Honest Pizza Company

True to its name, this little Stranmillis pizza specialist trades on doing the simple things honestly: fresh, well-sourced toppings, a sauce locals rave about and a house pesto that turns up as a quiet favourite. The menu is kept tight and is laid out clearly above the counter, so first-timers can read the whole range at a glance and order without fuss. Service is warm and unhurried, with staff happy to talk you through the options, and the wait rarely tests anyone's patience even when the counter is busy.

It sits among the cluster of independent eateries near the university and the river, and reviewers give it a respectable 4.0 out of 5, praising beautiful pizzas built on clearly fresh ingredients and genuinely reasonable value. Opinions are not unanimous — a handful of visitors have been less impressed — but the steady stream of regulars and the care taken over each base suggest a kitchen that knows its craft. Vegetarians are well catered for, with plenty of meat-free combinations to choose from.