The Best Kept Secret in St John’s Wood
Hidden inside the legendary Panzer’s Deli, Circus Pizza is the kind of secret you almost don’t want to share — because once the word gets out, everyone will want in. I was this close to keeping it to myself, but it’s too good not to tell you about…
With pizzas that snap, crackle, and sing on a thin, crispy base and service that treats you like the guest of honour, this is the sort of place that reminds you why dining out can feel special.
Atmosphere:
Our outside terrace table felt like a stage set just for us. I had booked it for my monthly dinner table gathering, and it couldn’t have been more perfect.
With only our group out there, it felt less like “dinner out” and more like an intimate supper club under the stars (with a little drizzle, of course — very London) after the shop closed. And we could wander through the shop before and after, like kids sneaking into a candy store after hours.
Service:
Top-notch doesn’t even cover it. From the booking process to the moment we left, the team went above and beyond to make us feel like the stars of the show. The sweetest encore? When the dessert pizza had run out, the chef actually brought the dough back to life just for us — a small miracle that made the night unforgettable.
And remember, this isn’t some polished fine-dining spot; it’s a pizza counter inside a deli. That’s exactly what makes their hospitality shine even brighter.
Drinks:
Cocktails and wines played the role of perfect backup at an Italian summer dinner table — never stealing the spotlight, but always keeping the rhythm just right. Balanced, well-crafted, and effortlessly complementary, they were exactly what you want to sip alongside a really good pizza
Price: £
In London, it’s rare to find a bill that doesn’t sting. Circus Pizza, however, was a happy surprise — prices as refreshing as their tomato sauce. Both food and drinks felt like a steal for the quality.
What I Ordered:
GARLIC BREAD
A warm-up act that set the tone: very garlicky but fluffy and comforting start.
MARGHERITA
A classic that didn’t need fancy tricks. Like a timeless black dress, simple but flawless.
*SUPER MARGHERITA
My star of the show. Stracciatella, sun-dried tomatoes, basil… it was summer bottled up on a base. The pizza equivalent of a standing ovation.
DEVIL(ISH)
Pepperoni, chillies, maple drizzle… this was a pizza with swagger, a rockstar strutting across the stage.
LUISA (V)
Elegant and earthy, like a Mediterranean garden party tucked onto a base.
PUTTANESCA
A bold, salty little number. Anchovies, olives, and capers gave it a briny kick — the kind of pizza that doesn’t whisper, it sings at full volume, unapologetically Mediterranean.
PORTUGUESE CUSTARD PIZZA
The dessert wildcard. A pastel de nata’s rebellious cousin, born from pizza dough. Not as sweet as expected, a little too bread-forward, but still special thanks to the chef’s grand comeback.
Conclusion
Circus Pizza is the kind of place that sneaks up on you — one moment you think you’re popping into Panzer’s Deli, the next you’re on a candlelit terrace eating pizzas that feel like characters in their own story.
From the fiery Devil(ish) to the elegant LUIZA, each one had a personality, and together they turned dinner into a little circus act of its own. Add in service that makes you feel like family and that addictive, whisper-thin base with tomatoes as bright as a Mediterranean sun, and you’ve got more than just pizza — you’ve got an experience that lingers long after the last bite.
Tips:
- Menu is available on their website
- Their Opening Time is Wednesday to Sunday, 12:00 PM – 9:30 PM
- If you’re local, you can also order delivery within a 1.6-mile radius (measured by driving distance) — perfect for when you want those crispy pizzas without leaving the sofa.
