THIS is the ultimate guide to finding the best pizza in County Durham and Darlington, as voted for by the public.
From "first-class" brasseries to authentic Indian restaurants, you are never far from a fantastic place to eat.
National Pizza Day is celebrated on Feburary 9 every year - just in case you needed a reason to treat yourself to one of the most popular Italian foods.
Most restaurants now offer pizzas for different dietary needs so your vegan, veggie and gluten-free friends don't miss out.
Here are the top five restaurants serving pizza in County Durham and Darlington based on Tripadvisor reviews.
Stable Hearth Neapolitian Pizzeria & Enoteca
Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: 33-35 Duke Street, Darlington, DL3 7RX
Stable Hearth Neapolitian Pizzeria & Enoteca is the best place for pizza in County Durham, according to Tripadvisor reviews.
Expect "pizza perfection" and a varied mix of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options from this Darlington pizzeria.
One customer said: "First family visit today, and we tried three different pizzas. Delicious! Beautiful pizzas with vividly coloured toppings, baked to perfection in the open oven. Perfect crusts, not too hard or chewy, and flavourful ingredients. Very pleasant service too."
Another said: "Amazing pizzas everytime, great wine list, amazing wine list and great Italian beer/larger Pizza's are the best around by far! I travel from Middlesbrough to Darlington when I can just for the pizza."
Santonios
Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: Vindomora Road, Ebchester, Consett, NE17 7SH
Santonios scores high for food quality, value and service with reviewers highly recommending the seafood pizza.
One happy customer told Tripadvisor: "Excellent food, choice of beverages and most of all attentive friendly staff! supee cocktail menu and tasty pizzas! We visit every week and we are never disappointed!"
The menu has vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
Picco Bar & Pizzeria
Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: 20 Bondgate, Darlington, DL3 7JG
Pizza from Picco Bar & Pizzeria was described as "one of the nicest outside of Italy" in just one Tripadvisor review.
Expect "authentic Italian cuisine" with delicious options for vegetarians and vegans.
One customer said: "This pizza restaurant is the best one in Darlington. The pizzas are delicious with plenty of choice available at great prices. The staff are very friendly and attentive. Highly recommended."
Il Cancello Italian Restaurant
Tripadvisor rating: 5/5
Location: Station Road, Beamish, Stanley, DH9 6RN
This Sicilian restaurant has plenty of 'excellent' rated reviews.
One reviewer said: "Fabulous restaurant! I had the Pizza Funghi with extra chillis - so tasty! One of the best! My husband had a spicy meat one, again tasty.
"Service was first class. I'd go every week if we lived here!"
The menu has vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
You can also get takeaways from Il Cancello - something which impressed one customer who came from Stanley.
The reviewer said: "Searching for a Friday pizza we came upon Il Cancello on Just Eat... I can’t describe the food other than just WOW! The delivery came in less than half an hour with starters and mains.
"Restaurant food in my house!"
Sale Pepe
Tripadvisor rating: 4.5/5
Location: 10-12 Front Street, Shotley Bridge, DH8 0HH
The food at Sale Pepe left one customer lost for words after "running out of superlatives!"
The reviewer told Tripadvisor: "It's great. Food. Staff. Ambience. Go, you won't regret it."
One local said: "Living in the village this is a favourite local whether with our family, date night or friends. We used to come weekly prior to the pandemic and were in again the first night they opened again. Our favourites are still the Emilia and diavola pizza’s."
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