of both worlds with its legendary lunch deal – two slices and a soft drink – with the option to pay a quid extra for a beer. The dough is made fresh every day and topped with a host of weird and wonderful things, from the classic to the downright bizarre (look out for sweet Baby Cheesus at Christmas).
📍55-57 Bridge Street, M33BQ | 1 Short Street, Northern Quarter, M4 1AA.
2. Rudy’s Pizza
Rudy’s promises a relaxed restaurant environment and delicious pizzas made by passionate pizzaiolos intent on following the traditions and artistry of pizza from Naples, which explains why their pizza is so damn good! With two restaurants in the city already, they have recently opened up shop in Chorlton – looks like they’re heading for Manc domination! Rudy’s are happy to accommodate walk-ins, but do book online to avoid disappointment.
📍9 Cotton Street, Ancoats, M4 5BF| Petersfield House, Peter St, M2 5QJ | 30 Portland Street, M1 4GS | 577 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 8AJ | 653 Wilmslow Road, Didsbury, M20 6QZ | 2 Northenden Road, Sale, M33 3BR.
3. American Pies
Brainchild of Brewski Bar in Chorlton, American Pies specialises in Chicago-style deep dish pizza pies, with unique concoctions littering the menu, including ‘doughritos‘ – a garlic bread/pizza burrito fusion. Think deep-fried wonders and creations you could never have dreamed of – American Pies will ensure you try something new that you’ll never forget.
📍23 Blossom Street, Manchester, M4 5EP.
4. Honest Crust
Based in the gorgeous Mackie Mayor with a branch at Altrincham Market, Honest Crust‘s mission is a simple one: to make really good sourdough pizza. A mission it has, in our opinion, definitely accomplished.
📍Altrincham Market, 26 Market St, Altrincham, WA14 1SA | Mackie Mayor, Smithfield Market Hall, 1 Eagle St, Manchester, M4 5BU.
5. Double Zero
Chorlton once again proves that it can rival the Manchester city centre when it comes to top quality gastronomic pizza choice with Double Zero. This bring your own booze pizzeria prides itself on authenticity. From the dough, which is made on-site daily using only four ingredients, to the wood-fired oven brought in from Naples, and offers freshly made gluten-free pizza and garlic bread. Just make sure you ring up 24 hours before so they can prepare the dough.
📍368 Barlow Moor Rd, Chorlton, M21 8AZ | 55 Spring Gardens, Manchester, M2 2BY.
6. Proove
The spot that frequently causes arguments around which place really is the best pizza restaurant in Manchester, Proove Pizza serves up incredible Neapolitan pizza that’s soft, doughy and lathered in fresh tomato sauce. With a lunch special, £10.90 for a pizza, side, and drink, and a plethora of vegan options, Proove can be enjoyed by everyone, regardless of dietary requirements or time constraints.
📍160 Burton Rd, West Didsbury, Manchester, M20 1LH.
7. Noi Quattro
Meaning ‘the four of us’, Noi Quattro brings Italian family values and that homely kitchen style to our wonderful city, making it a great place to grab dinner. Beyond traditional Italian antipasti, Noi Quattro bring the taste of Italy to Manchester with their ‘Cuoppo’, a cone-shaped paper that holds a mixture of delicacies including potato croquettes, vegetables, courgette flowers, mozzarella bocconcini, and fluffy balls of dough called zeppoline, all cut and fried in a light and easily digestible batter. Noi Quattro provides truly authentic Italian cuisine, and is a joy to tuck into here in Manchester.
📍120 High St, Manchester, M4 1HQ.
8. Ciaooo
Ciaooo serves up the best crust in town. It’s doughy, fluffy and bloomin’ delicious. Oh, and their cheese game is ridiculously strong. Ciaooo is a must-try if you’re a fan of piled-high toppings, and provides a lovely, intimate atmosphere, as though you were in Naples with no cares in the world, eating pizza and sipping an Aperol spritz.
📍62-64 Swan St, Manchester, M4 5JU.
9. Salvi’s
The home of Italian food here in Manchester, Salvi’s is a family-run establishment that knows good grub. Their pizzas are delicious, and there’s a whole lot of traditional beauties to try out, with bases such as pumpkin, tomato and pesto.
📍60-67A High St, M4 1FS | Deansgate Square, Owen Street, M15 4TQ.
10. Nell’s Pizza
Nell’s Pizza has made quite the impact since arriving in Manchester in 2020, and is still feeding Mancs four years later. The pizza is proper New York-style, the slices are bigger than your head, and the flavours are unbelievable. You can get yourself a gigantic slice at Common in the Northern Quarter, and at Kampus.
📍Common, 39-41 Edge St, M4 1HW | 20 Minshull St, Kampus, M1 3EF |The Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, M21 0BQ.
