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Harden's says
A Fitzrovia branch of this growing mini-chain of pizzerias.
Harden's survey result
Summary
“Pizza of similar quality to those you’d find in a Naples basement” (with “authentic slow fermentation of the dough”) inspire followers of this growing, twelve-year-old group, which they say is “second-to-none for texture and flavour”. But the relocated original site in Ealing is “cramped” and seems “really dull” compared to the old one: “the pizza remains good, but it’s lost the sense that you were part of something special and secret”. (In recent times, they’ve also added an Islington branch and one in Brentford – not listed – that’s part of a car showroom!)
Summary
Hailed as among “the best Neapolitan pizzerias in town”, this Ealing-based chain has made slow but steady progress since its launch by Pasquale Chionchio and Angelo Ambrosio in 2010, with offshoots in Fitzrovia, Fulham Broadway, Brentford’s Duke of London pub and most recently Islington, on the former site of Baba Boom in Upper Street. The Ealing branch has moved to a new address nearby – “stylish, but not as fun as the original” – making way for a new vegan pizzeria, Vergine Maria, on the St Mary’s Road site (see also).
Summary
“Consistently fantastic pizza, with interesting toppings and a nicely textured base” have created a major buzz around this independent Neapolitan trio, which started out in Ealing before opening off Fulham Broadway and in Fitzrovia. It’s still the W5 original that incites most fuss – “a small cafe/bistro, it’s always crowded you can end up sitting in a rather tight, alley-like room” although in recent times they’ve also colonised the Red Lion next door so you can “set yourself down at the pub and tuck in with more space and vibe”.
Summary
“Consistently fantastic pizza, with interesting toppings and a nicely textured base” have created a major buzz around this independent Neapolitan trio, which started out in Ealing before opening off Fulham Broadway and in Fitzrovia. It’s still the W5 original that incites most fuss – “a small cafe/bistro, it’s always crowded you can end up sitting in a rather tight, alley-like room” although in recent times they’ve also colonised the Red Lion next door so you can “set yourself down at the pub and tuck in with more space and vibe”.
For 32 years we've been curating reviews of the UK's most notable restaurant. In a typical year, diners submit over 50,000 reviews to create the most authoritative restaurant guide in the UK. Each year, the guide is re-written from scratch based on this survey (although for the 2021 edition, reviews are little changed from 2020 as no survey could run for that year).
Have you eaten at Santa Maria?
Restaurant details
Santa Maria Restaurant Diner Reviews
"Good and not expensive authentic pizzas, with a good range - but even when it seems quiet there can be a wait because of its popularity for delivery orders"
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