The Top Pizza Restaurants in Southbank: Bigger, Tastier, Fancier, and Classic Pizza Options!
What better place to eat a freshly made slice of pizza than the busy streets of South Bank? The place practically welcomes you with reasonably priced food and fragrant kitchens.
Here are my top picks for the best pizza joints in this lively part of London, from meat dishes, delicious pasta, and the classic piece of pie you could share with friends on a night out!
What Makes Southbank, London A Good Area for Pizza?
- Scenic Location – South Bank offers beautiful riverside views of the Thames that make for ideal pizza dining settings
- Close to Entertainment – South Bank’s proximity to concert venues, theatres, and museums is ideal for pre-show pizza dining
- Variety of Pizza Options – South Bank offers many pizza options from quick slices to upscale sit-down restaurants to suit different tastes and budgets
- Transport Links – Easy access via transit makes it convenient for pizza lovers across London to reach South Bank pizzerias.
My Picks for the Best Pizza Restaurant
Santa Maria
This authentic Italian pizzeria has been serving delicious sourdough pizza in Southbank for over 25 years. Located on Stamford Street overlooking the River Thames, it offers classic Neapolitan pizzas like the Margherita for £7.95. Dine outside on the partly covered deck with amazing views of the river.
Santa Maria uses a wood-fired oven to create the ideal crisp yet chewy sourdough crust, importing ingredients like San Marzano tomatoes and fior di latte mozzarella directly from Italy.
Great For: Close Friends, Catching up with Friends
📍94 Waterford Rd, London SW6 2HA, United Kingdom
Theo’s Pizzeria
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A local favorite gourmet pizza restaurant, Theo’s has been making tasty sourdough pizzas in Southbank since 1991. Using high-quality ingredients like organic flour and locally-sourced toppings, Theo’s crafts pizzas with the ideal balance of crispy, chewy crust and flavorful toppings.
We went here as a group and were absolutely delighted at their vast menu of toppings and options, that practically everyone had a taste of what they wanted in a piece of pie.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍17-18 Elephant and Castle, London SE1 6TH, United Kingdom
Homeslice
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With locations across London, Homeslice serves New York-style sourdough pizzas by the slice or whole. Get creative toppings like mac and cheese and pulled pork on thin, foldable crusts. The Neal’s Yard location offers indoor and outdoor seating with a continental feel.
As someone who absolutely adores New-York Style pizza, this spot quickly became my favourite. I’ve been here more times than I can count and I still haven’t finished experimenting with their toppings!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍13 Neal’s Yard, London WC2H 9DP, United Kingdom
Gourmet Pizza Co.
Known for its laidback atmosphere and scenic outdoor deck, Gourmet Pizza Co. uses only the freshest ingredients, sourced locally when possible, to create authentic wood-fired pizzas
Signature pies like the Rucola e Prosciutto with prosciutto, olives, and arugula balance classic flavors, while creative options like the Pollo, Broccoli & Bacon pizza topped with chicken and tenderstem broccoli, the gourmet pizza company surely satisfies diverse tastes.
Great For: Close Friends, Couples, Business Meetings
📍56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP, United Kingdom
Pizza Express
With locations across London, Pizza Express has become an iconic destination for delicious Italian pizza since opening its first restaurant in 1965. Signature pies like the Fiorentina with spinach, egg, and olives balance traditional flavors while specials add creative options.
Beyond pizza, the menu offers antipasti, salads, and Italian gelato. With its prime location, heritage, and relaxed riverside dining, Pizza Express delivers an excellent pizza experience in the heart of Southbank.
Great For: Couples, Groups of Friends
📍Unit 3, The White House, 9c Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8YP, United Kingdom
400 Rabbits
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With a relaxed cantina atmosphere, this unique pizzeria serves handmade blue corn sourdough crust pizzas topped with authentic Mexican ingredients. It’s a delicious and affordable lunch or dinner option for gourmet pizza.
Using blue corn sourdough crusts proofed for at least 48 hours, 400 Rabbits tops its pizzas with authentic Mexican ingredients like chorizo, huitlacoche mushrooms, and more.
