Few meals can compete with a bubbling pool of melted cheese and tangy tomato sauce sitting atop a lightly charred thin crust.
The Italians clearly nailed it when they invented the pizza, and the flatbread has settled into British food culture remarkably well over the years. Fittingly, one London pizzeria was even crowned the best in the entire world just this week, a timely reminder of just how seriously the UK now takes its pizza scene.
That National Pizza Awards recognise the most elite pizza in the UK.
Now in its tenth year, the UK’s National Pizza Awards exists specifically to track down the very best pizza the country has to offer, celebrating everything from tiny independent pizzerias to well-known national chains. Over the past decade, the awards have become something of a benchmark for the UK’s pizza scene, shining a spotlight on smaller, independent spots that might otherwise struggle to compete for attention against bigger, more established names.
The finalists for 2026 have just been announced, and sixteen pies will now go head-to-head in a live cook-off on 3 November to battle it out for the title of the UK’s best pizza. Each finalist has earned their spot with a single standout pizza, meaning every entry represents a restaurant’s absolute best effort rather than just one option among many on a wider menu.
London dominates the list this year.
Seven of this year’s finalists are based in London, a reflection of just how competitive and creative the capital’s pizza scene has become in recent years. Alongside those seven independents, three national chains, Zizzi, Pizza Pilgrims, and Franco Manca, also made it through to the final round, proving that bigger operations with locations across the country can still hold their own against smaller, more specialised competitors.
That leaves six independent pizzerias from outside the capital fighting for the title against some seriously stiff competition. Given how heavily London tends to dominate lists like this one, having a proper spread of finalists from other parts of the country is an encouraging sign for regional food scenes more broadly.
The independents making their mark in the south.
Down south, At the Chapel in Bruton is in the running with its Salsiccia, a pie loaded with fennel sausage that leans into rich, savoury flavour rather than anything overly fussy. Over in Hove, Stretch has made its first appearance on the list with The Herd, built around pork loin and British pecorino cheese, a combination that puts high-quality British ingredients front and centre.
Cambridge is represented by Scott’s All Day, whose Peaches, Peaches, Peaches pie brings together peaches, prosciutto, mango habanero hot sauce, and a mozzarella base, a bold combination that mixes sweet, salty, and spicy in equal measure. Hereford’s Leaven Pizza is also hoping to impress judges with its Diavolo al Sesamo, distinguished by its sesame-crusted base, a small but distinctive twist on a fairly classic style of pizza.
The northern contenders are bringing serious flavour.
Further north, Newcastle’s CIRCO is in contention with its Hot Like Gigi pizza, built around a signature vodka sauce, ‘nduja sausage, and torn burrata, a rich, indulgent combination that’s become something of a modern pizza favourite in recent years. Vodka sauce in particular has picked up real popularity on menus lately, and CIRCO’s version looks set to put that trend to the test in front of judges.
Meanwhile, Manchester’s Nell’s is entering the competition for the very first time with its playfully named Do You ‘Roni, Honey? pie, combining pepperoni, ‘nduja, chilli honey, house tomato sauce, mozzarella, and parmesan. It’s a pizza that leans fully into the sweet-and-spicy trend that’s taken over plenty of menus recently, and its first-time entry alone makes it one of the more interesting names to watch heading into November.
What happens at the live cook-off?
Rather than being judged purely on reputation or a written description, all sixteen finalists will face off in a live cook-off, meaning each pizza gets made fresh and tasted on the day itself. That format puts real pressure on every restaurant involved, since consistency, timing, and execution on the day matter just as much as the original recipe that earned them a place in the final.
For the independent pizzerias in particular, that live element offers a real chance to prove themselves directly against much bigger, more recognisable national chains, judged purely on the pizza sitting in front of the judges rather than brand recognition or scale.
The complete list of 2026 finalists
ALFI, London
At the Chapel, Bruton
Bad Boy Pizza Society, London
CIRCO, Newcastle
Crust Bros, London
Due Forni, London
East West, London
Five Feet, London
Franco Manca, national
Leaven Pizza, Hereford
Nell’s, Manchester
Pizza Pilgrims, national
Scott’s All Day, Cambridge
Stretch, Hove
Yard Sale Pizza, London
Zizzi, national
