Franco Manca

It's definitely worth a trip to Brixton to sample one of these authentic pizzas, like the popular 'No5' with tomato, cured chorizo and mozzerella. Toppings always taste super-fresh and vibrant and are the result of a thoughtful approach to sourcing. The real star of the show however is the sour dough base, which transforms in the wood fired oven into a superb crust. I'm also a big fan of the homemade lemonade which has a burnt sugar and orange colour and makes a good counterpoint to the pizza. Although the prices have crept up a little (the 'No5' is now £6.80), this place is still great value. Be ready for a bit of cue, the possibility of table sharing and the near certainty of manic service.
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8 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 6 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Friday, February 12, 2010

unfortunately i have to agree with some of the other negative reviews here. i have been coming here since they opened and was initial a big fan raving to everyone i could about the pizzas. on my last visit however i left feeling really let down. the service was pretty non existent, the pizzas were good though not as good as they have been, but it the service really let the place down. the staff seemed to be more interested in talking to the various people who were floating around and passing by.

they need to focus a more on attentive service and the customers rather than their friends or former staff members...... and stop trying to be "cool"

please don't let this place be another flash in the pan. you have a great product so don't let the service bring it down...... come on Franco Manca!!!!
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joe
4 Overall rating
Food 6 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 5
Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Very good Pizza at reasonable prices however the place is chaotic (and not in a nice Neapolitan way) and badly managed with probably the worst waiters in London who seem to know every weirdo in Brixton who are allowed to wander about the place at will. Lack of the most basic hygene and cleanliness will be the undoing of this place which is such a shame.

The staff need basic training in customer service. The place needs a deep clean from top to bottom
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Sue king
3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 5
Friday, November 06, 2009

Absolutely lovely pizza, the dough is so good and the whole place is really great value, so much better (and cheaper) than equivalent chain pizza restaurants. Will definitely go back....oh and the cloudy lemonade is a must.
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Picky - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 28, 2009

The best pizza in London without a doubt.

But a few quick things - it is only open from 12 too 5pm Monday to Saturday and it is not a restaurant. More like a crazy cafe in a not-so nice part of Brixton. You also typically have to queue for 20 minutes for a table.

Once you get past that you will enjoy the best pizza in London and probably outside of Italy. Only in Naples have I had pizza this good.

Don't even waste your time at other pizza joints and if you think Pizza Express (rubbish! expensive!) is real pizza you might want to come here and taste a real pizza.
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chris
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 9
Thursday, August 13, 2009

This place is great, but very simple, and it's charm lies in it's pizzas. I live in the area and eat here regularly, but I wouldn't suggest a trip across town (unless you REALLY love Pizza!). Come prepared for a queue, and a pretty lengthy wait. When you are eventually seated (on a hard pew) you may well be in the market passage, which can be a bit cold and often smells of fish and/or dope! If this does not put you off you will be rewarded with a big plate of the most fantastic pizza I have ever tried. It really is amazing, and does live up to the hype. The homemade lemonade is also knockout, but the wine could strip the paint off a batteship and is to be avoided at all cost (but as its only about 7 pence a glass feel free to try for yourselves)!
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Shappo - View all reviews by this user
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 7 | Atmosphere 6 | Value for money 10
Monday, August 03, 2009

Since my first visit, I try to come here at least once a month. Sadly todays visit was poor. I'm sorry to the waiting staff, but whilst they were friendly and tried their best, they were not good enough. A minute after taking our order we were asked whether we wanted the bill or have a coffee, by the person who'd sat us there less than 5 minutes before. The pizza's turned up minus the salad I'd ordered. There was no sign of the obligatory pepper mill and no opportunity to point out the missing salad. The white wine was awfull !! - Ok the pizzas should be good - no such luck - they were watery and undercooked, whilst at the same time slightly (correctly in this case) burnt around the edge - which makes me think that the oven was too hot. If they wern't watery enough, one of the waiting staff jogged my arm as I was pouring a glass of water so that I ended up with water on my pizza. He apologised, but I was still left with watered down pizza. The order for the people next to us was also messed up, with Garlic added to one pizza, when they asked for it without garlic, and no anchovies on a pizza which should have had anchovies. Someone else also complained about the mushrooms on the pizza they ordered only to be told that these were more expensive than the ones they usually use and that next time she should check what mushrooms they were using before she ordered.

