Alley Cats Pizza - A Slice of NYC in London

Restaurants

14 Jul

Our Rating: ★★★ | ££££ - Great pizza with NYC Vibes (How we rate restaurants)

After spending a month in New York eating our way through dozens of pizza joints, from old-school slice shops in Brooklyn to trendy spots in Manhattan, we’ve developed a soft spot for the no-frills, big-flavour culture of NYC pizza.

So when we heard about Alley Cats Pizza in London, we were keen to see if it captured that same spirit.

We visited their Marylebone branch (there’s another one in Chelsea) for a quick lunch, and it did not disappoint. The vibe here really does transport you, from the smell of hot pies coming out of the oven, to the casual service and the Sopranos episodes projected on the wall.

It’s not trying to be an exact replica of a New York slice shop (more on that below), but it nails the atmosphere and flavours that make NYC pizza culture so memorable.

About New York Style Pizza

The pizzas at Alley Cats are baked in an electric oven rather than the traditional coal ovens used in many classic New York pizzerias. They also don’t serve pizza by the slice, which is such a big part of the NYC experience (and the reason why New York pizzerias use electric ovens in the first place). Instead, it’s whole pies only, but worth it.

Read our article about New York City’s pizza culture here.

What we ordered

Crushed hot potatoes with scotch bonnet dipper

These were fine — nicely cooked and seasoned, but not particularly memorable on their own. The star here was the dipper: a scotch bonnet mayo that looked innocuous but delivered a proper heat with great flavour.

Vodka sauce pizza

Excellent. The base was crisp with a satisfying chew, and the creamy, punchy vodka sauce was spot on. The crust was ideal for mopping up that scotch bonnet dip too.

We also asked for some chilli oil, which they happily brought over. It was one of the better chilli oils we’ve had recently, full of flavour and just the right heat.

Service & atmosphere

Service was quick and friendly, which we appreciated since we were on a tight lunch break. They understood the brief and got everything out fast without rushing us. The decor is relaxed and cool without being forced, and the constant stream of Sopranos scenes on the wall is a nice touch.

Final thoughts

If you’re after an authentic New York pizza slice experience, this isn’t quite it — but if you want a taste of what makes NYC pizza culture great, Alley Cats delivers. Good pizza, unfussy service, and a vibe that feels lifted straight out of the five boroughs. We’ll definitely be back.