Surely it’s easier to find the Holy Grail than somewhere to eat near Oxford Street that’s reasonably priced and isn’t one of the national chains serving up identikit meals to tired tourists. Mission Impossible? Perhaps not. Pizza Pilgrims on Dean St, Soho, is a cosy, authentically Italian restaurant serving knock out pizzas. Just as importantly, it does prosecco by the tumbler #yesplease.
Pizza Pilgrims started life selling pizzas from a van, which is still going strong. You can take a look on their website to see where it will be each day. They now have 5 pizza restaurants in London with more opening soon. Intriguingly one of their restaurants, Swingers, has crazy golf as well, surely a unique feature amongst London restaurants! The restaurant isn’t fancy, it’s crowded with cheek by jowl tables and a jostly feel. That’s part of its charm, the checked tablecloths and murals on the wall adding to the atmosphere.
The pilgrims take their pizza seriously with ingredients such as flour being sourced from Naples and two different types of mozzarella coming direct from Italy. Having conducted an actual pilgrimage to Naples to master pizza making, Pizza Pilgrims are convinced that their fabulous pizzas stand up with the best that Italy can offer. White pizzas also feature on the menu. If you go with kids, they don’t have a kids menu so in the best Italian style, share your pizza with the small people or, if you have several small folk, get them one to share. The reasonable prices here make it a winner with all pizzas being £10 or under (check prices are up to date on their website here). Drinks include their own limencello made with English potato vodka. I’m actually quite gutted I didn’t try this as I have never seen it on a menu anywhere else.
We were a large party but the pizzas looked so good everyone started scoffing them before I could take many pictures. Below – behold the calzone, it tasted as good as it looks.
The kids had margharitas.
Salads are all too often woefully dressed but this one was delicious with a smattering of parmesan on top. Pizza Pilgrims get their basil fresh from Berwick Market so I’m guessing the salad is also from there. They win my award for best dressed salad of the year so far.
All washed own with the prosecco tumblers.
Pizza Pilgrims keep it simple – great pizzas at a reasonable price. No need for a pilgrimage to Italy as these folks did, 2 minutes from Oxford St and you’re there.
Where Jo Goes other London Reviews:
Hotels 4* Pullman London St Pancras/Budget Premier Inn Kensington Olympia
Things to do Greenwich/HMS Belfast/Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre/Royal Albert Hall/World’s Biggest Lego Store/British Library/Ham House (National Trust)
Family friendly Restaurants Snog Frozen Yoghurt
Days out from London Legoland Top Tips/Legoland Top 10 Rides/Oxford
