The news that Nottingham's Oscar & Rosie's was closing down for good has dismayed pizza lovers who enjoyed a trip to the Lace Market restaurant. It's been a firm favourite in the city for 10 years after lawyer Olly Hunter started out as a pop-up before giving up life in court to focus on pizzas.
The restaurant, in Stoney Street, closed on Saturday (May 27) which means an end to its legendary pizza by the metre, the pepperoni-topped Brooklyn Sausage Party and Hamster, with ham hock and mushrooms. Olly said: "Thank you so much to everyone who's commented and messaged, it really has been overwhelming. I’ve read (often re-read) absolutely everything and am humbled by how much this place has meant to so many over the last ten years. I feel full of gratitude for this chapter of my life."
But where will devotees go now for a slice of the action? Here's our guide to Nottingham's best pizza spots.
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Slice 'n' Brew
One of the newest spots in town, this also started as a pop-up. The name could imply cake and a cuppa, but make no mistake this is all about pizza and beer.
Founder Ryon Ishfaq makes pizzas, where you will want to eat every last scrap as the crust, all soft and chewy with charred bits, is just as good as the toppings, which are far more interesting than the norm. Take the exquisite flavours of speck, 'nduja and pineapple with scotch bonnet honey.
We can't fail to mention the beers, which include Neon Raptor's Retro Racer and Black Iris' Endless Summer.
You say: "As an Italian I grew up on piazza and pizza. I’ve been away from Italy long enough to have tried several different pizzas styles and this one was among the best. Great menu, perfect dough and generous toppings. The pizza was tasty and easy to digest. They also have a good selection of beers and drinks. Can’t wait to visit again!"
Location: 10 King's Walk, Nottingham NG1 2AE
Pizzamisu
Stepping through the door is a portal, transporting you from Nottingham to Italy. You land straight into the kitchen, where there's a hot, smoky buzz and the Italian accents of chefs busy at work.
Service is super fast to tables in the buzzing restaurant, akin to a street in Naples with washing lines hanging from the ceiling. The Neapolitan pizzas have a choice of tomato or white bases, and popular toppings including Capricciosa and smoky pancetta. No trip is complete without the classic tiramisu and a shot of limoncello.
You say: "Single best pizza I have ever had, and I have eaten a lot of pizza. Walking past the chefs cooking is a great introduction to the place, service was wonderful and we had our pizzas hot and fresh within about 10 minutes of ordering. It was amazing, incredible value for money too, and then we had a brilliant dessert after. Could not recommend more."
Location: 9 High Pavement, Nottingham NG1 1HF
Detroit
A hot new spot brings something different to the pizza party. Rather than the thinner Neapolitan dough, Detroit is thicker, rectangular and according to the chef 'dirty eating' as it's impossible to eat it elegantly
The soft bready focaccia base has a crunchy cheesy crust - and because it's cut into four everyone gets a corner. Toppings include double pepperoni with hot honey; smoked bacon with garlic mushrooms; maple pulled ham, pickled pineapple and jalapenos, and fried chicken with hot buffalo sauce and ranch dressing.
Buy by the slice from the takeaway or team with a cocktail at Industry, the adjoining bar.
You say: "Oh my days. Just when you think the Nottingham pizza scene can't get any better. Honestly, the best focaccia base I've had on Detroit style pizza, so so soft. We had the buffalo chicken and ranch which was just purely amazing. Chicken thighs were full of flavour, marinara sauce tasted really fresh. Crunchy cheese crusts were cooked to perfection. We actually ate next door at Industry so we could have some draft craft beer, but you can buy takeaway or eat in here for more of a cafe vibe. You absolutely need to try this place.
Location: 81 Carrington Street, Nottingham NG1 7FE
Solo Grano
Pizzas are high on the agenda at the cosy Italian restaurant which also serves a range of pastas dishes, just a stone's throw from Old Market Square. There's seats inside and out, overlooking the taxi rank rather than the bay of Naples, but make no mistake, the flavours will transport you there.
It's small venue so if you want to guarantee a table it's a good idea to book. The authentic Napolitana is topped with tomato, basil leaves, pecorino, parmesan, mozzarella, olive oil and oregano, the Wova Panchetta has egg and pancetta, and the cheesiest of all, Quattro Foraggi oozes with pecorino, parmesan, mozzarella, smoked provolone and gorgonzola.
You say: "One of the best pizzas I have ever had. I ate there alone, which I would normally never do, but the vibe was so chilled and welcoming it was such a nice experience. So many places could learn from the atmosphere they have there. Definitely going again."
