A standout night in Madrid has once again confirmed Little Pyg as Ireland’s leading name in pizza. At the 2025 Pizza Europa Awards, held on Wednesday 4th June, the Dublin hotspot was crowned ‘Best Pizza in Ireland’ for the third year running. A rare and remarkable achievement in the competitive world of European dining.
The awards, widely considered the gold standard in European pizza excellence, are curated by acclaimed Italian food critics Barbara Guerra, Luciano Pignataro and Albert Sapere. With over 2,000 anonymous inspectors assessing restaurants across the continent, securing a win here means meeting some of the highest standards in the culinary industry.
The Top 50 Pizza Awards were launched in Italy in 2017 and have grown into the most respected ranking platform for pizzerias in Europe. Each year, the organisation’s experienced team of inspectors visits thousands of venues anonymously, assessing everything from dough quality and ingredient sourcing to service, innovation and overall experience. The final rankings are revealed at a live awards ceremony that brings together the most talented pizzaiolos and restaurateurs from across the continent.
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Little Pyg, located in the historic Powerscourt Townhouse Centre, added to its growing reputation by climbing to #16 in the list of Europe’s Top 50 Pizzerias. It remains the only Irish restaurant to earn a place on the list three years in a row. This accolade also earns the team a coveted spot at the World Pizza Championships, set to take place in Naples this coming September.
Speaking from Madrid, owner Paul McGlade Jnr shared his pride in the team:
“We're very proud of Federico, who is regarded as one of the best pizzaiolos in the world and our team at Little Pyg, it's a great award for their hard work and dedication."
Speaking on their triumphant win, Little Pyg’s head chef Federico Rapali had this to say, “I’m incredibly proud to share that we have been named Best Pizzeria in Ireland for the third year in a row as well as ranking #16 in Europe at the 2025 Top Pizza Awards. This recognition means everything. It is a reflection of relentless passion, long hours and the belief that great pizza can bring people together. To my amazing team and our loyal guests, thank you for making this journey possible. What started as a dream has grown into something far greater than I ever imagined. Here’s to tradition, innovation and never settling for anything less than excellence.”
While Little Pyg has gained international recognition, it continues to offer something uniquely Irish. The venue occupies the soaring central courtyard of Powerscourt Townhouse, earning it the title of Ireland’s tallest restaurant-bar. Known for its stylish interiors, award-winning pizzas and the popular “Pygtails” cocktail deal (two for €24 every day of the week), Little Pyg also has an impressive selection of Italian wines, blending world-class quality with Dublin charm.
