Order From the Best  Pizza Joints in Waterloo, London. Local Restaurants, Italian Cuisine, and Amazing Food!

Waterloo is known for many things in London, but not many people know about the underrated pizza scene that goes on in this bustling neighborhood! Whether you’re out for a pub crawl, or just visiting the old vic and young vic theatres, pizza is the heart of Waterloo.

Take a look at some of my personal favourites for the pizza joints you could find in these busy streets!

What makes Waterloo a Good Area for Pizza Restaurants?

1. Variety of pizza styles: Waterloo has restaurants offering different pizza styles like Neapolitan (Crust Bros, Pizza Pilgrims), Roman (Pizza Union), Chicago deep dish (Japes), and New York style (Homeslice). This caters to different pizza preferences.
2. High quality ingredients: Many places like Crust Bros, Pizza Pilgrims, and Franco Manca use high quality ingredients like Italian 00 flour, San Marzano tomatoes, and fior di latte mozzarella to make authentic pizzas.
3. Specialty pizzas: In addition to classic pizzas, restaurants offer innovative specialty pizzas with unique flavors like the spicy honey pizza at Crust Bros and the meatball pizza at Pizza Pilgrims.
4. Late night dining: Restaurants like Crust Bros and Pizza Pilgrims are open until late (11pm or later), making them convenient for post-work or post-theater meals.
5. Outdoor seating: Places like Pizza Pilgrims and Franco Manca have outdoor seating, perfect for dining al fresco in good weather.

My Picks for the Best Pizza Joints

Cotto

Cotto offers top-quality Neapolitan-style pizzas that can be ordered online or by phone for pickup or delivery through services like Deliveroo and Just Eat. Their pizza dough is made fresh daily and cooked in a wood-fired oven to achieve the perfect crisp yet chewy crust. Some of their most popular pizzas include the Margherita with fresh mozzarella, basil, and tomatoes; the Diavola with spicy salami; and the Quattro Formaggi with four Italian cheeses.

They also offer gluten-free crust options. Speaking of gluten-free options, the owner himself actually has celiac disease which means that t hey take their gluten-free and healthy alternatives very seriously! If you’re looking for great takeaway that would strictly follow you’re dietary preferences, Cotto , is a good shop to start! 

Great For: Couples, Close Friends

📍89 Westminster Bridge Rd, London SE1 7HR, United Kingdom

La Barca Ristorante

 

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La Barca Ristorante is known for its authentic Italian cuisine and warm, family-run ambiance. While they offer a variety of traditional dishes like seafood risotto and homemade pastas, La Barca is especially renowned for its thin-crust Neapolitan style pizzas. The pizza dough is made fresh daily and cooked in a wood-fired oven to achieve the perfect crisp yet chewy crust.

Toppings range from classic margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella and basil to more unique options like the Quattro Formaggi with four Italian cheeses – taleggio, gorgonzola, fontina and parmesan. With excellent service and reasonable prices, La Barca is a top choice for authentic wood-fired pizza in a cozy trattoria setting right near Waterloo Station! 

Great For: Couples, Close Friends

📍80-81 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AB, United Kingdom

Ristorante Olivelli

Ristorante Olivelli includes both traditional and more unique specialty pizzas. Their pizza dough is made fresh daily. For traditionalists, they offer the classic Margherita with tomato sauce, mozzarella, and basil. They also have pizza options like the Diavola with spicy salami. 

The portions were generous, easily enough for one person. In addition to pizza, their menu also includes a variety of antipasti, salads, pastas, and desserts. A two-course weekday set lunch is available for £16.95. . Fresh ingredients, generous portions, and perfect crusts makes the price such a steal! This place is one of our favourites and we’re already expecting another booking this week! 

Great For: Groups of Friends, Catching up with Friends

📍61 The Cut, London SE1 8LL, United Kingdom

Crust Bros

 

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The menu offers a great variety of pizza options, from classic margheritas to more adventurous specialty pies piled high with toppings. You can also personalise your own pizza with over 30 ingredients to choose from. I customized a pizza with pepperoni, mushrooms, olives, and extra cheese, and it was baked to perfection with Crust Bros’ signature leopard-spotted crust that gives it a wonderfully chewy texture!

This is such a wonderful experience to enjoy with your family, each visit could potentially be a different pizza each time all served fresh and hot to your table! Expect a bunch of table bookings once you visit this place because we’ve certainly been here a number of times already! 

