24th January 2025
Last updated 24th January 2025 Food & Drink Originally written

On the hunt for the best pizza in Manchester? Here are our favourite places to get you started.

Ask any Mancunian what their favourite pizza place is and you’re bound to spark a debate. This is a city that knows its stuff, home to a clutch of venues slinging slices so good they’ll have you booking a flight to Naples… or New York.

From ginormous sharing pies to weird and wonderful creations, these are the pizza restaurants in Manchester that have us coming back time after time. Is your favourite on the list?

Rudy’s

A Neapolitan-style pizza next to a Poretti beer and a pot of olives

A real Manchester institution, Rudy’s have taken their recipe for the perfect Neapolitan far and wide, but they started life in Ancoats. They’ve perfected that deliciously thin crust with beautifully bubbled edges, ready-made for dunking in garlic aioli.

Margheritas come three ways – and you can hold the cheese for a mighty fine Marinara, the rich San Marzano sauce jewelled with garlic and basil. But the Calabrese gets our vote, with spicy ‘nduja sausage delivering a welcome kick. Dog and child-friendly, everyone’s happy.

Where: You can find Rudy’s in Ancoats, Portland Street, Peter Street, Chorlton, Sale, Prestwich, Didsbury, Altrincham.
Must-try: Calabrese – San Marzano tomato, Fior di Latte, basil, e.v olive oil, Grana Padano, spicy ‘nduja sausage.

Nell’s

A huge pizza in a takeaway box

Credit: Marwan Mounti

Nells’ delicious brand of NYC-style pizza offers a refreshing alternative to the Neapolitan, and they’re rapidly gaining a loyal following amongst those who’ve tried one of their ginormous pies. The fact they channel the vibe of a neighbourhood bar offers even more reason to visit – their drinks menu is no joke.

Just how big are these pizzas? Up to 22-inches, and whether you order by the slice or the whole thing, that’s a lot of pizza. But with premium ingredients, thin crust you can fold and killer toppings – the Corn Supremacy sounds absolutely bonkers but it works – you won’t leave a crumb.

Where: Nell’s Kampus, 22 Minshull Street, Kampus, Manchester M1 3EF, Nell’s Altrincham, 2 George Street, Altrincham, WA14 1SG, Common, 39-41 Edge Street, Manchester, M4 1HW & The Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Manchester, M21 0BQ.
Must-try: Do You ‘Roni Honey? ‘Nduja, pepperoni, chilli honey, house tomato sauce, mozzarella and parm. Order extra chilli honey for dipping.

Crazy Pedro’s

Someone holding a slice of pepperoni pizza

© Copyright Manchester-List 2026

It’s always a party at Pedro’s. Crazy Pedro’s Late Night Pizza Parlour invented the in vogue trend of pizza joints you can get well oiled at, and they’re still going strong a decade later. Rock up to one of their two venues and you’ll find good vibes, red cups and weird and wonderful flavour combos.

Gochujang & kimchi, fried chicken & waffle, goats cheese & Monster Munch – and don’t get us started on the monthly specials. At Ped’s, it pays to experiment. Order it by the slice or go big with a full 16 inches. And when they serve until 4am, those slices just keep on coming.

Where: Crazy Pedro’s, 55-57 Bridge Street, Manchester, M3 3BQ & Short St, Manchester, M4 1AA.
Must-try: You have to try the monthly special. Past inventions have seen them dabble with chippy teas, chicken kievs and shawarma kebabs. Told you it was weird.

Purezza

Two people eating pizza and drinking wine

Credit: Purezza

Purezza stands out on this list for being Manchester’s only fully-vegan pizza restaurant. But if you think they’re scrimping on flavour, you’re wrong. Their wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizzas have won plaudits amongst vegans and carnivores alike, and it’s easy to see why.

They’ve really nailed their base, which stands up to the likes of Rudy’s, and their tomato sauce is top notch. And when it comes to toppings, there’s everything from pepperoni & agave to a full on roast dinner calzone. Saving the planet sure tastes good.

Where: Purezza, 75-77 High Street, Manchester, M4 1FS.
Must-try: We like to keep it simple with the Marinara Plus to really appreciate the quality of the sauce.

American Pies

The brainchild of comfort food specialists Brewski, American Pies is the kind of place where you’ll forget calories exist. You see, their Chicago deep dish pizzas come stuffed with unholy amounts of cheese, along with a garlic parmesan crust as standard. Two words – cheese pull.

All pizzas come as 7 inches – which with toppings this stacked, is more than enough. As for the toppings, they’re just as decadent, with the likes of pepperoni, spicy sausage and buffalo chicken all on offer. They even serve deep dish garlic bread for the ultimate indulgence. Wear loose pants.

Where: American Pies, 23 Blossom Street, Ancoats, Manchester, M4 5EP.
Must-try: You can’t go wrong with the Classic – mozzarella, parmesan, basil and that chunky marinara sauce.

Ramona

A slice of Detroit-style pizza topped with burrata and a drizzle of honey

Credit: Ramona

Ramona is effortlessly cool. Situated in a former MOT garage, the restaurant-cum-bar-cum-club has carved out a reputation as having one of the best beer gardens in Manchester – but don’t forget, they’re a pizza joint at heart. Served by the slice Detroit-style, theirs pair perfectly with a Marg.

Double fermented air-bubbled focaccia dough results in a thick slice you can sink your teeth into, while cheese-baked crusts deliver a satisfying crunch. As for toppings, there’s plenty to go at, but whichever you choose, be sure to order a pot of hot honey for the ultimate drizzle.

Where: Ramona, 40 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JG.
Must-try: Cali Pepps – pepperoni, burrata, pecorino, hot honey and cheese. A true stunner.

Ciaooo

Head to Ciaooo’s Instagram and you’ll soon learn that these guys know how to make a truly good-looking pizza. Served Neapolitan-style with a big puffy crust, they’re gloriously gooey, ready for folding and loaded with all sorts of lovely toppings.

A self-proclaimed burrata house, nine of their pizzas come with a big ball of creamy burrata on top, and how can you resist? Throw in a nine-strong garlic bread menu and delicacies like their mouth-watering deep fried lasagne and it’s clear they’re not messing around.

Where: Ciaooo, 62-64 Swan Street, Manchester, M4 5JU.
Must-try: Tartuffona – truffle and mushroom sauce, provola, pancetta, mushrooms, truffle oil and burrata.

Cover image © Copyright Manchester-List 2025
Kirsty Allen Senior Writer
Kirsty Allen is a Senior Writer specialising in food, drink and things to do across the North of England. With over three years’ experience creating regional lifestyle and culture content, she has written hundreds of articles for Leeds-List, Manchester-List and Yorkshire-List since joining in 2022, regularly covering new openings, local guides and regional trends across Leeds, Manchester and Yorkshire. More from Kirsty Allen