London Pizza Chain Crowned World's Best, First British Entrant to Win Top Prize

A London-based pizza chain has achieved a significant culinary milestone, becoming the first British entrant to be named the world's best pizzeria at the 50 Top Pizza awards. Napoli on the Road, with locations in Chiswick, Richmond, and Soho, secured the top global honor, a first for a U.K. establishment.

Chef and founder Michele Pascarella, 34, expressed surprise and elation upon receiving the award at the ceremony held in Naples, Italy, the birthplace of pizza. "It's so crazy I don't know what to say," Pascarella stated. "I'm in shock. I probably need to have a few drinks and a sit down to process this."

The 50 Top Pizza awards, now in its tenth year, evaluates pizzerias based on both food quality and the overall dining experience, with inspectors making anonymous visits.

Pascarella, who learned pizza-making in his hometown of Caserta, near Naples, had prior success at the awards, being named global pizza maker of the year in 2023 and Napoli on the Road previously recognized as the best pizzeria in Europe. However, the European award excluded Italian establishments, making this year's global title a direct competition against pizzerias from Pascarella's native country.

"I didn't think we'd have a chance against all the Italian ones," Pascarella admitted. "But we did it… this is the ultimate honor. I'm over the moon and so proud of all of my team."

Napoli on the Road's victory ended the multi-year winning streak of I Masanielli, a pizzeria in Caserta run by Francesco Martucci, which had won the title in six of the previous seven years. Martucci's establishment dropped to joint fourth place this year.

Martucci commented on the outcome, stating, "Pizza today is a child of the world, you don't have to be in Naples or Caserta to produce the best." He acknowledged Pascarella's roots in Caserta as a testament to how individuals from the region can achieve global success abroad.

Napoli on the Road has expanded from a food van to three physical restaurants in London. Despite its growing success, Pascarella indicated no plans for further expansion into a large chain, emphasizing his commitment to maintaining high pizza quality and personal customer interaction.

Two other British pizzerias were also recognized on the global list: 50 Kalò in Westminster ranked 23rd, and Stile Napoletano in Chester placed 74th.

Italy led the rankings with 31 restaurants, followed by the United States with 22. New York had the most represented city with seven entries, followed by Naples with six and São Paulo with five. Restaurants from 36 countries, including Vietnam, North Macedonia, Croatia, and Japan, were featured on this year's list.

Napoli on the Road is known for its classic margherita and signature creations like the 'Cheesewick,' which features five Italian cheeses and a house-made tomato jam.

"I don't want to become a chain, and believe me, we've had the chance," Pascarella said. "I want to keep the quality of my pizza very, very high and I also want to talk to my customers. I want to know them and I want them to know me."