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 

 

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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  Very nice resturant and conveniently located in a lovely part of the city. We has pizzas and we were a bit disappointed to be honest. The quality of ingredients was... read more

    avatar thumb F53ZWdavidg
    June 6, 2025

    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  Stayed in Ripon 4 days over BH weekend and decided to book this Italian restaurant after reading reviews and glad we did. We had a wonderful meal that was cooked... read more

    avatar thumb S6675THirener
    August 29, 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

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

    avatar thumb Vaughan H
    March 4, 2026