Authentic Italian Restaurant in Ripon

We are open

Mon, Tues & Thurs 4.30 – 9pm

Fri & Sat 4.30 – 9.30pm

Wed & Sun – Closed

You can now book online using this link

For tables of 8 or more, please call first on 01765 602 034 to check availability

Award Winners!

We were delighted to win ‘Best Restaurant – North Yorkshire’ at the 2025 England Business Awards. This is welcome recognition of the great work our team put in every day!

Prima on Kirkgate

A Passion for Food

Pietro loved cooking from an early age and this led him to have his first experience at age 15, working in a professional kitchen in his hometown of Canosa di Puglia in Southern Italy. Since then, it’s been his passion. But his greatest food memory is of his mother’s Ragu cooking on the stove, the aromas of that rich sauce filled the whole house.

In 2015 Pietro came to Ripon to work at Prima Pizzeria, where he developed his skills and fired his ambition. He started at the bottom and worked his way up very quickly going from Commis to Head Chef in just 3 years. However, in November 2021, an opportunity to fulfil his dream presented itself. After 37 years, the Fantoni family were ready to hand over the reins. Now Pietro and his team are carrying on the tradition of delivering an authentic Italian dining experience in Ripon.

Prima Pizzeria
2023
Recommended

Pietro says “Being a Chef and Restaurateur is the ultimate job for someone who loves food. No two days are the same, trying out new dishes, listening to what your customers say, tweaking recipes and constantly looking to improve. But above all, it’s immensely rewarding and great fun”.

He loves to travel, experiencing new food and all types of restaurants. It’s this along with his Italian heritage which inspires every dish. That passion for food which saw Pietro make the move from Puglia to Yorkshire which is at the heart of what a customer can expect from the kitchen.

That’s why he makes a point of meeting all his local suppliers personally to ensure the quality of their produce. From locally reared meat and poultry to his favourite Brymor Ice Cream, Pietro ensures standards are maintained. Even the wine needs the seal of approval before it goes on the list…!

Put simply, Prima Pizzeria serves great food, in a cosy atmosphere, with the buzz of a busy restaurant which makes booking highly recommended – especially at weekends.

If you would like to make a reservation…

Call us on

01765 602034

The house “Blackboard Menu” is updated on a regular basis to accommodate for fresh seafood and seasonal game and a Children’s Menu is available. Prima Pizzeria also has an extensive Take Away Menu if you want the Prima Experience at home.

Located, only a two-minute walk from either Ripon Market Place or Ripon Cathedral, Prima Pizzeria, is at 33 Kirkgate which is a characterful cobbled street packed with small shops.

Pietro and the team are looking forward to welcoming you to Prima Pizzeria 

 

Click to follow us and read our latest reviews on:

We’re open

Monday, Tuesday & Thursday 4.30pm until 9pm

Friday & Saturday 4.30pm until 9.30pm

Closed Wednesday & Sunday 

We offer a Select Menu (2 Course – Starter with Pizza or Pasta £18.90 or Starter with a Special £23.90) Monday, Tuesday & Thursday all night and from 4.30pm until 6pm Friday & Saturday (T’s&C’s Apply. Not available on Bank Holiday Weekends) 

Gift Vouchers Available – Please Ask For Details

What our customers say about us…

  • star rating  A genuine authentic Italian restaurant, the place was buzzing and we were so glad we had booked in advance. The two course special, which also included a side with the... read more

    avatar thumb marionn384
    June 7, 2021

    star rating  We were visiting the area and this restaurant was recommended to us by our B&B owners. We were so overwhelmed we visited twice! It is a small restaurant and the... read more

    avatar thumb Molly1107
    September 22, 2021

    star rating  A great authentic Italian experience - A great authentic Italian experience. We visited in August for an evening meal. Starter - the olives were delicious. For mains I had the Pollo alla crème and my wife... read more

    avatar thumb philip
    August 6, 2024
  • star rating  A welcoming atmospheric restaurant with delicious food and friendly & attentive staff. - A lovely evening in a busy but friendly & atmospheric little restaurant. We had very helpful staff who were prompt, attentive & efficient without rushing us. The food... read more

    avatar thumb Tony E
    April 20, 2025

    star rating  Pizzas were really good and atmosphere and service excelklent. Small complaint was that wine not available as 125ml which is a bit annoying plus required by law so not good... read more

    avatar thumb markonemillion
    August 22, 2022

    star rating  What a delightful cosy authentic Italian restaurant. Fabulous staff, service and food was delicious and very well priced. Although we could have ordered from the Early Bird menu we opted... read more

