The 50 best pizzas in Europe: You’ll be surprised where Italy ranks

What happens when professionals are asked to rank the best pizza places in Europe? It turns out they make a cunning decision: To leave Italy out entirely. No, it’s not a mistake – it’s a deliberate move.

The simple reason? When the original pizza country is in the race, no one else really stands a chance. So instead of watching Italy sweep the top spots, the organization behind the ranking decided to create a separate category. Think of it like a sports league where professional players play in a different division from amateurs.

So who did take first place? A surprise: Napoli on the Road from the United Kingdom. A place run by Michele Pascarella, who won the title of Europe’s Best Pizza Maker in 2023.

This place is more than just a pizzeria – it’s called “a symbol of a new era of Neapolitan pizza in the UK.” With branches in Chiswick and Richmond, the restaurant changes its menu every three months according to the season and the best ingredients they can find. What’s special about their dough? According to the experts, it’s the perfect balance – “bold but balanced.”

Second place goes to Baldoria in Madrid, praised for its “efficient and friendly” staff and creative pizzas like the Bufala Pesto – with roasted San Marzano tomato sauce, confit cherry tomatoes, parmesan flakes, and basil pesto.

In third place (tie): Via Toledo in Vienna and Sartoria Panatieri in Barcelona. The Viennese pizzeria stands out for “excellent fresh ingredients from Italy” with a touch of Puglia (the founders’ homeland). The Barcelona location impresses not only with its pizzas but also with its variety of appetizers, craft beers, and homemade desserts – “just like grandma’s,” as the experts describe.