For those looking for something different than classic Neapolitan pizza along the Thames, 400 Rabbits hits the mark with its unique fusion of Mexican flavors on top of fantastic sourdough.
Great For: Groups of Friends, Business Meetings
📍16a Ash Ave, Elephant and Castle, London SE17 1GQ, United Kingdom
Pizza Pilgrims
Pizza Pilgrims started as a pizza van and now has a bustling restaurant on West India Quay serving 11 varieties of sourdough Neapolitan pizza straight from the stone-baked oven. It’s a top spot for delicious and fresh Italian pizza.
Using fresh dough made daily, Pizza Pilgrims serves up authentic thin-crust pizzas with imported Italian ingredients cooked in a wood-fired oven.
Beyond classic Neapolitan pies like the Marinara, Pizza Pilgrims crafts specialty pizzas such as the Nduja with spicy sausage or the vegan Zucca with roasted butternut squash.
Great For: Catching up with Friends
📍82 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AB, United Kingdom
Flour & Grape
This Southbank pizzeria makes handcrafted sourdough pizzas with amazing views of the River Thames. Using quality ingredients, the Nduja pizza with spicy sausage is a favorite. The atmosphere is cozy whether you’re dining in or grabbing pizza to go.
What makes the dining experience at Flour & Grape so good is because you have the option of pairing your pies with their authentic Italian wines, something my friends and I regularly come back to when we’re planning for a pub crawl.
Great For: Catching up with Friends, Groups of Friends
📍214 Bermondsey St, London SE1 3TQ, United Kingdom
Franco Manca
With locations across London, Franco Manca serves tasty sourdough Neapolitan-style pizzas with crispy crusts and simple, fresh toppings like bufala mozzarella. The Southbank location offers delicious pizza in a small, casual setting.
We were absolutely stunned to hear about the traditional methods this joint uses like traditional slow-fermented sourdough to naturally leavened dough that was hand-stretched and baked for the perfect crust. Their commitment to quality is truly outstanding!
Great For: Families, Close Friends
📍77 The Cut, London SE1 8LL, United Kingdom
The Real Greek
Overlooking the River Thames, this bright restaurant serves Greek-style sourdough pizzas made with fresh ingredients like spinach, feta, and olives. Try the seafood Atlantis pizza for something different. It’s a unique option for pizza in a scenic riverside location.
Signature pies like the Cypriaki are topped with halloumi, figs, and mint while the Poseidon comes loaded with shrimp and octopus. I never actually tried Greek food before stumbling onto this place, but now I actively look for them!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍Riverside House, Units 1&2, 2A Southwark Bridge Rd, London SE1 9HA, United Kingdom
Looking for More Guides?
If you’re looking for more stuff to do and visit, we’ve got a bunch of guides we regular update to help you navigate London’s vast options for food and drinks!
Our guides range from authentic Italian restaurants, pizza and burger joints, cute cafes, and of course, the bars and pubs that fill the city!
FAQ
What restaurants offer scenic riverside dining with views of the Thames?
Some Southbank pizzerias like Santa Maria, Theo’s Pizza, and Flour & Grape offer outdoor riverside seating with amazing views of the River Thames as you enjoy your sourdough pizza. The Real Greek also has a bright, airy dining room overlooking the river.
What Southbank pizzerias offer quick, casual lunch options?
Franco Manca has locations across London serving tasty Neapolitan-style sourdough pizza by the slice, perfect for a quick lunch. 400 Rabbits also offers fast-casual Mexican-inspired sourdough pizzas in a relaxed cantina setting.
Which restaurants serve classic margherita or marinara sourdough pizzas?
Santa Maria, Pizza Pilgrims, and Franco Manca all offer classic Neapolitan pizzas like the Margherita with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil. Santa Maria Pizzeria also serves an excellent marinara pizza with San Marzano tomatoes and oregano.
Where can I get authentic Italian wood-fired sourdough pizza?
Santa Maria Pizzeria uses ingredients imported from Italy to make excellent wood-fired sourdough Neapolitan pizzas, and has been a favorite for delicious pizza in London for over 25 years. Pizza Pilgrims is another spot serving authentic Italian sourdough pizza fresh from a stone oven.
