Stringray Globe

I’m slightly in two minds about writing this review as this place is so good that I kind of want to keep it a secret! I love Stringray because I get to eat normally! Being gluten-​free normally means requesting a gluten-​free menu or allergen chart and cross referencing what you can and can’t have! Not here, the menu clearly states that they can do both the pizza and pasta gluten-​free and they even have gluten-​free beer available. They used to have Crop Circle but the last few times I’ve been in I’ve had the Daura and both are delicious.
Normally gluten-​free pizzas are substantially smaller than their gluten cousins but not here, they are huge and I often end up taking some home with me because I just can’t manage it all. Now as a regular, I have made the bold decision on a few times to step away from the pizza and try some of the pasta dishes which are equally delicious.
Stringray is great because it serves honest, hearty food and is very reasonably priced. The service is great and restaurant is well located on Columbia road which options to sit out or in. In the evening, they have patio heaters on so its always warm. Stringray is a true gem and well worth a visit… just don’t tell too many of your friends.

Absolutely delicious pizzas, and fast service! I also had potato skins as an appetizer, which were divine.
It was really great that they are very accommodating of dietary restrictions. Other than having gluten-​free options available for all pizza doughs and pastas, They had it very clearly indicated on their menu when things were vegetarian, lactose-​free, or could be made gluten-​free, and when things may contain traces of nuts and gluten.

Great comfort food for a cold winters day!
Sunday lunch at Columbia market has so many choices, however we opted for the Stingray Globe as many others had a waiting list, or were rammed full.
We opted for the vegetarian Calzone, pumpkin and goats cheese salad (starter) and polenta chips (with tapenade) to share.
Portion sizes were very good and the place itself had a warm vibe and décor, however whilst the food was okay, it wasn’t very flavoursome.
I did like the thin edges for the Calzone and it was stuffed with filling. But it was rather bland and the dough was very floury. Whilst this I’m sure this would appeal to others, I do rather like rich food and adding chilli oil just didn’t cut it!
The polenta chips were also a let down and came out lukewarm.
I also wasn’t very impressed with the plastic glasses they gave us when we ordered water. I’m not sure if this is a policy of theirs, however it felt very cheap.
However it answered a need, it wasn’t terrible and for under £20 for two people who left full, it’s not bad value.
That they have gluten free pizza’s is also a bonus, and I could see coming back here if I had an intolerant friend, however with all the choice in the local area and without this constraint, I won’t be back in a rush.

One of my favorite pizza spots in London. Great atmosphere, cheap, straightforward delicious pizzas. If I could suggest anything to make it better it would be more beer options (you’re in Hackney, might as well go for some local microbrews).
I’ve been going here for 12 years — you know what you’re going to get and it’s good. My favorites are the bascaiola, mexicana, fiorentina & the hawaiian.
They also do gluten free pizza base.

Super portions at a great price, can’t beat it. Pizza tastes great as well. I’ve only been there on Sundays after strolling down Columbia Road Flower market and therefore it’s packed. I’ve queued for up to an hour for this place but it’s worth it. Pizzas are circa £5−6 and big. They also do gluten free dough for those into that. Great casual dining, inexpensive, and good food gives them 5 stars for me!

1. Cheap
2. Huge portions
3. Tastes delic
One of my favorite pizza joints in London. The price is sooo right for the huge pizza you get. If you order the calzone, it’s the size of a 1 month old baby. The pizza is not only huge, but toppings are plenty and the crust is delic. You don’t feel ripped off at all. I always have some left over and get a takeaway box.
*The garlic bread order is basically a whole pizza, but garlic and cheese. So be prepared to share with 5 ppl, unless this will be your main order.
There’s usually always a wait and typically I don’t have the patience or personality for long waits for a table, but for me, this place is worth it. Just try to avoid peaks times, ie) Saturday & Sunday noon. Easy peasy.

Good pizza and pasta at good prices. A little chaotic and the washrooms were terrible but overall a good place for a few brews over a crispy pizza.

Te apetece comer una buena pizza y a un precio extraordinario en pleno Londres? Este es tu sitio! Pizzas de menos de £7 y enormes, con masa fina, cargadas de ingredientes y un sabor magnífico. El local es pequeño pero muy agradable y tienen la cocina abierta hasta las 23 h.
Recomiendo la Calzone vegetariana con jamón de Parma por encima.
Por ponerle una pega, está algo escondido y es difícil de encontrar aunque está en zona 1

We came here for a drink on a Saturday evening and ended up staying for food.
A totally relaxed unassuming place that does good food at decent prices. The Gluten free Pizza was a very happy surprise, not to mention it was HUGE (gluten free pizzas are usually smaller). We left happy and full.
The crowd was really varied, for being pretty much East London. There was a teenagers birthday party there and the staff seemed just lovely to them. You don’t see much of that in central London, so it must be a good thing.
Loved it, would go back for casual dining.

Not fantastic pizza, but cheap and huge portions!
There are some interesting flavours on the pizzas (avocado?) some of which probably don’t work, but at least they are a little different! The pizza’s are huge and incredibly cheesy. On a hangover, they are amazing but in a sober state it is a bit too much to handle.
Pizza’s are between £6 to £8, and for that price you really can’t complain!

