Pizza Pilgrims has finally landed in Manchester and is offering 1,000 free slices this week to mark the launch
The brand new pizza restaurant opens in Manchester city centre next week(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“We want people to come into our restaurant and feel like they’re in Napoli for an hour,” says Joshua Rogers, the General Manager at Pizza Pilgrims, a brand-new dining spot in Manchester City Centre.
“Customers can come down and be so distracted by what’s going on inside the restaurant that they’re not worrying about what’s going on beyond the doors,” he continues.
It’s an ambitious and bold aim at a time where our attention is constantly being directed towards social media updates and global news developments, but take one step inside the new Manchester site and its hard to take your eyes off the colourful interiors, bold wall art and SSC Napoli football shirts hanging from the clothes line.
The brand started in 2011 as the street food scene was taking off in London, and brothers James and Thom Elliot, after a few pints in their local boozer, decided they wanted to get involved.
The new Pizza Pilgrims site on Deansgate in Manchester (Image: Pizza Pilgrims )
They took it upon themselves to fly to the toe-end of Italy, pick up a three-wheel Piaggio Ape van and drive the 4,500km back to London, stopping off along the way at all the best pizza destinations. The Pilgrimage, as it became known, was born.
After learning all they could about the true art of pizza making, they began serving their pizza at London’s famed Berwick Street Market.
The first permanent Pizza Pilgrims pizzeria launched in Soho in 2013, and they now have over 25 pizzerias across the UK, including Cardiff and Edinburgh.
“Pizza Pilgrims have been looking to come to Manchester for quite a few years now but the key was finding the absolute perfect location,” adds Josh.
The new Pizza Pilgrims site on Deansgate in Manchester (Image: Pizza Pilgrims )
“This location in perfect. Right in the heart of the city, in a beautiful, old listed building where it’s just three floors of pizza heaven.”
Located at 105-107 Deansgate, the former La Vina tapas bar, the vast space has been completely transformed.
The new Manchester pizzeria features 140 covers across a ground-floor and mezzanine dining space, as well as a show-stopping blue Fiat Panda Pop bar, offering a one-of-a-kind spot to enjoy classic cocktails, spritzes and even a Maradona Margarita.
An iconic portrait of the legendary footballer created by world famous Manchester-born artist and illustrator Stan Chow will adorn the restaurant’s walls soon too, with the goal of connecting the cities of Manchester and Naples together in a unique and iconic piece of art.
The new Pizza Pilgrims site on Deansgate in Manchester (Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“We’re so excited to finally be here in Manchester,” adds James Elliott, co-founder of Pizza Pilgrims.
“We wanted to make the space feel truly a part of the city and we’ve loved getting to know so many great people over the last few weeks.
“Our collaboration with Stan Chow is a real highlight for me. Taking Stan over to Napoli last week to plaster up a giant poster of his Maradona portrait for us in the heart of the city and to have a matching poster in our pizzeria in Manchester feels like a special way to bring the two cities together.”
The artist has also immortalised the Neapolitan food partners that make up the ‘holy trinity’ of the Pizza Pilgrims experience – Giovanni Amodio from Latteria Sorrentina (cheese supplier), Antimo Caputo from Caputo Flour Mill and Giuseppe Napoletano of Solania supplier of San Mazono D.O.P. Tomatoes.
The new Manchester pizzeria features 140 covers across a ground-floor and mezzanine dining space, as well as a show-stopping blue Fiat Panda Pop bar(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
The portraits will soon be displayed in the Pizza Pilgrims’ top floor masterclass kitchen where the producers behind the pizza magic will give guests the chance to get involved in the pizza making action.
The masterclass kitchen provides an unforgettable ‘Dough It Yourself’ experience, led by Pizza Pilgrims’ experienced pizzaiolos bringing the opportunity to feast and finesse your dough-stretching skills seven days a week.
“There’s such a wonderful pizza scene in Manchester with some really established Manchester-born brands and I do think that we fit into that group of pizzerias even though Pizza Pilgrims started in London,” reflects Josh.
“Ground floor we have a beautiful restaurant and kitchen, but also a really unique area with the Fiat Panda car, an old-school Italian motor that we’ve sawn in half and put a bar inside.
