Historians reckon that the pizza has existed – in some form or other – for nearly 3,000 years. In its early days, before tomatoes had been imported to Italy, it was mostly just cheese and bread, but the vision was there.
It’s easy to understand why pizza has endured several millennia. It’s easy to make, it’s delicious, and it’s evolved over time. Every year, a new pizza trend emerges, and the UK’s National Pizza Awards are there to keep track.
The awards has just announced its list of finalists for 2025. These are the 16 more mouth-watering takes on the classic dough, tomato and cheese, and they’ll go head-to-head in a live cook-off on November 4 to battle for the title of Britain’s best pizza.
Most of the finalists are based in London – nine out of 16 to be exact. A further four are national chains, meaning only three independent pizzerias outside of the capital beat the odds and made the cut.
First up of the independents is Neapolitan-inspired Forbici in the city centre of Manchester, which made it onto the list with its ‘Porchetta Completa’. Forcibi prides itself on its signature dough, which it makes precisely to the ideal pH level. The Porchetta pizza isn’t currently on the menu, but perhaps a national win could inspire the restaurant to bring it back.
Pizza Punks in Glasgow saw success with a Neapolitan base topped with double pepperoni, burrata and hot honey. Pizzas here are very customisable – you can make your own pizza with unlimited toppings for £13.95 – so everyone will be able to find something they want to eat there.
Finally, it was a white base from Brighton’s Fatto A Mano that wowed judges. The ‘Popeye’ pizza, which comes with spicy salami, gorgonzola, spinach, fennel, ‘nduja honey, mozzarella, and parmesan, was the restaurant’s ticket to the final.
Franco Manca, Pizza Pilgrims, Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana and Zizzi were the UK-wide franchises shortlisted. Zizzi has more than 130 branches across the country, and Franco Manco currently sits around 70, making these the accessible finalists for all to try out.
The 16 best pizzas in Britain
Here is the full list of 2025 National Pizza Awards finalists:
- ACE Pizza, London: The Capish
- Base Face Pizza, London: Seoul Mate
- Bing Bong Pizza, London: With A Little H(ELP) From My Friends
- Fatto a Mano, Brighton: Popeye Pizza
- Forbici, Manchester: Porchetta Completa
- Franco Manca, National: Tre Porcellini
- Little Earthquakes, London: Fennel Salami Bolognaise
- Mamma Dough, London: John O’Goat
- Pizza Pilgrims, National: Golden Autumn
- Pizza Punks, Glasgow: Double Pepperoni, Burrata & Hot Honey
- Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana, National: La Fiamma
- Short Road Pizza Co, London: SRP Marinara
- Super Club Roma, London: Into The Woods (& Out Of The City)
- Yard Sale Pizza, London: Bright Young Thing
- Zia Lucia, London: Britalian Blaze
- Zizzi, National: Fiora Rosa
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