Pizza on the Park, though only four years old, exudes a charming, timeless atmosphere. Situated just off the top of Park Street, this spot has a rich past, once housing one of the earliest branches of the national Pizza Express chain before closing during the pandemic.
The restaurant’s spacious design showcases an open kitchen and a pizza oven as its centerpiece, maintaining a nod to its Pizza Express heritage. Yet, fresh touches like red leather booths, vibrant neon ‘pizza’ signs, and striking local artwork give it a lively new personality, as noted by Bristol Live.
An unexpected highlight is the eight-person Bonzino foosball table, free for guests to enjoy. This feature keeps children entertained and likely offers some mid-shift fun for the kitchen staff.
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Adding a nostalgic charm is the vintage revolving door at the entrance, a leftover from Pizza Express days. It has become a source of lighthearted family pranks, trapping unsuspecting visitors and sparking laughter—an amusing metaphor for the restaurant’s refreshing blend of past and present.
Unlike the door, the kitchen team has remained steady, a rarity in the hospitality world. Led by Sicilian head chef Carlo and supported by Federico from Sardinia, Antonio from Naples, and Fabrizo from Emilia Romagna, the team brings authentic Italian roots to every dish.
The menu, frequently updated, recently introduced the Primavera pizza (£19), adorned with mozzarella, spicy Gorgonzola, English asparagus, Roman artichokes, lemon zest, and pea shoots.
Our meal began with crispy fried artichokes (£7), perfectly non-greasy and paired with mint and lemon aioli, followed by a small sardine pizzetta (£8.50) featuring tomato sauce, garlic, black olives, and smoked sardines.
With 14 pizza choices ranging from an affordable classic Margherita (£11.50) to the bold Calabrian Hot (£18), each pizza is crafted in the Neapolitan style. The thin crusts are crisp yet chewy, thanks to slow dough fermentation.
Standouts included the anchovy and garlic pizza (£15), topped with olives and capers, and the Parma ham and rocket pizza (£17.50), rich with Parmesan shavings and Sicilian olive oil. Both had light bases and generous toppings, delighting every bite.
Beyond pizza, the menu offers tempting pasta dishes like prawn puttanesca (£17.50) and Mafaldine pasta with black truffle and mascarpone (£17), pleasing pasta lovers as well.
For dessert, the limoncello tiramisu (£7) offered a fresh, citrusy twist on the classic, layered with limoncello-soaked sponge, whipped mascarpone, pistachios, and lemon zest—a perfect finale.
Generous portions, genuine Italian flavors, and reasonable prices have established Pizza on the Park as one of Bristol’s premier pizza destinations. Despite its origins as a Pizza Express, it has successfully reinvented itself, gaining a loyal local following.
Indeed, Pizza on the Park has come full circle—much like its entertaining revolving door.
