London is truly a city for pizza lovers. Sure, Italy may have the tradition and history; New York might have the fabled New York slice; Chicago might have the infamous deep dish – but London has all of those and more. Heck, we’ve even (arguably) got a pizza style all our own. As if that wasn’t enough, London is also home to Napoli on the Road, an award-winning pizzeria that does authentic Neapolitan pizza that is among the very best in the whole world. But Napoli on the Road is more than just a spot for purists, because Chef and Founder Michele Pascarelle is also pushing the limits of Neapolitan pies even while he keeps it traditional.
Just how celebrated is the pizza from Napoli on the Road? Over the years, the pizzeria has climbed the ranks of the 50 Top Pizza list and gone from strength to strength. Here is just a sampling of their decorations:
- In 2023, Napoli on the Road stormed into 8th position on the 50 Top Pizza list of the best pizzerias in Europe*
- That same year, Michele Pascarella was named the Pizza Maker of the Year
- In 2024, Napoli on the Road was named the best pizzeria in the UK and in Europe* by 50 Top Pizza
- In 2024, Napoli on the Road was recognised as the 5th best pizzeria in the entire world
- In 2025, Napoli on the Road was again recognised as the #1 pizzeria in Europe* on the 50 Top Pizza list
- In 2025, the 50 Top Pizza list gave the restaurant the ‘Best Pizza’ award for its Ricordi d’Infanzia pizza.
*besides Italy… because… it’s Italy…
Suffice to say, the pizza here is pretty damn good.
What’s in a name?
Okay, but you may be wondering – why is it called Napoli on the Road? After all, these are sit-down restaurants, not travelling street food pop-ups.
Well, that wasn’t always the case. And the name derives from the pizzeria’s history. What is now a duo of pizza restaurants with sites in Richmond and Chiswick started almost a decade ago, when Chef Michele Pascarella made his pizzas out of the back of a van. For years, he drove around London in his Ape Piaggio van, quite literally making pizza ‘on the road’.
Have a look at a previous visit from the Secret London team here:
What to order at Napoli on the Road
So you’ve settled in at a table, beneath the lemon-adorned ceiling, and now you need to choose. It shouldn’t be too hard – it is still a pizzeria after all. But if you need a hand, here’s what I (oh-so-humbly) recommend. But remember: the menu changes seasonally, so not everything below will be available at all times.
Be sure not to skip the fritti and antipasti at Napoli on the Road. If you jump straight to the pizzas themselves, you’ll be missing out. If nothing else, start your meal with the seasonally-filled Crocchè and the Double Pepperoni – a slice of double-cooked pizza that is fried and baked and topped with tomato sauce, fior di latte, sliced pepperoni, chilli jam, and parsley.
Then it’s on to the pizza – wait, you’ve ordered wine, right? Be sure to let your server know what you’ll be eating, and they’ll be able to help you choose the right drink. (You wouldn’t go amiss ordering a spritz, either, to be fair!)
Pizza-wise, if the Ricordi d’Infanzia is on the menu, you simply have to order it. After all, it was recently named the best pizza in all of Europe (again… besides Italy). The pie features slow-cooked ragu with beef, Parmigiano Reggiano DOP, fondue, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. Other top choices include the classic Margherita, the rich and spicy, nduja-packed, We’re On Fire pizza, and the unexpected Tonno e Cipolla with tuna, semi-dried tomatoes, and all manner of other crispy, briney, zesty toppings.
Finish off with a slice of Tiramisù al Pistacchio and you’ll be ready to roll yourself home. Ciao!
📍 Napoli On The Road can be found at 12 Red Lion Street, Richmond, TW9 1RW & 9A Devonshire Road, Chiswick, W4 2EU. The nearest stations are Richmond & Turnham Green.