Homeslice Neal's Yard — Restaurant in London

Late-Night Magic at Homeslice Pizza: A Slice of Kindness in Neal’s Yard

On a crisp Saturday evening in Covent Garden, my quest for a nostalgic pizza fix led me to Homeslice Pizza in the whimsically colorful enclave of Neal’s Yard. Despite arriving just 30 minutes before closing time—a gamble in any city—the warmth and generosity we encountered turned what could have been a missed opportunity into a heartening culinary memory.

Ambiance: Quirky Charm Under Twinkle Lights Nestled in Neal’s Yard’s rainbow-hued courtyard, Homeslice exudes an effortless, laid-back vibe. Fairy lights strung above communal wooden tables and the hum of late-night chatter create an inviting, almost festival-like atmosphere. Even at near-closing hour, the energy here feels unhurried and welcoming.

A Server’s Kindness: Saved by the Slice Admittedly, we pushed our luck arriving so late. The kitchen had already shut for new orders, but before disappointment could set in, our server—a beacon of empathy—stepped in with a smile. “Let me see what I can do,” she said, disappearing into the kitchen. Moments later, she emerged with two freshly reheated margherita slices, apologizing that it was all she could offer. Her effort to accommodate us, despite the timing, was a gesture of genuine hospitality that set the tone for the evening.

The Pizza: Timeless Simplicity, Perfectly Executed Homeslice’s margherita is a masterclass in minimalism. The crust—thin, blistered, and gloriously chewy—held a tangy tomato base and molten pools of fior di latte, finished with basil that tasted plucked from a garden. Even reheated, the flavors sang: bright, balanced, and exactly as I remembered from visits past. My wife and I savored each bite slowly, the kind of deliberate enjoyment that comes from knowing you’ve lucked into something special.

Leaving on a “Food High” As we wiped the last crumbs of charred crust from the plate, that familiar post-pizza euphoria settled in—a mix of contentment and mild guilt, the hallmark of a truly great slice. Homeslice’s margherita, in its unpretentious perfection, reminded us why this spot has endured as a London favorite.

Final Thoughts Homeslice isn’t just about pizza; it’s about the kind of unscripted moments that turn a meal into a memory. The server’s kindness, the cozy buzz of Neal’s Yard, and the unwavering quality of those iconic slices make this a place worth returning to—even if you’re cutting it close to closing time.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5) Perfect for: Late-night cravings, casual hangs, or anyone seeking pizza that feels like a hug. Pro tip: Come early for the full menu, but know that the staff might just save the day...

Thoroughly disappointing first (and last) visit.

I asked if it was possible for vegan cheese to be on half a pizza. The waitress said yes, but you need to order a whole pizza. Ok. So I asked for half a vegan margherita, with mushrooms. She said, oh you want mushroom pizza? I said yes, vegan margherita, with mushrooms. My partner wanted the same, but with normal cheese.

Anyway, the pizza comes and I ask which half is vegan cheese. A different waitress brought the pizza over, and said the side with the white cheese was vegan and motioned to one side. So we turned the pizza around so the side was facing me.

We were disappointed it wasn't a margarita with mushrooms. Infact, it wasn't even a tomato based pizza at all. The pizza was in fact mushroom, ricotta, pumpkin seed and other bits. Not what the waitress had asked if we wanted. Nor what we ordered. Also, neither of us were we asked if we had allergies. We don't, but I'm lactose intolerant - hence ordering vegan cheese. About half way through, I thought the other side seemed more like vegan cheese to the side I was eating as the cheese on my side seemed very creamy, so my partner tried my side. Neither of us could tell. I'm pretty sure I ate the dairy side and took Imodium as soon as we left.

It was a pricey lunch, the pizza was £32, my partner had a coke and then they add on hefty service so it came to just over £40. I appreciate that the service is discretionary, but by that point we just wanted to get out. I was also annoyed they use paper plates. Not very sustainable.

There's nothing more disappointing than bad pizza, and sadly,...

I had the pleasure of visiting a pizza restaurant with some friends recently, and overall it was a great experience. The highlight of our visit was definitely the pizza - we ordered two 20" pizzas, which are large enough to feed 2-3 people each. We ordered two different pizzas instead of splitting the flavours 50/50.

The Air-Dried Wagyu Beef with Truffle Crème Fraîche, Cipollini Onions, and Salsa Verde (with Garlic Oil) was an absolute standout, with its rich and flavourful toppings.

The Salami, Rocket & Parmesan with Tomato was also delicious, with the rocket adding a nice touch of freshness to the overall flavour.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was generally nice, with a warm and welcoming vibe. However, one downside was the music. The club and high loud music felt out of place and unnecessary, and it detracted from the overall dining experience. It was hard to hear each other over the noise, and it was difficult to relax and enjoy the meal fully. It would have been better if the restaurant had played more low-key and relaxing background music, or even just kept the volume down a bit.

Despite the music, we still had a great time and would recommend the restaurant to others for the quality of the pizza alone. If you're looking for some delicious pizza with some friends, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared for some loud music in...