Pizza Pilgrims Chelsea review: ‘I regret not having that last slice’

If you’re searching for a truly memorable pizza experience, look no further than Pizza Pilgrims in Chelsea.

From the moment you step in, it's clear that this isn't just a pizzeria; it's a destination for food lovers, brimming with charm, humour, and a profound love for authentic Italian flavours.

Walking into Pizza Pilgrims is like entering a lively, pizza-themed wonderland. Wordplay greets you from every corner, with signs sporting quirky titles like "Chelsea Flour Show" and "Nduja Really Like It?"

These little winks at Chelsea and pizza culture immediately set the playful and casual tone.

Before we even sat down, we were lucky enough to get a quick tour of the restaurant, and in true Pizza Pilgrims style, there was a surprise waiting for us downstairs.

A sign marked "cinema" led us down to a cosy space where a live stream from the kitchen played on a screen.

This unexpected touch felt intimate and fun, giving us a behind-the-scenes look at our pizzas being made with care and the banter taking place in the kitchen.

Once we made our way back upstairs and settled into our table, the real journey began.

To start, we ordered the cacio e pepe balls, a delightful twist on the classic Roman pasta.

Imagine a deep-fried ball that, once bitten into, reveals a spaghetti-like filling with that bold, peppery kick of cacio e pepe.

Each bite was crispy on the outside, creamy on the inside, and simply addictive.

We also tried the smoked mozzarella balls, which offered the most incredible cheese pull I’ve ever seen.

I stretched the melted mozzarella to as far as my arm could extend, and it still didn’t snap.

The combination of that smoky flavour with the gooey texture made it a clear crowd-pleaser from the first bite.

The main event, though, was undeniably the pizza, and we ordered a mouthwatering array.

We got to try a range of pizzas, from the classic Margherita, a Double Pepperoni with Hot Honey, a Mushroom and Truffle, a Smoky Aubergine Parm, and the festive special of Mortadella and Pistachio.

Each pizza had its own personality and flavour profile, and the high-quality ingredients shone through in every slice.

The Margherita was beautifully simple, with just the right balance of tangy tomato and creamy mozzarella.

The Double Pepperoni with Hot Honey was my personal favourite, with the sweetness of the honey perfectly complementing the spiciness of the pepperoni.

I found myself savouring each bite, especially wishing I had room for that last slice.

The Mushroom and Truffle was earthy and aromatic, a sophisticated option that still delivered on flavour, while the Smoky Aubergine Parm was like a pizza-meets-eggplant-parmigiana hybrid, rich and smoky.

Lastly, the festive Mortadella and Pistachio pizza brought a unique nuttiness.

One pleasant surprise was how much I enjoyed the crust.

Normally, I’m not a crust person, but Pizza Pilgrims has found a way to make every bite worthwhile.

They serve their pizzas with a trio of dipping sauces: garlic, pesto, and nduja.

Each crust became its own adventure, and there wasn’t a single leftover crust on my plate by the end of the meal.

These sauces elevated the experience and made the crusts feel like a whole other part of the meal, rather than an afterthought.

Even after feasting on all those pizzas, we couldn’t resist dessert.

We shared a Nutella pizza and a Terrymisu – a festive twist on the classic tiramisu, incorporating Terry’s Chocolate Orange.

The Nutella pizza was every chocolate lover’s dream, with a warm, gooey spread of Nutella atop a crisp base.

The Terrymisu, on the other hand, was a delightful seasonal creation.

With layers of creamy, chocolate-orange flavours, it was rich, decadent, and perfect for sharing.

The overall experience at Pizza Pilgrims Chelsea was genuinely delightful.

The atmosphere was vibrant, the service was friendly, and the food exceeded all expectations.

I left the restaurant fully satisfied, and I highly recommend Pizza Pilgrims for all the pizza lovers out there, but who doesn’t love pizza?

But why didn’t I have that last slice of pizza?