50 Kalò di Ciro Salvo

Hopes were high when renowned Neapolitan pizza chef Ciro Salvo announced an expansion of his signature 50 Kalò restaurant to London, and so far, the hype has held up.

The rather bland Northumberland Avenue that leads into Trafalgar Square is far removed from the hubbub and cramped streets of Naples, but step into 50 Kalò di Ciro Salvo and you'll quickly start feeling the familial Italian hospitality. The high-ceilinged, marble-clad space conjurs up images of Roman temples and decadent feasts worshipping the red pizza oven emanating warmth throughout the venue – honestly, remember to drink plenty of water if you think you'll be waiting in line for the loo behind the oven on a hot summer day for a longer period of time.

But we digress – you're here for the pizza. Master Neapolitan pizzamaker Ciro Salvo has perfected his craft using extremely hydrated dough to the point where he regularly receives awards and honours for his work, including his Neapolitan homebase. His is one of only six pizzerias mentioned by the Michelin Guide in Italy and regularly hailed as one of the best in the world. He's brought the same kind of perfection and devotion to his London bastion, using carefully selected, authentic produce to make pizzas that evoke the tastes of his home country. It starts with the simple yet evergreen margherita, of course, but even with more toppings added to the fluffy dough, such as bufala, 'nduja, roasted ham or fried aubergines, the flavour holds up. Add an Aperol Spritz and wrap things up with a tiramisu for the full Italian experience.