Among the many things I picked up during lockdown, my favorite by far is the pizza oven. It seemed like the perfect addition—everyone in my family loves pizza, so why not make it better? After a few trial-and-error sessions, I mastered the art of crafting delicious pizzas in under 90 seconds. This oven improved our Saturday evenings by a significant margin, with a little extra joy from listening to Liza Tarbuck on Radio 2 as I cooked.
Though Liza has moved on, pizza Saturdays remain a family tradition. Yet, dining out for pizza remains a special treat. One Sunday, having skipped our usual homemade pizza, we decided to visit Cattivo Pizza in Cirencester.
Located at the Old Kennels site—a flourishing cluster of businesses including Roots + Seeds and Corinium Ales near Cirencester Park off Tetbury Hill—Cattivo, which means ‘Bad Boys’ in Italian, is a welcome addition. The modern venue enjoys a prime location, perfectly suited for visitors heading to the park for a stroll.
Despite being busy on arrival, the staff quickly seated us, and we eagerly explored the menu. Starters included fresh salads, olives, ‘naughty’ garlic bread, and dough balls, but we were here for the main event: pizza.
Cattivo’s renowned 48-hour fermented pizza dough had piqued our curiosity. The menu balances classic options like Margherita and Marinara with bold creations, such as the Spicy Bad Boy, featuring nduja, pepperoni, hot honey, and more. Other tempting choices included the Deer Hunter with venison sausage and mushrooms, and the Pizza Parma, topped with buffalo mozzarella and Fior di Latte cheese. Prices range from £14 to £17.
I opted for the Bad Boy to satisfy my craving for spice. My wife chose the Goat—with goat cheese, red onion, rocket, and parmesan. Our son went classic Margherita, while our daughter picked the Parma.
To complement the meal, I selected a refreshing and tangy Mosaic beer from Corinium Ales. Non-beer drinkers can enjoy wine, cider, or soft drinks.
Watching head chef Antonio Dino and assistant chef Toby Hawkins expertly assemble our pizzas before sliding them into the impressive pizza oven was a treat in itself—admittedly, I felt a bit envious.
When the pizzas arrived, we were delighted. The crust was soft and tender rather than crispy, which was a pleasant surprise. My Bad Boy pizza delivered an ideal balance of spice and sweetness. I also sampled a slice of the Goat, which was equally excellent.
Both children polished off their plates, so we declared our outing a complete success. The standout crust has inspired me to rethink my own weekend pizza routine. Though I consider myself a home pizza maestro, Cattivo’s creations justify the trip, and we will definitely be returning.
Cattivo Pizza is located at The Old Kennels, Cirencester Park, Cirencester, GL7 1UR, adjacent to the Old Kennels car park. It has also opened a second branch at Far Peak Climbing near Northleach. Expect to spend around £80 for a meal for four with drinks.