Maria Z.
Google
I’ve been a loyal customer of Franco Manca for years, always praising it to my Italian friends as the spot for truly authentic Neapolitan pizza in London. I’ve recommended it countless times and kept coming back because the quality was consistently superior.
But my recent visit to the Westfield Stratford location was such a disappointment - I honestly felt embarrassed for bringing my friends along to try what I once considered “the most authentic Neapolitan pizza in London.”
To start with, I was surprised to see two types of Margherita on the menu. I chose Franco’s OG Margherita Pizza, assuming it would reflect the original quality I remembered. This was the pricier option, supposedly made with buffalo mozzarella, basil, and extra virgin olive oil. When the pizza arrived, not only was there no olive oil on it (I had to ask for it separately at the end), but the overall presentation and quality were shocking.
The pizza looked and tasted undercooked. The dough was completely soaked through, as if it hadn’t been cooked properly at all. The tomatoes were watery, turning the entire base into a soggy, unappetizing mess. I’ve eaten pizzas all over Italy, and this felt borderline criminal.
Sadly, it put me off returning anytime soon......................