Location: 21-23 Wheeler Gate, Nottingham NG1 2NA
Pizza Pilgrims
The arrival of the chain restaurant in Nottingham has proved very popular. As it says on the website the pizzas are "all served with cold beers, cocktails and banging vibes" and they're not wrong.
Our favourites are the double pepperoni and spicy honey and puttanesca, a pasta dish on a bellissimo pizza, which comes with toppings of anchovies, olives, capers, chilli, garlic and mozzarella. As well as two floors of seating, there's pavement tables overlooking the buzz of Hockley. Oh, and don't forget the disco toilet.
You say: "Rose who served us was really kind and attentive whenever she approached the tables around us. We asked for the manager to thank her for one of the nicest experiences and the best pizza. Usually I don’t eat the crust or attempt to finish it off and it doesn’t work. This was different and demolished within 20 minutes. The pesto mayo and 'nduja mayo was delicious. Would highly recommend."
Location: 15 Carlton St, Nottingham NG1 1NL
Suede Bar
Surrounded by Suede's retro 80's vibes you will find all the traditional pizza toppings and something a little more unusual such as roast duck, spring onion and cucumber with hoisin sauce base. The Campangnola with Gorgonzola and pepperoni is a flavour sensation.
You can build your own pizza from a selection of nearly 30 toppings and you can go large, with double the pizza for £4 extra. Sweet-toothed fans can get a pudding pizza with a choice of Nutella, Lotus Biscoff or Cadbury's chocolate spread.
You say: "The best sourdough pizza in Nottingham by far! Flavio is an amazing pizza chef and you can see the pizza in the making from where you're sat. Scrumptious tomato and mozzarella base with quality ingredients and crunchy crusts. Staff are super lovely and welcoming too. Would recommend 1000%. They have delicious cocktails too and the bar is themed with the Ninja turtles (big sculpture of Michelagelo awaits you).
Location: 34 Heathcoat St, Nottingham NG1 3AA
Binks Yard
Although it's not a pizzeria or even an Italian restaurant, the new all-day eating, drinking and entertainment venue at the Island Quarter is a good contender in the pizza stakes.
Chefs serve wood-fired pizza (you can see the pile of logs at the restaurant if in any doubt) from the open kitchen. Spice lovers will enjoy the 'nduja (a spicy Italian sausage) with fresh chilli for an extra kick. Pasta dish carbonara has been turned into a pizza with a local twist of Lincolnshire Poacher cheese while a traditional Waldorf salad has also been 'pizza'ed', with a celeriac base, Stilton blue cheese, candied walnuts, apple and rocket.
You say: "Had a lovely family get together here. We all thoroughly enjoyed it the food was lovely I had the mushroom pizza with rocket it was delicious as was my cask ale."
Location: The Island Quarter, 1 The Great Northern Cl, Nottingham NG2 3JL
Jon Doe
Imagine ordering Moderate Nudity ('nduja, lemon ricotta and basil oil with hot honey) or Shall We Cuddle (blue cheese and rocket)... that's the quirky names of two of the pizzas at this city centre takeaway opposite PRZYM. Fin (thin) or Fick (more like a deep pan) bases are available.
Perhaps the chef is a Neighbours' fan as Helen Daniels is also on the menu (sausage, bacon, pepperoni, peppers and garlic roasted mushroom). I just wished they'd called the business Jon Dough.
You say: "First time trying Jon Doe and yet another superb pizza joint in Notts, seriously spoilt for choice right now! Neapolitan style, excellent quality ingredients - the treatment of the mushrooms were the dark horse here! Travelled well for delivery and it won't be the last time we order. Super cheesey garlic bread too. Ooof."
Location: 55 Lower Parliament St, Nottingham NG1 3DB
Secret Pizza
Venture just a little further out the city centre to Sneinton and you'll find Nottingham's worst kept secret. The pizzas from this indie trader, who works out of the King Billy pub, are on sale from Wednesday to Saturday.
The fresh stone-baked pizzas are made using organic stoneground spelt from their neighbour, Green's Windmill, and they're so popular they often sell out.
You say: "Pizza is always fresh, hot and tasty. Meaty, vegan, and veggie available. I had the veggie option with an olive base, mascarpone, mozzarella, malnourished, spinach and lemon, and charred pear. Great value for money, and the pub itself serves good beer. 10/10"
Location: King Billy, 6 Eyre St, Nottingham NG2 4RG
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