It’s sometimes the unplanned meals that surprise you. A last-minute change of plans had us wandering around Queensway one evening, which is how we ended up at Rudy’s Pizza Napoletana. We hadn’t meant to find pizza that night—but we did.
Rudy’s started in Manchester back in 2015 and has since spread across the UK. Despite being a pretty large chain, it keeps its focus on proper Neapolitan dough and simplicity. The Queensway location is set in a converted bank with high arched ceilings and exposed brick, the perfect setting for a Neapolitan pizzeria. From the bar, you can see the pizzaioli stretching dough and sliding pizzas into the oven, the whole room glowing from the fire.
We ordered cocktails first—a boozy lemonade with gin and a Malfy gin and tonic—both refreshing and light enough to go with pizza. The short wine list is straightforward, all Italian and all available by the glass, which keeps things easy.
The dough is what makes Rudy’s work. It’s made fresh daily with Caputo 00 flour, left to ferment for 24 hours, and cooked in a scorching oven for just over a minute. The result is the real thing: soft, blistered edges and that light, chewy texture that keeps you reaching for another slice.
We ordered the Cinghiale, topped with wild boar salame, ’nduja, roquito peppers, and fresh chili, along with a special inspired by Una Pizza Napoletana in New York—fennel sausage, friarielli, scamorza, and Pecorino. That hit a nostalgic note for us because when we lived in San Francisco, we used to go to Una Pizza Napoletana, where Anthony Mangieri made what we still think is one of the best pizzas in the world. He’s back in New York now, and it’s clear Rudy’s has studied that same level of precision and care.
The pizzas weren’t overly spicy, though chili oil is there if you want to turn up the heat. More importantly, the balance of crust, sauce, and toppings felt right. Unlike a lot of fast-growing pizza chains, Rudy’s hasn’t lost its focus or quality.
If you’re craving real Neapolitan pizza in London, Rudy’s is worth the stop. Most locations also delivers, but it’s best in person. It’s casual, welcoming, and exactly the kind of place you wish you stumbled upon more often.