Napoli on the Road, Richmond, London: restaurant review
After a long autumnal walk in South West London’s beautiful Richmond Park, what could be more appealing than pizza? If you think like me then you’re in luck, as Napoli on the Road has recently opened up a new branch right there.
The moment I opened the door, the smell of the fresh dough baking in the oven very much confirmed that a post-stroll pizza was the perfect decision.
Greeted warmly by the staff, I immediately felt welcome and at home. In fact, throughout my whole visit, I experienced one of the friendliest and most attentive services I’ve had, with staff members sharing their knowledge of the menu and providing personal recommendations.
The restaurant itself is understated, comfortable and relaxed. It appeared to be a real crowd-pleaser, with a mix of families, couples and friends, and it makes a nice date spot as much as a perfect place to catch up with the girls.
Hungry, indecisive and impressed by the delicious-sounding menu, I chose a range of different starters. I also couldn’t say no to the suggested drink pairings, which turned out to be a real highlight.
The Frittatina - deep fried bucatini pasta, one filled with courgette cream and one with bechamel and ham - were surprisingly light and moreish. Another deep-fried treat was the Suppli, similar to arancini, filled with cacio & pepe sauce and another with basil pesto cream.
Of course, I couldn’t come to an Italian restaurant without trying the parmigiana di melanzane. Always a favourite, this did not disappoint. The aubergine was melty, mozzarella oozy and tomato sauce rich and basil-y. My glass of red made the perfect accompaniment.
Despite being more than happy to clear every last morsel from my plate, I still managed to save some room for the main event. Founder and head chef of Napoli On The Road, Michele Pascarella, scored the coveted prize of Global Pizza Maker of the Year 2023, and I couldn’t wait to see why…
Crispy around the edges, chewy in the middle and with the perfect amount of toppings, the pizza was without a doubt the best I’ve had in London. From the Classic menu, I went for the Capricciosa, with salty olives, grilled artichokes, salami and cotto ham. While always my go-to, the quality of ingredients made this one truly outstanding.
I also had to try one of the Signatures, and was recommended the Cheesewick. With no less than five different types of cheese, it was as rich as you can imagine and I immediately understood why this pizza has firmly held its place on the seasonally changing menu.
Even though I was stuffed full of pizza, the dessert menu was too enticing to say no to, especially since everything was homemade. The pistachio tiramisu was an interesting take on the classic: nutty, decadent and creamy. But my favourite was the Ricotta e Pera - a hazelnut sponge, light layer of ricotta and whipped cream, and perfectly cooked syrupy pear. Alongside a thoughtfully chosen dessert wine, this made the perfect end to an evening that exceeded my already high expectations.
This spot is one I will be coming back to for sure, well worth a detour and should be added to the must-visit list of any pizza lover!
Lily Wilkinson was a guest of Napoli on the Road in Richmond, London.