While Italy remains the undisputed home of pizza, a recent guide has highlighted Europe’s finest establishments beyond its borders. The 2026 Top Pizza Europa awards, which ranks the 60 best pizzerias across the continent excluding Italy, has expanded its scope this year, reflecting a thriving European pizza scene.
ADVERTISEMENT Curators Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere noted the continued growth of pizza culture. “For the tenth edition we decided to raise the list to 60 positions in the ranking,” they stated. “A European guide which boasts 200 pizzerias across the continent, distributed across 35 different countries, represents an enormous amount of research carried out by our inspectors, whom we sincerely thank.”
Spain leads the overall ranking of 200 pizzerias with 29 entries, followed by France with 24 and England with 22. Capital cities also feature prominently, with Paris boasting 17 pizzerias, London 15, and Madrid nine.
The upper crust: Which pizzeria is No.1?
For the third consecutive year, Napoli on the Road, located in London’s Soho, secured the number one position. Founded by Michele Pascarella, the venture began with a three-wheel truck equipped with a wood-fired oven, serving pizza at London’s markets. Pascarella’s concept has since expanded to three London locations.
The guide praised Napoli on the Road’s distinctive pizza dough, noting its consistent quality across all branches. “The dough is one of the most successful elements: light, airy, and designed to support often original but never excessive toppings,” the guide commented. “The locations in Chiswick, Richmond, and Soho confirm the same approach, offering a curated, lively, and recognisable experience.”
Spain’s Baldoria, situated in Madrid’s Golden Mile, claimed the second spot. This establishment, whose name translates to ‘a big celebration’, honours traditional Italian cuisine by importing ingredients directly from Italy. Its menu features a variety of appetisers, pizzas, pastas, main courses, and desserts, including the Tiradito alla Puttansca – cured sea bream with olive coulis, capers, and onions – and its classic Neapolitan margherita pizza. Beyond the food, the vibrant decor, efficient service, and live music contribute to a top-tier dining experience.
The bronze award in the 2026 guide went to IMperfetto, a pizzeria in Puteaux, a western suburb of Paris, France. This intimate eatery, which seats only a few diners, offers Neapolitan specialities crafted with fresh ingredients, distinct flavours, and overall balance. The guide’s curators specifically recommended IMperfetto’s Margherita Pop, highlighting its “intense and well-constructed” combination of mellow provolone, pepper, and 60-month aged Parmesan.
The top 20 pizzerias in Europa 2026
- Napoli on the Road – London, England
- Baldoria – Madrid, Spain
- IMperfetto – Puteaux, France
- 50 Kalò – London, England
- Sartoria Panatieri – Barcelona, Spain
- Pizza Zulu – Fürth, Germany
- nNea – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Sapori Italiani U Taliana – Bratislava, Slovakia
- Forno d’Oro – Lisbon, Portugal
- Via Toledo – Vienna, Austria
- Fratelli Figurato – Madrid, Spain
- Surt – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Stile Napoletano – Chester, England
- Oura – Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- La Piola Pizza – Brussels, Belgium
- Demaio – Bilbao, Spain
- Balmesina – Barcelona, Spain
- Zielona Górka – Pabianice, Poland
- Matto Napoletano – Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
- Franko’s Pizza & Bar – Zagreb, Croatia
The top 20 pizzerias from the Top Pizza Europa 2026 list will automatically qualify for the 100 Best Pizzerias in the World ranking, which is scheduled to be unveiled on 15 September 2026 at the Teatro Mercadante in Naples, Italy.
