Liverpool-based Italian restaurant Neapolitan, ranked number one on TripAdvisor for both Italian cuisine and pizza in the city, was recently selected by Real Madrid to prepare pizzas for the club’s first team after their Champions League match against Liverpool FC.
The order included 45 pizzas, all made from scratch at Neapolitan’s Lime Street location. Each pizza was hand-stretched, topped and baked in the restaurant’s wood-fired oven before being delivered to the team within 50 minutes.
Real Madrid’s representatives made contact two weeks prior to the fixture, carrying out detailed research into preparation techniques, ingredient sourcing and cooking standards. Following this process, Neapolitan was chosen ahead of every other Italian restaurant available in Liverpool.
“It was a huge honour to be selected by Real Madrid, who spent weeks preparing for their trip to Liverpool. They are one of the biggest sporting brands in the world, and the feedback we received from them was one of the highlights of our career so far,” said Lorraine, co-owner of Neapolitan.
Neapolitan is owned and operated by Jamie and Lorraine, whose dedication to traditional Neapolitan pizza has brought national and international recognition. Jamie was recently invited by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana (AVPN) to judge the UK Pizza Championships, reflecting the restaurant’s standing within the industry.
As the first and only independent AVPN-certified pizzeria in Liverpool and Merseyside, Neapolitan specialises in authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas made to the highest standards.
The restaurant’s achievements were further recognised when it was awarded “Pizzeria of the Year 2025/26” for the North West by the Prestige Awards, celebrating its commitment to genuine Italian pizza-making and customer experience.
Diners can observe the pizza-making process from the open kitchen, visible throughout the restaurant, or enjoy an up-close experience at the Chef’s Table.
Neapolitan’s focus on quality and hospitality has earned it a 4.9-star rating across review platforms, supported by more than 4,000 reviews. The restaurant has also received TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards in 2023, 2024 and 2025, and continues to hold the top ranking for both Italian food and pizza in Liverpool.
“Being recognised as Pizzeria of the Year and Liverpool’s number one Italian restaurant is an incredible honour. Everything here is made with passion, from our fermented 24-hour in-house dough to our made-to-order pastas. Every dish is crafted with love and authenticity in mind, and we’re all so proud to share it with the people of Liverpool,” Lorraine said.
Centrally located, Neapolitan is a popular destination for pre-theatre meals, football matchdays and post-shopping dining, as well as celebrations such as birthdays, anniversaries and graduations.
The menu includes hand-stretched pizzas, freshly made pasta and Italian starters, alongside dairy-free, vegan and gluten-free options, ensuring there is something for everyone.
Neapolitan is situated just two minutes’ walk from Liverpool Lime Street Station, with nearby parking available, and is open seven days a week from midday.