The Northcote road pizzeria was the fourth Franco Manca ever and was one of the first sourdough pizzas to arrive in the Battersea area. It is superbly placed on the main shopping street in south London which connects Battersea and Clapham, making it a great stop-off for commuters on the way home. The location is just a 10 minute walk from Clapham junction station, but is also close to Wandsworth common and Clapham common.
The entrance is picturesque and fits in nicely with the quaint cafes and boutique shops along the lively street, its white awning stretching over the charming seating outside for casual window-shopping and people-watching from your table. The interior is bright and cheery with light bulbs strung around the restaurant, fun artwork, and grey marbled walls lined with racks of organic wine bottles imported from Piedmont, Abruzzo, and Sicilian vineyards.
The Northcote branch has some great deals on food and drink too. Aperol spritzes are discounted between 3 and 7pm every day and kids eat free when you buy any main pizza during the week. The facilities are also child friendly with baby-changing amenities available.
The menu boasts seven types of pizza and daily specials are up on the blackboard in chalk. Think British mozzarella, wild fennel salami, and ricotta artichokes. The toppings options are carefully selected paying homage to its Italian roots and British foundations.
The service is fast as pizzas only need 40 seconds in the 500 degree custom-made brick ovens. The staff is friendly with recommendations, and are eager to help out those needing vegan or gluten-free adjustments made to their order - without losing out on any flavour or texture. The pizzas are made fresh to order each time and are expertly made by skilled pizzaiolos that you can watch working at their stations.