Portsmouth punches well above its weight for pizza, and most of the best of it is squeezed into a few streets of Southsea. Narrowing a city full of good dough down to a ranked handful took plenty of happy research, and these are the places worth the calories.
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Below are our favourites, ranked, with what each one does well and where it falls short. We have kept prices general because they change often, and we have stuck to places you can actually rely on.
1. Sourdough Teds
Sourdough Teds built its name on slow-proved sourdough bases, and it is the pizza most Southsea locals name first. The long ferment gives the crust that light, blistered, slightly tangy character, and the kitchen leans on a short list of well-chosen toppings rather than a sprawling menu. You will find it around Albert Road, the heart of Southsea’s food scene, with takeaway and delivery as well as eating in.
Why it works
- a properly fermented sourdough base with real flavour;
- a tight, well-judged menu rather than fifty toppings;
- consistent quality that keeps regulars coming back;
- right in the middle of Albert Road for a night out;
- takeaway and delivery as well as a sit-down option.
Where it dips
- the short menu will not suit anyone after an obscure topping;
- it gets busy at weekends, so expect a wait;
- not the cheapest slice in the city.
Our pick of the lot. If you only try one pizza in Portsmouth, make it this one.
2. Circolo Pizzeria
Circolo is a small Italian on Osborne Road that has been quietly turning out fresh, made-to-order pizzas for more than a decade. The bases are thin and authentic, the toppings are good quality, and there is a proper spread of antipasti, pasta and Italian drinks alongside. Lunch deals and regular offers make it one of the better value sit-down options in Southsea.
Why it works
- fresh, made-to-order pizzas with a thin authentic base;
- more than ten years of practice behind the kitchen;
- antipasti, pasta and a proper drinks list too;
- regular lunch deals and offers;
- a handy Osborne Road spot near the seafront.
Where it dips
- it is small, so booking is wise at busy times;
- the wider menu can distract from the pizzas.
A dependable, good-value Italian that rarely puts a foot wrong.
3. Giuseppe’s
Step off Kent Road into Giuseppe’s and the room does its best to transport you to Italy, with panelled walls and paintings of Italian scenes. It is the work of Giuseppe Mascia, who ran the much-missed Pizza House in Hilsea for years, and the menu runs well beyond pizza into pasta, meat and fish. There is even a house Southsea pizza for the curious.
Why it works
- a warm, proper sit-down restaurant atmosphere;
- run by an owner with a long pizza pedigree;
- a broad Italian menu, not just pizza;
- a house Southsea pizza you will not find elsewhere;
- good for a relaxed dinner rather than a quick slice.
Where it dips
- more restaurant than pizzeria, so prices sit a little higher;
- less suited to a fast takeaway.
The one to choose when you want to sit down and make an evening of it.
4. Mamma Mia Pizzeria
Also on Osborne Road, Mamma Mia is a straightforward neighbourhood pizzeria that keeps turning up on locals’ lists of favourites. It does the classics well at a fair price, with generous toppings and a friendly, no-fuss approach. It is the sort of place you end up going back to without ever quite planning to.
Why it works
- reliable classic pizzas at a fair price;
- generous with the toppings;
- a friendly, unpretentious neighbourhood feel;
- easy to reach on Osborne Road.
Where it dips
- nothing especially adventurous on the menu;
- the room is simple rather than stylish;
- it can be quiet midweek.
A solid local that does the basics right.
5. Dice Pizza
Up in Hilsea on London Road, Dice Pizza is the pick for anyone in the north of the city who wants a proper pizza without heading into Southsea. It is geared to takeaway and delivery, with a long menu that stretches from classic pizzas and calzone to burgers and wraps, so there is something for a mixed group.
Why it works
- handy for north Portsmouth and Hilsea;
- built for takeaway and delivery;
- a long menu including calzone and non-pizza options;
- good for feeding a mixed group.
Where it dips
- it is not a sit-down experience;
- the wide menu makes it a jack of all trades;
- less of a destination than the Southsea spots.
The convenient choice for a night in north of the city.
Ranked by the numbers (out of 10)
Every score, ranked
| Position | Name | Score (out of 10) | % (out of 100) |
| 1 | Sourdough Teds | 9.0 | 90% |
| 2 | Circolo Pizzeria | 8.4 | 84% |
| 3 | Giuseppe’s | 8.0 | 80% |
| 4 | Mamma Mia Pizzeria | 7.3 | 73% |
| 5 | Dice Pizza | 6.7 | 67% |
Reading the results
The strongest pizzas in Portsmouth are clustered in Southsea, within a short walk of each other around Osborne Road and Albert Road. Sourdough Teds edges ahead on the quality of its base, but Circolo and Giuseppe’s are close behind and win points for their sit-down experience.
How the scoring worked
We weighed the quality and consistency of the pizza most heavily, then value for money, choice on the menu and how easy each place is to reach. We leaned on local reputation and our own visits rather than any single review site, and we kept prices general because they move around, so check the latest before you order.
Portsmouth punches above its weight for pizza, and the best of it sits within strolling distance. Pick by mood: a quick, top-class slice from Sourdough Teds, a relaxed Italian dinner at Giuseppe’s, or a big shared order from Dice when you cannot face leaving the sofa.
