East London is about to get a serious slice of New York. This November, Vincenzo’s – the cult pizza pioneer founded by Tom Vincent in 2022 – is opening a new slice shop on Bethnal Green Road, Shoreditch.
Best known for its Bushey original, where crispy, thin-crust whole pies earned a loyal following and critical acclaim, Vincenzo’s is now taking its next big step. The Shoreditch outpost promises to channel the late-night energy of New York’s pizza-by-the-slice culture, giving Londoners the chance to grab fresh, hot, oversized slices from 5pm until late.
A Slice of New York in Shoreditch
The concept is simple but indulgent. Slices start at just £5, cut from giant 20-inch pies, with classics such as Margherita, Tomato, and Pepperoni sitting alongside inventive newcomers like Spanakopita, Vodka Sauce, and Burrata. For extra indulgence, toppings can be customised with hot honey, burrata, or fresh pesto. And while the shop celebrates slice culture, whole 16-inch pies will also be available for takeaway.
The drinks menu keeps things light, with a concise line-up of soft drinks to complement the pizza.
The Ingredients That Built a Cult Following
What sets Vincenzo’s apart is a relentless focus on ingredients. The dough uses flour from Molino Casillo in Puglia, the sauce is made from prized San Marzano tomatoes, and the cheese comes from Latteria Sorrentina, a heritage Italian producer trusted by generations of pizzaiolos. For founder Tom Vincent, it’s this attention to detail that ensures every slice carries the same flavour and craftsmanship that first put Vincenzo’s on the map.
Nostalgia Meets East London Edge
The new shop is as much about atmosphere as it is about pizza. Inspired by the nostalgic New York slice bars that shaped Tom’s vision, the design fuses Italian deli cues with mid-century style and an East London finish.
Behind a restored Victorian shopfront, customers will find mahogany-coloured panelling, green-and-white mosaic marble floors from Starel Stone Tiles, and bold Levento Rosso marble countertops. A coffered ceiling with detailed cornicing elevates the space, while bespoke joinery and Pholc lighting add polish. On the walls, a curated collection of oil paintings, vintage photos, and mid-century artworks balance nostalgia with refinement.
The focus is firmly on grab-and-go dining, but there will be a handful of seats for those who want to linger with a slice.
“It’s the Smell, the Queue, the First Bite”
For Vincent, the slice shop is about creating more than just food.
“Pizza is simple: dough, sauce and cheese, but the slice shop is about more than that,” he says. “It’s the smell, the art, the queue, the first bite. Shoreditch will carry the same nostalgia as Watford, but in a space that feels bigger, bolder, and built for London. We’re not chasing hype, we’re creating something timeless. A slice shop London can call its own.”
From a Backyard Oven to Shoreditch
Tom’s journey into pizza started modestly. Growing up in Watford, he was working in kitchens at 14, but his obsession with pizza only came later, when he built a brick oven in his own back garden. Immersing himself in the world of dough and sauce, he forged friendships with New York slice legends like Gio Lanzo of Luigi’s Pizza and Frank Pinello of The Pizza Show.
In 2022, he opened the first Vincenzo’s in Bushey. Small and unassuming – with just a couple of tables and a bench outside – it quickly became a word-of-mouth sensation. Locals and pizza fanatics alike queued for its crisp pies, fuss-free menu, and inventive specials. Despite being far from central London, the shop carved out a reputation to rival the capital’s most celebrated pizzerias.
Shoreditch: The Next Chapter
The new Shoreditch opening marks the evolution of that ethos – taste-first, experience-led, and community-driven, with an eye on timelessness rather than trends. For East Londoners, it promises not just another pizzeria, but the arrival of a slice culture designed for the city’s fast pace and late nights.
When Vincenzo’s opens its doors this November, expect queues, expect buzz – but above all, expect pizza worth waiting for.
