by Leighanne Bent

Searching for the perfect pizza is like searching for the perfect soulmate – tough and at the best of times, heart-breaking. To get your fill of the best slices out there, we got in touch with DesignMyNight. From slices the size of your face to BBQ beauties, here’s where to get your guilty pleasure fix across LDN…

Ray’s Bar

Ray’s Bar is a retro hangout in Dalston that spins vinyl records all night long. On top of that they have a four-course cocktail menu to satisfy the fussiest of drinkers. As if that wasn’t enough to have you running their way, you can order pizza from the pizzeria upstairs. The slices are the size of your face and come with every topping imaginable. The King Tubby is a meaty masterpiece, topped with fennel and chilli sausage, kale, caramelised onions, vine cherry tomatoes, and fistfuls of mozzarella.

Tank and Paddle

Tank and Paddle take massive pride in their pizza paddles – they’ve got eight. Topped with pulled chicken, smoky bacon and BBQ sauce, the Holy Smokes is one of their most popular options, but veggie fans should look out for the Billy Goat’s Stuffed. If you’re feeling playful and need an excuse to stay out until the last tube, they have giant jenga and shuffleboard to keep you entertained.

Old Street Records

If your idea of the perfect date night involves pizza and cocktails, Old Street Records is about to become your new sanctuary. Every week, from Monday to Wednesday, you can get two pizzas and two cocktails for just £15. Their Margherita is the business with just the right amount of cheese on top and a crispy, thin base.

Dream Bag Jaguar Shoes

Known amongst London’s foodie elite as ‘the best pizza they’ve ever shoved in their mouths’ – nowhere quite does pizza like Dream Bag Jaguar Shoes. They serve theirs by the metre too, giving you an excuse to gather the squad for a night out. Choose from spicy salami with fresh chillies or anchovies and capers and get ready for some life changing slices.

Bounce

Whether you have the worst hand-eye coordination in the family or you’ve got the reflexes of a trained ninja, put your skills to the test this month and make tracks for Bounce in Shoreditch. They have a tonne of ping pong tables to bat your way around and the best pizzas to keep your energy levels up. With everything from buffalo mozzarella topped Margheritas to signature bases with kashmiri chicken on the menu, you’ll have a great time regardless of your batting abilities.

Trade Union

Trade Union specialise in New york-inspired pizza and they use techniques from some of the best Italian pizzerias in Brooklyn – so you know you’re in for some mouth-watering slices here. The Smoked Fiorentina Scamorza is hand rolled then topped with baby spinach, pine nut and soft baked egg before going into the oven, and although it’s the strangest sounding option on the menu, it’s one of the tastiest. We almost forgot to mention that Trade Union have an indoor slide, so you slip and slide to your heart’s content until your food arrives.

Mayfair Pizza Co.

If you’ve got something special coming up and want to celebrate with pizza, Mayfair Pizza Co is where you need to go. It might be a little pricy but it’s more than worth the dent in your bank balance. Play around with their toppings section and create your own or go for one of their own dishes. If you’re meat mad and seriously hungry, the Crane comes crammed with salami, chorizo, prosciutto and pulled pork.

Heist Bank

Experimental pizza has found a home at London’s Heist Bank. Ditch the pepperoni, you’ll find all kinds of toppings here; think cauliflower, Jerusalem artichoke and cashel blue cheese. Step out of your pizza comfort zone this month and get curious with their cheesy works of art.

Pizza Pilgrims

Known as the pizza playground of London, Pizza Pilgrims in West India Quay have a pinball machine, a 16-player foosball table, a Nintendo games console and a large outdoor terrace ideal for al fresco drinks come summer. Their Portobello and truffle pizza is meant to be AMAZING but the Calzone Ripeno is what you need to order if your hunger has reached a new level of ridiculous. It’s packed with Napoli salami, ricotta and mushroom, and topped with tomato, fior di latte and parmesan.

Fire and Stone

Fire and Stone are more than ready to compete with the big dogs thanks to their ‘Truly Unique Global Pizza’ section. Before opening their doors, they travelled the word to create slices inspired by places like New York and Mumbai. Take your taste buds on a trip around the world (without the price tag) and order their Marrakech pizza – it has a naan base and comes topped with hummus and pomegranate.

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