London’s Napoli on the Road has been named the world’s best pizza restaurant at the 50 Top Pizza World Awards 2026, placing a Chiswick-based pizzeria at the top of the global ranking.
Chef and founder Michele Pascarella launched Napoli on the Road in 2016 from a three-wheeled Piaggio Ape equipped with a wood-fired oven. The concept began at London street markets and local events before expanding into restaurants in Chiswick, Richmond and Soho.
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From Mobile Pizzeria To Global Winner
The Soho location offers a tasting menu inspired by Pascarella’s childhood in Caserta, southern Italy. His approach combines traditional Italian influences with a broader focus on contemporary pizza and hospitality.
“I’m in shock. I probably need to have a few drinks and a sit down to process this,” Pascarella said at the awards ceremony in Naples. “I can’t explain how big this is. It’s like the Oscars but for pizza.”
New York Pizzeria Drops To Second
Una Pizza Napoletana in New York, which held the top position for the previous two years, ranked second in 2026. Milan’s Confine, led by Francesco Capece and Mario Ventura, placed third.
Now in its 10th year, the 50 Top Pizza ranking is based on assessments by nearly 1,000 anonymous inspectors. Each restaurant is visited twice, with evaluations covering pizza, ingredients, service and hospitality.
The 50 Top Pizza World 2026 Ranking
1. Napoli on the Road – London, England
2. Una Pizza Napoletana – New York, USA
3. Confine – Milan, Italy
4. I Masanielli – Francesco Martucci – Caserta, Italy
4. Seu Pizza Illuminati – Rome, Italy
5. Pizzeria Sei – Los Angeles, USA
5. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana – San Francisco, USA
6. Leggera Pizza Napoletana – São Paulo, Brazil
7. RistoPizza by Napoli sta ca – Tokyo, Japan
8. Baldoria – Madrid, Spain
9. The Pizza Bar on 38th – Tokyo, Japan
10. Razza – Jersey City, USA
11. Allería – Providencia, Chile
12. Palazzo Petrucci Pizzeria – Naples, Italy
13. I Tigli – San Bonifacio, Italy
14. 50 Kalò – Naples, Italy
15. Avenida Calò – Rome, Italy
16. Fiata – Hong Kong, China
16. gigi’s – Sydney, Australia
17. Pizzardi Artigianale – Bogotá, Colombia
17. QT Pizza Bar – São Paulo, Brazil
18. Dry Milano – Milan, Italy
19. Cambia-Menti – Caserta, Italy
20. Sasà Martucci – Caserta, Italy
21. BOB Alchimia a Spicchi – Montepaone Lido, Italy
22. IMperfetto – Puteaux, France
23. 50 Kalò – London, England
24. Ti Amo – Adrogué, Argentina
25. La Clásica – San Salvador, El Salvador
26. Truly Pizza – Dana Point, USA
27. Francesco Martucci – Miami, USA
28. Spacca Napoli – Seoul, South Korea
29. Sartoria Panatieri – Barcelona, Spain
30. Don Antonio – New York, USA
31. Crosta – Makati, Philippines
32. Jay’s – Kenmore, USA
33. Pizza Zulu – Fürth, Germany
34. Massilia – Bangkok, Thailand
35. Ribalta – New York, USA
35. Robert’s – Chicago, USA
36. nNea – Amsterdam, The Netherlands
37. Flama – Miraflores, Peru
38. Leña – Cleveland, USA
39. Sapori Italiani U Taliana – Bratislava, Slovakia
40. La Cascina dei Sapori – Rezzato, Italy
41. A Pizza da Mooca – São Paulo, Brazil
42. SHOP225 – Melbourne, Australia
43. La Notizia – Naples, Italy
44. Ken’s Artisan Pizza – Portland, USA
45. Pizzeria Braceria CESARI!! – Nagoya, Japan
46. Unica Pizzeria – São Paulo, Brazil
47. La Leggenda – Miami, USA
47. ‘O Munaciello – Miami, USA
48. a mano – Makati, Philippines
49. Forno d’Oro – Lisbon, Portugal
50. Bottega – Beijing, China
