With a name like Pizza Punks, you could be forgiven for thinking that spikes, studs, chains and military-style boots are required to enter Leeds’ newest pizza restaurant. Thankfully, this isn’t the dress code.
With outlets in Belfast, Glasgow and Newcastle, Pizza Punks is designed with ‘punk vibes’ throughout. The idea behind the aesthetic is that freedom and expression gives the company a blank canvas to do whatever it pleases. The Leeds site used to be home to MOD (Made on Demand) pizza, so it’s possible to say that the place has morphed from Mod to Punk. I did wonder if it was all going to be (Johnny) Rotten or Good (Charlotte).
As you might expect, Pizza Punks also boasts an extensive cocktail menu with punk-appropriate names, including Dazed and Confused and Dead Punks Society. There’s even one named after New Order’s Blue Monday, all done in True Faith, of course.
Unfortunately, the evening didn’t begin too well. We had to wait more than 20 minutes for our drinks due to a ‘technical issue’, and then they couldn’t find a corkscrew to open the wine. Bringing some water to the table in the interim would have been appreciated. After that hiccup, though, the service was friendly and speedy.
Starters range from a basic Garden Salad (£3) to a Vegan Mac n’ Cheese (£6). My Punk Mac n’ Cheese (£5) came with some seriously mature cheddar, Parmesan and Mascarpone. Strong enough to bring a smile to the face of any self-respecting punk.

The sourdough used in-house is handmade and double fermented for a minimum of 48 hours to give it maximum flavour. After that, what you choose to top your £11.00 pizza with is entirely up to you. The price remains the same regardless of the number of toppings. Or, if you prefer a simpler pizza, their own classics are also included on the menu. The kitchen is open-plan, which allows plenty of opportunity to watch your pizza being made.

The dessert menu is short and, unlike your regular punk, incredibly sweet. My Choc Chip Ice Cream Cookie Sandwich (£6) was creamy, while my other half’s Caramelised Pineapple Cheesecake had enough bite to make even the sturdiest Mohican stand on end.

While it might be anarchy in the oven, we found Pizza Punks to be well in order.