Interestingly, despite arriving just after 1pm, there was no queue and tables available. I did not recognise and members of staff, including the important pizzaioli. OK everyone is entitled to have their off day, but theyve also got the front to add 10% service charge (which they didn't before) and leave a "tip plate" out. I travel accross London to come here and today, brought a pizza connaisseur with me who was not impressed. I will try this place again, and hope it was an off day and not an indication of things to come.
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italiastar - View all reviews by this user
0 Overall rating
Food 1 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Thursday, July 16, 2009

I have been living in the UK for the past 4 years and I think I had pizza in a restaurant about 2 or 3 times, as I wasn't willing to pay an extortionate price for some dreadful food.

After I tried Franco Manca I have been there countless times. Why? Because the pizza is delicious and the prices are incredibly low.

As an Italian, I am really fussy about pizza and the ones served here have won me and my friends over.

For some people it may not be what they expect, being used to thin crust or -the horror, the horror- the cheese-filled abomination of Pizza (Pasta?) Hut.

This is "the real thing", so don't expect pineapple or chicken tikka toppings. There are just 6 pizze on the menu, plus the day's special. I personally prefer the one with chorizo, which comes with loads of dried and semi-dried goodness.

The other toppings include anchovies, olives, mushrooms and pork with ricotta, which may all feature in Italian restaurants.

The crust is crusty (which may sound obvious, but unfortunately is not in many other restaurants), but soft in the middle, the mozzarella is actually mozzarella and the tomato sauce is not filled with spices as in other places, and they are just perfect.

The beer is cheap and good, the lemonade tasty and refreshing.

The prices, for once, are HONEST -why should I pay more than a tenner for something filled with cheap meatballs and Cheddar cheese? Here the most expensive pizza is £5.60, which reflects the real value of the dish and puts in shame the big chains.

And the location is perfect, being just five minutes walk from my flat, but it's convenient for non-brixtonians as well, being just round the corner from the tube and the main bus stops.

The place is not posh at all, but I think that it adds to its charm and reflects many pizzerie that you find in Italy. it's very busy on weekends, also because it's located in one of the market rows, but in my opinion the atmosphere is great.

The waiters seems to fluctuate from being on a verge of a nervous breakdown to being cheerfully happy and singing old classics, but they are quick and friendly.

Definitely worth a trip to Brixton, even if it would be better to come during the week to avoid having to queue for many, many minutes, while watching other customers enjoying their pizze. It would be good if you're a bit masochist, but not if you're stomach is rebelling and people aren't eating at the speed of light.

I really hope that Franco Manca is going to start a revolution in pizzerie, setting a new standard and hopefully, one day, the dominos/pizza expresses/ pizza(or pasta?) huts of this world will be replaced by people that know what they're actually doing in terms of food.
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Caterina
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, December 03, 2008

A gorgeous gem of a restaurant! Set in Brixton market, this place only opens at lunchtime and has only six pizzas on the menu - but what it does, it does very well.

We shared a chorizo/italian sausage pizza and a anchovy/caper one - both were delicious but the chorizo one definitely the best. It was absolutely delicious, and at £5.60 an absolute bargain. Wine is £1.20 a glass and beer £1.90.

The service is a little brusque but certainly not rude, and although we had to queue on a Saturday lunch, there was a great buzz about the place. Definitely recommended.
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Katie
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Wednesday, November 05, 2008

I finally got round to trying this place after the excellent reviews. I was aware of the previous incarnation, living in Brixton for most of my life up until 14 years ago. I was pleased to see that this establishment had changed hands and more importantly, brought over wood-fired ovens. As my father used to say, only a neopolitan can make a good pizza and Franco Manca proves this. However, despite being of Italian origin, and eatern many in Italy, I have never come accross one like this. The dough is thicker and moister than most Italian pizzas, but whilst different to the many I've had, it is absoulutely fantastic. The best pizza I have ever eatern in the UK and one one of the best I have ever eaten. If you like Pizza Hut, then this place is probably not for you, but otherwise you will be pleasantly surprised. Finally, onto the wine. My father used to make his own, the glass of red I had today tasted exactly like one of his best ones - nothing artificial, just pure good wine. I highly recommend this place. By the way, it is in an arcade in Brixton, so don't expert high decor.
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italiastar - View all reviews by this user
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, August 08, 2008