We’ve been pretty spoiled for slices in recent years thanks to the arrival of a number of deep-dish pizza and Neapolitan spots in town, but shaking things up a little further is the UK’s first-ever vegan pizzeria Purezza, which took over the former Dough site in Manchester’s Northern Quarter in early 2020.
Hailing from the South, the Brighton-born pizzeria channels great vegan grub, making sure that opting for plant-based food is an opportunity, rather than a case of missing out. Finding success in Brighton, Brixton, Camden and Bristol, Purezza became the first pizzeria of its kind in the UK, and as a result – it’s gained quite the cult following.
Rivalling existing pizzerias in Manchester such as Proove Pizza and Four Side Pizza in the vegan market, Purezza’s Manchester expansion marks their very first in the North – a sign of what’s to come for the bright future of vegan food, which, undeniably, has managed to carve out its own well-deserved market within many city’s dining scenes.
And while Manchester is most definitely blessed with an array of fantastic vegan options, Purezza really does offer something a little different, with flavours and toppings that really make you forget about the fact that there’s absolutely no meat involved in your meal. Even if you’re not vegan there’s a pizza for everyone, with some fantastic inventions including their very own vegan n’duja, a ‘cheese steak’, and even a BBQ pulled porketta designed to rival actual meat. Spending years perfecting their recipes in a food laboratory, the team behind the venue has ensured that every single product is just as good as its animal-based counterpart, from the cheese to its faux meats – you can expect everything to be as close as possible to the real deal.
So. What’s on the menu? Mancs will find their classic sourdough Neapolitan pizzas such as the vegan n’duja, ‘the one with the potatoes’ and even a wild truffle pizza – alongside a number of delicious sides including courgetti spaghetti, pesto dough balls and vegan n’duja dough balls. For those who don’t fancy pizza, there’s also a plant-based lasagne on offer (just as indulgent as the real deal!), alongside a ‘cheese steak’ calzone, cheesecake, brownies, gelato and even a plant-based chocolate-covered pizza. See. We told you you wouldn’t miss animal products.
Speaking of the opening just a few months ago, Tim Barclay, co-founder and co-owner of Purezza, says: “Manchester has been on our agenda for years now as we know it has a vibrant foodie scene, which will only grow once lockdown restrictions are lifted. We’ve had more requests on social media to open in Manchester than any other city in the UK, and it’s truly a pleasure to honour those requests and to finally make it happen. We’re really excited about this, and we can’t wait to welcome you through our doors.”
Find Purezza at 75-77 High Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1FS.