Inside Lauretta’s Pizzeria on Columbia Road

Lauretta’s Pizzeria feels, at first, like exactly the sort of place you hope to find after a Sunday morning on Columbia Road. It’s close enough to the flower market to be useful, but just removed enough to offer relief from the crowd.

We arrive at that familiar point where browsing has tipped into hunger, carrying the slight exhaustion that comes from weaving through bunches of lilies, slow-moving groups, and too many people trying to do the same thing at once.

In that mood, almost any table would have looked appealing. But Lauretta’s Pizzeria turns out to be more than a convenient landing spot. The crisp, New York style pizza immediately makes it clear that this is somewhere worth seeking out in its own right. Rather than relying on the market for passing trade, it earns attention the better way – by serving pizza good enough to outlast the setting.

Quick info on Lauretta’s Pizzeria

• Restaurant: Lauretta’s Pizzeria
• Location: Columbia Road, Hackney
• Come for: New York style thin crust pizza
• What we ordered: Amalfi pizza special, £15 for a 12-inch pizza
• Best for: Columbia Road Flower Market lunch, casual date night
• Queue: None when we visited

Find out more in the full Lauretta’s Pizzeria restaurant review below.

The Amalfi pizza is worth trying

We go for the Amalfi special from the Lauretta’s Pizzeria menu, which reads like a greatest-hits compilation of savoury brightness: mozzarella, tomato, lemon zest, anchovy, parsley, garlic breadcrumbs, and chilli.

First, the base. This is proper New York style pizza, thin but not fragile, crisp underneath yet still chewy through the centre. Crucially, it holds its shape when lifted.

The pizza is very good, but Lauretta’s doesn’t feel completely beyond criticism. Although the base is crisp, on our pizza it veers a touch too charred in places, giving a slightly bitter finish. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it’s there.

Then the toppings start layering themselves in.

The lemon zest slices through the richness and keeps everything lifted. Meanwhile, the anchovies deliver concentrated salty bursts that pop against the mozzarella. The garlic breadcrumbs (almost a pangrattato) add texture and savoury depth, giving the pizza an extra dimension beyond the usual cheese-and-sauce combo.

Read more
The Best Coffee Shops & Cafes in Hackney Wick According to TikTok

And then there’s the chilli

Initially subtle, the chilli builds gradually. By the third slice of pizza, you’re aware that this wasn’t a casual sprinkle. So if you see chilli on the Lauretta’s Pizzeria menu, assume intent.

What’s impressive, though, is that despite the crisp base, the pizza remains juicy. The tomato keeps things supple, the mozzarella melts generously, and nothing feels dry or overworked.

Even the crust edges are worth finishing, especially once dragged through the garlic dip on the side, which is creamy, punchy, and frankly essential.

The vibe – Columbia Road energy without the queue

One of the most pleasant surprises about Lauretta’s Pizzeria is how effortlessly it runs.

At 1pm on a Sunday, it’s busy but not chaotic. Every table is occupied, yet there’s no queue snaking down Columbia Road. People walk in after us and are seated without drama.

The atmosphere leans casual and relaxed rather than hype-driven. It has the energy of a good neighbourhood pizza spot that locals rely on, rather than somewhere engineered for social media virality.

The lack of frenzy is lovely; you can eat, talk, and enjoy your Columbia Road pizza without feeling rushed or observed.

It also makes Lauretta’s Pizzeria a strong date-night option. Casual enough to keep things low pressure, but good enough that you won’t regret the choice.

Read more
The Ultimate Street Art in East London Guide

Refreshingly good value

At £15 for a 12-inch special pizza, Lauretta’s Pizzeria offers solid value for Columbia Road pizza.

Shared between two, it makes the perfect lunch portion, and is filling without tipping into post-meal regret. Given the quality of the dough, the thoughtful flavour combinations, and the confident execution of that New York-style thin crust, the price feels more than fair.

In a city where pizza prices have crept steadily upwards, finding something this well made at this price point is refreshing.

Ultimately, Lauretta’s Pizzeria isn’t trying to reinvent pizza

Instead, it focuses on executing thin crust pizza properly, with bold but balanced toppings. The flavours here build rather than overwhelm.

The Amalfi special, in particular, stands out for its interplay of lemon zest, anchovy, garlic breadcrumbs, and that steadily rising chilli heat. Add in the relaxed vibe and the absence of a queue, and you’ve got one of the most satisfying Columbia Road lunch options around.

If you’re browsing the flower market and wondering where to refuel, Lauretta’s Pizzeria Hackney is an easy, confident choice.

Just don’t underestimate the chilli.

Read more
20 Must Eats in London

Lauretta’s Pizzeria restaurant review
Address – 93 Columbia Rd, London E2 7RG
Nearest Tube – Hoxton