Franco Manca Guildford — Restaurant in Guildford

I asked a table for one person (just myself). Waitress' Answer was: 'No'. I worked in the restaurants for 10 years. I gave a glance around and there where at least 2 potential tables, just used from previous customers. They need just a quick clean and they could be available.So I replied: 'Could a table for one be available soon or later?' ANSWER: Oh, yes! it will take 15 minutes, but serving time are around 20/25 minutes.' (It seems she persuaded me to give up) I reply:'Ok, i can wait'. (I was so hungry). I took the seat and I ordered. One antipasto bruschetta and pizza #4.(so they can recognise me while they read this review).Ordering bruschetta was my way to give the pizzaiolo some extra time for making the pizza. I ate my bruschetta with burrata (i come from The Town where burrata was invented- no good no bad). After 40 minutes I ate my bruschetta, the pizza has not arrived yet. Other customers arrived after me were served, and almost concluded their dinner. The same waitress of reception approached me and asked:" I was your dinner? Would you like the bill?. My answer:' Are You joking? (basically they totally forgot my order). I mentioned that to a woman who looked like a sort of manager, although i am not really sure. She looked surprised but not enough to apologise. My beer was finished, therefore i ordered a new one to her(offering the second beer as the first one was finished as it took ages for a pizza it would be a good gesture -but she didn’t do it). When I tried the pizza....i realized that it was better for me if it did not arrive at all. It was very bad. It was chewy, some part burned some other row, low quality ingredients not arranged well. I ate it, no time for discussion and looking for a new restaurant. I ate it, i paid it, i left.I lived in Brixton when Franco Manca opened the first pizzeria. I used to love it, but now it seems a English pizzeria taking advantage from the reputation of great italian pizzeria that used to be....

So, we decided to order from Franco Manca, craving the authentic Italian job in the form of 11 pizzas and 4 garlic bread. Our situation, let's say, was as stealthy as a slice of Pepperoni sneaking into a Vegan Pizza party. We were lodged in an AirBNB with the host living next door, ready to pounce on any sound louder than a mouse hiccupping.

Enter our Uber Eats knight, riding gallantly with our food treasure, swiftly transforming into the town crier. "They're having a party!" he announced to our quiet Guildford neighbourhood. So much for subtlety, we thought, as our AirBNB host peered suspiciously from her window. Her cat gave us a look that, I swear, read "Busted!"

As it turned out, our surprise pizza fiesta was now Guildford's worst kept secret. The Uber Eats rider might've been louder than a vegan finding that sneaky Pepperoni, but honestly, his enthusiasm was infectious. We thanked him, half considering offering him a slice for his improv performance.

Turning to the main characters of this drama, the pizzas were downright delicious, and the garlic bread was a crunchy treat. They were an epicurean ensemble worth every penny, and in the wake of our busted party, they were our comfort food. Our heartbreak was drowned in marinara sauce, and each bite was a monument to the notion that great food can heal all woes.

In retrospect, our Franco Manca experience was truly unforgettable, a mix of comedy, drama, and mouth-watering Italian cuisine. We'd recommend it with a side note: if you want to keep your pizza party a secret, perhaps consider hiring your own ninja delivery person. Or just invite your AirBNB host and their judgmental cat – after all, who can resist a good slice of Franco Manca pizza? Next time, we’ll just make sure to order twelve pizzas, because twelve, as everyone knows, is the universal code for...

A colleague shared this place with us so we thought we’d take a visit whilst in the area (my husband, me and our 10 month old boy) it can always be a bit daunting going out to eat with an unpredictable baby but the staff were so accommodating! We instantly felt relaxed when we arrived and were quickly seated, table ready for high chair etc, we didn’t even make a booking!

The service was pretty quick and the staff were all lovely actually but equally quite easy going which we liked. Our waitress (I didn’t get her name!!) had an accent maybe Scottish?? A nose ring and glasses, she was fab.

The pizza was shamazingggg. So much vegan choice and freshly made (you can see them making it which I like) came out pretty quick too but not too quick to make you wonder if it’s been cooked properly if you know what I mean! So yeah, lots of choice on the menu for all and a kids menu also, pizza, drink and dessert for £7.95!

The cost overall I thought was good value for money, £37.95 for a kids meal, dessert, 3 drinks and 2 large pizzas. Service charge was included which isn’t uncommon and we boxed some of ours up and ended up eating it for dinner so it goes a long way!

Toilets clean and private - always a winner when you need the baby changing!

Definitely worth a visit whether you’re a family or a couple, friends etc really yummy, chill and fun...