Manchester pizzeria named amongst the best spots for pizza in Europe
'It’s tradition, passion and precision'
A Manchester pizzeria and a restaurant in the North West have both been recognised within a prestigious list which celebrates the best places across Europe when it comes to pizza.
The Top 50 Pizza Europe Awards 2025 were held in Madrid earlier this week, recognising the very best pizza spots outside Italy via a number of categories, including its Best Pizzeria in Europe list.
This year’s list features just three UK restaurants, with Stile Napoletano, which is situated in Chester, being the only venue in the country outside of the capital to make it within the top 50.
Located just over an hour’s drive from Manchester city centre, the Chester restaurant ranked in 13th place on the Best Pizzeria in Europe list - marking a steady rise from 18th place last year. Founded by Neapolitan chef Giacomo Guido, Stile Napoletano was created with the idea of bringing a slice of Naples to Chester.
Its slow-fermented, wood-fired pizzas are made using organic Italian ingredients and top British produce. Popular pizzas on the Stile Napoletano menu include the Parmigiana, featuring San Marzano tomatoes, aubergines, parmesan and smoked mozzarella, as well as a very special Ragu' Napoletano featuring nine-hour slow cooked pork.
First opened in 2018, the restaurant - located under the iconic Rows on Watergate Street - has gone from hidden gem to globally-recognised name and was also named 94th on last year’s global list. This year's final global rankings are set to be revealed in Naples later this year.
“To be named the 13th best in Europe is incredible,” Giacomo said. “And to be the only UK pizzeria outside London on the list makes it even more special. We’re proud to be putting Chester on the map and looking forward to representing the UK in Naples this September."
Founder Giacomo hails from the island of Ischia and first gained acclaim in London, where he was named London Pizza Festival Champion back in 2017. Speaking about the restaurant, Giacomo added: “Pizza is in my DNA.
“It’s tradition, passion and precision. We’ve poured our heart into Stile Napoletano, and it means the world to see that recognised.”
Manchester pizza spot Noi Quattro, on High Street in the Northern Quarter, was also recognised by the Top 50 Pizza Europe Awards 2025 team as one of the most ‘excellent’ spots in Europe. It was praised for its ‘industrial atmosphere’ and for being a ‘reference point for lovers of Neapolitan pizza’.
Judges proclaimed of the venue: “The modern environment, friendly staff, and attention to detail offer a true gastronomic experience that combines tradition and innovation.”
Self-described as the ‘first independent Italian traditional pizzeria in Manchester owned and run by Italians’, the Manchester restaurant first opened in 2018 by four friends Elisa, Alberto, Daniele and Paolo, who are also behind The Pasta Factory restaurant in Shudehill.
With a name standing for the Italian phrase for “the four of us”, Noi Quattro - which also has a spot in the Society food hall by the Bridgewater Hall - was hailed for its menu spanning classics and innovative creations, including a Ciurillo pizza which features zucchini flowers and salami. It also regularly hosts pizza and pasta making classes.
"It's really amazing," Denise Billandi, who works in the restaurant and manages their social media, said. "We are super proud to be recognised as excellent. We are Italian, and we always try to keep the quality really high and up to the same standards as the best in Italy. The secret to our success has always been with us using the best ingredients and never cutting corners when it comes to quality."
Noi Quattro's head chef Alessio has also been working on a brand new menu, which is set to be launched later this month just in time for the summer holidays. "I feel like it will be a real breath of fresh air for us after seven years of being open," Denise explains. "We can't wait to share what else we have in store - there's going to be lots of new dishes, new kinds of dough and lots of surprises. "
As well as Noi Quattro, the city centre is now home to a number of top pizza spots which continue to elevate its creations and be recognised on a national and international scale. Denise says Manchester's pizza scene is really exciting at the moment - and they use the competition to help spur them on.
"I think that competition brings more quality of pizza," Everyone needs to keep the standards really high because of this. I think, sometimes, a little bit of competition can be good. It gives us a chance to better ourselves."
The full 50 Top Pizza 2025 lists can be found here.