During the long days of lockdown, one purchase stood out above all the rest: my pizza oven. It was an obvious choice—since everyone in my family loves pizza, making it perfectly at home was the next step. After many trials and plenty of errors, I finally mastered crafting delicious pizza in under 90 seconds.
Our Saturday evenings improved by at least 25%, with an extra dose of joy from listening to Liza Tarbuck on Radio 2 as I prepared the dough. Though Liza has since moved on, pizza Saturdays remain a cherished tradition in our home. However, dining out for pizza is always special.
One Sunday, after skipping our homemade ritual, we decided to visit Cattivo Pizza in Cirencester. Nestled at the Old Kennels site—a lively cluster of businesses including Roots + Seeds and Corinium Ales—this spot is perfectly situated near the entrance to Cirencester Park on Tetbury Hill.
READ MORE: Gloucester City Council Leader Alastair Chambers Charged with Harassment
READ MORE: Concerns Rise Over Stroud Housing Plans Amid M5 Junction Capacity Issues
The atmosphere was buzzing when we arrived, but staff quickly found us a table. We eagerly browsed their menu, impressed by their promise of a 48-hour fermented dough base—a detail that piqued our curiosity.
The menu offers something for everyone: starters like fresh salads, olives, indulgent garlic bread, and dough balls set the tone. The pizza selection ranges from classic Margherita and Marinara to adventurous choices like the Spicy Bad Boy, loaded with nduja, pepperoni, and a hit of hot honey. The ‘Deer Hunter’ showcases venison sausage and mushrooms, while Pizza Parma combines buffalo mozzarella and Fior di Latte cheese. Prices range between £14 and £17.
I couldn’t resist the spicy kick of the Bad Boy, while my wife chose the Goat, topped with goat cheese, red onion, rocket, and parmesan. Our kids opted for the classic Margherita and Parma.
To drink, I selected a refreshing, zesty Mosaic ale from Corinium Ales—hard to pass up given our location. For others, the menu also offers wine, cider, and soft drinks.
As we waited, we enjoyed watching head chef Antonio Dino and assistant Toby Hawkins skillfully assemble our pizzas before sliding them into their impressive stone oven—a moment that sparked both hunger and envy.
When the pizzas arrived, they did not disappoint. The crust was delightfully soft rather than crispy, perfectly complementing the bold flavor contrasts of my spicy yet sweet Bad Boy. A bite of the Goat pizza was equally impressive.
Both children devoured their slices, leaving clean plates all around—a clear sign of success.
The standout crust alone has already changed my weekend cooking plans. While I consider myself a competent home chef, Cattivo’s pizzas proved worth the outing—and we’ll definitely return.
Find Cattivo Pizza at The Old Kennels, Cirencester Park, GL7 1UR, conveniently located next to the Old Kennels car park. Expect to spend around £80 for a meal for four, including drinks.