We’re talking double-fermented sourdough to Fior di Latte mozzarella, the pizza options in Leeds leave you feeling like you’ve stepped onto the cobbled streets of Rome.
When you’re in that mood, nothing beats an expertly cooked cheesy pizza.
From the delicious dough to the savoury sauce and the endless possibilities of toppings, creating that top tier pizza pie is a tough challenge that we think lot’s of spots in Leeds have mastered.
But of course finding that perfect slice for you can be hard, so we’ve rounded up ten places in and around Leeds where you can try to find it – in no particular order.
1. Rudy’s
With two locations already in Leeds and a third opening very soon in Headingley, Rudy’s had to come top of the list for bringing a taste of Italy to Leeds.
Known for bringing a true Italian feast, with fresh pizzas made using Caputo ‘00’ flour (which ferments for at least 24 hours), with quality ingredients imported from Naples, including the likes of San Marzano tomatoes grown on fields next to Mount Vesuvius, and Fior di Latte mozzarella. We cannot recommend enough drizzling their hot chilli honey over your pizza crusts, absolutely delicious. Wash it all down with a classic Aperol Spritz or Campari soda, and you’ve got the perfect combination.
Where to find them: New Station Street & Stainbeck Lane
2. Dough Boys
For anyone who spends their weekends chilling out in Belgrave Music Hall, you’ll know the pure joy of ordering a slice of Dough Boys.
Describing themselves as having a ‘love affair with dough’ they are famous in Leeds for their slices and pies with some delicious innovative flavours as well as the loved classic. The pizzas are hand stretched using all fresh ingredients, sourced from local producers. The crowd favourite slice is the ‘Salami of Darkness’ with salsiccia piccante, salami napoli and house pickled chilis.
You can grab slices for half price Sunday to Thursday until 7pm.
Where to find them: Belgrave Music Hall, Cross Belgrave Street
3. Livin’ Italy
Speaking of feeling like you’ve taken a quick holiday over to Italy, the motto here is ‘live life more Italian’ and we are here for it. Livin’ Italy specialise in authentic Italian food, and they do it very well.
They’ve got a great selection including a spicy pizza with tomato sauce, goat cheese, mozzarella fiordilatte, grated parmesan, Calabrian chilli sausage ‘Nduja, and spicy salami spianata. These kind of flavours, you won’t find anywhere else in Leeds. Looking for something more classic? We’d recommend with mozzarella fiordilatte, pecorino romano, goat cheese, grated parmesan, sweet gorgonzola, walnut crumble & fried sage.
Where to find them: Granary Wharf
4. Franco Manca
Since opening in Leeds in 2109, Leeds has taken well to this London-born pizza spot and it’s easy to see why.
The dough is made on site every day, a slow-rising sourdough that makes even the most basic pizza here unreal. The menu is kept simple with just 8 pizzas to choose from, but you won’t struggle to find something perfect for you. From a classic organic tomato, garlic, basil & oregano to the more unusual Yellowfin tuna with wilted spinach and Kalamata black olives.
Where to find them: Trinity street
5. Pizza Loco
So you’re off into Roundhay Park for a wonderful walk but now you’re getting a bit peckish… head straight to Pizza Loco.
Offering a huge selection of classic and unusual toppings, Pizza Loco source many of their ingredients locally and showcase local products like cured meats from the North Yorkshire border and award-winning local cheeses. Their pizza sandwiches, available until 3pm, are the perfect lunchtime indulgence and are made with their homemade bread that they have spent years perfecting. Vegan readers will be happy to hear they have a stunning vegan N’duja on offer, and we can’t seem to find that anywhere else in Leeds? But the best thing on the menu for us, the hot honey drizzle which you can add to any pizza if you any – and you should!
Where to find them: Roundhay Road
6. Poco
Fried Sicilian calzone and Pizza Al Taglio have become a Leeds foodie staple all because of POCO.
The flavours here are imaginative, but authentic. Think spicy Calabrian ‘Nduja sausage with roast peppers and mozzarella, pear and gorgonzola or even ham and potatoes (and by potatoes, we mean mini fries) across huge oblong slices of pizza; with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options to compliment the seemingly never-ending selection. It makes for the perfect takeaway lunch.
Where to find them: Kirkstall Road & Otley Road
7. BOX
BOX might be known as Leeds’ premier sports bar brand, but they’re also just as loved for their epic pizzas – and you can even get them in a whopping 18-inches.
Made with proper Italian San Marzano tomatoes and Fior de latte mozzarella, the standard pizzas come as 12-inches but you can also go XXL with a selection of 18-inch bad boys when you’re really. ‘Must tries’ include a veggie goats cheese and caramelized onion creation and a crispy fried katsu chicken pizza, laden with Japanese katsu curry sauce, fior de latte, crispy fried chicken, roast sweet peppers, spring onion, mango chutney, coriander and chillies.
Where to find them: Infirmary Street
8. Waterlane Boat House
Not just famous for hosting arguably Leeds’ best quiz night or the huge ourdoor terrace looking over the canal, Waterlane Boat House are excellent at making pizza.
Their pizza dough is made using just three ingredients: Organic Yorkshire flour, water and salt – that makes it a proper Yorkshire pizza doesn’t it? The Spinach & Blue Cheese is a real crowd favourite; San Marzano, fior di latte, spinach, blue cheese, mushroom, red onion with crumbled walnuts. But if you’re a simple pizza girly then you have Marinara, Margherita and Pepperoni to enjoy.
Pizzas are 50% every Sunday, or free if you’re joining in on the quiz.
Where to find them: Water Lane
9. Roxy Ball Room
Leeds’ most-loved gaming bar are also guilty of producing a class pizza.
There’s a whole feast of options to choose from- we’re talking seven different options, each with its own bragging rights. Besides your standard margarita and pepperoni options (which certainly shouldn’t be underestimated), the hand rolled Italian pizza options include a spicy buffalo chicken pizza with salt and pepper chicken, jalapeños, buffalo sauce and topped with rocket or a garlic sausage with cheesy mozzarella and sausage with a garlic butter base.
The Meat Feast should be reserved for those looking for a standout showstopper: packed with mozzarella, sausage, salt and pepper chicken, pepperoni, spring onion all topped with a generous drizzling of maple and bourbon BBQ sauce.
Where to find them: Boar Lane & Merrion Street
10. Pizza Punks
These San-Franciscan sourdough experts are famous for excellent value-for-money options in Leeds.
Known for its 48-hour double-fermented sourdough pizzas, with toppings that include the likes of full English breakfast and cheeseburgers. They also offer some solid veggie and vegan options, for those who don’t eat meat at the new pizza place on Bond Street. Pizza Punks have a build you own style menu so you can pick your base sauce, your cheese and all your own toppings to create the perfect pizza for you.
Where to find them: Bond Street
Read more: 10 of the most romantic things to do in Leeds this Valentine’s Day
Feature image: The Hoot Leeds
