Not a day passes without me craving pizza at least once. Regardless of the time, season or any other circumstance, if you ask me to go for a pizza, the answer is always yes.
Fortunately, I don’t have to travel far to enjoy what’s been hailed as one of the finest pizzas not only in Scotland, not only in the UK, but globally. The Time Out ranking of the world’s best pizza was revealed at the beginning of the month, and I was delighted to see one of my personal favourites make the cut.
Civerinos, with four locations in Edinburgh and one in my hometown of Glasgow since 2023, is the place to be. I’ve visited the Finnieston branch on numerous occasions, and I can confirm that it is excellent.
With a relaxed vibe, fantastic tunes playing constantly, reasonably-priced pizza slices larger than your head and superb drinks – including tasty frozen margaritas – it’s challenging to find a flaw. The menu offers a plethora of choices depending on your preference. Vegan, vegetarian and meat options are all available, and you can either purchase a whole pizza or simply grab a slice or two if you wish to try a variety of flavours – which is immensely satisfying.
Time Out ranked the New Haven-style slice from their menu as one of the world’s best, topped with Italian sausage, double marinara, burrata, pepperoni, rosemary, black pepper, parsley and garlic oil. The pizza has been described as ‘one of the best slices you’ll ever shove your gob’. As a vegetarian, I haven’t personally tasted this specific one.
However, they do offer a meat-free version with just marinara sauce and pecorino, which sounds delicious. While I’m a fan of a good slice like anyone else, there’s something else that keeps me coming back – and surprisingly, it’s not the pizza.
For me, the real star at Civerinos is the side dishes, especially the truffle and parmesan fries. I can’t understand how they make something so simple taste so divine, but do I know that I devour them every single time. The crispy fries are smothered with a generous sprinkling of grated parm and some Italian seasonings, served in a plastic bowl with a red checked napkin for a casual yet authentic vibe. And the truffle aioli that comes with them? If I could, I’d sip this with a straw. It’s the perfect side and just the right amount of luxury without being too rich.
Another highlight is undoubtedly the frozen margaritas. They’re light and refreshing, the ideal drink to accompany your Civerinos order, and I’m eagerly awaiting warmer weather to sit outside and enjoy them.
If you haven’t tried this place yet, I highly recommend giving it a go. With slices starting at £4.25, it’s the ideal place for a quick lunch too. For those lucky enough to live nearby, Civerinos also provides delivery service.