11. Corner Slice
One of the best things to come out of 2020, Corner Slice MCR brought Detroit-style pizza to town – and if you’re not familiar, it’s the perfect antidote to lockdown. Deep pan with a focaccia-like thickness to it, the Italian-American pizzas come loaded with toppings such as pepperoni, N’duja, and prosciutto.
📍Corner Slice MCR, 141 Lord Ln, Failsworth, M35 0QH.
12. Tre Ciccio
With outlets in Altrincham and Ramsbottom, Tre Ciccio brings Italian charm to the outskirts of Manchester, providing a cosy, authentic experience in an accessible, local environment. The pizzerias offer vegan menus, on top of their main menu comprising of all the classics, as well as some welcome surprises – think toppings of Spicy Calabrian sausage and Burrata, always on a base of San Marzano tomato.
📍4a Moss Lane, Altrincham, WA14 1BA | 16 – 18 Market Place, Ramsbottom, Bury, BL0 9HT.
13. L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele
Sitting pretty on Manchester’s boujee King Street, L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele occupies the former site of an Edwardian Baroque bank, meaning the lofty interiors boast beautiful architecture and design. From Pizza Fritta to Siciliana, L’Antica offer a lovingly curated menu of Italian inspired cuisine, making it the proper way – inspired by the ‘Torre Annunziata’ masters who were professionals in the preparation and kneading of pizza dough, as well as the cooking of pizza.
📍53 King Street, Manchester, M2 4LQ.
14. Dokes Pizzeria
Located on Bury New Road in Prestwich, Dokes is the perfect all-day dining destination – not only serving proper stone-baked ‘Anglo-Saxon’ pizza topped with the finest British produce (think Welsh chorizo, cured pig’s cheek and English cheeses), but an array of brunch and lunch dishes, too. Expect nods to the Old English with their Beowulf topped with pepperoni, ‘nduja, chilli, burrata and pesto; Roll Right topped with smoked bacon, white onion, Rollright cheese, crème fraîche and new potato (trust us, it works). Plus, on their brunch menu, you’ll find their exclusive Breaking the fast pizza topped with leek and fennel sausage, ham, mushroom, tomato and a duck egg that is sure to wake you up.
📍Dokes, 449A Bury New Road, Prestwich, M25 1AF
15. Ramona
Famous for its slices and margs, Ramona is possibly the most chic spot for pizza in Manchester. With all pizza made from double fermented air-bubbled focaccia dough, Ramona’s rectangular delights are next level indulgent. Toppings include classic margheritas, mushroom, pepperoni, ham and pineapple and veggie supreme, with wacky creations including buffalo chicken, the Jabba and Korean BBQ pork on offer.
You can add a wholesome ball of burrata to any pizza for just £2.50, plus, there’s a fully vegan margherita option for those who fancy it. Grab a marg to accompany your slice, and enjoy.
📍 Ramona, 40 Swan St, Manchester M4 5JG.
16. Croma
Serving the neighbourhoods of Chorlton and Prestwich, Croma continues to win prizes and the hearts and tummies of their littlest citizens, family friendly awards three years on the bounce, at the same time as keeping their core and loyal customers happy, easy as pizza pie when you do so with cool, clear style and exemplary values. Drop by for a Croma classic like the chicken tandoori or the Aglefino (smoked haddock) pizza, or one you’re more used to, and discover your new fave outside the city centre.
📍 Croma, 500 Wilbraham Rd, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, M21 9AP | 30 Longfield Centre, Prestwich, M25 1AY.
17. Detroit Slims
New to town, Detroit Slims is the answer to all your lunch-on-the-go problems. Bringing Detroit-style slim pizzas to Oxford Road, Detroit Slims comes straight from the mind of Diecast, sister venue to Ramona, and once you taste those incredible creations, you won’t go back. The new concept has introduced “a game changing approach to Detroit-style pizza”, with 10″ long rectangle shaped pizza to create the perfect takeaway option or speedy bite to eat-in, with prices starting from just £5.
Each Slims pizza is individually sized and baked fresh to order, featuring toppings such as the Cheese Burger Slim, BBQ Meat Feast and the Shroom Slim – with the standout signature The Pepperoni Crown. Each flavour combo sits on top of Detroit Slims’ light and fluffy textured base, made from special 48-hour, slow-fermented focaccia dough, all in a neat and tidy branded box.
📍 Detroit Slims, Unit B2 1, Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7FS.
18. Purezza
Packing a punch for the veggie crowd, Purezza has been around for a while and still stands proud in the Northern Quarter. This array of delicious sourdough pizza will make your forget about meat, and with concoctions using Sgaia Chicken alternative, pistachio pesto and black truffle, plus all the classics, you’ll never get bored of Purezza options. Enjoy!
📍 Purezza, 75-77 High St, Manchester M4 1FS.