Hastings Pizzeria Crowned World's Best Restaurant
Monellis Sourdough Gourmet Pizza in Hastings Old Town has topped the 2026 ranking of the world's best pizzerias, beating establishments across Italy, Japan and the United States.
World's Top Pizzeria
Monellis Sourdough Gourmet Pizza has taken the top spot in The World's 100 Best Pizzerias for 2026, a ranking compiled by international travel and venue-ranking platform Worth a Journey.
The Hastings Old Town restaurant, run by Frankie Ruffolo and Francesca Elia since December 2019, has surpassed pizzerias in Italy, Japan and the United States to claim the accolade.
A Family Recipe Spanning Generations
The heart of Monellis' pizzas is a sourdough starter that dates back to 1923, passed down from Mr Ruffolo's grandmother in Mendicino, Calabria. The dough is fermented for up to seven days using traditional Italian methods.
Mr Ruffolo and Ms Elia said: "We are genuinely surprised, deeply honoured and incredibly proud. When we opened Monellis, we never imagined that our little pizzeria in Hastings could one day be recognised at the top of a worldwide ranking."
They added: "Monellis is much more than a business to us. It is our life together, our shared dream and a little piece of the southern Italy we carry in our hearts. Every pizza tells a story that began more than a hundred years ago with Frankie's grandmother, Nonna Emma."
Commitment Through the Pandemic
Monellis opened just three months before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. Despite the challenging circumstances, the couple remained committed to their philosophy of never compromising on quality and treating every customer as part of their extended family.
"For a tiny, independent pizzeria like ours to receive this recognition is incredibly emotional," Mr Ruffolo and Ms Elia said. "We hope it inspires other small family businesses to believe that passion, authenticity and determination really do matter."
They continued: "We are enormously grateful to our customers, our dedicated team and everyone who has supported us along the way. And we hope this recognition brings even more attention to Hastings, the beautiful town we are proud to call home."
How Rankings Are Determined
A spokesperson for Worth a Journey explained that its rankings are calculated using a proprietary algorithm analysing millions of data points from hundreds of thousands of venues worldwide, with adjustments informed by in-person evaluations. Consistent eligibility criteria are applied across venues, regardless of ownership, location or reputation.
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