Welcome to Pizza Express
At Pizza Express, we take pride in our Italian heritage and commitment to quality. Nestled in the bustling Piccadilly Gardens of Manchester, this vibrant location offers a warm, welcoming atmosphere perfect for families and friends. Our menu features a variety of pizzas, from classic Romana thin crusts to gluten-free options, crafted with fresh ingredients and flavorful toppings. Regular diners appreciate our friendly staff and cozy ambiance, making it an ideal spot for any occasion. With great value offers and outdoor seating available, Pizza Express promises a delightful dining experience that keeps patrons coming back for more.
- 1 Piccadilly Gardens Manchester M1 1RG Hotline: 0161 237 1811
Welcome to Pizza Express: A Slice of Italian Delight in Manchester
If you're in Manchester and craving authentic Italian pizza, look no further than Pizza Express. Nestled in the vibrant Piccadilly Gardens, this branch stands out not only for its delectable offerings but also as a cozy haven amidst the hustle and bustle of the nearby Italian competition like Zizzi and ASK Italian.
Pizza Express is known for its ability to cater to a range of dining preferences, making it the ideal spot for families, groups, or even a romantic evening out. With options for outdoor seating to soak in the rare sunshine that Manchester offers, this location provides a relaxed atmosphere for any dining occasion. Here’s what you can expect from your experience:
- Reservations & Takeout: Planning ahead? You can easily reserve a table, ensuring you won’t face the stress of long wait times during peak hours, especially on weekend visits.
- Menu Variety: The menu boasts a stunning array of pizza options, including gluten-free and vegan choices that tantalize the taste buds. Diners rave about the Pollo Ad Astra and the classic Romana Margherita, with many appreciating the crispy thin crust.
- Value for Money: While some perceive the prices as slightly higher, the many offers available through Tesco Clubcard and Pizza Express Rewards make each visit worthwhile, turning an ordinary night out into a delightful treat.
- Environment: The interior is warm and inviting, though it can feel compact during busy hours. Yet, it’s the friendly staff that truly enhances the experience, providing service with a smile, even during late-night hours.
- Additional Amenities: Enjoy the convenience of free Wi-Fi, perfect for those who want to stay connected over a glass of wine or a hearty pizza, and bike parking for avid cyclists.
I must admit, the culinary experience here has always been memorable. The pizza crusts are a marvel—thin, crispy, and generously topped—as evidenced by a recent feast that included a nicely balanced American Hot pizza and the delicious buffalo mozzarella. Each pizza felt like a well-crafted masterpiece.
As a regular myself, I have enjoyed the casual vibe while appreciating the consistency in quality. In particular, the Romana pizza upgrade—offered at no extra cost for Gold members—is worth indulging in if you are looking for a larger, thinner crust packed with flavor.
Ultimately, Pizza Express in Piccadilly Gardens combines a feeling of warmth and efficiency with a menu that is hard to beat. It’s a favorite spot for those wanting great food in a pleasant atmosphere, making every visit a delightful experience. So next time you're looking for a reliable yet enjoyable pizza outing, remember this gem in the heart of Manchester.

Pizza Express have a couple of branches in and around the city centre, this is one of their busier locations, in Piccadilly Gardens, obviously with there being various other Italian chains in the Gardens alone (Zizzi, ASK Italian) there is a lot of competition nearby, and that doesn't even include the rest of the city centre, a short walk away, but out of those three, this is the superior location. There is a small number of tables outside, perfect for a rare sunny day in Manchester, the inside area seems a little small for how busy the store can get, so you might want to reserve a table in advance, especially if visiting on a Saturday, or other peak time. The staff here seem to be pretty friendly, which is common for Pizza Express. While I do think the food off the bat is slightly pricey, if you combine it with the available offers from Tesco Clubcard or Pizza Express Rewards, it can become very good value for money, I ended up getting rewards greater than the total of my bill, when dining with one guest, and using the latter option, on my most recent visit. On my most recent visit, I ordered a gluten-free Pollo Ad Astra, which looked and tasted great, the gluten-free base is always served on a blackboard, it is smaller than the "Romana" pizza, but is still a good size. My guest also enjoyed her pizza, she opted for a Romana Margherita and commented that the base was large, light, thin and crispy. The Romana definitely looked worth the upgrade for an extra £1.95, as of the time of writing (August 2022), this is a perk (free upgrade) if you have a Gold Membership of the Pizza Express loyalty program. I have had a couple of slightly worse experiences here, when visiting towards the end of the day or when the restaurant is busy, but the experience is usually pretty good. 4* - Certainly not bad for a chain Italian, I do prefer Pizza Express' King Street branch for consistency and overall beauty of the building, but this isn't a bad alternative for sure.

Everyone here is always so nice!! I always visit when I go to see my dad in London and usually sit here when I'm too early for him finishing up at the office .... the staff are always nice. Pizza has been delicious for years and years and continues to be, this is my favorite chain xo

It was a very late & cold night in Manchester when my fiancé & I were walking around hungry, trying to find a decent meal. We thought we were outta luck when we stumbled upon Pizza Express. Although is was about 40 mins until closing they were welcoming. It was warm & cozy in the restaurant. I enjoyed my gluten free margherita pizza (which was cooked separately from the regular crust & presented on a specially marked dish) & my fiancé raved about his vegan jackfruit pizza.

The food and service was great but this location went the extra mile when my phone needed charging. They didn't have charging capabilities (something Yelp should seriously consider adding to restaurant filtering!), but they offered to charge it in their office while I had my meal. No other nearby restaurant I checked offered this, but Pizza Express did. I usually wouldn't order a dessert, but since my phone was charging, doing so gave it a bit more charge time.

Headed to Pizza Express with Roz for a cheeky mid week treat. We both had soft drinks and ordered Romano pizzas. American hot and the new buffalo mozzarella. The pizzas are always good and thin and crispy. You can't really go wrong with express reliable good food and service! Cost wise we had a 2 4 1 voucher which made the experience even better!

Everyone loves a good pizza express, but sometimes they can be hit or miss on service and quality. Not this one... it is fab. Lunch or evening, in a rush or want a leisurely meal, they cater for you. And the pizzas are never scrimping on toppings unlike some places. Lovely and friendly every time. One of the best pizza expresses I've been to.

Is there anything better than kicking back with a bottle of good wine, a plate of hot pizza and some fine company? I don't think so and this new branch of Pizza Express provides the perfect location. Situated in the middle of Piccadilly Gardens, it's flooded with natural light throughout the autumn and winter and turns al fresco in the spring and summer with half a dozen tables spread outside on the patio. The good news for locals is that the company have just announced that they're extending their Special Offer of 50% off all pizzas eaten in until 31 January. All you have to do is log onto the website and download the coupon. And you thought your Sunday couldn't get any better!