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  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  Excellent - Excellent in every way.The service and food could not be faulted.
    Prima certainly lives up to its revues
    a return visit is planned

    avatar thumb Sandy01Harrogate
    February 18, 2023

    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  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  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  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  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  ‘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  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  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  Excellent food with great service. - This is an excellent restaurant with great service and fantastic food. We had the tagliatelle with truffle and steak one night, and the next night we had lamb chops. I... read more

    avatar thumb Shelley S
    November 15, 2024

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

    avatar thumb Vaughan H
    March 4, 2026

    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  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  Lovely restaurant! Amazing food and service.
    Went with some friend for my birthday, everything was absolutely perfect!!!
    We will be back next time we are in Ripon ❤️

    avatar thumb Chloe F
    January 13, 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  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  We always visit on Christmas Eve and as usual had a fabulous time. Food was exceptional and all of the staff were excellent - thank you Prima.

    avatar thumb Odyssey44761910469
    December 24, 2021

    star rating  The food, service and atmosphere was Italian at its best. My Lobster Ravioli with a side salad of rocket and tomato was nothing short of fabulous. Thank you for a... read more

    avatar thumb Bopeep1947
    June 7, 2021
  • star rating  Very slow - We waited ages for anyone to take our order. It took quite a while to get the main course. When they came to clear the table we were... read more

    avatar thumb Sharon B
    May 26, 2024

    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  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
  • star rating  Good menu and quality - Excellent food and service. The best dish in my opinion was the asparagus ravioli - it was soooo good. Really enjoyed it and recommend. Thank you.

    avatar thumb Katie M
    April 13, 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  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