Where to Get the Best Pizza in the North East
Treat yourself to a slice of paradise
Wild Fire
From a backyard during lockdown to The Ship Isis to their new home at Hanover Place in Sunderland, Wild Fire continues to be a huge hit with locals – we advise booking ahead as it’s always busy. The team here like to experiment with flavour combinations so stop by and see what’s new. Their Super Bad pizza (topped with miso béchamel, slow cooked bolognese and parmesan) is unbeatable, and there’s a fun range of cocktails, craft beer or natural wine help wash it all down.
Hanover Place, Deptford, Sunderland SR4 6BY
wild-fire.restaurant
Koru
A family-run artisan pizzeria and café in Gosforth, this is a friendly and relaxed spot to enjoy unique and unusual flavour combinations. Their signature pizza, the Koru, is topped with jackfruit, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pomegranate chutney and spinach – delicious!
83B Salters Road, Gosforth NE3 1DU
0191 816 1154
facebook.com/koru
Embers
Operating since 2019, Embers pride themselves on cooking everything via the most traditional method available; 100 percent wood-fired using a traditional wood-fuelled pizza oven that they built themselves. They are known for putting out some of the best and most authentic pizzas in the area and all of their base ingredients such as dough and sauce are made fresh in-house – they even chop and season their own wood to cook with. They have a small but unique outdoor seating area where you get one of the best sunsets around, and you also get to look at two highland cows who roam free in the adjacent field. They’re always experimenting with new toppings from local vendors too. Check their website for opening times and menus as well as upcoming events.
Eleanor’s Byre, Spitalford, Alnwick NE66 3DW
07858 984544
emberswoodfired.co.uk
Pizza Rebels
The passion project of two local lads, this pizzeria has everything covered, from classic toppings to their own bold flavour combinations, with all their pizzas made fresh. There’s also the option to personalise your pizza beyond their signature options and plenty of sweet options too.
16 Park Avenue, Whitley Bay NE26 1DG
pizzarebels.co.uk
Slice
Serving fresh New York-style pizza by the slice, this pizzeria in Sunderland may be small but manages to hold its own. The streamlined menu is regularly updated so keep an eye out for what could be a new favourite.
Unit 59 Market Square, Sunderland SR1 3LE
0191 543 9525
facebook.com/Slice-Sunderland
Knead a Slice
Independent and family-owned, this pizzeria has been serving up contemporary Neapolitan pizza for the past three years. Cosy and relaxed, this is a great spot to split a pizza with friends and the toppings come with a twist including smoked chorizo, tandoori chicken, mint yoghurt, mustard cream bases and more.
29 Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland DL14 7PE
01388 335178
kneadaslice.co.uk
Bawn
Welcoming eager customers since April 2023, Ponteland’s Bawn has quickly and confidently established itself as a go-to spot for pizza in the region. The pizzas here are made New York-style on sourdough – thin, crispy and absolutely delicious. Besides pizza, you can also find a menu filled with small plates designed to be shared (order the ricotta dumplings and thank us later).
11 Main Street, Ponteland NE20 0ES
01661 598054
bawnrestaurant.co.uk
Scream For Pizza
With a sister venue on Newcastle Quayside (and a brand new spot at Sheepfolds Stables in Sunderland) this is a firm favourite for pizza in the North East. The Sandyford location specialises in Neapolitan-style pizza and on the Quayside (and in Sunderland) you’ll find New York-style slices, both equally delicious and with a great range of toppings.
21–25 Starbeck Avenue, Sandyford NE2 1RJ
0191 261 7974
screamforpizza.com
Flint
This spot is popular so we recommend booking in advance to avoid disappointment. Expect delicious, authentic Neapolitan pizza, as well as a list of natural wines, charcuterie and small plates. We personally can’t get enough of the new n’duja pizza with chilli and charred pineapple.
218A Chillingham Road, Heaton NE6 5LP
07858 149970
flintpizza.co.uk
No. Twenty Three
The dough at this laid-back restaurant is made fresh every day in-house, topped with authentic Italian ingredients, and cooked in a flash in their woodfired pizza oven. Pizza always goes best with wine so be sure to explore their range of bottles when you visit.
23 Milton Street, Saltburn TS12 1DJ
no23miltonstreet.co.uk
Square
Taking a different approach to other pizzerias around, Square offer deliciously deep Detroit-style pizzas, fluffy in the middle and served by the square slice. The Bada Bing pizza is our favourite – topped with garlic and fennel sausage, candied jalapeños, shaved parmesan, whipped ricotta and red onion. There’s a good range of craft beers on offer here too.
1 Market Street, Newcastle NE1 6JE
0191 933 3519
hiptoeatsquare.com
Up North Pizzeria & Deli
The first spot to offer authentic Neapolitan-style pizza in South Shields, Up North started as a pizza van during lockdown before setting up shop permanently on the North East coast. The menus here are seasonal with toppings that go beyond your standard margherita or pepperoni. The Summer Forest pizza with miso butter oyster mushrooms and sesame chilli oil is to die for.
Westoe Crown Village, South Shields NE33 3PE
upnorthpizzaco.co.uk
