2026 50 Top Pizza Europe Ranking Revealed
The 2026 edition of the 50 Top Pizza Europe list has been announced, with London's Napoli on the Road securing the top spot for the third consecutive year. The awards ceremony took place in Madrid, and the ranking expanded from 50 to 60 pizzerias, reflecting Europe's growing passion for pizza. No Ukrainian establishments made this prestigious list, although the restaurant Positano had previously been recognized, ranking 30th in 2019 and 34th in 2020-2021.
Winners and Highlights
Led by Michele Pascarella, Napoli on the Road stands out not only for its victory but also for its remarkable journey. Michele started his business in 2016 with a food truck and opened his first permanent location in 2019 in London's Chiswick area. Claiming second place was Baldoria from Madrid, which earned the title of Spain's best pizzeria for the second year in a row. One of Baldoria's secrets to popularity is its dough, which is aged for 48 hours. Third place went to IMperfetto in Puteaux, France.
Gaspare Squiccieri from Pizza Zulu in Fürth, Germany, was named Pizza Maker of the Year. The Pizza of the Year award went to the Marinara from Surt in Copenhagen. As noted,
“all the winning creations have quite airy dough,”and
“rather wide dough crusts,”which may be of interest to those comparing them to pizzas popular among Ukrainians.
Overall, the 2026 50 Top Pizza Europe ranking confirms the high standards of pizza-making across Europe, though Ukrainian restaurants have yet to return to this prestigious list. The recognition of top pizzerias and pizza makers highlights the region's evolving culinary scene, while Ukrainian establishments have an opportunity to refine their recipes and techniques to gain international acclaim in the future.
As the culinary landscape of Europe continues to evolve, the recent recognition of Athens' top bar for 2026 underscores the region's diverse gastronomic offerings. This highlights a growing trend where establishments across Europe are not only competing in pizza-making but also in mixology, showcasing the vibrant food and drink culture that captivates both locals and tourists alike.