Great For: Groups of Friends, Family

📍113 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UL, United Kingdom

La Cucina Di Mamma

I recently visited La Cucina Di Mamma, an authentic Italian restaurant located just a short walk from Waterloo Station. As soon as I entered, the smell of fresh pizza and pasta enveloped me. The decor transported me straight to Italy with checkerboard tablecloths, strings of lights, and black and white photos on the walls.

Of course, I had to try their pizza which is made with homemade dough and cooked in a wood-fired oven. I ordered the Diavola pizza with spicy salami and hot chili oil. The crust was perfectly crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The tomato sauce was flavorful and the toppings were high quality with the salami adding a nice kick. 

Great For: Groups of Friends, Close Friends

📍3j, 3K Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7GP, United Kingdom

Locale

The pizza menu has a great selection of both classic and gourmet pizzas. I opted for the Pizza Bufala which comes with tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, and basil. The cheese was deliciously gooey and the sweet cherry tomatoes popped with flavor.

In addition to traditional pizza toppings, they also have unique specialty pizzas like the Pizza Paradiso with smoked salmon, caviar, and cream cheese. I highly recommend getting a pizza if dining at Locale Southbank. The ingredients tasted fresh and high-quality. And the crust had just the right balance of crispiness and chew. It was by far one of the best pizzas I’ve had in London!

Great For: Close Friends, Business Meetings

📍County Hall, 3B Belvedere Rd, London SE1 7GP, United Kingdom

Azzurro

Azzurro is known for its thin crust, Neapolitan-style pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. he wood-fired oven really adds wonderful smoky flavors to the pizza. Aside from their freshly baked pizza that absolutely fill the room with how aromatic it is, Azzurro is also known for their pasta dishes which perfectly complement their Neapolitan Pizza and other meals!

It’s also super amazing  to me that their service is always on point! Even when the place gets hectic and busy, their waiters would still manage to find us through the crowd and made sure we had everything we might need. Their aim is to make every customer feel welcome and boy did they succeed.

Great For: Catching up with Friends, Business Meetings, Couples

📍1 Sutton Walk, London SE1 7ND, United Kingdom

Strada

Located right on the bustling Southbank overlooking the River Thames, Strada Southbank is a lively Italian restaurant serving up delicious pasta, pizza, and other classic Italian dishes. As part of the popular Strada chain, this flagship location combines authentic Italian cuisine with a contemporary dining experience.

My friend and I visited for dinner on a busy Saturday evening and were lucky to get a table with a perfect view of the riverfront. The atmosphere was energetic and vibrant, with a mix of couples, families, and groups of friends filling up the large dining room. With its delicious food, great atmosphere and scenic views, Strada Southbank is one of my favorite Italian restaurants in London. It’s the perfect spot for a special meal out with a loved one. 

Great For: Couples

📍A, Royal Festival Hall, 337-338 Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, United Kingdom

Gourmet Pizza Co.

I was craving pizza so I decided to stop in for a late lunch. The restaurant has a laidback vibe with a nice outdoor seating area that’s perfect for people watching. Their view and outdoor tables are actually pretty famous around Londoners, and it’s a bit evident on their user reviews. 

The sauce they used so flavorful and tasted like it was made in house. The cheese was high quality and melted perfectly across the pizza. Each bite was an absolute delight! It’s a great spot for lunch, dinner, or even just drinks and appetizers with friends. I’ll definitely be coming back next time I’m in the area!

Great For: Couples, Solo

📍56 Upper Ground, London SE1 9PP, United Kingdom

Caprini Restaurant

This local pizza joint has been serving up delicious Italian-style pizzas for over 25 years, so they really know their stuff.  The vegetarian pizza was topped with grilled veggies like eggplant, zucchini, peppers and mushrooms. The vegetables were perfectly cooked with a nice char while the cheese bound everything together.

We ended our meal with the homemade tiramisu which was coffee-soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cream and cocoa powder. It was the perfect sweet ending to an amazing pizza dinner.

Great For: Close Friends

📍77 Waterloo Rd, London SE1 8UD, United Kingdom

Looking For More Guides?

If you want to explore more of Waterloo, we’ve got guides on just about everything that makes this borough such a fun area to walk around in! We also have other guides on the best cafes, best bars for a quick beer break, and other restaurants, not just in Waterloo, but all throughout London, so head on over!