My husband and I love a midweek dinner date, and we are a family of pizza lovers, so last week we were excited to try the pizzas at Village Pizza Kitchen in Hurstpierpoint.
A much-loved local gem situated on the High Street, this neighbourhood restaurant was started by Jo, a local with a serious love of pizza and a commitment to using and supporting beautiful fresh produce. The pizza is so good that they now have two kiosks at the Amex stadium, and they also serve food in the lounges. They’ve recently started supplying Southampton’s football stadium too.
What You’ll Love
- Two styles of pizza under one roof
- A real commitment to local sourcing
- Creative extras including homemade dips and locally grown chilli oil
- A cosy neighbourhood atmosphere
- Saving room for “ponuts”
Vibrant Village Vibes, Sustainability and Flavour
The restaurant is cosy with a modern and relaxed feel. Decorated in contemporary teal with exposed wood and brick, the restaurant’s buzzing atmosphere suggests that it’s a popular spot for locals.
My husband loves beer and ale and was impressed by the selection from Hop Tub Brewery further down the High Street.
Sustainability and supporting local producers are clearly at the heart of Village Pizza Kitchen’s ethos, from sourcing the best produce as locally as possible to using sustainable packaging.
British produce is used where possible with a focus on British flour and cheese. The flour used at Village Pizza Kitchen comes from the Cotswolds, the buffalo mozzarella comes from a farm in Hampshire and most of the other ingredients are sourced from Sussex. Even the chillies used in the (delicious) chilli oil are grown on a farm in Ashurst.
Perfect Pizza!
I must admit, I’ve always been on team ‘thin crust’ when it comes to pizza bases, but I was intrigued by the new Detroit pizza menu and eager to try it.
We ordered a ‘Just Goat Serious’ on a Romano base, and a ‘Pepperoni’ Detroit-style pizza.
I tried the Detroit pizza first: a blend of cheeses, pepperoni, marinara sauce, hot honey and fresh basil on a thick but pillowy dough. The crust was airy with a perfectly caramelised edge and a subtle chew.
The sweetness of the rich tomato sauce with the slight kick of the hot honey was so delicious that I nearly didn’t leave room to try the other pizza, but I managed to resist and I’m so glad I did because it was just as good.
The base was thin and crispy, topped with homemade tomato sauce, Somerset fior di latte, fresh pesto, caramelised red onions and goat’s cheese. The sweetness of the onions and the creaminess of the goat’s cheese complemented each other perfectly.
We tried two of the homemade dips – black garlic mayo and chilli jam – both excellent, and the aforementioned chilli oil made from local chillies provided the perfect amount of heat: subtle warmth with flavour that builds with each bite.
Saving Room For “Ponuts”!
One thing is for sure when visiting Village Pizza Kitchen – you won’t leave hungry.
Luckily, we left room for dessert.
We ordered the Café Gourmand, a mini trio of their most popular desserts served with an espresso. It came with a sweet and creamy lemon posset with tangy dried raspberries for texture, a perfectly balanced tiramisu and a chocolate brownie with rich chocolate sauce.
We also had to try the “ponuts” (mini doughnuts made from their pizza dough), with cinnamon sugar and served with Biscoff and Nutella, and I can see why they are so popular.
A Restaurant for Every Occasion
At the heart of the community, this restaurant has built its reputation on a genuine commitment to sustainability and supporting local producers wherever possible.
Jo and her team have clearly put real care into creating more than just a place to eat; they’ve created a welcoming neighbourhood destination.
I loved that it felt like the perfect spot for date night, but equally great for family gatherings or a catch-up with friends.
If you’re looking for seriously good pizza, thoughtful local sourcing and a relaxed evening out that feels a little special, Village Pizza Kitchen is well worth the short trip to Hurstpierpoint.
