Dough, fire and a little Italy
Authentic pizza
in Oxford.
Neapolitan traditions on Cowley Road and wood-fired sourdough in the Covered Market: three independent places to plan lunch or dinner.
At a glance
- Central lunch
- Sartorelli’s, units 24–25, Covered Market; walk-in, with shared seating.
- Neapolitan focus
- Il Principe, 82 Cowley Road, describes its pizza as Pizza Napoletana.
- Farther along Cowley Road
- La Smorfia, 247 Cowley Road; check opening before a weekday lunch.
- Plan ahead
- Sartorelli’s currently lists Monday closure; venue menus and hours may change.
Stay among the colleges for Sartorelli’s wood-fired sourdough, or cross to Cowley Road for Il Principe and family-run La Smorfia. Pizza is a good excuse to explore another Oxford neighbourhood.
More about this guide
Il Principe describes its pizza as Pizza Napoletana, and La Smorfia’s founders have Neapolitan roots. Sartorelli’s specialises in wood-fired sourdough. The three places offer different styles of pizza.
Three places to start
Find your
kind of slice.
Cowley Road · Pizza Napoletana
Il Principe
Il Principe at 82 Cowley Road makes handmade dough and describes its pizza as Pizza Napoletana. Pasta and other Italian dishes make it useful for mixed appetites. Ask about table availability for a weekend meal.
Cowley Road · Family-run Italian
La Smorfia
Rosa and Denise’s La Smorfia at 247 Cowley Road serves pizza, pasta and desserts from their Italian family tradition. Farther along the road, it suits a destination meal. Weekday opening is currently evenings, with Friday–Sunday lunch.
Covered Market · Wood-fired sourdough
Sartorelli’s
At Covered Market units 24–25, Sartorelli’s hand-shapes and wood-fires sourdough pizza. It is walk-in only, with shared seating that cannot be reserved. It works for a central lunch when you have some flexibility. Current trading starts at 11.45am, and the shop is closed on Mondays.
Editor’s note
Lunch in the market; dinner on Cowley Road.
The Covered Market pairs with central sightseeing. For East Oxford dinner, choose one restaurant and explore Cowley Road before or afterwards.
Ask whether the kitchen can cater safely for an allergy or coeliac disease, including how it handles shared ovens and preparation. A menu label alone won’t answer those questions.
Questions & Advice
Frequently asked questions
before you go.
Where can I try Neapolitan-style pizza?
Il Principe explicitly describes Pizza Napoletana. La Smorfia’s founders have Neapolitan roots. Sartorelli’s specialises in wood-fired sourdough.
Can I book Sartorelli’s Oxford?
No. The shop is walk-in only, and the shared Covered Market seating cannot be reserved.
Are gluten-free or vegan choices available?
La Smorfia advertises both. Ask the venue about current pizza options, shared ovens and preparation for any allergy or coeliac requirement.
Know before you go
The practical bit.
- Central lunch
- Sartorelli’s, units 24–25, Covered Market; walk-in, with shared seating.
- Neapolitan focus
- Il Principe, 82 Cowley Road, describes its pizza as Pizza Napoletana.
- Farther along Cowley Road
- La Smorfia, 247 Cowley Road; check opening before a weekday lunch.
- Plan ahead
- Sartorelli’s currently lists Monday closure; venue menus and hours may change.
Sources & visitor information 4 sources · Sources checked 12 Oct 2026
We use the linked sources for practical visitor details. Each date shows when we checked a source. Confirm opening times, prices and booking arrangements before you travel.
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