Dean Martin may have compared pizza to love, but for many Europeans, the quest for the perfect slice extends far beyond Italy's borders. While Naples and Rome remain the spiritual homes of pizza, the 2026 Top Pizza Europa awards prove that exceptional pies are being crafted from London to Zagreb.
The guide, curated by Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro, and Albert Sapere, has expanded to 60 positions for its tenth edition, reflecting a continent-wide pizza renaissance. Across 35 countries, inspectors evaluated 200 pizzerias, with Spain leading the pack with 29 entries, followed by France (24) and England (22). Capital cities dominate: Paris boasts 17 pizzerias, London 15, and Madrid 9.
The Top Three: London, Madrid, Paris
For the third consecutive year, Napoli on the Road in London's Soho claims the number one spot. Founder Michele Pascarella started with a three-wheel truck equipped with a wood-fired oven, serving pizza at farmers' markets. Now with three locations—Chiswick, Richmond, and Soho—the pizzeria's success lies in its dough: "light, airy, and designed to support often original but never excessive toppings," according to the guide.
In Madrid's Golden Mile neighborhood, Baldoria takes second place. The name means "big celebration," and the restaurant delivers with traditional Italian ingredients, a vibrant decor, and live music. Starters like Tiradito alla Puttansca—cured sea bream with olive coulis, capers, and onions—precede classic Neapolitan margherita pizzas.
Third place goes to IMperfetto in Puteaux, a western suburb of Paris. This cozy spot seats only a few diners and serves Neapolitan delights with fresh ingredients. The guide recommends the Margherita Pop, made with mellow provolone, pepper, and 60-month aged Parmesan—described as "intense and well-constructed."
The Top 20 Pizzerias in Europe (Outside Italy)
- Napoli on the Road – London, England
- Baldoria – Madrid, Spain
- IMperfetto – Puteaux, France
- 50 Kalò – London, England
- Sartoria Panatieri – Barcelona, Spain
- Pizza Zulu – Fürth, Germany
- nNea – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Sapori Italiani U Taliana – Bratislava, Slovakia
- Forno d'Oro – Lisbon, Portugal
- Via Toledo – Vienna, Austria
- Fratelli Figurato – Madrid, Spain
- Surt – Copenhagen, Denmark
- Stile Napoletano – Chester, England
- Oura – Santiago de Compostela, Spain
- La Piola Pizza – Brussels, Belgium
- Demaio – Bilbao, Spain
- Balmesina – Barcelona, Spain
- Zielona Górka – Pabianice, Poland
- Matto Napoletano – Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
These 20 pizzerias automatically qualify for the 100 Best Pizzerias in the World ranking, to be announced on 15 September 2026 at the Teatro Mercadante in Naples, Italy. For travelers planning a pizza pilgrimage, the list offers a curated guide to Europe's best slices—no passport to Italy required.
As the curators note, "A European guide which boasts 200 pizzerias across the continent, distributed across 35 different countries, represents an enormous amount of research." For pizza lovers, it's a delicious roadmap to Europe's culinary diversity.