Have to second the latest review, I’m afraid, about the dry pizzas. They are big and cheap and the sauce I tasted was good but lots more topping needed! The rabbit was reported as excellent though, and the big bottles of cider were value for money.
A nice vibe to the place, relaxed and unpretentious, but please ditch the £1 charge for using debit cards it’s very off-​putting.

Great pizza for the price. I really don’t have much else to add that others haven’t. Nice, crispy thin pizza at an astonishingly low price for the quality. Want to eat out on a budget? Who needs Pizza Express when you have this place nearby.
One VERY important piece of information. They DO deliver (in spite of the fact that it says they do not on Unilocal), but via this external website:

What can be better for a gloomy Thursday night than amazing Italian food in one of the loveliest lane in London. This place has really surprised me. After you make the first step in, you are hit by aromatic scent of spices and garlic (in a positive way:)). The place is small but cozy, nothing fancy, but when I enter a colourful place, I can’t help liking it instantly.
It wasn’t only the biggest calzone I’ve ever seen, it was also the most tasty I ever tried! And believe me, almost ending up as an Italian sposa once, I’m quite demanding, when comes to Italian cuisine. Unfortunately for me, I had to satisfy myself with just a few bites from my boyfriend, as I ordered mushroom pizza, which was also pretty good, but the vegetarian calzone (with sun fried tomatoes, olives, peppers, looooots of garlic) was a masterpiece! Cheese monster like me should be pleased as well as it’s packed with mozzarella. And all this for just £5−6!
The service was extra fast (we got our food in less than 9 minutes although the place was quite packed). Better book your table in advance, especially on weekends.
They also have pasta and salads on the menu, good selection of alcohols, on average prices, but don’t worry, you can find some good cheap cocktails (£4!) among them to match your pizza. I also recommend trying their chilly and herbs olive oil.
If you need, they also have wi-​fi. The only flaw was the fact that they charge £1 for payments by credit or debit cards without telling you about it. It’s not a big deal, but I think we should have been informed.

Maybe it was the fact that my boyfriend and I were there on a non-​market day, but the service was friendly and quick when we went. Our server was really nice, and for someone with my dietary requirements, it’s nice to know that they were nice about my request to leave cheese out of my order. The garlic pizza bread is really really awesome. It’s really all about the texture of the bread. I also ordered some chips and a grilled veggie salad. They also put rosemary chili olive oil on the table to have with your meal. It’s nice on anything really.
We had sort of doubted the place at first, but we walked away happy and full.

Good pizza, good value and great location on Columbia Rd — but look out for the waitresses, they are rude.
There is an open fire in the lounge area which makes it a nice place to sit and have a drink in Winter.

Okay, I’m a bit of a pizza snob. Pathetic, I know, but I’ve had the proper stuff and feel that anything less is … well … less.
I’d been hearing the raves about Stingray for awhile and was keen to check it out when a buddy suggested we swing by. Honestly, I wasn’t blown away but really pleased and would love to visit again. I had the Boscaiola (tomato, mozzarella, mushrooms, bacon and onion) which for 5.95 was tasty, filling and affordable.
The pizzas at Stingray aren’t the best in London but they’re certainly more than adequate and very good value for money. Throw in some decently priced Peronis, a working fireplace, a very friendly (and cute!) wait staff and a cozy vibe great for catching up with an old mate and you’ve got a quality little eatery.
As popular as this Columbia Road mainstay is, reservations are definitely the way to go.

Do you remember Desperate Dan? Can you remember his cow pies?
Well Stringray Globe (Yes, Stringray!) serves Calzones of similar epic proportion! The Pizza’s are like wheels off old Horse Carts — They really are gigantic! The base is thin and crispy (un-​like said wheel off Horse Cart) and the topping plentiful. And the price… well you almost expect David Dickinson to pop out and shout; ‘Bargain!’ as you really do get value for money, especially in such an expensive neighbourhood.
Fine-​dining it is not but for good quality food and fantastic service in an unassuming environment you will be hard pushed to find better than Stringray.

Cute little pizza place at the end of the Columbia Road cafes and shops. On Sundays it gets quite busy, so it’s best to get there early. In nice weather, it’s a great place to sit outside and people watch. I’ve never been on a day other than Sunday, but I assume it’s still a good place to go, and much quieter.
The pizzas are huge and I’m always impressed (and slightly guilty feeling) that I finish it. They offer all the good stuff on the side and the chili oil has a nice kick.

S L O W
S E R V I C E
P A I N F U L
yet amazingly good atmosphere and pizzas. Come on guys, pull your trousers up!

Great pizza,
Terrible Service
Wonderful atmosphere,
Terrible Service
Fantastic company,
Terrible Service
Brilliantly cheap prices,
Terrible Service
Enviable calzones as big as a buffalo’s face (no, seriously),
Terrible Service
Sing with me now: «which one of these is NOT like the other…»

Yum! Great Pizza, book if you can or just swing by — it’s always packed tho.