Andrea Asciuti has built 081 Pizzeria on precision, patience and a deep love for Naples — a philosophy that recently earned the restaurant a spot among the Top 50 Pizzas in Europe 2024. From lockdown beginnings to a Shoreditch location buzzing with creative energy, his journey blends tradition with bold modern flair. His approach to dough, technique and community has turned 081 into one of London’s most distinctive pizza destinations. To hear the full story, we caught up with Andrea Asciuti for an interview.
081 Pizzeria was recently named one of the Top 50 Pizzas in Europe 2024 — a huge achievement. How did it feel to see your Shoreditch and Peckham restaurants recognised on such a prestigious list?
Honestly, it felt surreal. When I started 081 in lockdown, it was just me, my passion for Naples, and the dream of bringing proper Neapolitan pizza to London with my own twist. To see both Peckham and Shoreditch recognised among Europe’s best is a huge honour – not just for me, but for the entire team who put their heart into this business.
It proves that staying committed to quality, technique, and authenticity really does matter. And it pushes us to keep raising the bar.
→ For readers exploring more East London food spots, don’t miss our guide to the best restaurants in Shoreditch, featuring the neighbourhood’s most exciting places to eat.
You’re originally from Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and you’ve brought that tradition to London with your own modern twist. What does “authentic Neapolitan pizza” mean to you in today’s food culture?
For me, authenticity is about respecting the foundations and original techniques: slow-fermented dough, fresh produce and ingredients, and the traditional cooking process. But authenticity doesn’t mean being stuck in the past.
In today’s food culture, it’s also about evolving, experimenting, and expressing who you are through the craft. Naples taught me the rules – London culture gave me the inspiration to make new creations.
So an authentic Neapolitan pizza today is one that honours tradition while still feeling alive, modern, and full of personality.
Your motto, “Pizza is a serious thing,” has become part of 081’s identity. What’s the philosophy behind it — and what makes a truly great pizza in your eyes?
“Pizza is a serious thing” is my way of saying that great pizza doesn’t happen by accident.
It takes patience, technique, discipline – from fermenting the dough for over 36 hours to mastering the slap technique and cooking at exactly the right temperature.
A great pizza should be simple but something you savour: light, airy dough, balanced toppings, high-quality ingredients, and that perfect Neapolitan softness with a little bite.
When something is made with passion and precision, you can taste it immediately. That’s what makes pizza serious to me.
After the success of your pop-ups and the Peckham restaurant, why did you choose Shoreditch for your next location? What does this neighbourhood bring to the 081 story?
Shoreditch felt like the natural next step for 081. It’s a creative, innovative, and vibrant hub – everything that matches who we are.
Peckham gave us our foundation, our community, and our voice. Shoreditch allows us to amplify it.
The neighbourhood is full of energy, culture, and people who appreciate food with personality. Opening there felt like bringing a little piece of Naples’ lively street culture into the heart of East London.
You co-founded Bravi Ragazzi before launching 081 Pizzeria. How did those early experiences shape your vision and approach when creating 081?
Bravi Ragazzi was my first real step into the London pizza scene, and I learned everything, from the business side, the suppliers, the customers, and how to introduce Neapolitan pizza to a new audience.
But it also made me realise I needed to expand my perspective beyond the Italian mindset. Working later in places like Burger & Lobster, MEATliquor, and Pizza Pilgrims opened my eyes to new styles of hospitality and creativity.
081 was built from all those experiences – the tradition of Naples, the lessons from Bravi Ragazzi, and the fresh, modern energy I absorbed from the London restaurant world.
Your menu features creative dishes like Crocche, Pizza Buns, and the Pistachio Doughnut alongside traditional Neapolitan pizzas. How do you balance innovation with authenticity?
It’s all about intention. I never create dishes just to be “different.”
Innovation should come from respecting where you come from. Napoli has so many incredible street foods and traditions beyond pizza – Crocche, fried snacks, sweet pastries. I take those foundations and reimagine them for London.
The dough, the technique, the ingredients – those remain authentically Neapolitan. The creativity comes in how we present, combine, and evolve them.
081 has built a reputation not just for food, but for its energy — that warm, lively Neapolitan spirit. How do you recreate that atmosphere in the heart of London?
Neapolitan culture is loud, warm, chaotic in the best way – and full of soul. I wanted that same feeling in 081.
It comes down to our taste in music, the people we hire, the way we speak to our customers, the energy of the open kitchen, and our bold, artistic branding inspired by Naples street culture.
When you walk into 081, you should feel the creative energy of Shoreditch wrapped in the warmth and comfort of a true neighbourhood spot.
London’s newest sandwich obsession seems to be your Panuozzo — the Neapolitan pizza sandwich that’s quickly winning hearts. Why did you decide to bring this regional favourite to London, and what makes it so special?
Panuozzo is a classic from the town of Gragnano, just outside Naples – but very few people in London had ever tried it.
I wanted to bring a piece of home that felt new and exciting here. We use our pizza dough, stretch it, bake it, and fill it with high-quality ingredients. It’s simple, addictive, and full of flavour.
It’s the perfect expression of what 081 stands for: tradition reimagined with creativity and fun.
Looking ahead, what’s next for you and 081 Pizzeria — more locations, new dishes, or perhaps expanding the brand beyond London?
081 still has so much room to grow. We’re exploring new locations, including more central London sites, and expanding our menu with seasonal specials and new Naples-inspired dishes.
But for me, growth is only meaningful if the quality stays exceptional and the soul of the brand stays intact.
Whether it’s more restaurants, new concepts, or collaborations, the goal is the same: bring the spirit of Naples to more people, one serious pizza at a time.