Flour to the People!

South London's Pizza Paradise Awaits You

From the moment you stand on the bustling South London street and get a whiff of freshly stretched dough mingling with the aroma of bubbling cheese, Herald Pizza radiates a charm that a true pizza lover would find difficult to resist. Dispelling any pretense of dine-in opulence, this pizzeria prefers to focus its artistry in the form of exclusively takeout and delivery offerings—a daring rebellion in an age gone by, owed largely to our pandemic habits. Yet, therein lies its strength: Herald Pizza commits to the age-old craft of pie perfection, each box encasing a labor of love forged in the crucible of their stone ovens. The fungi with white sauce is nearly poetic in its execution, the thin crust whispering ethereal sonnets made tangible with every bite.

While uneven service stories exist, most notably highlighting lapses in cordiality characteristic more so of old grandparents than serving staff, these seem to be rare. More predominantly cherished is the unexpected personal touch: an endearing note scribbled in Korean, ‘enjoy,’ casting warmth and welcome straight from London kitchens to the far reaches of Eastern traditions. Without the pomp of plates or silverware, your take-home box becomes an international feast as multitudinous toppings and rich Italian spirit transport your taste buds through Europe's culinary heartland. Fra Diavola meets London fog, meets heartfelt simplicity—the magic, indeed, arises mostly from its pizza alone—widely regarded the best in town and capturing, as one customer attests with unreserved candor, their affection among top favorite pies. — Audrey Al Dente