London is hardly short of pizza spots. Everywhere you look there’s a new style or a concept that’s travelled over from New York or Italy. But Napoli on the Road isn’t new. It’s just found a new home. This time, right in the middle of Soho.
Those of you living west might recognise it from Richmond and Chiswick. And if you’ve been in London a while, you might remember founder Michele Pascarella serving pizzas from a small van on the roadside. Fast forward to now, and he’s certainly built something of a reputation, with awards to match. When you eat here, you’re not only eating at one of Europe’s best pizzerias. You’re dining courtesy of the world’s best pizza maker.
The Soho space certainly feels different from its west London counterparts. More stripped back, more in keeping with its surroundings. Interiors are minimal, with a simple palette of reds and whites. All eyes are drawn to the open kitchen at the back where pizzas are made fresh to order. It’s relaxed and unfussy, and there’s the feeling the crowd have been a thousand times before. Sharing pizzas, comparing orders and settling in for the evening. It gave the whole place a slightly cult feel.
To start, we ordered the crocchè. Deep-fried potato balls filled with cheese and, as we were told, made that day by Michele himself. Crisp on the outside, soft and rich in the centre, and finished with parmesan, they were exactly the kind of indulgent starter you want to kickstart any Italian feast.
We also opted for a salad to balance things out, and it was far more interesting than expected. Beetroot, goat’s cheese and charred greens drizzled lightly with olive oil brought a fresh, slightly smoky contrast that worked well alongside our pizzas.
And, talking about pizzas: the menu is huge, but firmly rooted in traditional Neapolitan style. You won’t find any ham and pineapple here, which only adds to the appeal. This is a place that knows exactly what it’s doing.
We had to try the Ricordi D’Infanzia pizza, one of the restaurant’s most awarded dishes. In 2025, it scooped the title of best pizza in the world. Rich, slow-cooked ragù, parmesan cheese fondue and fresh basil came together in a way that felt comforting and almost homely. It was comforting, full of flavour and very easy to keep going back for.
Alongside it, we went for a Diavola. A slightly safer choice, but no less satisfying. The salami had just the right level of spice, balanced with fresh tomato and basil so it never felt too rich. Simple, but done very well.
What really sets the pizzas apart, though, is the dough. Light, airy and almost pillowy, it has that signature Neapolitan chew without feeling dense. It’s the kind of crust you don’t leave behind. In fact, it might just be the best part.
The drinks list is equally as considered. A full selection of Neapolitan wines sits alongside a range of artisanal Italian beers, offering something a little different from the usual. I opted for a chilled sparkling red, which was an easy highlight and something that went perfectly with the rich tomato sauce layered on the pizza.
A glance at the menu, and you’ll know that skipping dessert isn’t really an option. The tiramisu was creamy, generous and topped with plenty of chocolate. We tried to pace ourselves, failed, and ended up taking the rest home.
In a city where pizza trends come and go, Napoli on the Road is a reminder that when it’s done properly, Neapolitan pizza is still very hard to beat. And now you don’t have to pilgrimage to west London every time you want it!