    avatar thumb JoJoM705
    June 12, 2021
  • star rating  A second evening out in Ripon found us at Prima Italian restaurant on Monday.
    A warm welcome and excellent service made us relax and enjoy our visit.
    We had booked... read more

    avatar thumb Helen S
    June 30, 2021

    star rating  Superb - First time visitor last night ,the food was superbly presented and cooked,I had the lamb shank best meal I've had in a while,the staff were warm welcoming and friendly...it's definitely... read more

    avatar thumb stephenmE9432DQ
    January 6, 2023

    star rating  We’d prebooked due to the excellent reviews on here. We had eaten lunch on the way to Ripon so we weren’t starving. I had an excellent pizza and husband had... read more

    avatar thumb Familybreaks
    September 3, 2021
  • star rating  Lovely restaurant - Centrally located great food great staff. Reasonably priced. Great choice of food on menu plus there is a specials board

    avatar thumb annieLincoln
    May 19, 2025

    star rating  Fantastic New years eve! - Me and a group of friends reserved a table new years eve at prima! The restaurant was booming, was busy all tables full the atmosphere was great. Staff where attentive... read more

    avatar thumb genetted2023
    January 5, 2023

    star rating  Outstanding meal last night. Prima remains our favourite restaurant in Ripon and last night the food was even better then usual.
    We had a really nice gluten free garlic bread... read more

    avatar thumb James G
    February 21, 2026
  • star rating  Superb food. New decor not quite so. - As fairly regular diners we were curious to see the new look restaurant. Superb food as always - excellent choices and value. However we felt the lighting was a little... read more

    avatar thumb 126kathryns
    February 3, 2023

    star rating  Average Italian Food - First time there this evening, It was pretty busy which was reassuring, the starters arrived quickly and were nice enough. The mains arrived. Pepperoni Pizza was not very nice, pepperoni... read more

    avatar thumb David P
    April 20, 2024

    star rating  When ever we come to Ripon, Prima is always our number one restaurant. The specials are always different and delicious as well as the very excellent service! Very reasonable price.... read more

    avatar thumb el10ttt
    October 9, 2021
  • star rating  Took us as walk in at 6 on a Friday. Couldn't have been more pleasant. Ordered bread and olives while we looked at the menu. My pasta meatballs and my... read more

    avatar thumb allanmillie
    July 6, 2025

    star rating  This restaurant is our ‘go to’ spot when in Ripon. Not only is the food great and reasonably priced but the service is excellent. It is always full of lively,... read more

    avatar thumb Bopeep1947
    March 23, 2022

    star rating  Great early diner menu. This is really good value. The starters were varied and delicious. The main courses were wide ranging and we opted for the pork medallions. The portion... read more

    avatar thumb Ali07London
    October 5, 2022
  • star rating  I was booked in with a group of friends, some of whom I had not seen for a while in person because of covid.

    I ordered from the early... read more

    avatar thumb Singleness_Expert
    August 22, 2021

    star rating  Good quality great value and friendly staff. Really couldn’t fault it. Nice atmosphere.

    avatar thumb Vaughan H
    March 4, 2026

    star rating  Verry Good - What a great experience in Prima Ristorante Italiano the past and the pizza was so delicious. I will come back for sure!

    avatar thumb leahmC2940DV
    November 23, 2022
  • star rating  I went up to Ripon with my parents to celebrate the end of my university exams and booked here as the early bird menu looked good, i had deep fried... read more

    avatar thumb Tommygun45
    May 12, 2022

    star rating  Good food bad service - We’ve been as a family a few times lately, the food is always very good but the service has really gone downhill. Starters and main courses not too bad ... read more

    avatar thumb Cathy D
    May 9, 2025

    star rating  Beautiful vist - We arrived and were met with a lovely warm friendly welcome after been shown to our table the waitress offered us some drinks then gave us plenty of time to... read more

    avatar thumb Andy
    April 27, 2025
  • star rating  After our visit to Fountains Abbey we booked to eat at Prima, really good choice. The food and service where excellent, food cooked to perfection. Really worth a visit.

    avatar thumb MandM5960
    June 27, 2021

    star rating  ‘Tis rare for me to comment on cafés and restaurants for Tripadvisor when I am not actually on a trip but near home. However, for once, I make an exception... read more

    avatar thumb Dog-On-Free-Range
    August 17, 2021

    star rating  Extensive menu - Small frontage, but the restaurant goes back a long way. Very busy for a Thursday evening and so having been seated at a table at the back we felt... read more

    avatar thumb Chris T
    May 28, 2024