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Napoli on the Road tops 50 Top Pizza’s world ranking for 2026
Michele Pascarella's pizzeria began as a market van in 2016. Another London restaurant, 50 Kalò, came 23rd on the same list.
Key facts
- Napoli on the Road came first in 50 Top Pizza's 2026 world ranking, ahead of 31 pizzerias in Italy
- It has three London branches; the first opened in Chiswick in September 2019
- 50 Kalò at The Grand, Trafalgar Square, came 23rd
- The pizzeria was named Europe's best from 2024 to 2026
A pizzeria that started life as a market van is the best in the world for 2026, according to the 50 Top Pizza guide. Napoli on the Road, which has three London restaurants, beat 31 pizzerias in Italy to first place.
The chef and owner is Michele Pascarella. He is from Naples and has made pizza since he was 11. The guide says its inspectors always visit anonymously.
Second place went to Una Pizza Napoletana in New York, run by Anthony Mangieri. Third was Confine in Milan, which Francesco Capece and Mario Ventura run together.
Two pizzerias tied for fourth. One is Francesco Martucci’s I Masanielli in Caserta. The other is Seu Pizza Illuminati in Rome. Fifth place was shared too, with Pizzeria Sei in Los Angeles level with Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco.
A second London pizzeria in the world top 50
50 Kalò, inside The Grand at Trafalgar Square, came 23rd. It also picked up a special mention in the guide’s Best Fried Food 2026 category.
From a market van to three London restaurants
Pascarella came to the UK at 19. He worked in several kitchens, among them Sartori in Soho. In 2016 he set up on his own, selling wood-fired pizza from a Piaggio Ape van at farmers’ markets. That van gave the business its name.
He opened his first permanent restaurant in Chiswick in September 2019. A Richmond branch followed in June 2023. The Soho restaurant opened in February 2026.
Top Pizza has honoured the business before. It was named Europe’s best pizzeria three years running, from 2024 to 2026. In 2023 Pascarella won an individual award as the top pizza chef anywhere in the world.
Key questions
Where are Napoli on the Road's London restaurants?
It has three branches, in Chiswick, Richmond and Soho.
Who runs Napoli on the Road?
Michele Pascarella, a chef from Naples. He started the business in 2016, selling pizza at farmers' markets from a Piaggio Ape van.
Did any other London pizzeria make the 2026 world list?
Yes. 50 Kalò at The Grand, Trafalgar Square, came 23rd and got a special mention for fried food.
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