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  Different - Gutted! The best seafood pizza I have ever had and regularly have at Prima has been taken off the menu and replaced with a king prawn and garlic butter pizza.... read more

    avatar thumb markonemillion
    September 28, 2024

    star rating  Looking for somewhere to eat on a bank holiday weekend in Ripon, noticed the reviews about this place were very good so we called in on the off chance of... read more

    avatar thumb S7868NAdanc
    August 28, 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  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  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  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  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  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  One of my families favourite places to eat, we’ve been going back for years and yet to have a bad meal! Very generous menu and everything we’ve tried has been... read more

    avatar thumb cworgs
    April 9, 2022
  • 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  Dining Solo - I was in Ripon for a family gathering but had an evening to myself. Prima had been recommended by my cousin and didn’t disappoint. They were able to take a... read more

    avatar thumb David M
    March 11, 2023

    star rating  Delicious food that we will be back for more of! - AMAZING!!! Most fantastic food, service was impeccable and the spectacle put on for our joint birthday celebration is one that will be remembered for many years to come!
    Thank... read more

    avatar thumb csb103
    February 21, 2023
  • 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  Fantastic food, warm service, and a real Italian atmosphere. Every dish was delicious and clearly made with passion. Prima Pizzeria is a true gem – we’ll definitely be returning. Highly... read more

    avatar thumb james s
    January 13, 2026

    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  My girlfriend and I had another wonderful experience at Prima last Friday evening.

    We booked very late but were welcomed for an early evening sitting. The restaurant was... read more

    avatar thumb Tony E
    June 5, 2025

    star rating  Great good and service. - Brilliant once again. Great Italian food with great service. Always busy but lots of staff and quick service. We have been several times now and always had a great meal.... read more

    avatar thumb Roy J
    May 28, 2024

    star rating  Treated ourselves to a Thursday early evening treat. Great atmosphere, good food and house wine. All very reasonable and as it should be for an authentic Italian meal. Would go... read more

    avatar thumb David-DWTG
    October 29, 2021
  • star rating  One of the best meals I have had in a very long time, And with the staff so pleasant and efficient, recommend it to anyone

    avatar thumb JohnB15967
    February 14, 2026

    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  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  Friday night supper - Staying in ripon, we went out early for a maslmon Friday. Not realising how busy the town is at 6pm! The 1st restaurant was crammed. Luckily this read space,... read more

    avatar thumb rapeat
    September 14, 2024

    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  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  ‘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  What a fabulous night, lovely greeting, chose from the two course early bird menu, prawns and Lasagne, lovely presented , both cooked to perfection and the lasagne omg, I would... read more

    avatar thumb SHARON26B
    October 5, 2021

    star rating  I was down in Ripon with my husband, and we went here for our evening meal, as we saw online they did Gluten Free food too. It was absolutely brilliant... read more

    avatar thumb EricaLN
    April 3, 2022