Pizza Pilgrims to open first Manchester restaurant

Pizza Pilgrims, this year’s winner of the Restaurateur of the Year - Group at The Cateys, has confirmed its first ever Manchester pizzeria will open its doors next month.

The new venture will span two floors and create 30 new jobs. 

It will feature a ground floor and mezzanine dining space, plus a top floor masterclass kitchen and chef’s table for DIY pizza making experiences. 

Pizza Pilgrims runs 26 restaurants across England, Wales and Scotland, serving up to 50,000 pizzas per week and employing more than 500 people.

The Manchester launch is the latest in a string of openings for the brand, which have included restaurants in Cardiff and Edinburgh.

Founders James and Thom Elliot said: “We’ve been looking to open a Pizza Pilgrims in Manchester for ages. This city is really special to us as we were both born in Manchester and raised in the local area, so it feels like we’re coming back to our roots. 

“We’ve waited a long time for the right opportunity to present itself, as it’s such a cool, exciting, and individual place with such a unique energy. It’s not a place that you can just swagger into! We can’t wait to join the city’s amazing food community!"

The Manchester launch menu will showcase the group’s new summer menu alongside seasoned classics, including the Principessa, featuring Parma ham, buffalo mozzarella, and 24-month Parmigiano-Reggiano as well as the Amalfi Coast, topped with DOP anchovies and Piennolo tomatoes.

New summer cocktails will include a Spicy Pineapple Margarita and a Watermelon & Strawberry Daiquiri. 

The group’s Dip to Donate scheme, which contributes 5p from every crust dipper to charity, will also be available at the new Manchester site.

The restaurant team will be led by Joshua Rogers, the group’s general manager, who has 20 years’ hospitality experience behind him.

Pizza Pilgrims was founded by the Elliot brothers in 2012 after the pair undertook a ‘pizza pilgrimage’ across Italy.

It became one of a small number of UK hospitality businesses to gain B Corp status last year.