The new Manchester pizzeria features 140 covers across a ground-floor and mezzanine dining space, as well as a pizza Masterclass room on the top floor(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“Then we have the mezzanine a next level up that seats 90 people, which is for day-to-day and events.
“And finally our third floor which I’m really proud of which is the home of our Masterclass Kitchen, this is where people will be able to book on and do a pizza masterclass with our head chef Carlo.
“He will take guests through the pizza journey, talking through the ingredients and then there’s a chance for them to make their own pizzas whilst also having that dining experience too.
“It’s quite unique, no one in Manchester is really do this, and we think people are going to love it.”
The new Pizza Pilgrims site in Manchester(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Launching with Pizza Pilgrims’ brand-new summer menu, alongside seasoned classics, Manchester can expect a flavour-packed line-up of dishes that spotlight the unbeatable ingredients of Napoli.
The Amalfi Coast pizza sets the standard with Cetaran DOP anchovies, Piennolo tomatoes, Fior di Latte mozzarella, olives, capers, and basil.There’s also the indulgent Principessa pizza, stacked with Prosciutto di Parma DOP, Piennolo di Vesuvio DOP tomatoes, 24-month Parmigiano-Reggiano DOP, Mozzarella di Bufala DOP, and extra virgin olive oil.
And it’s not all about pizza though. Diner can start their meal with the antipasti plate of wafer-thin, black pepper-smoked Napoli salami, or keep it fresh with the Burrata Caprese, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil.
Launching with Pizza Pilgrims’ brand-new summer menu, alongside seasoned classics, Manchester can expect a flavour-packed line-up of dishes that spotlight the unbeatable ingredients of Napoli(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
Alongside the new menu items, there’s of course space for the fan-favourites such as the Margherita, Salsiccia e Friarielli, and the sweet-and-spicy Double Pepperoni & Hot Honey, as well as the more infamous specialities.
“Pizza Pilgrims go all in on classic Neapolitan pizza but we do also throw some things in there that are unique and make people try something different, such as the Carbonara Pizza which is white base, guanciale bacon, Pecorino, black pepper and spaghetti to add extra flavour and texture.
“We also have one for the meat lovers in the form of ‘You’ve Got Maiale’ with Nduja, Italian sausage, San Marzano tomato, FDL mozzarella, red onion and balsamic glaze.
“For me the thing that stands out alongside the pizzas are the sides. So we have our smoked mozzarella bites made in house every say, then we have the Cacio e Pepe balls, crispy spaghetti balls with Pecorino and black pepper that are deep fried.”
Pizza Pilgrims’ top floor masterclass kitchen where the producers behind the pizza magic will give guests the chance to get involved in the pizza making action(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
For afters, Italian classics like Tiramisu are on the boards, as well as Sicilian Lemon Sorbet, served in its own skin as it is in Naples. There’s the indulgent ring of pizza dough stuffed full of Nutella and ricotta that’s baked in our oven available too, plus Pistachio Affogato, Gelato, and the Ambassador’s Espresso Martini shaken with Frangelico liqueur and served with chocolate and hazelnut rime, and Ferrero Rocher.
Drinks wise, there’s classic Negronis, Aperol and Campari Spritz, Italian Cherry Soda, Daquiris, Margaritas and plenty of wine and Prosecco options.
The cocktails have had an added glow-up too, including the Watermelon & Strawberry Daiquiri and the fiery Spicy Pineapple Margarita.
“Our owners James and Thom have spent a huge amount of time over the years in Naples and they’re really passionate about our sodas, so the peach-iced tea, they do something similar to that in Naples but we’ve done our own take.
The new Pizza Pilgrims Manchester opens on Monday, August 18(Image: Jason Roberts /Manchester Evening News)
“Then there’s the Pilgrim Spritz with Pococello Limoncello that’s made specifically for the restaurants from a supplier in Italy, and everything really complementary the pizzas.”
Pizza Pilgrims’ soft launches take place this week, from 11 – 17 August with 50% off food if you book online. There will also be 1,000 free slices up for grabs on Wednesday, 13 August.
The dedicated masterclass kitchen is a place for groups, families and anyone who loves pizza. It is now available to book.
Pizza Pilgrims officially opens on Monday, 18 August at 105 Deansgate, M3 2BQ. Manchester City Centre.