Where to eat the best pizza in Europe

One of the most popular dishes in the world is undoubtedly pizza. Whether spicy salami pizza, controversial Hawaiian pizza or classic margherita - there is a topping to suit every taste.

Italy, the birthplace of pizza, is considered a Mecca for pizza fans. But other cities in Europe can also keep up.

The best cities to eat pizza in Europe

The holiday apartment portal Holidu has used Google Maps data to analyse where to find the best pizza in Europe. The study analyses the number of restaurants with more than 4.5 stars on Google and shows which cities have the most top-rated pizzerias in relation to their population. All European cities with more than 500,000 inhabitants were taken into account.

1. Turin - 13.63 restaurants per 100,000 inhabitants

The best-rated pizzeria in Europe is - how could it be otherwise - in Italy. However, it is not Nepal that is considered the birthplace of pizza, but Turin in northern Italy.

The special varieties "Pizza al tegamino", a thick, fluffy pizza baked in a pan, and "Pizza al padellino", a thin, crispy pizza, have their origins there.

Pizzeria tip: Pizzeria Fratelli Roselli. Thousands of reviews in Italian show that this pizzeria is authentic and not a tourist trap. The restaurant has received a total of 2,961 reviews and an average rating of 4.6 stars on Google Maps. A recommendation is, for example, "Bufala Campana" or one of the vegan options such as "Pataveg".

2. Nuremberg - 11.66 restaurants per 100,000 inhabitants

In the competition for the tastiest pizza in Europe, a German city has made it to second place. Nuremberg, the second largest city in Bavaria, boasts the best-rated and most popular pizzerias in the country. With over 61 entries on Google Maps rated with 4.5 stars or more, the city offers an impressive selection that has won multiple taste tests. Particularly recommended is the Pizza Flammkuchen - a thin, crispy pizza with sour cream, bacon and onions that epitomises Nuremberg's culinary individuality.

Pizzeria tip: La Commedia Pizzeria Restaurant. If you love classic Italian wood-fired pizzas in a cosy atmosphere, this is the place for you. The restaurant is also a good choice for travellers with special dietary requirements, as all the pizzas on the menu can be prepared gluten-free. One critic even claims that it is the "undisputed best pizza in the whole of Nuremberg".

3. Rome - 11.43 restaurants per 100,000 inhabitants

The Italian capital Rome has always been a popular holiday destination. The most delicious pizzas can also be found there, as the study shows. You should try the "pizza al taglio", a rectangular pizza that is cut into slices and sold by weight, or the "pizza romana", a thin, crispy pizza with a high crust. A classic on all menus in Rome is the "capricciosa" with a topping of ham, mushrooms, olives, artichokes, an egg and tomatoes.

4. Lyon - 11.30 restaurants per 100,000 inhabitants

Fourth place goes to the French city of Lyon. There, the pizza tradition merges with French cuisine using local products. If you want to get to know the typical flavours of the region, you should try the "Pizza Lyonnaise" - a pizza topped with cream, cheese and bacon - or the "Pizza Savoyarde", which has a special flavour thanks to the harmonious combination of cheese, potatoes and ham.

Pizzeria-Tipp: La Scala Siciliana. The family-run Italian restaurant has 1,720 reviews and 4.7 stars. In the heart of Lyon, it serves pizza as well as other popular dishes such as Sicilian antipasti and traditional tiramisu. One of the best pizzas is the "Chèvre-Miel", which is topped with goat's cheese and honey.

5. Dortmund - 10.74 restaurants per 100,000 inhabitants

The second German city to make it into the top five is Dortmund. The city, which is better known as an industrial and football city, is also a hotspot for gourmets according to this study. However, there are also hearty dishes such as the "Pizza Döner", a pizza with Turkish meat, salad and sauce, or the "Pizza Mett", a pizza with raw minced pork, seasoned with salt and pepper.

Pizzeria-Tipp: 60 Seconds to Napoli. This restaurant has over 6,000 reviews and a very good average rating of 4.5 stars. Pizza tips to try and savour are "Don Diablo", suitable for lovers of spices, or the "Vegan Salami", for those on a meat-free diet.

Rising prices for pizzas in Europe

Inflation in Germany remains at a high level. Food prices are a major driver of this. The price of pizzas has also risen.

This is shown by a comparison of consumer prices for pizza and quiche in December 2023 compared to December 2022 based on Eurostat data. According to the study, the coveted foods have become around ten per cent more expensive in Germany during this period. In neighbouring Austria and in the popular holiday destination of Croatia, the price increase is at a similar level to that in Germany. In Hungary, prices even rose by 13.4 per cent, while they remained almost constant in Denmark. In the Netherlands, classic convenience foods became slightly cheaper. This refers to pre-prepared foods such as frozen meals. On average across all 27 EU countries, prices for pizza and quiche rose by 5.9 per cent.

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